The 1958 Los Angeles Rams had another disappointing season, continuing their struggle to return to their former glory. Despite a few standout individual performances, the team finished with a losing record and was once again out of playoff contention.
Team Overview (1958 Los Angeles Rams):
- Record: 4-8
- Finish: 5th in the Western Division
- Head Coach: Joe Stydahar (9th season as head coach)
The 1958 season marked a continuation of the Rams’ struggles, as they finished with a 4-8 record, placing them in 5th place in the highly competitive Western Division. Despite having key players on both sides of the ball, the team was plagued by inconsistent performances, particularly on offense.
Key Players:
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Norm Van Brocklin (Quarterback):
- Van Brocklin continued as the Rams’ starting quarterback. However, his performance in 1958 was uneven. While he was still a capable player with the ability to make big throws, his inconsistency and struggles with turnovers hurt the offense. At this point in his career, Van Brocklin was past his prime, and the team was searching for a long-term solution at quarterback.
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Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch (Wide Receiver):
- Hirsch remained one of the top receivers in the NFL, known for his speed and big-play ability. However, much like in previous seasons, the Rams were unable to consistently get him the ball in space, limiting his impact. Hirsch’s individual performance remained strong, but the overall struggles of the offense prevented him from making a significant difference.
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Tom Fears (Wide Receiver):
- Fears was still a key contributor as a receiver, but he, too, was affected by the offense’s inability to produce consistently. His veteran leadership was valuable, but he couldn’t carry the receiving corps on his own.
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Les Richter (Linebacker/Fullback):
- Richter continued to be one of the Rams’ most versatile players, contributing on both offense and defense. He was one of the team’s leaders and a reliable performer, but once again, the Rams’ overall lack of cohesion kept them from being competitive.
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Dick “Night Train” Lane (Cornerback):
- Lane remained a dominant force in the secondary. His ability to create turnovers and disrupt opposing passing games kept the Rams’ defense competitive. However, like the rest of the defense, Lane was unable to make up for the team’s shortcomings on offense.
Season Summary:
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Offensive Struggles: The Rams’ offense in 1958 was ineffective and plagued by inconsistency. Van Brocklin continued to struggle with turnovers, and the team had trouble establishing a reliable passing game. Despite having talented receivers in Hirsch and Fears, the Rams’ offensive line had trouble providing protection, and the running game was not able to sustain drives. The team’s inability to consistently score points kept them from competing in many games.
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Defensive Play: The Rams’ defense, led by Lane and Richter, remained competitive but was not enough to carry the team. The defense made plays and kept games close at times, but they were often on the field too long due to the offense’s struggles. The defensive unit had its moments, but without enough offensive support, it was hard to win games.
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Key Games: The Rams had several close losses but were unable to win important divisional games. They struggled against top teams in their division like the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers. Their inability to win within the division kept them from playoff contention.
Missed Playoffs:
- With a 4-8 record, the Rams finished 5th in the Western Division, once again missing the playoffs. The top two teams in the division, the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, were far superior and dominated the Rams in head-to-head matchups.
Aftermath:
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Joe Stydahar‘s time as head coach was running out. Despite having some key players on both sides of the ball, the team could not find the consistency needed to become a playoff contender. Stydahar’s coaching was increasingly scrutinized, as the Rams’ inability to perform at a high level led to mounting pressure.
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The 1958 season marked another step in the Rams’ decline. Although they had talented players like Van Brocklin, Hirsch, Lane, and Richter, the team was unable to put it all together and contend for a playoff spot.
Legacy:
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The 1958 season is often seen as part of the Rams’ period of stagnation after their peak in the early 1950s. The team had several star players, but they couldn’t overcome the struggles in both offense and defense. The Rams were caught in a cycle of inconsistency and failure to rebuild effectively.
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Many of the key players, such as Van Brocklin, Hirsch, and Lane, would go down as legends in Rams history, but the team needed a more complete effort to return to playoff contention.
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The Rams would continue to struggle in the late 1950s and early 1960s, but they eventually began rebuilding in the 1960s, with future success on the horizon. For now, the 1958 season was another missed opportunity in what had been a frustrating period for the franchise.
In conclusion, the 1958 Rams continued the trend of underperformance, with flashes of talent but not enough consistency or team cohesion to return to the playoffs. It would take more changes in the years to come for the Rams to return to the elite level of the NFL.
