1952 Los Angeles Rams

The 1952 Los Angeles Rams had a strong season in the NFL, though it didn’t reach the same heights as their 1951 championship win. Here’s a breakdown of their season and key details:

Team Overview (1952 Los Angeles Rams):

• Record: 8-4
• Finish: 2nd in the Western Division
• Head Coach: Joe Stydahar (third year as head coach)

Despite having a solid record, the Rams finished 2nd in the Western Division, just behind the Detroit Lions, which meant they missed out on the NFL playoffs that year. The Rams were competitive but fell short of repeating their success from the previous season.

Key Players:

1. Norm Van Brocklin (Quarterback):

   • Van Brocklin was again the starting quarterback, and he played a major role in the team’s offensive success, though the Rams’ offense was a bit less explosive than in 1951.
   • He had a strong passing game, but inconsistencies in the team’s overall offense kept them from making the playoffs.

2. Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch (Wide Receiver):

   • Hirsch remained one of the NFL’s top wide receivers in 1952. He continued to be a key target for Van Brocklin and a significant offensive threat.

3. Tom Fears (Wide Receiver):

   • Fears was another standout receiver on the team, contributing to the Rams’ passing attack. He had been a consistent performer for the Rams since joining the team.

4. Les Richter (Linebacker/Fullback):

   • Richter, who was both a defensive standout and a powerful offensive player, had a strong impact for the Rams, playing multiple roles during the season.

Season Summary:

• Offensive Performance: The Rams’ offense was still potent, but it was less dynamic compared to the previous year. The team struggled to find consistency throughout the season, which resulted in a few costly losses.

• Defensive Performance: The defense wasn’t as dominant as in the championship-winning year, and this lack of defensive consistency also contributed to their inability to win the division.

• Notable Games: The Rams had some impressive victories but suffered key defeats to teams like the Detroit Lions, who finished on top of the Western Division that year.

Missed Playoffs:

• Despite their 8-4 record, the Rams missed the playoffs because the Lions had a slightly better record (9-3). The top two teams from each division advanced to the NFL Championship, and this year, the Rams weren’t one of them.

Aftermath:

• The 1952 season was a bit of a setback after their championship victory in 1951. However, the Rams remained a competitive team in the league, and several players, especially Van Brocklin and Hirsch, remained key figures in the franchise’s future success.

Overall, the 1952 Los Angeles Rams were a good team but just fell short of repeating the magic of 1951. Their high expectations after a championship season were met with some challenges, but they were still one of the stronger teams in the NFL that year.

Head Coach: Hamp Pool

• To be listed, a player must have played at least one game for the team during this season.
• * Hall of Fame
• + Primary starter