Rams All-Time Top 10 Defensive Ends

[AvengerRam]

Its the offseason. Time for some historical threads.

Looking at the Rams long list of stellar DEs, who are the top 10?

My list is below but, first, a couple of caveats. Though he occasionally lined up at DE, I consider Kevin Greene an OLB, so he's not eligible. I'm also ranking Chris Long based on a career that is, obviously, still in progress, so he could still rise in the rankings.

With that, here is my Top 10.

1a. David "Deacon" Jones
1b. Jack Youngblood
3. Lamar Lundy
4. Leonard Little
5. Coy Bacon
6. Kevin Carter
7. Fred Dryer
8. Grant Wistrom
9. Chris Long
10. Gary Jeter

Agree? Disagree?

[OldSchoolRamFan]

Although going WAY back (and being a little nit picky), I would place Andy Robustelli in the number 8 spot thus knocking Gary Jeter off the list and ahead of Grant Wistrom and Chris Long(not for long). He was a 19th Round Pick in 1951 and ended up making the pro-bowl in 1953 and 1955 before being traded to the Giants in 1956 and was ultimately selected to 7 bowls. He was inducted into the hall of fame in 1971.

I do have a bit of bias since my grandfather (who was solely responsible for my Rams affliction) was friends with Mr. Robustelli, but all that aside, he was a great player.

[AvengerRam]

Although going WAY back (and being a little nit picky), I would place Andy Robustelli in the number 8 spot thus knocking Gary Jeter off the list and ahead of Grant Wistrom and Chris Long(not for long). He was a 19th Round Pick in 1951 and ended up making the pro-bowl in 1953 and 1955 before being traded to the Giants in 1956 and was ultimately selected to 7 bowls. He was inducted into the hall of fame in 1971.

Can't argue with that. Good call.

[RealRam]

Yes, OSRF makes a good point regarding DE Andy Robustelli. Played with the L.A. Rams five years, beginning with the 1951 Champion team so yes, I'd included him in the top 10 as well.

1. David "Deacon" Jones: Rams '61-71. HOF
2. Jack Youngblood: Rams '71-84. HOF
3. Andy Robustelli: Rams '51-55. HOF
4. Lamar Lundy: Rams '57-69 (IMO underrated; 1st DL to score three TDs off INTs).
5. Coy Bacon: Rams '68-72.
6. Kevin Carter: Rams '95-00.
7. Fred Dryer: '72-81 (also two safeties in game vs Packers, Oct., '73 -- NFL record).
8. Grant Wistrom: '98-03 (scored two TDs off INTs in '99, one of them 91 yds vs Falcons [Sept. 26]).
9. Gary Jeter: '83-88.
10. Larry Brink: Rams '48-53.

Honorable mention -- LB/DE Leonard Little: Rams '98-09.

Rams DE Robustelli, DE Lundy (right). -

DE Wistrom runs INT back 91 yds for TD in 1999! ...Glory days.

[general counsel]

Guys, larry brink was a first team all nfl defensive end on the 1951 NFL title team. He needs to be on the list in prominent fashion if we are evaluating based on how dominant players were in a particular era.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[sosa39rams]

Good list. Just goes to show how much talent we've had at the DE position.

[RealRam]

Thanks GC -- you've convinced me about DE Larry Brink, so much so that I inserted him on my list to go in for Talbert. Brink, a very good lineman in the late 40s, early 50s; twice Pro Bowler.