Turf Show Times
Offense is slotted, now it’s time for the defense
Last week, Turf Show Times asked Los Angeles Rams fans and forum members to weigh in on their favorite all-time Rams. Thanks to those who participated and now it’s on to the defensive side of the ball to complete the exercise and create a Forum All-time team.
If you didn’t join in, it’s not too late. Just add your selections and I’ll see to them. Or just put them with the defense.
I have went ahead and put together a list of candidates, in case fans don’t want to really dig in and research deep. It’s not all-inclusive, but puts the focus on the Rams more prominent players going back to the 40’s. Since keeping tackle and sack stats are relatively new to the NFL, I feel that I may have given early era Rams the short-shrift. Many of of those players played both ways and it was very difficult to discern if they were award winners because of offense or defense.
If you just want to put your personal favorites, that’s cool too. Feel free, it’s about having a good bit of fun.
Stan West (1950-54)
Starter for all five L.A. seasons. First Team All-Pro in ’53 and had two Pro Bowl berths.
Bud McFadin (1953-56)
Round 1 pick was just blossoming when a hunting accident forced an early retirement. Logged two Pro Bowls and a Second Team All Pro spot. Came back to the NFL after four seasons out of the game and joined the upstart AFL, where He locked up both All-Pro (4) and Pro Bowl berths (3).
Rosey Grier (1963-66)
Had most of his accolades before joining the Rams after eight seasons with the New York Giants. Even so, he started 56 of 56 games in L.A. and was on the first iteration of the “Fearsome Foursome”.
Merlin Olson (1962-76)
The Finnal member of the “fearsome Foursome to retire. Olson never missed a start, in 208 games. Had a string of 14 straight Pro Bowls, named First Team All-Pro five times, and Second Team three times. Voted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Larry Brooks (1972-82)
Had a stellar five-year run of Pro Bowl invites and adde both First and Second Team All-Pro nods.
Michael Brockers (2012-2020)
Not an accumulator of accolades, Brockers nonetheless was a 10-year starting fixture and started 136 of 138 games.
Aaron Donald (2014-23)
One of the NFL All-Time greats. Won Defensive Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl in all 10 seasons, and First Team All-Pro in nine of 10.
Larry Brink (1948-53)
Starter from 1950-53 without missing a game. First Team All-Pro in ’51 and had two Pro Bowl appearances.
Andy Robustelli (1951-55)
Played his first five of 14 NFL seasons in L.A. and chalked up two First Team All-Pro seasons, two Second Team, and two Pro Bowls. Traded to New York Giants in 1956 and continued to stack up major...
