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http://theramswire.usatoday.com/201...-whos-on-the-los-angeles-rams-mount-rushmore/
Who's on the Los Angeles Rams Mount Rushmore?
The question of which players would make a team’s Mount Rushmore seems to come up frequently. So, we’ve decided to build our own Los Angeles Rams Mount Rushmore, and made sure to give a little love to the different eras.
Let’s roll right into the four-headed monster from the past years of this franchise.
Deacon Jones, defensive end (1961-1971)
The front man of the Fearsome Foursome is a Rams icon. He unfortunately falls victim to the fact that the league did not record sacks back in his time. Although, 101 Sports tallied Jones with an unofficial number of 159.5 sacks in 151 games. They also credited him with three 20-plus sack seasons, in which two of them, he tallied 24 and 26 sacks. Those would be the highest and second-highest single-season marks today. He certainly qualifies due to his elite play and his longevity with the Rams, as he played 11 years for the franchise.
Merlin Olsen, defensive tackle (1962-1976)
Another incredible player from the Fearsome Foursome, Olsen played his entire 15-year career with the Rams. He made the Pro-Bowl every single one of those seasons except for one (1976, his final year in the NFL). Olsen fell victim to the same thing Jones did in terms of sacks not being counted, but his unofficial statistics showed the Hall of Famer recorded 94 sacks in 208 games played, per the Rams’ web site. Olsen was rated the number three overall defensive lineman of all time by FOX Sports. A true Ram from the beginning, Olsen chose to sign with the second team that drafted him in the NFL draft, instead of the Broncos in the AFL draft.
Eric Dickerson, running back (1983-1987)
The man that is most associated with the L.A. Rams was an incredible talent, and it’d almost be a shame to see his name left off the list. He ran behind the likes of Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, but Dickerson might have been able to run behind a high school line with the speed and power combination he possessed.
He compiled 7,245 rushing yards, 56 rushing touchdowns and in his second year, set the single-season rushing record, which still stands to this day. Dickerson may not have been with the Rams as long as some of the other players in consideration, but he was a legend during his time with the Rams. He’s also remained an avid supporter of the team, especially in their return to Los Angeles. It’s also worth mentioning that he may have played a bit of a role in bringing another legendary back to the Rams, Marshall Faulk, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Isaac Bruce, wide receiver (1994-2007)
Reverend Ike played 14 seasons wearing the horns. He played his rookie season in Los Angeles and when the Rams moved to St. Louis he played his career as the last remaining L.A. Ram. Bruce is still trying to get into the Hall of Fame, which hopefully someday he will (as it’s deserved). Bruce’s second season he broke the single-season receiving yards record, only to be passed by the greatest receiver of all time that very same day. Even still, he finished with 14,109 yards and 84 receiving touchdowns for the Rams.
Honorable Mentions:
Marshall Faulk, running back (1999-2005)
Another key cog in the Greatest Show on Turf, Faulk set the record for total touchdowns in a season and the single-season yards from scrimmage record. It was extremely hard to leave the Hall of Fame do-it-all type back off the mountain.
Kurt Warner, quarterback (1998-2003)
Perhaps the hardest man to leave off the mountain. Warner was a class act and a true Ram who not only replaced Trent Green, but did the unprecedented and won the Rams their first and unfortunately only Super Bowl. He should be getting enshrined in Canton soon.
Jack Youngblood, defensive end (1971-1984)
Another tough snub is Youngblood. He has a very important factor which helps his case, and that’s his longevity. He spent his whole career, just like Olsen, with the Rams. The Hall of Fame defensive end was a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro first team member. He has been appearing at Los Angeles Rams team and fan rallies all offseason long as well to show his support for the return to Los Angeles.
Who's on the Los Angeles Rams Mount Rushmore?
The question of which players would make a team’s Mount Rushmore seems to come up frequently. So, we’ve decided to build our own Los Angeles Rams Mount Rushmore, and made sure to give a little love to the different eras.
Let’s roll right into the four-headed monster from the past years of this franchise.
Deacon Jones, defensive end (1961-1971)
The front man of the Fearsome Foursome is a Rams icon. He unfortunately falls victim to the fact that the league did not record sacks back in his time. Although, 101 Sports tallied Jones with an unofficial number of 159.5 sacks in 151 games. They also credited him with three 20-plus sack seasons, in which two of them, he tallied 24 and 26 sacks. Those would be the highest and second-highest single-season marks today. He certainly qualifies due to his elite play and his longevity with the Rams, as he played 11 years for the franchise.
Merlin Olsen, defensive tackle (1962-1976)
Another incredible player from the Fearsome Foursome, Olsen played his entire 15-year career with the Rams. He made the Pro-Bowl every single one of those seasons except for one (1976, his final year in the NFL). Olsen fell victim to the same thing Jones did in terms of sacks not being counted, but his unofficial statistics showed the Hall of Famer recorded 94 sacks in 208 games played, per the Rams’ web site. Olsen was rated the number three overall defensive lineman of all time by FOX Sports. A true Ram from the beginning, Olsen chose to sign with the second team that drafted him in the NFL draft, instead of the Broncos in the AFL draft.
Eric Dickerson, running back (1983-1987)
The man that is most associated with the L.A. Rams was an incredible talent, and it’d almost be a shame to see his name left off the list. He ran behind the likes of Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, but Dickerson might have been able to run behind a high school line with the speed and power combination he possessed.
He compiled 7,245 rushing yards, 56 rushing touchdowns and in his second year, set the single-season rushing record, which still stands to this day. Dickerson may not have been with the Rams as long as some of the other players in consideration, but he was a legend during his time with the Rams. He’s also remained an avid supporter of the team, especially in their return to Los Angeles. It’s also worth mentioning that he may have played a bit of a role in bringing another legendary back to the Rams, Marshall Faulk, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Isaac Bruce, wide receiver (1994-2007)
Reverend Ike played 14 seasons wearing the horns. He played his rookie season in Los Angeles and when the Rams moved to St. Louis he played his career as the last remaining L.A. Ram. Bruce is still trying to get into the Hall of Fame, which hopefully someday he will (as it’s deserved). Bruce’s second season he broke the single-season receiving yards record, only to be passed by the greatest receiver of all time that very same day. Even still, he finished with 14,109 yards and 84 receiving touchdowns for the Rams.
Honorable Mentions:
Marshall Faulk, running back (1999-2005)
Another key cog in the Greatest Show on Turf, Faulk set the record for total touchdowns in a season and the single-season yards from scrimmage record. It was extremely hard to leave the Hall of Fame do-it-all type back off the mountain.
Kurt Warner, quarterback (1998-2003)
Perhaps the hardest man to leave off the mountain. Warner was a class act and a true Ram who not only replaced Trent Green, but did the unprecedented and won the Rams their first and unfortunately only Super Bowl. He should be getting enshrined in Canton soon.
Jack Youngblood, defensive end (1971-1984)
Another tough snub is Youngblood. He has a very important factor which helps his case, and that’s his longevity. He spent his whole career, just like Olsen, with the Rams. The Hall of Fame defensive end was a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro first team member. He has been appearing at Los Angeles Rams team and fan rallies all offseason long as well to show his support for the return to Los Angeles.
