The Countdown to Kickoff Thread

[David Ray]

Cullen Bryant playing Defensive Back (drafted as a DB) is a cool image.

Lots of good, solid Rams' defensive backs that wore #32 ... Dre Bly, Eric Weddle, Bradley Fletcher, Ron Bartell, Toby Wright, Troy Hill and Jordan Fuller (for his first two years).

Cullen Bryant playing Defensive Back (drafted as a DB) is a cool image.

Lots of good, solid Rams' defensive backs that wore #32 ... Dre Bly, Eric Weddle, Bradley Fletcher, Ron Bartell, Toby Wright, Troy Hill and Jordan Fuller (for his first two years).

That nationally televised preseason game against Miami in the Orange Bowl was my first look at the new unis unveiled in 1973.

 

[den-the-coach]

Toby Wright is Cullen Bryant 2.0 after Cullen hit the weights heavy.

Cullen Bryant was so underrated. Drafted in 73 and was amazing on special teams plus did play defensive back, you can see him playing that position in this game on YouTube.

 

[den-the-coach]

That nationally televised preseason game against Miami in the Orange Bowl was my first look at the new unis unveiled in 1973.

Boy I remember that like it was yesterday, my father calling me into our side room that had a portable black & white Sears TV as my mother & sister were watching something else on the main TV. I watched and could not believe how bad the Rams looked early.

I felt Hadl was awful as James Harris came off the bench to lead the Rams to a comeback. Dolphins jumped out to a 17-0 lead and then Harris brought the Rams back to 17-14 and David Ray had a chance to tie the game at the end, but missed a FG and the Dolphins prevailed 17-14.

 

[David Ray]

Boy I remember that like it was yesterday, my father calling me into our side room that had a portable black & white Sears TV as my mother & sister were watching something else on the main TV. I watched and could not believe how bad the Rams looked early.

I felt Hadl was awful as James Harris came off the bench to lead the Rams to a comeback. Dolphins jumped out to a 17-0 lead and then Harris brought the Rams back to 17-14 and David Ray had a chance to tie the game at the end, but missed a FG and the Dolphins prevailed 17-14.

OMG! What a FIND!

 

[Allen2McVay]

Just trying to catch-up on the Countdown. This should have been yesterday's post.

Adam Archuleta ...

Adam's wife ...

OK ... Adam is kind of Dreamy too ...

 

[Allen2McVay]

And for today, Two Great Rams' running backs.

Todd Gurley and Lawrence McCutcheon ...

 

[den-the-coach]

Bad First Round Pick in Gaston Green, should have drafted Thurman Thomas.

Good Kicker in Bruce Gossett

Vernon Turner

Good RB in Barry Redden, however, Dickerson was drafted one year later.

 

[Snaz]

Vernon Turner
View attachment 66611

Didn't he have over a 7 ypc stat at one point. Low carries though.

 

[den-the-coach]

Didn't he have over a 7 ypc stat at one point. Low carries though.

Yes he did.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Obvious and easy ...

Should not be forgotten ... If you have to ask, you should be ashamed ...

 

[den-the-coach]

Poetry in Motion...Harold Jackson.

Del Shofner

Tommy McDonald....A Vince Papale Favorite

Sid Justin

Jack Dwyer

How Sweet it is.

 

[den-the-coach]

The Great Marshall Faulk.

CB Monte Jackson

Punter & WR...Pat Studstill

USC Anthony Davis

 

[Allen2McVay]

CB Monte Jackson
View attachment 66633

Thank You!

Monte Jackson was terrific in his three Rams' seasons, and a personal favorite of mine as a teenager.

When he was traded to the Raiders prior to the 1978 season, I was hugely disappointed. Should not have been because Rod Perry and Pat Thomas turned-out to be an excellent pair of starting CBs.

Still, I was pissed-off to lose Jackson ... despite the fact that he never again played at a Pro Bowl level.

Here's why I am thanking you. When I saw your post, I decided to research what the Rams got from Oakland for Monte Jackson; and it turned-out to be three high draft choices ... #1 in 1979, #2 in 1981 and #3 in 1980.

Then I looked-up who the Rams drafted with those selections (or picks acquired via trade for them) ... WOW!!!
George Andrews and Jim Collins ... both quality LBs who had their careers cut short by injuries but contributed to many Rams' winning seasons.

And, with the 1980 third round draft choice ... the Rams selected Leroy Irvin, who was a much more productive NFL cornerback than Monte Jackson (post-trade).

Took 45 years for dopey me to figure out the Rams made a Great Move in trading Monte Jackson!!!

Thank You!

 

[Allen2McVay]

Two high quality NFL Cornerbacks ... worthy of note

 

[den-the-coach]

Jon Arnett

\

Mark Barron

Anthony Newman

Wendell Tyler

 

[Allen2McVay]

Agree on all the #26s posted by the "erudite" @den-the-coach; and glad he mentioned a great old-time Ram ... Jaguar Jon Arnett.

Want to throw-out one more ... really ... REALLY ... old time Ram ... WR Jim Benton.

Benton had 303 receiving yards in one game. An NFL record that stood for 44 years; before it was broken by the Rams' own Willie "Flipper" Anderson.

Just to be clear, this is a photo of Jim Benton ... NOT Flipper Anderson

 

[Loyal]

Cullen Bryant was so underrated. Drafted in 73 and was amazing on special teams plus did play defensive back, you can see him playing that position in this game on YouTube.

Cullen Bryant was one of my favorites in the 70's.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Quite a few good ones wore #25 but Jerry Gray was an excellent player, with four Pro Bowls in nine seasons.

First round pick inn 1985 after an All American career at Texas ... mostly at Safety. Contributor on the 1985 Rams' team that went to the NFC Championship Game. Replaced Pro Bowl CB Gary Green (injured / retired) in 1986; and was immediately a stud-cornerback. Went to four straight Pro Bowls, and twice second-team All Pro. Never fully recovered from a 1990 knee injury.

Smart, athletic player who was always in the right spot. A coach on-the-field.

After taking just one year-off in 1994, Gray became a coach; and this season will be his 30th-consecutive-year as a defensive football coach ... the last 28 in the NFL.

 

[David Ray]

 

[Allen2McVay]

This one is for my father (a proud Italian American) who passed-away almost 40 years ago.

Dante Magnani!

Played back and receiver for the Cleveland Rams in the early-1940's ... served in World War II (as did my father) ... then returned to the NFL and the Los Angeles Rams in the late-1940s.

Magnani was a 19th Round Draft Choice in 1940, after playing in college with the Galloping Gaels of St. Mary's; and is credited with being the first football player to be referred to as a "Scat-back".

My goodness! What could Sean McVay do with Dante Magnani?!?

And, apparently, also wore #3!

OK ... I will Go Away Now