RIP Bob Brown.

[Memento]

Just passed away at 81 after a stroke. He was admittedly before my time, but apparently was the Orlando Pace of his era (culminating in a HOF induction), and he played for the Rams for a short while.

Anyway, rest in peace, Bob Brown.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Growing-up and loving the game, this is what NFL players looked like ...

As a kid, I thought this was cool. As a senior, I still think it looks pretty cool.

Brown was a dominant Right Tackle, especially early in his career with the Eagles. Played two years with the Rams under George Allen; and finished-up with John Madden's Raiders where he started on an O-Line that included guard Gene Upshaw, left tackle Art Shell and center Jim Otto. All four are in the Hall of Fame.

I had this card as a kid ...

 

[den-the-coach]

A great Ram and player RIP B Squared.

 

[den-the-coach]

After asking for a trade from the Eagles, Brown was sent to the Los Angeles Rams in a five-player trade on May 12, 1969. The Eagles traded Brown, along with cornerback Jim Nettles, to the Rams in exchange for offensive tackle Joe Carollo, guard Don Chuy and defensive back Irv Cross.

The 1969 Rams won their first 11 games of 69 and then lost their next 3 games to the Vikings, Lions & Colts. Did qualify for the playoffs, which was in Bloomington Minnesota and although the Rams had a halftime lead, came up short in losing to Joe Kapp & the Vikings by a score of 23-20. As it always seemed the Rams had to play Minnesota in Minnesota before there was ever a roof.

 

[David Ray]

After asking for a trade from the Eagles, Brown was sent to the Los Angeles Rams in a five-player trade on May 12, 1969. The Eagles traded Brown, along with cornerback Jim Nettles, to the Rams in exchange for offensive tackle Joe Carollo, guard Don Chuy and defensive back Irv Cross.

The 1969 Rams won their first 11 games of 69 and then lost their next 3 games to the Vikings, Lions & Colts. Did qualify for the playoffs, which was in Bloomington Minnesota and although the Rams had a halftime lead, came up short in losing to Joe Kapp & the Vikings by a score of 23-20. As it always seemed the Rams had to play Minnesota in Minnesota before there was ever a roof.

If you read Deacon Jones' autobiography HEADSLAP written with co-author John Klawitter, the officiating in the 2nd half of that Western Conference championship game is detailed with excerpts wriiten by a sporswriter for an LA newspaper and really brings home that the zebras were determined that the NFL's new darling (replacing Lombardi's Pack) were not going to be permitted to lose that game. Same way the '85 Bears got away with crap in the NFC title game like illegal contact on a long reception by Michael Young that was called back because he "ran out of bounds and came back in" to make the catch. Madden took that zebra to task for seeing Young out of bounds but failing to call the illegal contact that put him there. And while the RAMS handled the sequence at the end of the 1st half poorly, they clearly were signaling for a timout and were ignored by the zebras. Such BULLSHIT.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

For decades the Rams were famous for their powerful OLs and running games. Fun times!

 

[Allen2McVay]

For decades the Rams were famous for their powerful OLs and running games. Fun times!

And they had insane continuity ... which can't be had in modern football, with free agency and a salary cap.

25 years ... three centers ... Ken Iman to Rich Saul to Doug Smith ... That's It!!! ... 3!!!

Must be an exception ... Right?

How about 27 years ... two right guards ... Joe Scibelli to Dennis Harrah ... 2!!!

Quite a coincidence but there must have been turnover at left guard ... Right?

In 29 years ... three left guards ... Tom Mack to Kent Hill to Tom Newberry ... 3 in 3 decades!

The Rams would have greater turnover on the interior-OL in the McVay Era than over a 25-Plus year period from the 1960s through the 1980s.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

And they had insane continuity ... which can't be had in modern football, with free agency and a salary cap.

25 years ... three centers ... Ken Iman to Rich Saul to Doug Smith ... That's It!!! ... 3!!!

Must be an exception ... Right?

How about 27 years ... two right guards ... Joe Scibelli to Dennis Harrah ... 2!!!

Quite a coincidence but there must have been turnover at left guard ... Right?

In 29 years ... three left guards ... Tom Mack to Kent Hill to Tom Newberry ... 3 in 3 decades!

The Rams would have greater turnover on the interior-OL in the McVay Era than over a 25-Plus year period from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Very interesting point. Never thought of it that way. Looks like quality OL is more of a high-impact investment than I thought.

 

[RhodyRams]

Growing-up and loving the game, this is what NFL players looked like ...

As a kid, I thought this was cool. As a senior, I still think it looks pretty cool.

Brown was a dominant Right Tackle, especially early in his career with the Eagles. Played two years with the Rams under George Allen; and finished-up with John Madden's Raiders where he started on an O-Line that included guard Gene Upshaw, left tackle Art Shell and center Jim Otto. All four are in the Hall of Fame.

I had this card as a kid ...

After asking for a trade from the Eagles, Brown was sent to the Los Angeles Rams in a five-player trade on May 12, 1969. The Eagles traded Brown, along with cornerback Jim Nettles, to the Rams in exchange for offensive tackle Joe Carollo, guard Don Chuy and defensive back Irv Cross.

The 1969 Rams won their first 11 games of 69 and then lost their next 3 games to the Vikings, Lions & Colts. Did qualify for the playoffs, which was in Bloomington Minnesota and although the Rams had a halftime lead, came up short in losing to Joe Kapp & the Vikings by a score of 23-20. As it always seemed the Rams had to play Minnesota in Minnesota before there was ever a roof.

And they had insane continuity ... which can't be had in modern football, with free agency and a salary cap.

25 years ... three centers ... Ken Iman to Rich Saul to Doug Smith ... That's It!!! ... 3!!!

Must be an exception ... Right?

How about 27 years ... two right guards ... Joe Scibelli to Dennis Harrah ... 2!!!

Quite a coincidence but there must have been turnover at left guard ... Right?

In 29 years ... three left guards ... Tom Mack to Kent Hill to Tom Newberry ... 3 in 3 decades!

The Rams would have greater turnover on the interior-OL in the McVay Era than over a 25-Plus year period from the 1960s through the 1980s.

how do you guys remember this stuff? I cant remember what I had for breakfast yesterday

 

[Allen2McVay]

how do you guys remember this stuff? I cant remember what I had for breakfast yesterday

Well, I certainly remember Bob Brown from my youth as a Rams' fan.

I think many sports fans have their strongest memories from their early years of fandom.

It's easy to recall the Offensive Linemen because there were so few of them, and they were so fucking good. The exact numbers, were verified with a little internet research.

 

[Ram65]

I remember reading Jack Youngblood's recalling his first encounter with Bob"Boomer" Brown. It was his rookie year and he went into the game (preseason) against Brown. Before entering the game Youngblood was told to watch out for Brown. Paraphrasing from my memory

Jones: I know you think your strong but, you never played against anyone as strong as Boomer Brown so watch out.

Youngblood went right at Brown and couldn't believe that Brown had broken his ribs. I guess Jack was laughing at himself for not listening to Deacon. I wish I could find the story.


Here is a good article about how smart, nasty, and strong Boomer Brown was. Good read here is part of it:

Veterans warned rookies about the danger, but they didn't always listen.

In 1971, Brown broke rookie Jack Youngblood's ribs that way. Two years later, he damaged Cardinals' rookie Andy Dorris's rib cage. Another unnamed rookie tried to beat Brown by going through, not around him. He quickly learned. It was a mistake.

The Legacy of Legendary Hall-of-Famer Bob Brown

Bob Brown was more than a Hall-of-Fame offensive lineman. He was a legendary figure. Don Shula called him the NFL's best-ever tackle. Gene Upshaw said

www.yardbarker.com

 

[den-the-coach]

how do you guys remember this stuff? I cant remember what I had for breakfast yesterday

FWIW I was too young back then born in 1966, but I have read, researched & Goggle information.

 

[Loyal]

After asking for a trade from the Eagles, Brown was sent to the Los Angeles Rams in a five-player trade on May 12, 1969. The Eagles traded Brown, along with cornerback Jim Nettles, to the Rams in exchange for offensive tackle Joe Carollo, guard Don Chuy and defensive back Irv Cross.

The 1969 Rams won their first 11 games of 69 and then lost their next 3 games to the Vikings, Lions & Colts. Did qualify for the playoffs, which was in Bloomington Minnesota and although the Rams had a halftime lead, came up short in losing to Joe Kapp & the Vikings by a score of 23-20. As it always seemed the Rams had to play Minnesota in Minnesota before there was ever a roof.

Channeling his inner Hank Stramm, den draws up a running play for Roman....
"Tom Mack will chop block that monster Alan Page," Mack nods as Stramm continues.
"Roman, run up the middle like your life depended on it! Let's matriculate down the field, boys."

Page bypasses Mack and stands up Gabe at the line. No gain.

Another image pops in young den's mind from the future, "We have to score points. HAVE to," says a young Vermeil...

den reaches over for his clipboard, imitating Vermei, and starts saying. "DeMaaarco, your a 100 percenter!"

den never thinks of Stramm again...

 

[den-the-coach]

Channeling his inner Hank Stramm, den draws up a running play for Roman....
"Tom Mack will chop block that monster Alan Page," Mack nods as Stramm continues.
"Roman, run up the middle like your life depended on it! Let's matriculate down the field, boys."

Page bypasses Mack and stands up Gabe at the line. No gain.

Another image pops in young den's mind from the future, "We have to score points. HAVE to," says a young Vermeil...

den reaches over for his clipboard, imitating Vermei, and starts saying. "DeMaaarco, your a 100 percenter!"

den never thinks of Stramm again...

That basically encapsulates me in a nutshell. Simply amazing