The Countdown to Kickoff Thread

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den-the-coach

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It doesn't say much when the top-players to wear #51 in Franchise History were primarily Special Teamers.

Norwood Vann was a good one; as were Joe Harris and Brett Faryniarz.
Joe Harris
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Brett Faryniarz
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David Ray

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Off the top of my head, the only #51 that jumps out as a pro football great that wore #51 in my years following the sport (since 1967) is Dick Butkus. So, I suspect a lot of franchises would be in the same boat with respect to having s relative unknown being the most prominent member of the franchise to have worn the number.
 

den-the-coach

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From Syracuse University MLB Jim Collins.
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The Great Center Ken Iman
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Not one of Klosterman's best First Round Pick Kevin McLain
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Notre Dame's Frank Stams
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Big Ole Ryan Tucker
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den-the-coach

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Off the top of my head, the only #51 that jumps out as a pro football great that wore #51 in my years following the sport (since 1967) is Dick Butkus. So, I suspect a lot of franchises would be in the same boat with respect to having s relative unknown being the most prominent member of the franchise to have worn the number.
Only two other Hall of Famers wore that number, Sam Mills & Jim Ringo.
 

Allen2McVay

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I was a big fan of Jim Collins.
Thought he was an excellent ILB; and was disappointed injuries cut short his Rams' career.

That being said, I think Ken Iman deserves the top-#50 recognition.
Played for Lombardi's Packers for four seasons, backing-up future Hall of Fame center Jim Ringo.
Iman came to the Rams in 1965 and was immediately the starter.
Played ten seasons for the Rams ... started every game ... never missed a game.

Ken Iman started at Center from 1965-1974.
Rich Saul took-over in 1975, and started through 1981.
Doug Smith took-oved in 1982 and started through 1991.

The Rams had three starting centers over a 27-year period!

When Steve Avila starts at center in about 50 days, he will be the Rams' third-center over a 3-year-period.

The Game has certainly changed A TON; and it's impossible to have long-term-stability along the O-Line. However, the type of stability and continuity the Rams enjoyed on the OL from the mid-1960s through the entire 1980s (25 years) was amazing even for that period.
 

den-the-coach

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Britt Miller
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The Guy that Milquetoast Linehan wanted to replace Madison Hedgecock at FB, Richard Owens. Milquetoast Linehan the worst HC in Ram history.

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RamFan503

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I was a big fan of Jim Collins.
Thought he was an excellent ILB; and was disappointed injuries cut short his Rams' career.

That being said, I think Ken Iman deserves the top-#50 recognition.
Played for Lombardi's Packers for four seasons, backing-up future Hall of Fame center Jim Ringo.
Iman came to the Rams in 1965 and was immediately the starter.
Played ten seasons for the Rams ... started every game ... never missed a game.

Ken Iman started at Center from 1965-1974.
Rich Saul took-over in 1975, and started through 1981.
Doug Smith took-oved in 1982 and started through 1991.

The Rams had three starting centers over a 27-year period!

When Steve Avila starts at center in about 50 days, he will be the Rams' third-center over a 3-year-period.

The Game has certainly changed A TON; and it's impossible to have long-term-stability along the O-Line. However, the type of stability and continuity the Rams enjoyed on the OL from the mid-1960s through the entire 1980s (25 years) was amazing even for that period.
I think Avila because of his build, mentality, and base will have a long career at center for us. This may be the first time in a long time we have some real continuity on the line. Big Rob is getting up there but the rest of our proposed starters are pretty young. How great would it be to have a veteran line for several years? And yes. I'm hoping for the best in AJ and a transition at RT.