The 1977 Los Angeles Rams season was one of notable improvement after the struggles of the 1976 season. The team bounced back with a more balanced approach, especially on defense, and began to regain its place among the NFL’s competitive teams.
Here’s a detailed look at their season:
1977 Los Angeles Rams Overview:
- Regular Season Record: 10–4
- Head Coach: Chuck Knox
- Key Players:
- Pat Haden (Quarterback): Haden continued as the team’s starting quarterback, now in his second full season. While still relatively young, he showed signs of developing into a competent leader of the offense.
- Jack Youngblood (Defensive End): Youngblood continued to be one of the top pass rushers in the NFL and a cornerstone of the Rams’ defense.
- Fred Dryer (Defensive End): Dryer, along with Youngblood, formed a formidable defensive line that put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
- Isaiah Robertson (Linebacker): Robertson was an essential part of the Rams’ defense, playing at a high level throughout the season.
Key Achievements:
- Playoff Return: The Rams bounced back in 1977, finishing with a 10–4 record and clinching a spot in the NFC Playoffs. This was a significant improvement over their 6–7–1 record from the previous year and a return to postseason play after a one-year absence.
- Top Defense: The Rams’ defense remained one of the best in the league, allowing the fewest points in the NFC, which helped them achieve a successful regular season record. Their defensive line, featuring Jack Youngblood and Fred Dryer, was a significant force that allowed them to dominate many games.
- Balanced Play: While still not an explosive offense, the Rams found more consistency in 1977. They were able to move the ball and score enough points to win games, with Haden showing signs of improvement in his second full year as the starter.
Playoffs:
- NFC Wild Card Game: The Rams played the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Game, but they were defeated 37–7. The Cowboys were a tough playoff opponent, and the Rams couldn’t overcome their offense in the game. Dallas, led by quarterback Roger Staubach, took control and dominated the Rams defensively.
Offensive Struggles:
- The Rams’ offense remained a bit inconsistent. While Pat Haden showed development as the starting quarterback, the offense wasn’t as explosive as some other NFC teams. Their running game was also limited compared to other top teams in the league, which meant they often relied on their defense to carry them through games.
- Haden’s ability to manage the game and reduce turnovers helped the team, but they still had trouble scoring at will against top defenses.
Defense:
- The Rams’ defense, as always, was their strength. Their defensive line, with players like Jack Youngblood and Fred Dryer, was one of the best in the league at rushing the quarterback and disrupting opposing offenses.
- The Rams finished with the fewest points allowed in the NFC, and their defense was a major factor in their successful regular-season record.
Notable Moments:
- The 1977 season marked the final year of Roman Gabriel‘s tenure with the Rams, as the team moved on from his era. Gabriel had been the face of the franchise for much of the 1970s, but by 1977, the Rams had turned over their leadership to younger players like Pat Haden.
- The Rams’ 10–4 record was a big step forward, showing that they were still a force in the NFC, particularly on defense.
Summary:
The 1977 Rams had a 10–4 record, which earned them a playoff berth, marking a return to postseason play after a disappointing 1976 season. Their defense, led by Jack Youngblood and Fred Dryer, remained one of the best in the league, and while the offense wasn’t the most potent, it was much improved from the previous year. Despite a strong regular season, the Rams were eliminated in the Wild Card round by the Dallas Cowboys in a decisive loss. Still, the 1977 season was an important step forward for the Rams, and it set the stage for future success.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DT | Larry Brooks | 14 | 6 | 06/10/1950 | ‘ “ | Virginia State | |||||
| LB | Bob Brudzinski | 14 | R | 01/01/1955 | ‘ “ | Ohio State | |||||
| RB | Cullen Bryant | 14 | 5 | 05/20/1951 | ‘ “ | Colorado | |||||
| RB | John Cappelletti | 14 | 4 | 06/09/1952 | ‘ “ | Penn State | |||||
| DE/DT/LB | Al Cowlings | 14 | 8 | 06/16/1947 | ‘ “ | Southern California | |||||
| DB | Nolan Cromwell | 14 | R | 01/30/1955 | ‘ “ | Kansas | |||||
| DE | Fred Dryer | 14 | 9 | 07/06/1946 | ‘ “ | San Diego State | |||||
| LB | Carl Ekern | 14 | 2 | 05/27/1954 | ‘ “ | San Jose State | |||||
| DB | Dave Elmendorf | 14 | 7 | 06/20/1949 | ‘ “ | Texas A&M | |||||
| DT/DE | Mike Fanning | 14 | 3 | 02/02/1953 | ‘ “ | Notre Dame | |||||
| QB | Vince Ferragamo | 3 | R | 04/24/1954 | ‘ “ | Nebraska | |||||
| T | Doug France | 13 | 3 | 04/26/1953 | ‘ “ | Ohio State | |||||
| QB | Pat Haden | 12 | 2 | 01/23/1953 | ‘ “ | Southern California | |||||
| G/C | Dennis Harrah | 8 | 3 | 03/09/1953 | ‘ “ | Miami (FL) | |||||
| T | Winston Hill | 3 | 15 | 10/23/1941 | ‘ “ | Texas Southern | |||||
| G/C | Greg Horton | 14 | 2 | 01/07/1951 | ‘ “ | Colorado | |||||
| WR | Harold Jackson | 14 | 10 | 01/06/1946 | ‘ “ | Jackson State | |||||
| DB | Monte Jackson | 14 | 3 | 07/14/1953 | ‘ “ | San Diego State | |||||
| WR | Ron Jessie | 3 | 7 | 02/04/1948 | ‘ “ | Kansas | |||||
| RB | Jim Jodat | 14 | 1 | 03/03/1954 | ‘ “ | Carthage | |||||
| WR | Freeman Johns | 5 | 2 | 12/20/1953 | ‘ “ | Southern Methodist | |||||
| DE/DT | Cody Jones | 14 | 4 | 05/03/1951 | ‘ “ | San Jose State | |||||
| LB | Rick Kay | 5 | 4 | 11/10/1949 | ‘ “ | Colorado | |||||
| G | * | Tom Mack | 14 | 12 | 11/01/1943 | ‘ “ | Michigan | ||||
| RB | Lawrence McCutcheon | 14 | 6 | 06/02/1950 | ‘ “ | Colorado State | |||||
| LB | Kevin McLain | 8 | 2 | 09/15/1954 | ‘ “ | Colorado State | |||||
| QB | * | Joe Namath | 4 | 13 | 05/31/1943 | ‘ “ | Alabama | ||||
| TE | Terry Nelson | 14 | 5 | 05/20/1951 | ‘ “ | Arkansas – Pine Bluff | |||||
| C | Rick Nuzum | 14 | 1 | 06/30/1952 | ‘ “ | Kentucky | |||||
| DB | Rod Perry | 5 | 3 | 09/11/1953 | ‘ “ | Colorado | |||||
| RB | Rod Phillips | 14 | 3 | 12/23/1952 | ‘ “ | Jackson State | |||||
| LB | Bob Pifferini | 5 | 5 | 06/27/1950 | ‘ “ | UCLA | |||||
| LB | Jack Reynolds | 9 | 8 | 11/22/1947 | ‘ “ | Tennessee | |||||
| LB | Isiah Robertson | 14 | 7 | 08/17/1949 | ‘ “ | Southern | |||||
| C/G/T/LB | Rich Saul | 14 | 8 | 02/05/1948 | ‘ “ | Michigan State | |||||
| WR | Dwight Scales | 12 | 2 | 05/30/1953 | ‘ “ | Grambling State | |||||
| K | Rafael Septien | 14 | R | 12/12/1953 | ‘ “ | Southwestern Louisiana | |||||
| DB | Bill Simpson | 14 | 4 | 12/05/1951 | ‘ “ | Michigan State | |||||
| T | * | Jackie Slater | 14 | 2 | 05/27/1954 | ‘ “ | Jackson State | ||||
| DB | Pat Thomas | 14 | 2 | 09/01/1954 | ‘ “ | Texas A&M | |||||
| RB | Wendell Tyler | 14 | R | 05/20/1955 | ‘ “ | UCLA | |||||
| WR | Billy Waddy | 14 | R | 02/19/1954 | ‘ “ | Colorado | |||||
| P | Glen Walker | 14 | 1 | 01/16/1952 | ‘ “ | Southern California | |||||
| DB | Jackie Wallace | 10 | 4 | 03/13/1951 | ‘ “ | Arizona | |||||
| G/T | Jeff Williams | 1 | R | 04/15/1955 | ‘ “ | Rhode Island | |||||
| T/G/DE | John Williams | 14 | 10 | 10/27/1945 | ‘ “ | Minnesota | |||||
| TE | Charle Young | 14 | 5 | 02/05/1951 | ‘ “ | Southern California | |||||
| DE | * | Jack Youngblood | 14 | 7 | 01/26/1950 | ‘ “ | Florida | ||||
| LB | Jim Youngblood | 14 | 5 | 02/23/1950 | ‘ “ | Tennessee Tech |
