70 Years Today

[551staaa]

554 yards

One of the greatest opening day performances came in 1951 when Hall of Fame quarterback Norm Van Brocklin of the Los Angeles Rams threw for a record 554 yards. The mark still stands as the greatest single passing effort in National Football League history.

Given the evolution of the passing game in the last 25 years, the fact that this record still stands after 7 decades is amazing.

 

[LARams_1963]

Who knows! It might stand for quite some time. Now, other records that are season based are going to fall quickly because of the 17 game season. ED's record in particular. I'd be surprised if that record stands for more than the next 5 years.

 

[Q729]

Who knows! It might stand for quite some time. Now, other records that are season based are going to fall quickly because of the 17 game season. ED's record in particular. I'd be surprised if that record stands for more than the next 5 years.

Dang that's true. And sucks.

 

[Loyal]

It is amazing, but the number of people who saw that team in 1951, are almost all gone. I read history because that's a passion of mine, so I know a little about that 1951 team. Dave used to wear this banner as his avatar, if memory serves me. It's the only National Championship won by the Rams in LA, well before the Dodgers, Kings and all the rest.

 

[den-the-coach]

The Flying Dutchman, irony, he really never had a great Quarterback in Atlanta when he was Head Coach. Had one in Minnesota in Francis Asbury Tarkenton, but didn't realize it and traded him to the Giants, who so affably traded Tarkenton back to Minnesota under Bud Grant.

Overall record as a Head Coach of 66-100-7, his best year coming with the Vikings in 1964 at 8-5-1, his best year with the Falcons being 1973 at 9-5.

 

[RhodyRams]

One record I want to see fall this year is Jerry Rice's 50+ yard TD receptions...DJax is 3 behind him I think

 

[Allen2McVay]

Dang that's true. And sucks.

Well, Dickerson broke Simpson's record in the 15th game of a 16-game season.

Simpson set the record in a 14-game season.

 

[Allen2McVay]

The Flying Dutchman, irony, he really never had a great Quarterback in Atlanta when he was Head Coach. Had one in Minnesota in Francis Asbury Tarkenton, but didn't realize it and traded him to the Giants, who so affably traded Tarkenton back to Minnesota under Bud Grant.

Overall record as a Head Coach of 66-100-7, his best year coming with the Vikings in 1964 at 8-5-1, his best year with the Falcons being 1973 at 9-5.

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I believe Van Brocklin's final game was an NFL Championship victory over the Packers.

Also think that was the only post-season game that a Vince Lombardi team ever lost.

 

[Allen2McVay]

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OK ... I am going to be the Uniform-guy for a moment because this is such a cool photograph.

This is well-before my time but I always liked that uniform ... the colors and the details (pants' stripe, white-edge around the numbers and even the blue socks. Also love the horns ... All-the-Way AROUND the ear-hole, and not cut-off by the ear-hole; Plus, thicker at the base and then progressively narrow to the tip.

The fase-mask is an Abomination but it was the 1950s ... should be grateful there was even a face-mask.

I realize this uniform is dated ... but I am also dated.

Finally, I like the new uniforms much better than I thought I would; and love the way the colors pop.

 

[Antonius]

I would love a throwback jersey like in the photo. I don’t believe the Rams have ever worn them as throwbacks except for one single season in 1994. There was a #36 Bettis jersey on eBay like that a while back, and I regret passing on it.

One of my favorite Van Brocklin stories is of a Vikings loss that was so upsetting to him, he resigned.

Then the next day he asked for his job back lol

 

[Allen2McVay]

Just a quick, personal comment.

Anyone (551staaa) who has an avatar of Adam West's Batman sitting and waving on a bejeweled elephant, is someone I respect.

 

[André]

Well, Dickerson broke Simpson's record in the 15th game of a 16-game season.

Simpson set the record in a 14-game season.

On the positive side, no matter how many games ED played in a season, he did manage to never murder his wife.

 

[Loyal]

Just a quick, personal comment.

Anyone (551staaa) who has an avatar of Adam West's Batman sitting and waving on a bejeweled elephant, is someone I respect.

 

[Karate61]

They used steroids 70 years ago? I never knew that!

 

[Selassie I]

Well, Dickerson broke Simpson's record in the 15th game of a 16-game season.

Simpson set the record in a 14-game season.

Just for the sake of numbers... and this is from my crusty memory.

You can take one of the whiner game and the squeeler game rushing yards away from ED's 2105 and he still beat OJ's record.

 

[RhodyRams]

Think Henry will break EDs record this year..he was only 70 something yards short last season

 

[Deac]

Fun fact for a team known for its fantastic running backs.

The Rams at one time held 2 of the top 3 passing totals for a single game in NFL History with both Norm Van Brockton and Vince Ferragamo eclipsing 500 yards in a singe game.

Karate: its thought steroids became started becoming used by bodybuilders/sports in the late 40s early 50s, by the late 50s the successful bodybuilders were all juiced and went rampant from there on and into other sports.

 

[den-the-coach]

I believe Van Brocklin's final game was an NFL Championship victory over the Packers.

Also think that was the only post-season game that a Vince Lombardi team ever lost.

Correct on both counts Vincent Thomas Lombardi's post season record was 9-1 losing to Van Brocklin's Eagles and Head Coach Buck Shaw.

 

[LARams_1963]

It is amazing, but the number of people who saw that team in 1951, are almost all gone. I read history because that's a passion of mine, so I know a little about that 1951 team. Dave used to wear this banner as his avatar, if memory serves me. It's the only National Championship won by the Rams in LA, well before the Dodgers, Kings and all the rest.

My Dad went to the '51 game when he was 15.

Crazy weird fun fact, Dad was there..the Rams won that game on a 73 yd 4th qt pass from Van Brocklin to Tom Fears... we won 24-17.
Fast Forward - Rams vs. Titans and I was there........ Rams won that one on a 73 yd 4th qt pass from Warner to Bruce.... we won 23-16

How bizarre is that???

 

[TK42-RAM]

Just a quick, personal comment.

Anyone (551staaa) who has an avatar of Adam West's Batman sitting and waving on a bejeweled elephant, is someone I respect.

Lols ... that's true ... one of the great shots of all time ...