Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Greatest linebackers in Rams history

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Greatest linebackers in Rams history

    In evaluating my all time greatest Rams team, linebacker is one position i typically struggle with. I believe that the answer is probably this:

    mlb: Hacksaw Reynolds (or London Fletcher)
    olb: Isaih Robertson
    OLB: Les Richter

    Other guys to consider include Jack Pardee and Kevin Greene (who i think of as an excellent pass rusher, but not really a great all around linebacker). By the time we got Maxie Baughan he was past his prime and Bill George was way past his prime by the time he played for the Rams.

    I can never decide between Hacksaw and Fletcher and i suspect that i am a bit biased by my only personal childhood view.

    I invite comment and criticims, and am very much aware that the majority of people on this board never saw Robertson or Reynolds play (and i believe that none of us have seen Richter play, but he was truly a superstar in his era so i dont see how he could be off the list).

    ramming speed to all

    general counsel
    Tags: None
      👍 1
    • #2
      Re: Greatest linebackers in Rams history

      lol honestly the only two names on here I recognize is Greene and Fletcher... shows how young I am

        Comment

        • #3
          Re: Greatest linebackers in Rams history

          Oh yeah, I remember Isiah ... #58, right?

          Don't remember Les, however.

          I'd take Jack over London .... longevity if for no other reason. 10 years vs. what, two? I miss the loyalty from back then. Jeez, Slater was ... 21 years? Olsen 15. Youngblood 14. Different times I guess.
          If a team won their division seven straight times, that would be a NFL record. Now add on that team did it with seven different QB's in seven straight years,that record is unbeatable. To do that feat, you must of had a great Defense. Jack Youngblood was the captain of that defense.

            Comment

            • #4
              Re: Greatest linebackers in Rams history

              The Rams had a very good linebacking corps in the early to mid 80's in Carl Ekern, Jim Collins, Mike Wilcher and George Andrews. I remember them pretty well, as I grew up watching these guys. Carl Ekern was a solid LB who made the pro bowl once. Tragically, he was killed in a dune buggy accident shortly after his career ended. Collins was a pro bowler as well and I believe had like 185 tackles one year (I actually knew Collins- I went to high school with his sister). Mike Wilcher played on the outside and had 12 1/2 sacks one year. And Andrews went to Nebraska and was respectable for several years before an injury derailed his career.

              I can't argue with Hacksaw, Isaiah Robertson or Richter. And allowing London Fletcher to leave remains one of the Rams biggest mistakes of the last 10 years.

                Comment

                • #5
                  Re: Greatest linebackers in Rams history

                  Mike Jones! Ehhh...not really though.

                    Comment

                    • #6
                      Re: Greatest linebackers in Rams history

                      Originally posted by shower beers
                      Mike Jones! Ehhh...not really though.
                      Lol he is the greatest.. He helped the rams big time to win the SB. Might not be a good LB but he is great in my book.

                        Comment

                        • #7
                          Re: Greatest linebackers in Rams history

                          Not the greatest I'm sure but my favorite was Roman Phifer.

                            Comment

                            • #8
                              Re: Greatest linebackers in Rams history

                              I thought Bob Brudzinski and Jim Collins were pretty good. But my all-time favorite was Isaiah Robertson, so I'd have to go with him.

                                Comment

                                • #9
                                  Re: Greatest linebackers in Rams history

                                  We've had our share of excellent LBs, for sure. From underrated to Pro Bowlers to TV commercials characters. I remember Kevin Greene along with Coach Robinson in the late 80s ... was it for Burger King? We've enjoyed a great lineup of fine, strong linebackers. Here's a list of 10 that I can relate to, i.e., reaching to my earliest beginnings as a Ram fan in the early - mid 60s (except for Paul who played when I was still learning what American football meant).

                                  Maxie Baughan (1966-70). BTW, GC, I'd say he was still in his prime when he joined the Rams.
                                  London Fletcher (1998-01)
                                  Kevin Greene (1985-92)
                                  Jack Pardee (1957-64; 66-70)
                                  Don Paul (1948-55)
                                  Myron Pottios (1966-70)
                                  Jack Reynolds (1970-80)
                                  Les Richter (1954-62)
                                  Isiah Robertson (1971-78)
                                  Jim Youngblood (1973-84)

                                  Let's continue prepping Laurinaitis to make this group! ;)

                                  Okay, I confess! I reeally like this photo below, ca. 1968; besides, it shows LB Pottios right there (66).
                                  Last edited by RealRam; -02-20-2010, 09:03 PM. Reason: Circa

                                    Comment

                                    • #10
                                      Re: Greatest linebackers in Rams history

                                      Some visuals to remember some of our great LBs. Click on image:

                                      Check out the agressiveness by Fletcher in last picture.

                                      So it was a penalty. Sue me (him); we could afford this type of LB play back then, early 2000s.
                                      Attached Files
                                      Last edited by RealRam; -02-20-2010, 09:11 PM.

                                        Comment

                                        • #11
                                          Re: Greatest linebackers in Rams history

                                          London Fletcher is the only *great* LB I have ever seen play for the Rams, but then again I'm a St Louis fan in my 20s

                                          I think James Lauraniatis will be there eventually! The kid already looks really solid in his first year.. I cant wait to see his progression these next few years.

                                            Comment

                                            • #12
                                              Re: Greatest linebackers in Rams history

                                              :ram:


                                              Another Rams all-time bonehead move was to release Hacksaw Reynolds. They claimed he was no longer a top notch run stuffer.
                                              After his release, the whiners picked him up and he helps them to their first two SB wins. I'm not certain I will ever get over that bit of Rams stupidity.

                                              Anyways, I'd go with Reynolds, over Fletcher in a greatest ever list. The rest of your list is spot on in my opinion.


                                              :helmet:
                                              Curly ~ Horns

                                                Comment

                                                • #13
                                                  Re: Greatest linebackers in Rams history

                                                  Originally posted by Ferter
                                                  :ram:


                                                  Another Rams all-time bonehead move was to release Hacksaw Reynolds. They claimed he was no longer a top notch run stuffer.
                                                  After his release, the whiners picked him up and he helps them to their first two SB wins. I'm not certain I will ever get over that bit of Rams stupidity.

                                                  Anyways, I'd go with Reynolds, over Fletcher in a greatest ever list. The rest of your list is spot on in my opinion.


                                                  :helmet:
                                                  Wow! I was also thinking about Hacksaw. Rams ruled the Fortyniners throughout the 1970's with Hacksaw and the Rams finally making it to the Super Bowl against the Steelers to end the decade. Soon after Reynolds was traded to SF and the Fortyniners suddenly went from chumps to champs. Bonehead move by Rams for sure. Jack 'Hacksaw' Reynolds and Mike Jones the Rams All-Time greatest Linebackers.
                                                  sigpic

                                                    Comment

                                                    • #14
                                                      Re: Greatest linebackers in Rams history

                                                      Originally posted by NJ Ramsfan1
                                                      The Rams had a very good linebacking corps in the early to mid 80's in Carl Ekern, Jim Collins, Mike Wilcher and George Andrews. I remember them pretty well, as I grew up watching these guys. Carl Ekern was a solid LB who made the pro bowl once. Tragically, he was killed in a dune buggy accident shortly after his career ended. Collins was a pro bowler as well and I believe had like 185 tackles one year (I actually knew Collins- I went to high school with his sister). Mike Wilcher played on the outside and had 12 1/2 sacks one year. And Andrews went to Nebraska and was respectable for several years before an injury derailed his career.

                                                      I can't argue with Hacksaw, Isaiah Robertson or Richter. And allowing London Fletcher to leave remains one of the Rams biggest mistakes of the last 10 years.
                                                      Totally agree NJ. That trio of LBs in the mid 80s was great for the Rams. [BTW, for the record, Ekern's accident (on a Ridgecrest, CA. highway, 1990) was in a Jeep, not a dune buggy. Age 36.] True, Ekern was a very fine, solid LB. // And yes, losing Fletcher is one of the Rams baddest blunders ... ever.

                                                      Along with several others players, my son got Wilcher's autograph in Anaheim, 1988 right after the Rams defeated the Lions.

                                                      Carl Ekern (1976-88)
                                                      Jim Collins (1981-88)
                                                      Mike Wilcher (1983-90)
                                                      Attached Files

                                                        Comment

                                                        Previous template Next

                                                        Related Topics

                                                        Collapse
                                                        • general counsel
                                                          All time great Ram dies today-RIP Jack Pardee
                                                          by general counsel
                                                          Jack Pardee died today at age 76. Pardee is one of the all time great Rams linebackers. He played 169 games for us from 1957-1970. In terms of where he stands in all time great Rams outside linebackers, i would put him behind Isiah Robertson, but would certainly be in consideration with all others (including Maxie Baughan, Pisa, Jim Youngblood and possibly Kevin Greene, but i personally think he was really just a pass rusher and was overated as an all around linebacker). From an inside linebacker standpoint, you have to consider Les Richter, Hacksaw Reynolds and Carl Ekern (all ahead of London Fletcher, although hopefully James Laurainitis will join that group some day with enough longevity and top tier performance). As a side note, i count Don Paul more of a center than a linebacker, although he would be worthy of a mention as well.

                                                          In any event, RIP Jack Pardee and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

                                                          ramming speed to all

                                                          general counsel
                                                          -04-01-2013, 06:14 PM
                                                        • general counsel
                                                          All time great Rams roster-defensive tackle
                                                          by general counsel
                                                          All time great Rams threads continued. This is a tough one folks. Defensive Tackle. This position has been a problem for the Rams for many years. Guys like Sean Gilbert, Ray Agnew and Dmarco Farr, effective as they were for short periods of time, dont exactly fall into the category of all time greats.

                                                          One tackle is obvious, Merlin Olsen, a 14 time all pro and one of the greatest rams ever. For the second choice, I take Larry Brooks, who played with the Rams from 1982-1992, made five pro bowls, as least three first team all pro teams, and was a huge force inside for the 1979 team that went to the super bowl.

                                                          Suggestions for backups are welcomed, i think its going to be tough to beat out these two for the starting spots. I think Rosey Grier probably warrants serious consideration for a backup spot, even though his Rams career was not very long.

                                                          ramming speed to all

                                                          general counsel
                                                          -02-23-2010, 02:28 PM
                                                        • sparker
                                                          Think about it! Wo does he remind you of coming out of college?
                                                          by sparker
                                                          Tim McGarigle, LB, 6-0, 240, Northwestern.........reminds me of MLB London Fletcher, out of John Carroll. Both knocked for being undersized. Both knocked for having faced inferior compitetion. Both highly productive setting school, conference and division level records for tackles. Same speed. Same weight. McGarigle taller. Both sideline to sideline tackling machines.

                                                          Maybe deju vu all over again?????
                                                          -05-01-2006, 10:51 PM
                                                        • general counsel
                                                          rams all time greats-defensive ends
                                                          by general counsel
                                                          While there are great debates in which to engage regarding our all time greats at various positions, i dont think defensive end is one of them. I believe it is indisputable that our two all time greatest defensive ends were jack youngblood and deacon jones. Deacon potentially qualifies among the five meanest and brutal players in the history of the game (butkus, lambert, maybe ray lewis or LT)

                                                          Other notables over the years would include andy robustelli, larry brink and leonard little, but i think that youngblood and deacon stand alone.

                                                          ramming speed to all

                                                          general counsel
                                                          -10-24-2007, 07:37 PM
                                                        • general counsel
                                                          guess who is leading the nfl in tackles?
                                                          by general counsel
                                                          Believe it or not, at age 36, its our old friend london fletcher. After years of careful analysis, i have come to the conclusion that the decision to let Fletcher go so that we could save cap money by signing jaime duncan has not worked out well.
                                                          I believe that fletcher has well over 1000 tackles since duncan has left the league.
                                                          Ramming speed to all

                                                          general counsel
                                                          -12-21-2011, 05:17 PM
                                                        Working...
                                                        X
                                                        😀
                                                        🥰
                                                        🤢
                                                        😎
                                                        😡
                                                        👍
                                                        👎