The 1972 Los Angeles Rams had a much more successful season compared to the previous year, making it to the playoffs and showing significant improvements in several areas.
Here’s a breakdown of their 1972 season:
Team Overview:
- Head Coach: Chuck Knox (first year as head coach)
- Record: 12-2 (1st in NFC West)
- Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Key Players:
- Roman Gabriel (QB): Gabriel continued to be the leader of the offense. In 1972, he threw for 2,734 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Gabriel’s strong play was crucial for the Rams’ success during this season.
- Lawrence McCutcheon (RB): McCutcheon emerged as a key weapon for the Rams’ offense. He had a breakout year, rushing for 1,046 yards and 7 touchdowns. His performances were vital for the team’s overall offensive balance.
- Jack Youngblood (DE): Youngblood, already a standout defensive player, continued to impress with his skills, becoming a significant force on the defensive line.
- Deacon Jones (DE): Jones, a Hall of Famer, was still a dominant figure for the Rams’ defense alongside Merlin Olsen and other members of the “Fearsome Foursome.”
- Merlin Olsen (DT): Olsen, another Hall of Famer, continued to anchor the Rams’ defensive line, which was among the best in the league.
Offense:
- The Rams’ offense in 1972 featured a strong running game, led by McCutcheon and the blocking of a solid offensive line. Roman Gabriel’s passing was also key, with the Rams mixing a balanced attack to control the clock and manage games.
- Lawrence McCutcheon‘s 1,046-yard rushing season allowed the offense to be versatile, keeping defenses off-balance. Gabriel’s ability to make plays through the air kept the offense efficient.
Defense:
- The Rams’ defense, anchored by the legendary Fearsome Foursome (Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, and others), was one of the most dominant units in the league. The defensive line was known for putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and stopping the run, which helped the Rams remain one of the top defensive teams in the league.
- The Rams finished first in the NFL in fewest points allowed, giving up only 179 points throughout the regular season, which was the best in the league.
Season Summary:
- The Rams finished the regular season with a 12-2 record, which was good enough to win the NFC West and secure a first-round bye in the playoffs.
- The 1972 Rams were one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL that year, combining a strong offense with an elite defense. Their defense, led by the Fearsome Foursome, helped them dominate opponents.
Playoffs:
- NFC Divisional Playoff: The Rams defeated the Dallas Cowboys 20-7 in the divisional round, with a strong defensive showing and some timely offense.
- NFC Championship Game: The Rams faced the Washington Redskins in the NFC Championship Game. Unfortunately, they were defeated 14-7, which ended their playoff run. Despite a strong season, they fell short of reaching the Super Bowl that year.
Conclusion:
The 1972 Los Angeles Rams had an excellent season, finishing with a 12-2 record and dominating in many aspects of the game. Their defense was one of the best in the league, and their offense was effective enough to support it. However, their loss in the NFC Championship Game was a disappointing end to a promising season, as they were not able to make it to the Super Bowl. Despite the disappointment, the 1972 Rams set a high bar for success in the years to come.
Head Coach: Tommy Prothro
- To be listed, a player must have played at least one game for the team during this season.
- * Hall of Fame
- + Primary starter
| Pos | # | Player | GP | GS | Start Pos | Exp | DOB | Ht | Wt | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE/DT | Coy Bacon | 14 | 5 | 08/30/1942 | ‘ “ | Jackson State | |||||
| QB | Pete Beathard | 14 | 9 | 03/07/1942 | ‘ “ | Southern California | |||||
| RB | Jim Bertelsen | 14 | R | 02/26/1950 | ‘ “ | Texas | |||||
| DT | Larry Brooks | 8 | R | 06/10/1950 | ‘ “ | Virginia State | |||||
| P | Dave Chapple | 14 | 2 | 03/30/1947 | ‘ “ | California – Santa Barbara | |||||
| DB | Al Clark | 14 | 2 | 02/29/1948 | ‘ “ | Eastern Michigan | |||||
| T/G | Charley Cowan | 13 | 12 | 06/19/1938 | ‘ “ | New Mexico Highlands | |||||
| TE/RB | Pat Curran | 10 | 4 | 09/21/1945 | ‘ “ | Lakeland | |||||
| DE | Fred Dryer | 14 | 4 | 07/06/1946 | ‘ “ | San Diego State | |||||
| RB | Willie Ellison | 13 | 6 | 11/01/1945 | ‘ “ | Texas Southern | |||||
| DB | Dave Elmendorf | 14 | 2 | 06/20/1949 | ‘ “ | Texas A&M | |||||
| QB | Roman Gabriel | 14 | 11 | 08/05/1940 | ‘ “ | North Carolina State | |||||
| LB | Ken Geddes | 2 | 2 | 09/27/1946 | ‘ “ | Nebraska | |||||
| WR | Dick Gordon | 4 | 8 | 01/01/1944 | ‘ “ | Michigan State | |||||
| LB | Dean Halverson | 14 | 4 | 08/24/1946 | ‘ “ | Washington | |||||
| DB | Gene Howard | 13 | 5 | 12/22/1946 | ‘ “ | Langston | |||||
| C | Ken Iman | 14 | 12 | 02/08/1939 | ‘ “ | Southeast Missouri State | |||||
| RB | Les Josephson | 8 | 8 | 07/29/1942 | ‘ “ | Augustana (SD) | |||||
| TE | Bob Klein | 14 | 4 | 07/27/1947 | ‘ “ | Southern California | |||||
| G | Mike LaHood | 14 | 4 | 12/11/1944 | ‘ “ | Wyoming | |||||
| WR/K | John Love | 5 | 2 | 02/24/1944 | ‘ “ | North Texas | |||||
| G | * | Tom Mack | 14 | 7 | 11/01/1943 | ‘ “ | Michigan | ||||
| RB | Lawrence McCutcheon | 3 | R | 06/02/1950 | ‘ “ | Colorado State | |||||
| LB/TE | Marlin McKeever | 14 | 12 | 01/01/1940 | ‘ “ | Southern California | |||||
| DT | Bill Nelson | 7 | 2 | 03/09/1948 | ‘ “ | Oregon State | |||||
| DB | Jim Nettles | 14 | 8 | 02/15/1942 | ‘ “ | Wisconsin | |||||
| DT | * | Merlin Olsen | 14 | 11 | 09/15/1940 | ‘ “ | Utah State | ||||
| DT/C | Phil Olsen | 14 | 2 | 04/26/1948 | ‘ “ | Utah State | |||||
| LB | John Pergine | 12 | 4 | 09/13/1946 | ‘ “ | Notre Dame | |||||
| LB | Jim Purnell | 13 | 9 | 12/12/1941 | ‘ “ | Wisconsin | |||||
| K/WR | David Ray | 14 | 4 | 09/19/1944 | ‘ “ | Alabama | |||||
| WR/HB | Lance Rentzel | 14 | 8 | 10/14/1943 | ‘ “ | Oklahoma | |||||
| LB | Jack Reynolds | 14 | 3 | 11/22/1947 | ‘ “ | Tennessee | |||||
| LB | Isiah Robertson | 14 | 2 | 08/17/1949 | ‘ “ | Southern | |||||
| C/G/T/LB | Rich Saul | 14 | 3 | 02/05/1948 | ‘ “ | Michigan State | |||||
| T | Harry Schuh | 14 | 8 | 09/25/1942 | ‘ “ | Memphis | |||||
| G | Joe Scibelli | 13 | 12 | 04/19/1939 | ‘ “ | American International | |||||
| RB | Larry Smith | 12 | 4 | 09/02/1947 | ‘ “ | Florida | |||||
| WR | Jack Snow | 14 | 8 | 01/25/1943 | ‘ “ | Notre Dame | |||||
| WR | Joe Sweet | 11 | 1 | 07/05/1948 | ‘ “ | Tennessee State | |||||
| RB | Bob Thomas | 14 | 2 | 08/23/1948 | ‘ “ | Arizona State | |||||
| DB | Clancy Williams | 9 | 8 | 09/24/1942 | ‘ “ | Washington State | |||||
| T/G/DE | John Williams | 14 | 5 | 10/27/1945 | ‘ “ | Minnesota | |||||
| DB/WR | Roger Williams | 14 | 2 | 07/01/1945 | ‘ “ | Grambling State | |||||
| DE | * | Jack Youngblood | 14 | 2 | 01/26/1950 | ‘ “ | Florida |
