1980 Los Angeles Rams
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1980 Los Angeles Rams

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The 1980 Los Angeles Rams season was one of ups and downs. While they boasted one of the most formidable defenses in the NFL, their offensive struggles continued to hamper their potential. Despite that, the Rams remained competitive in the NFC and managed to make the playoffs, though they fell short of reaching the Super Bowl again.

These teams signatures are from an actual game ball from the Playoffs.

1980 Los Angeles Rams Overview:

  • Regular Season Record: 11–5
  • Head Coach: Chuck Knox
  • Key Players:
    • Pat Haden (Quarterback): Haden remained the starting quarterback, but his performance was still inconsistent. Although he was capable of managing the game and making key throws, he was never quite the dynamic playmaker that other top quarterbacks were.
    • Eric Dickerson (Running Back): After a stellar rookie season, Eric Dickerson continued to shine as the Rams’ primary offensive weapon. Dickerson remained a top running back in the NFL and was a crucial part of the team’s offensive attack.
    • Jack Youngblood (Defensive End): Youngblood was still the leader of the Rams’ defense, continuing to be one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers and a dominant force on the defensive line.
    • Fred Dryer (Defensive End): Alongside Youngblood, Dryer was a key part of the Rams’ defense and continued to be one of the most respected defensive players in the league.
    • Isiah Robertson (Linebacker): Robertson continued to anchor the Rams’ linebacker corps and was another key defensive playmaker for the team.

Key Achievements:

  • Strong Defense: The Rams’ defense remained elite in 1980, finishing near the top of the league in points allowed. Their ability to rush the quarterback and limit opposing offenses was a constant throughout the season.
  • NFC West Champions: The Rams finished with an 11–5 record, clinching the NFC West division title. They were one of the top teams in the NFC, and their defense was key to their success throughout the regular season.

Offensive Struggles:

  • Despite having one of the best running backs in the NFL, Eric Dickerson, the Rams still struggled to find consistency on offense. Pat Haden’s play remained a question mark, and the passing game was not as explosive as other teams in the NFC.
  • Dickerson’s brilliance, with over 1,200 rushing yards and a strong touchdown total, kept the offense moving, but the lack of a dynamic passing game made it difficult for the Rams to put up big scores consistently.

Playoffs:

  • NFC Divisional Round: The Rams faced the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Round. The Rams won the game 21–19, advancing to the NFC Championship. This was a hard-fought, defensive battle, and the Rams’ strong defensive play and Eric Dickerson’s contributions were key in getting the team to the next round.

  • NFC Championship: In the NFC Championship Game, the Rams faced the Dallas Cowboys again, but this time, they fell short 30–3. The Cowboys’ offense outpaced the Rams, and the Rams’ offensive struggles were apparent as they were unable to generate any significant scoring. Despite their defense holding strong for much of the game, they could not contain the Cowboys’ offense in the second half, leading to a lopsided loss.

Notable Moments:

  • Eric Dickerson’s Continued Rise: Dickerson had another strong season in 1980, and his continued dominance as the Rams’ feature back was one of the few bright spots on the offensive side. His ability to consistently break big runs kept the Rams competitive and helped take some pressure off the passing game.

  • Strong Defensive Performance: The Rams’ defense continued to be one of the best in the league. Jack Youngblood and Fred Dryer were as effective as ever, and the team as a whole kept opponents from scoring high totals throughout the season.

Summary:

The 1980 Los Angeles Rams finished the regular season with an 11–5 record and won the NFC West division, earning a spot in the playoffs. Their defense remained elite, and Eric Dickerson continued to be one of the NFL’s most talented running backs. However, the offense still lacked the consistency and firepower to truly compete with the league’s top teams.

In the playoffs, the Rams managed to defeat the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round, but they were ultimately outmatched by the Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game, where they were defeated 30–3. The 1980 season showed that the Rams were a team with a dominant defense and a star running back, but their inability to get consistent play at quarterback and in the passing game prevented them from reaching the Super Bowl once again.

Head Coach: Ray Malavasi

  • 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
LB George Andrews 13 2 11/28/1955 ‘ “ Nebraska
TE Walt Arnold 16 1 08/31/1958 ‘ “ New Mexico
G/T Bill Bain 16 5 08/09/1952 ‘ “ Southern California
DT Larry Brooks 16 9 06/10/1950 ‘ “ Virginia State
LB Bob Brudzinski 9 4 01/01/1955 ‘ “ Ohio State
RB Cullen Bryant 16 8 05/20/1951 ‘ “ Colorado
K Frank Corral 16 3 06/16/1955 ‘ “ UCLA
DB Nolan Cromwell 16 4 01/30/1955 ‘ “ Kansas
DB Jeff Delaney 16 1 10/25/1956 ‘ “ Pittsburgh
WR Preston Dennard 16 3 11/28/1955 ‘ “ New Mexico
DE/DT Reggie Doss 16 3 12/07/1956 ‘ “ Hampton (VA)
DE Fred Dryer 16 12 07/06/1946 ‘ “ San Diego State
LB Carl Ekern 15 4 05/27/1954 ‘ “ San Jose State
DT/DE Mike Fanning 15 6 02/02/1953 ‘ “ Notre Dame
QB Vince Ferragamo 16 4 04/24/1954 ‘ “ Nebraska
T Doug France 16 6 04/26/1953 ‘ “ Ohio State
RB Mike Guman 16 R 04/21/1958 ‘ “ Penn State
QB Pat Haden 4 5 01/23/1953 ‘ “ Southern California
G/C Dennis Harrah 15 6 03/09/1953 ‘ “ Miami (FL)
LB Joe Harris 16 4 12/06/1952 ‘ “ Georgia Tech
TE Victor Hicks 16 1 01/19/1957 ‘ “ Oklahoma
WR Drew Hill 16 2 10/05/1956 ‘ “ Georgia Tech
RB Eddie Hill 7 2 05/13/1957 ‘ “ Memphis
G/T Kent Hill 16 2 03/07/1957 ‘ “ Georgia Tech
G/C Greg Horton 3 5 01/07/1951 ‘ “ Colorado
DB LeRoy Irvin 16 R 09/15/1957 ‘ “ Kansas
DB Johnnie Johnson 16 R 10/08/1956 ‘ “ Texas
DE/DT Cody Jones 15 6 05/03/1951 ‘ “ San Jose State
QB/P Bob Lee 1 12 08/07/1945 ‘ “ University of Pacific
C Ed McGlasson 1 2 07/11/1956 ‘ “ Youngstown State
WR Willie Miller 16 5 04/26/1947 ‘ “ Colorado State
RB Lydell Mitchell 2 9 05/30/1949 ‘ “ Penn State
WR Jeff Moore 14 1 03/02/1957 ‘ “ Tennessee
DT Phil Murphy 16 R 09/26/1957 ‘ “ South Carolina State
TE Terry Nelson 4 8 05/20/1951 ‘ “ Arkansas – Pine Bluff
T Irv Pankey 16 R 02/15/1958 ‘ “ Penn State
RB Elvis Peacock 13 2 11/07/1956 ‘ “ Oklahoma
DB Rod Perry 16 6 09/11/1953 ‘ “ Colorado
LB Jack Reynolds 16 11 11/22/1947 ‘ “ Tennessee
TE Conrad Rucker 2 3 11/15/1954 ‘ “ Southern
QB Jeff Rutledge 1 2 01/22/1957 ‘ “ Alabama
C/G/T/LB Rich Saul 16 11 02/05/1948 ‘ “ Michigan State
T * Jackie Slater 15 5 05/27/1954 ‘ “ Jackson State
C/G/T Doug Smith 8 3 11/25/1956 ‘ “ Bowling Green State
DB Lucious Smith 16 1 01/17/1957 ‘ “ Cal State – Fullerton
DB Ivory Sully 16 2 06/20/1957 ‘ “ Delaware
RB Jewerl Thomas 16 R 09/10/1957 ‘ “ San Jose State
DB Pat Thomas 14 5 09/01/1954 ‘ “ Texas A&M
RB Wendell Tyler 4 4 05/20/1955 ‘ “ UCLA
WR Billy Waddy 15 4 02/19/1954 ‘ “ Colorado
LB Greg Westbrooks 6 6 02/24/1953 ‘ “ Colorado
DE * Jack Youngblood 16 10 01/26/1950 ‘ “ Florida
LB Jim Youngblood 15 8 02/23/1950 ‘ “ Tennessee Tech

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