Rank top 5 all time Ram O-Lines

[leoram]

Our Rams have a proud tradition of excellent OLine units. That was obviously missing from 2003 to 2015. PFF grades the current iteration as the NFL’s best through 6 games. But where do they rank among Dickerson’s/White’s/Bell’s squad, the Tom Mack era, the first true pass blockers of the 50’s, the Doughnut Brothers, and the 79 Super Bowl unit? I assume we have some stat geeks here that can dig up some info and while that’s welcome...I’m interested in what old timers like myself recall as these units passed our eyeball tests.

What say you?

 

[den-the-coach]

1979 Offensive Line.

LT....Doug France
LG...Kent Hill
C...Rich Saul
RG...Dennis Harrah
RT....Jackie Slater (HOF)

i believe this was the best of all time, however, the OL of 1973 was pretty awesome too

LT....Charlie Cowan
LG...Tom Mack (HOF)
C...Ken Iman
RG...Joe Schbelli
RT...John Williams

 

[Loyal]

1979 Offensive Line.

LT....Doug France
LG...Kent Hill
C...Rich Saul
RG...Dennis Harrah
RT....Jackie Slater (HOF)

i believe this was the best of all time, however, the OL of 1973 was pretty awesome too

LT....Charlie Cowan
LG...Tom Mack (HOF)
C...Ken Iman
RG...Joe Schbelli
RT...John Williams

Those guys/units were great in their day, but the Olines of today have to be able to block for guys that throw 4000 yards plus. Oline players love to run block and not worry about the pass, especially if they have a premium RB for which they are opening holes. Our Oline today if placed in those different eras, would dominate.

 

[den-the-coach]

Those guys/units were great in their day, but the Olines of today have to be able to block for guys that throw 4000 yards plus. Oline players love to run block and not worry about the pass, especially if they have a premium RB for which they are opening holes. Our Oline today if placed in those different eras, would dominate.

Oh IDK, it's much easier to pass block than run block, easier to teach as well. Anytime you are comparing era's you have to factor in that football players are football players. I believe Jackie Slater would have been outstanding in any era, just like I believe Whitworth would have been great in the 70's too.

 

[Farr Be It]

1984?

LT Irv Pankey
LG Dennis Harrah
C Doug Smith
RG Kent Hill
RT Jackie Slater


Not bad

 

[SteveBrown]

1979 Wasn't any good until about game 15, lol.....Kent Hill took a while to get going. watch the film....He is my fav all time.

 

[Loyal]

Oh IDK, it's much easier to pass block than run block, easier to teach as well. Anytime you are comparing era's you have to factor in that football players are football players. I believe Jackie Slater would have been outstanding in any era, just like I believe Whitworth would have been great in the 70's too.

Teaching is one thing, but having to defend for several seconds against premium edge rushers, would have made Deacon more of a legend than he already was in the 60’s. They just didn’t Throw the ball that much back then, and I doubt that if todays edge rushers were transported back in time that those era’s great LT’s and Oline could have contained them...Nutrition and size are so much better today, compared to then. I loved Jackie Slater when he played for us...best in the game in that era, but I’d take Orland Pace or Whittworth over him in a second (considering everyone is in their prime)

 

[Loyal]

Dang den, how are we going to argue for pages up on pages if you toast my point! :fighting:

@den-the-coach

 

[Farr Be It]

Dang den, how are we going to argue for pages up on pages if you toast my point! :fighting:

@den-the-coach

Oh come on, @LoyalRam , you know how to spin this thread off into pages of fun.

Just a nudge in a nuanced direction...an offensive line-specific query. Such as:

Who had the more chiseled, Adonis-like build, Irv Pankey? Or Bill Bain?

Discuss...

 

[Soul Surfer]

I'm going to have to go with our last two Super Bowl O lines;
This one we have now and the greatest show on turf.

 

[Karate61]

1984?

LT Irv Pankey
LG Dennis Harrah
C Doug Smith
RG Kent Hill
RT Jackie Slater

I'd like to vote this line "MOST STYLISTIC" This group was fun to watch and all gave great interviews/quotes.

 

[leoram]

1988 Pankey, Newberry, Smith, Love, Slater. #1 in my book.

 

[Farr Be It]

1988 Pankey, Newberry, Smith, Love, Slater. #1 in my book.

So Leo, you’re essentially putting the guard combo of Newberry and Love over the ‘84 group of Hill and Harrah?

 

[SteveBrown]

1988 Pankey, Newberry, Smith, Love, Slater. #1 in my book.

1. 1983 Pankey Hill SMith Harrah Slater
2.1984-1985 and 1986 too....except Bill Bain was the LT in 1984??
3.1978
4. 2018
5. 2017
6. 1988 Duval Love a bit of a downgrade, but not bad.
7.1973-1977 was pretty great, too.
8. 2000. with Ryan Tucker adding some nasty attitude.
9. 2006 last 6 games!!!! Loved that line with the LG who kept tearing up his knee
10. 1979 Playoffs only O line. Wasn't great until week 14 or so...

 

[leoram]

So Leo, you’re essentially putting the guard combo of Newberry and Love over the ‘84 group of Hill and Harrah?

No, you’re right. I was excited about Newberry and Love back then but Hill and Harrah had better careers. Good call

 

[Farr Be It]

No, you’re right. I was excited about Newberry and Love back then but Hill and Harrah had better careers. Good call

Either way. We had some dominant lines. It’s nice to have that again!

:cheers: