1962 Los Angeles Rams

The 1962 Los Angeles Rams had a slightly better season than the previous year, though they still faced challenges. Here’s an overview of their performance and key moments during the 1962 season:

Team Overview:

• The 1962 Los Angeles Rams were still under Harland Svare‘s leadership as head coach.
• They played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
• The team finished with a 7–6–1 record, which was an improvement over their 1961 performance but still not enough to make the playoffs.

Performance:

• The Rams finished 4th in the NFL Western Conference, but their 7-6-1 record showed progress, though they were still inconsistent.
• They had a strong defense but struggled offensively at times, especially in the passing game.

Key Players:

• Norm Van Brocklin: The veteran quarterback remained the focal point of the Rams’ offense, although his play was inconsistent. He was at the tail end of his career but still a respected leader on the field.
• Deacon Jones: The defensive end was already emerging as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers and would go on to become a cornerstone of the Rams’ defense.
• Merlin Olsen: The defensive tackle was becoming a force, helping solidify the Rams’ defensive line, which would later be known as the “Fearsome Foursome.”
• Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch: Despite being past his prime, Hirsch still contributed as a reliable wide receiver.
• Tom Fears: Another key veteran wide receiver, Fears was still involved in the offense and provided leadership.

Notable Events:

• Despite their mid-tier record, the Rams’ defense began to show glimpses of what would become one of the most feared units in the NFL during the later part of the 1960s.
• The offensive struggles were a result of inconsistent play from Van Brocklin and a lack of strong support around him. The Rams’ offense was often too reliant on individual plays rather than a cohesive strategy.
• Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen were laying the groundwork for the “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line, which would become one of the most dominant in NFL history by the mid-1960s.
• The Rams’ improvement to a 7-6-1 record signified that they were in the process of rebuilding and retooling, particularly in terms of their defense.

Although the 1962 Rams were still a team in transition, they were beginning to set the stage for future success in the 1960s with a solid foundation on defense.