Yes, we know that this is taking a while!
As many of you know, we at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the top 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists and consistently look to update them when necessary and based on necessity. As such, we are delighted to present our post-2023 revision of our top 50 Los Angeles Rams.
As for all of our top 50 players in football, we look at the following:
1. Advanced Statistics.
2. Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Football League.
3. Playoff accomplishments.
4. Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles that are not reflected in a stat sheet.
Last year, the Rams made it back to the playoffs but were bounced in the opening round by the Detroit Lions. There were no new entrants in the Top 50, but there were two elevations, including a brand new number one.
As always, we present our top five, which saw a major change:
1. Aaron Donald
2. Merlin Olsen
3. Deacon Jones
4. Jack Youngblood
5. Orlando Pace
You can find the entire list here.
Three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Aaron Donald overtook fellow Defensive Tackle Merlin Olsen to take over the top spot. Donald retired after the 2023 Season.
The only other change was Wide Receiver Cooper Kupp, who advanced two spots to #31.
We thank you for your continued support of our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.
Football lost a great one as Quarterback Roman Gabriel passed away this morning. He was 83 years old.
A two-time All-American and two-time ACC Player of the Year, Gabriel was drafted second overall in 1962 by the Los Angeles Rams. Despite his high selection, it was not until George Allen came into Coach in 1966 that he was given the full-time role as the Rams starting Quarterback. Gabriel went to the Pro Bowl in three consecutive seasons (1967-69) and was named a First Team All-Pro and MVP in 1969. That year, he led the NFL in Touchdown Passes (24) and only threw seven picks. The Rams traded Gabriel to Philadelphia after the 1972 Season, and in 1974, he added a fourth Pro Bowl and again led the league in Touchdown Passes (23), and was the NFL Passing Yards leader with 3,219.
Gabriel retired after the 1977 Season and had 29,444 Passing Yards with 201 Touchdowns.
We at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to Roman Gabriel's fans, friends, and family.
Aaron Donald, a man on the Mount Rushmore of Defensive Tackles, dominated from his first NFL snap in 2014 to his last one in 2023.
Drafted 10th Overall from Pittsburgh by the St. Louis Rams, Donald was incredibly difficult to counter. Blessed with an explosive first step off the snap, Donald could overpower any offensive lineman but was equally gifted in swimming and maneuvering past them. Donald was best known for his pass rush, but his run defence was equally effective. He won the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014, made the Pro Bowl, and was about to become the best defensive player in the game.
From 2015 to 2021, Donald had one of the most dominating runs of a player, regardless of position. He was named the Defensive Player of the Year three times, and in the seasons he didn’t win, he was a top-five finisher. Named a First Team All-Pro in all of those campaigns, Donald twice led the league in Tackles for Loss (2018 & 2019), Sacks once (2018), and Approximate Value once (2020). This stretch of destruction was punctuated by a Super Bowl win over Cincinnati.
Donald played two more seasons, added a seventh First Team All-Pro and went out on top in 2023. He left the gridiron with an extraordinary Approximate Value of 153 in 154 Games, 111 Sacks, 176 Tackles for Loss and 260 Quarterback Hits.
Donald will be a no-brainer for Canton in 2029.
There are a lot of Quarterbacks and Offensive Coordinators who are breathing easier today.
Aaron Donald, the most terrorizing Defensive Player in the last ten years, has announced his retirement after ten years in the NFL, all with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams.
Drafted 13th Overall in 2014 from Pittsburgh, Donald accomplished everything a player could. Named to the Pro Bowl in all ten of his campaigns, Donald was a First Team All-Pro in seven of them and won three Defensive Player of the Year Awards. Donald also won the Defensive Rookie of the Year and achieved the ultimate goal: a Super Bowl win.
Donald retires with 111 Sacks, 176 Tackles for Loss, 260 Quarterback Sacks and 543 Combined Tackles. He will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2029 and is a lock to enter on the first ballot.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to wish Aaron Donald the best in his post-playing career.
Eddie Meador, the top Defensive Back for the Los Angeles Rams during the 1960s, passed away yesterday at the age of 86.
Meador, who still holds the Rams record for Interceptions (46), Defensive Fumble Recoveries (18) and Blocked Kicks (10) joined the team as a seventh round pick in 1959 from Arkansas Tech. An immediate starter as a rookie, Meador went to six Pro Bowls (1960 & 1964-68), was a two-time First Team All-Pro (1968 & 1969), and was chosen for the 1960s All-Decade Team. The Rams named him to their team MVP in 1964 and their Defensive Back of the Year seven times.
Despite his accomplishments, Meador was never a Hall of Fame Finalist as a Modern Candidate. A Semi-Finalist this year in the Senior Category, he did not make it as one of the three Finalists, with those spots going to Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, friends and family of Eddie Meador.
Yes, we know that this is taking a while!
As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity. As such, we are very happy to present our post 2022 revision of our top 50 Los Angeles Rams.
As for all of our top 50 players in football we look at the following:
1. Advanced Statistics.
2. Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Football League.
3. Playoff accomplishments.
4. Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.
Two years ago, the Rams won it all, but last year they were unable to make it to a winning record. They still had one elevation and one new entrant based on last season.
As always, we present our top five, which did not change.
1. Merlin Olsen
2. Aaron Donald
3. Deacon Jones
5. Orlando Pace
You can find the entire list here.
Aaron Donald, who came last year at #2 remains there, but we were very close in placing him over Merlin Olsen. This could likely change in 12 months.
Wide Receiver, Cooper Kupp, who was the Super Bowl MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 2021, advanced six rungs to #31.
The only new entry is Jalen Ramsey, the Cornerback who is now with the Miami Dolphins. He enters at #49.
We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.
When discussing the Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI win, the trade that landed them Matthew Stafford is considered the deal that made it work, but the transaction that set it in motion was trading for Cornerback, Jalen Ramsey, during the 2019 Season.
Ramsey began his career with Jacksonville as the highest Defensive Back selected (Fifth Overall) in the 2016 Draft, and he was an immediate star. A Pro Bowler in 2017 and 2018, Ramsey had a verbal altercation that almost went physical with Jaguars Head Coach, Doug Marrone, which was the catalyst for his departure from the Northeastern Florida. The Jaguars traded Ramsey a couple weeks later to the Rams, where he continued his excellent play, earning his third straight Pro Bowl.
In the two years that followed, Ramsey was the best Cornerback in Football, earning back-to-back First Team All-Pros on his way to winning 2022’s Super Bowl. His peers considered him so good that in ’22 he was named #9 on the NFL 100. The Rams struggled in 2022, though Ramsey was still excellent, winning his sixth straight Pro Bowl Selection.
Los Angeles elected to trade Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins after the 2022 Season, leaving him with 10 Interceptions, 209 Tackles, and the best brief run of any Defensive Back in Rams history.
If you are a Rams fan, you will know they have a decorated history, with the team producing some of the best players the NFL has ever seen. The Rams have won one Super Bowl and two NFL Championships since the franchise joined the NFL in 1973. And throughout history, the Rams have competed in four Super Bowls and, most recently, the Super Bowl LIII.
Many great players have donned the horns over the years. And the Rams have sent many players to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So far, the franchise has boosted 21 Hall of Famers, and 19 are players. And with the anticipation of Iowa sports betting promo codes lingering in the air, let’s relish in the nostalgia as we explore the top 10 Rams players of all time.
Aaron Donald is a defensive player for the Rams drafted in 2014. And during his tenure, the Pittsburgh alum took the league by storm, becoming a threat to any quarterback. His quickness, capacity to read the offense and strength make Aaron a freak athlete.
In 9 seasons playing as a pro, Aaron was selected seven times to the First-Team All-Pro and eight times to the Pro Bowl. He was also a three times NFL Defensive Player of the Year and instrumental to the Rams Super Bowl LVI championship.
Marshall Faulk is one of the greatest running backs in the Ram's history. The San Diego State alum drafted to the Rams in 1998 is the only running back to win the NFL MVP in Rams history.
His impact on the team was immediate, as he won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award in his first three seasons. Marshall's third season as a member of the Rams was his best, as he played a crucial role in the franchise's first Super Bowl title.
Isaac Bruce is one of the top offensive players in the history of the Rams. Drafted in 1994, Marshall broke many records from 1999 to the 2001 seasons. Notably, he was instrumental in Ram's victory in the XXXIV Super Bowl Championship.
Also, in 14 seasons between the Los Angeles Rams and St. Louis, Isaac picked up over 14,000 total yards, making him a Pro Bowler roster four times. He is also in the top five for receiving yards in NFL history.
Kurt Warner is often regarded as among the best-undrafted players in NFL history. He was the quarterback of The Greatest Show on Turf, where he contributed to the win in the XXXIV Super Bowl and MVP award. Kurt played at Northern Iowa for four years before going undrafted in 1994.
After this, he spent three years in the Indoor Football League and one year in NFL Europe with a Rams future contract. And in 1999, Kurt earned his chance with the Rams, taking the league by winning the NFL MVP award.
Also, he led the league in passing touchdowns, making it to the First-Team All-Pro in his first full season. 2000 after winning the Super Bowl, Kurt won another MVP award and was again selected to the First-Team All-Pro.
Eric Dickerson is one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. Eric was drafted second overall in 1983, becoming a nightmare for any defense. Following his draft, he won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 1986.
He played five out of his twelve seasons as a pro with the Rams. Eric has also established the record for most rushing yards in the rookie season. Eric has also been awarded the First-Team All-Pro award five times, the NFL rushing leader four times, Pro Bowler six times, and an NFL 100th Anniversary team member.
The Los Angeles Rams history is a collection of extraordinary players that have etched their names in football history. Each player on this list has bought their unique playing skills and contribution to the table that has helped shape the identity of the Rams. And beyond the accolades and statistics, the Rams icons have become a symbol of perseverance and inspiration.
Andrew Whitworth played his college ball at LSU, and was taken by the Cincinnati Bengals in the Second Round of the 2006 Draft. Although he became a starter as a rookie, Whitworth didn’t break out until his 30s, earning his first Pro Bowl at 31 in 2012. Earning a First Team All-Pro in 2015, and a second Pro Bowl, Whitworth secured a third in 2016, his last with the Bengals.
Whitworth signed with the Rams in 2017, and in his first year in L.A., he was again a First Team All-Pro, and captured his fourth and final trip to the Pro Bowl. Staying with the Rams until his retirement, Whitworth ended his career perfectly, winning the Walter Payton Man of the Year the day before he anchored the line that helped bring the Rams the Super Bowl.
Whitworth left the game with 239 Games Played, and his 142 in Approximate Value was then 88th all-time.
With his play in the last half of his career, Whitworth carved out a case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2023 Pre-Season Rank #62, 2022 Pre-Season Rank: #67. Peak Period: 2019-23
Somebody would have the highest debut in 2022, pre-season rank, and better than that year’s offensive player of the year and Super Bowl MVP, Cooper Kupp, who shattered all of his personal bests. Since then, Kupp has missed some games due to injury and is back to his pre-OPOY production. Concurrently, Puca Nacua has emerged as the Rams WR1, and for Kupp to make a severe Hall run, he will need more than one phenomenal campaign and many good ones.
Yes, we know that this is taking a while!
As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity. As such, we are very happy to present our post-2021 revision of our top 50 Los Angeles Rams.
As for all of our top 50 players in football we look at the following:
1. Advanced Statistics.
2. Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Football League.
3. Playoff accomplishments.
4. Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.
Last year, the Rams won it all, their second Super Bowl, and their first since they relocated to Los Angeles. The loaded team gave us two new entries, and we thought we might have seen a new number one, but we will explain that further as there are no changes in the top five.
As always, we present our top five, though there were no changes in this elite group:
1. Merlin Olsen
2. Aaron Donald
3. Deacon Jones
5. Orlando Pace
You can find the entire list here.
Aaron Donald, who we wondered if we jumped it too fast by rocketing him to #2, was seriously considered to supplant Olsen on the top spot. Anther Pro Bowl year likely will put him there.
Wide Receiver, Cooper Kupp, who won the Receiver’s Triple Crown, the Super Bowl, the Super Bowl MVP and the Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2021, debuts at #49.
Recently retired Offensive Lineman, and last year’s Walter Payton Man of the Year, Andrew Whitworth, appears at #50.
We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.
There are few players who had a better half of their NFL career than Andrew Whitworth.
Whitworth began his pro career in 2006 with the Bengals, but his first Pro Bowl did not happen until 2012, when he was already past 30. After two more Pro Bowl with Cincinnati (2015 & 2016), he signed with the Rams in 2017, adding his fourth Pro Bowl.
Providing a veteran and cerebral presence with the Rams, Whitworth helped L.A. make it the Super Bowl in 2018, but it was a losing effort to the Patriots. Playing until he was 40, Whitworth remained one of the better Tackles in Football, and he punctuated his career with the perfect finale. On the day before the Super Bowl, Whitworth was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year, and he played a key role in Los Angeles’s Super Bowl LVI win.
What a way to call it a career!
As of this writing Cooper Kupp is the primary offensive weapon for the Los Angeles Rams, and among the top flight in NFL Wide Receivers.
The Rams had high hopes for Kupp, who was a Third Round Selection from Eastern Washington, but this is not an institution that is known for producing stars. Kupp, was an All-Rookie, accruing a respectable 869 Yards, and had he not been injured the year after for half of the season, he would have likely had his first, 1000 Yard year as a sophomore, though he secured that in his third year (1,161 Yards). After dipping below to 974 Yards in 2020, the Rams underwent a change in Quarterback, with Jared Goff exiting for Matthew Stafford, and the ascendence to the elite for Kupp began.
Kupp instantly became Stafford’s favorite target, and he easily won the Receiving Triple Crown (145 Receptions, 1,947 Receiving Yards and 16 Receiving Touchdowns). Named a First Team All-Pro, Kupp won the AP Offensive Player of the Year. Even more electric in the playoffs, Kupp set records in a single post-season with 33 Receptions with his 478 Yards second only behind Larry Fitzgerald. Kupp, who caught the game-winning Touchdown in Super Bowl LVI, was named the Super Bowl MVP, capping one of the most outstanding seasons ever by a Wide Receiever.
2022 was a disappointment for both the Rams and Kupp, as they had a losing record and Kupp missed half of the year on the injured list, and in 2023, Kupp was supplanted by rookie Puka Nacua as Los Angeles WR1, but he is still votal moving forward to the Rams offense.
On his Instagram, Los Angeles Rams’ Offensive Tackle, Andrew Whitworth, announced his retirement from football.
The 40-year-old went out on top, anchoring the Rams to their first Super Bowl win in Los Angeles, in a year where he also won the coveted Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Whitworth played his college ball at LSU, and was taken by the Cincinnati Bengals in the Second Round of the 2006 Draft. Although he became a starter as a rookie, Whitworth didn’t break out until his 30s, earning his first Pro Bowl at 31 in 2012. Earning a First Team All-Pro in 2015, and a second Pro Bowl, Whitworth secured a third in 2016, his last with the Bengals.
Whitworth signed with the Rams in 2017, and in his first year in L.A., he was again a First Team All-Pro, and captured his fourth and final trip to the Pro Bowl. With his retirement, Whitworth leaves the game with 239 Games Played, and his 142 in Approximate Value is currently 88th all-time.
With his play in the last half of his career, Whitworth carved out a case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which he is eligible for 2027.
We here at Notinhallofame.com would like to wish Andrew Whitworth the best in his post-playing career.
The Super Bowl LVI participants are set, and there are not too many who would have bet on the Cincinnati Bengals to face the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams enter as a favorite, but that is perfectly fine for Cincinnati, who have overcome the odds to get to the big dance.
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The Rams will have the luxury of playing in their home, SoFi Stadium, but this has been a post-season where the road teams have been dominant. Los Angeles went all in at the start of the season, trading their Quarterback, Jared Goff, and a slew of First Round Picks to Detroit for Matthew Stafford. The move was every bit the upgrade they hoped for, and it helped propel Wide Receiver, Cooper Kupp, to new single-season receiving records and a possible MVP.
Defensively, the Rams are led by Aaron Donald, the three-time Defensive MVP and future first ballot Hall of Famer. It is a complete team coached by Sean McVay, who at 36 years of age, will appear in his second Super Bowl, a first for any Coach under 40.
The Bengals have never won the Super Bowl, and are appearing in their third, the last coming 23 years ago in a loss to San Francisco. Cincinnati first beat Las Vegas at home, and then upset the top seed Tennessee Titans and defending AFC Champion, Kansas City on the road to get here.
Led by Quarterback, Joe Burrow, the Bengals are riding on momentum and emotion, and while Burrow is only in his second season, he already has a pedigree of a champion. Along with his teammate and current start Wide Receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, the duo won the National Championship at LSU two years ago, and the image of Burrow smoking a cigar after the victory is an iconic moment that Bengals fans hope to see repeated.
Both teams are capable of comebacks, as shown in each Conference Championship Games, so don’t let any halftime score make you think the game is over.
This is a fresh Super Bowl match, and we can’t wait to see how this will play out.
Super Bowl LVI will be on Sunday, February 13 at 6:30 p.m. EST.
Yes, we know that this is taking a while!
As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity. As such, we are very happy to present our pre-2021 revision of our top 50 Los Angeles Rams of all-time.
As for all of our top 50 players in football we look at the following:
1. Advanced Statistics.
2. Traditional statistics and how they finished in the NFL.
3. Playoff accomplishments.
4. Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.
This our first revision in two years, and there is only one change, but it has direct impact in our top five.
1. Merlin Olsen
2. Aaron Donald
3. Deacon Jones
5. Orlando Pace
You can find the entire list here.
Donald moved up from #23 to #2, and is the reigning and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. It would not surprise us if he becomes the greatest Ram of all-time.
We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.
2023 Pre-Season Rank #110, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #113, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #108, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #129. Peak Period 2017-21
White was electric in 2019 and 2020, but while Buffalo went to the next level in the two years after, White did not, as injuries compiled and he only played 21 Games in the last three years. The Cornerback will look to be healthy and productive in 2024 with his new team, the Los Angeles Rams.
Bud McFadin had an excellent career in pro football, yet when it comes to discussing him for the Hall of Fame, his name never comes up. Perhaps it should, but we get why it doesn't.