The All-Time Rams lineup: Turf Show Times edition

As voted on by the TST forum community members and fans

Earlier this week, Turf Show Times asked forum members and Los Angeles Rams fans to weigh in on your favorite all-time Rams. Now, hoping to add some extra fireworks to your Fourth of July celebrations, all the votes have been tallied and can be revealed.

The TST All-Time Rams offensive and defensive lineups. Asterisk denotes NFL Hall of Fame.

Offense

Quarterback – Kurt Warner* (1998-2003)

Not surprising, Warner was the trigger man on those GSOT teams. He was a perfect fit into Mike Martz’ wide-open system, where his natural throwing skills had likely been enhanced by his past in the Arena League where quick reads and fast-paced passing were the model.

Running back – Marshall Faulk* (1999-2006), Eric Dickerson* (1983-87)

You have to wonder how many yards Dickerson would have gotten if he had stayed in John Robinson’s running offense. Contract disputes, suspensions, and injuries seemed to overshadow him after he left L.A. Faulk’s running and receiving skills were a perfect fit into the GSOT offense and had three straight seasons of over 2000 yards running/receiving.

Wide receiver – Issac Bruce* (1994-2007), Torry Holt (1998-2008), Cooper Kupp (2017- )

Kupp sneaks in over the old-time stars. Bruce has a Gold Jacket, while Holt suffers from the stigma of his WR#2 role. His numbers compare with the best.

Tight end – Tyler Higbee (2016- )

Enters his 10th season and looked refreshed coming off a major injury. Not stellar, but a versatile, hard-working piece in the McVay offense. I think he’s got one more contract (two-year deal) left in him.

Center – Rich Saul (1970-81)

Had to wait his turn behind Ken Iman and in turn, made Doug Smith wait. It is amazing that the Rams had the pivot covered so well from 1965-91.

Guard – Tom Mack* (1966-78), Dennis Harrah (1975-87)

Two totally different personalities, Mack was a studious engineer that negotiated his own contracts and went on to design and run nuclear plants. Harrah was known for pulling out handfuls of teammates chest hair and being an enforcer on field, he even got into a fight in the Pro Bowl game. Mack took the young Harrah under his wing and taught him the pro game.

Tackle – Jackie Slater* (1976-95), Orlando Pace* (1997-2008)

Slater played 20 years with the Rams, blocked for Walter Payton in college and for eight Rams 1000 yard rushers. Pace was drafted #1 overall and while known for pancake blocks, he played very clean, going four straight GSOT seasons without a holding penalty and committing just nine over a 169 game career.

Defense

Defensive tackle – Merlin Olsen* (1962-76), Aaron Donald (2014-23)

The two best ever? Olson never missed a start in 208 games. Had a string of 14 straight Pro Bowls, named First Team All-Pro five times, and Second Team three times. Donald won Defensive Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl in all 10 seasons, and First Team All-Pro in nine of 10.

Defensive end/Edge – Deacon Jones* (1961-71) Jack Youngblood* (1971-84), Kevin Greene* (1985-92)

The sacking and pillaging crew. Legend has it, Jones coined the term “sack” and un-officially, he was credited with 173.5. Known for a jarring head slap move, Jones said of it, “…anytime you go upside a man’s head … or a woman; they may have a tendency to blink they eyes or close they eyes. And that’s all I needed…The head slap was not my invention, but Rembrandt, of course, did not invent painting…” Youngblood was well-known for his physical toughness, but quite a sack artist with 151.5 in 13 years. In eight seasons, Greene had 72.5 sacks for the Rams. He went on to total 160, playing with three other teams.

Off-ball linebacker – Isiah Robertson (1971-78), London Fletcher (1998-2001)

Robertson played in 111 games with 102 starts. Defensive Rookie of the Year, named twice to First Team All-Pro and three times to Second Team. Also Logged six Pro Bowls. Fletcher only played four seasons with the Rams, all in the GSOT years and went to have a stellar career. He made 100+ tackles for 14 straight seasons.

Safety – Eddie Meador (1959-70), Nolan Cromwell (1978-83)

Meador was a 12-year starter for L.A., 160 of 163 games. He is the Rams all-time leader in interceptions (46), fumbles recovered (18), and blocked kicks (10). Cromwell was a college quarterback and played special teams as a rookie. He schooled under Dave Elmendorf and Bill Simpson, two standouts. The rangy centerfielder stole 37 passes and was named to the NFL 1980’s All-Decade Team.

Cornerback – Aeneas Williams* (2001-04), Jalen Ramsey (2019-22)

While Williams was past his coverage prime when joining the Rams, he was a good tackler until the very end. Always stellar on defensive return yards, he scored five defensive touchdowns in 48 games. Ramsey continues to be in the Rams thought as recently as a week ago. He had two of the best seasons of his career with L.A. in ’21 and ’22.

Thanks

To all those participating, whether offering your selections or commenting on them. The Rams have a rich history and while the GSOT years get much of the attention, it’s always a good thing to remember those blasts from the past.