1974 Los Angeles Rams
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1974 Los Angeles Rams

Categories: , Brand:

The 1974 Los Angeles Rams had an interesting and somewhat turbulent season. While they continued to showcase strong defensive performances, the team faced challenges, particularly on offense.

Here’s a breakdown of their season:

1974 Los Angeles Rams Overview:

  • Regular Season Record: 10–4
  • Head Coach: Chuck Knox
  • Key Players:
    • Roman Gabriel (Quarterback): Gabriel was still the leader of the Rams offense. However, he struggled with injuries during the 1974 season, affecting his play.
    • Jack Youngblood (Defensive End): Youngblood continued to be a standout defensive player for the Rams and was crucial to their defensive success.
    • Fred Dryer (Defensive End): A dominant defensive presence, Dryer was instrumental in the Rams’ defensive schemes.

Key Achievements:

  • NFC West Champions: The Rams finished the season at 10–4, winning the NFC West division title again, showcasing their dominance in the division.
  • Solid Defense: The Rams’ defense remained one of the league’s best, with players like Jack Youngblood and Fred Dryer anchoring the defensive line. Their defense allowed the fewest points in the NFC during the regular season.

Playoffs:

  • The Rams played in the NFC Divisional Playoff against the Minnesota Vikings, but they were defeated 14–10 in a very tight and competitive game.
  • Despite their strong defense, the Rams’ offense struggled in the playoffs, and they were unable to generate enough scoring to advance further.

Offensive Struggles:

  • The Rams’ offense, although still led by Roman Gabriel, struggled with consistency in 1974. Gabriel’s injury issues, combined with a lack of offensive playmakers, made it hard for the Rams to sustain offensive drives.
  • Their running game also lacked the same punch it had in previous seasons, which limited the team’s ability to control the ball and create scoring opportunities.

Notable Moments:

  • Despite offensive struggles, the Rams’ defense remained a formidable force. Their defensive line, featuring Fred Dryer, Jack Youngblood, and others, was a key strength throughout the season.
  • Chuck Knox, in his fourth year as head coach, was able to lead the team to the playoffs for the third straight season, but the Rams’ lack of offensive balance prevented them from achieving a deeper postseason run.

Summary:

The 1974 Rams were a team that relied heavily on their defense, but their inability to consistently move the ball on offense limited their postseason success. They won the NFC West again but were knocked out in the Divisional Playoffs by the Minnesota Vikings, ending their season earlier than hoped. Despite the challenges, the Rams remained a competitive force in the NFC.

Head Coach: Chuck Knox

  • 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
RB Tony Baker 14 7 02/16/1945 ‘ “ Iowa State
RB Jim Bertelsen 13 3 02/26/1950 ‘ “ Texas
DT Larry Brooks 13 3 06/10/1950 ‘ “ Virginia State
RB Cullen Bryant 14 2 05/20/1951 ‘ “ Colorado
P Mike Burke 8 1 07/28/1950 ‘ “ Miami (FL)
RB John Cappelletti 14 R 06/09/1952 ‘ “ Penn State
P Dave Chapple 6 4 03/30/1947 ‘ “ California – Santa Barbara
DB Al Clark 14 4 02/29/1948 ‘ “ Eastern Michigan
T/G Charley Cowan 14 14 06/19/1938 ‘ “ New Mexico Highlands
TE/RB Pat Curran 13 6 09/21/1945 ‘ “ Lakeland
LB/C Bill Curry 10 10 10/21/1942 ‘ “ Georgia Tech
DB/WR Bill Drake 9 2 05/22/1950 ‘ “ Oregon
DE Fred Dryer 14 6 07/06/1946 ‘ “ San Diego State
DB Dave Elmendorf 14 4 06/20/1949 ‘ “ Texas A&M
LB Ken Geddes 14 4 09/27/1946 ‘ “ Nebraska
QB John Hadl 6 13 02/15/1940 ‘ “ Kansas
QB James Harris 11 5 07/20/1947 ‘ “ Grambling State
C Ken Iman 14 14 02/08/1939 ‘ “ Southeast Missouri State
WR Harold Jackson 14 7 01/06/1946 ‘ “ Jackson State
QB Ron Jaworski 5 1 03/23/1951 ‘ “ Youngstown State
DE/DT Cody Jones 12 1 05/03/1951 ‘ “ San Jose State
RB Les Josephson 12 10 07/29/1942 ‘ “ Augustana (SD)
TE Bob Klein 14 6 07/27/1947 ‘ “ Southern California
G * Tom Mack 14 9 11/01/1943 ‘ “ Michigan
RB Lawrence McCutcheon 14 3 06/02/1950 ‘ “ Colorado State
WR Willie McGee 14 2 05/14/1950 ‘ “ Alcorn State
DB Eddie McMillan 14 2 11/25/1951 ‘ “ Florida State
DT Bill Nelson 14 4 03/09/1948 ‘ “ Oregon State
TE Terry Nelson 10 2 05/20/1951 ‘ “ Arkansas – Pine Bluff
DT * Merlin Olsen 14 13 09/15/1940 ‘ “ Utah State
DT/C Phil Olsen 14 4 04/26/1948 ‘ “ Utah State
LB Jim Peterson 14 1 01/20/1950 ‘ “ San Diego State
DB Tony Plummer 5 5 01/21/1947 ‘ “ University of Pacific
DB Steve Preece 14 6 02/15/1947 ‘ “ Oregon State
K/WR David Ray 13 6 09/19/1944 ‘ “ Alabama
WR/HB Lance Rentzel 14 9 10/14/1943 ‘ “ Oklahoma
LB Jack Reynolds 14 5 11/22/1947 ‘ “ Tennessee
LB Isiah Robertson 14 4 08/17/1949 ‘ “ Southern
C/G/T/LB Rich Saul 14 5 02/05/1948 ‘ “ Michigan State
G Joe Scibelli 14 14 04/19/1939 ‘ “ American International
RB Rob Scribner 11 2 04/09/1951 ‘ “ UCLA
DB Bill Simpson 14 R 12/05/1951 ‘ “ Michigan State
WR Jack Snow 14 10 01/25/1943 ‘ “ Notre Dame
LB Bob Stein 14 6 01/22/1948 ‘ “ Minnesota
T Tim Stokes 6 1 03/16/1950 ‘ “ Oregon
DB Charles Stukes 14 8 09/13/1943 ‘ “ Maryland – Eastern Shore
T/G/DE John Williams 14 7 10/27/1945 ‘ “ Minnesota
DE * Jack Youngblood 14 4 01/26/1950 ‘ “ Florida
LB Jim Youngblood 14 2 02/23/1950 ‘ “ Tennessee Tech

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