1989 Los Angeles Rams

The 1989 Los Angeles Rams had a season that marked a significant turning point for the franchise. After a series of disappointing seasons, the Rams had a much-needed resurgence in 1989, thanks in large part to the emergence of their defense and continued contributions from key offensive players. While they were not quite among the elite teams in the NFL, they showed signs of improvement and made a strong playoff run.

Record:

• Regular Season Record: 11–5
• The Rams finished 2nd in the NFC West, behind the San Francisco 49ers (14–2), who were the dominant team in the division and the NFL that season. Despite finishing second, the Rams were much improved from their previous seasons and had a competitive edge.

Playoffs:

• NFC Wild Card Playoff: The Rams entered the postseason as a wild card team and faced the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Playoff. They defeated the Eagles in a thrilling game, 21–7, earning a spot in the Divisional Round.

• NFC Divisional Playoff: Unfortunately, the Rams’ playoff run was cut short by a loss to the New York Giants in the Divisional Round, where they were defeated 19–13. The Rams played a tough game, but they couldn’t quite close the deal and fell short of reaching the NFC Championship.

Head Coach:

• John Robinson remained the head coach of the Rams in 1989. Robinson had a more stable and balanced roster to work with this year, and he emphasized a more complete team effort, both offensively and defensively. His leadership helped turn the Rams back into a playoff-caliber team.

Key Players:

• Jim Everett (QB):

  • Jim Everett showed significant improvement in 1989. He threw for 3,130 yards, with 17 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions. This was a marked improvement from his previous seasons, as he developed more consistency and took better care of the ball.
  • Everett’s growth as a quarterback was critical for the Rams’ success in 1989. His ability to lead the offense and limit mistakes made the Rams’ passing attack much more effective.

• Eric Dickerson (RB):

  • Eric Dickerson remained a cornerstone of the Rams’ offense. He finished the season with 1,234 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Though his production was slightly down from his previous years, Dickerson was still one of the NFL’s top running backs and a crucial part of the Rams’ attack.
  • His ability to control the clock and take pressure off of Everett’s arm was key to the Rams’ offensive success.

• Henry Ellard (WR):

  • Henry Ellard continued to be a major receiving threat, finishing with 1,398 yards and 6 touchdowns. Ellard was a deep threat and a reliable target for Jim Everett. His ability to stretch the field helped open up the running game and made the Rams’ offense much more difficult to defend.

• Kevin Greene (OLB):

  • Kevin Greene emerged as one of the league’s premier pass rushers, recording 12.5 sacks during the 1989 season. His ability to pressure the quarterback was a major strength for the Rams’ defense and one of the reasons they were able to turn things around that year.

• LeRoy Irvin (CB):

  • LeRoy Irvin remained a stalwart in the Rams’ secondary. His coverage skills were a crucial part of the defense, and he helped limit big passing plays, adding to the overall effectiveness of the defense.

• Jack Youngblood (DE):

  • Jack Youngblood, the Rams’ longtime defensive leader, was still a valuable contributor in 1989, although he was nearing the end of his career. His leadership and experience helped guide the defense, and he remained a capable pass rusher alongside Kevin Greene.

Offensive Overview:

• The Rams’ offense was much more balanced in 1989 compared to previous seasons. With Eric Dickerson still performing at a high level, the Rams could dominate on the ground, but the improved play of Jim Everett helped open things up in the passing game.

  • Jim Everett was more efficient and showed better decision-making. He limited his turnovers, which had been an issue in previous years, and developed a solid connection with Henry Ellard, who provided a deep threat.
  • The offensive line was solid, and Dickerson’s ability to control the tempo of games kept opposing defenses honest. The Rams’ offense was still built around Dickerson, but the improved passing game made them a more dynamic unit.
  • Overall, the Rams ranked 14th in total offense, which was a solid improvement over previous years, and they were able to score points more efficiently.

Defensive Overview:

• The Rams’ defense in 1989 was one of the most improved units in the league. The team ranked 5th in total defense, and their performance was a key reason for the team’s success that season.

  • Kevin Greene was the standout player on defense, racking up 12.5 sacks and helping lead a ferocious pass rush that put pressure on quarterbacks throughout the season.
  • The defense, led by Greene, Jack Youngblood, and the secondary led by LeRoy Irvin, was excellent against the pass and could also defend the run. They were tough in the red zone and kept the team in games even when the offense struggled.
  • The defensive line and linebackers, with players like Mike Wilcher and David Howard, provided excellent support, ensuring that the Rams could play tough, physical football.

Season Overview:

• The 1989 Los Angeles Rams had a major turnaround after struggling in the previous few seasons. With a 11-5 record, the Rams returned to the postseason, led by a much-improved defense and a more efficient offense.
  • The improvement of Jim Everett at quarterback was a major factor. He was more consistent, cut down on turnovers, and played with better decision-making. Eric Dickerson remained a top-tier running back, providing balance to the offense.
  • On defense, the Rams were dominant, particularly in the pass rush. Kevin Greene was one of the best edge rushers in the league, and the overall defensive unit ranked 5th in the NFL.
  • The team made it to the Divisional Round of the playoffs but lost a tough game to the New York Giants. Despite the loss, the 1989 Rams showed they were a force to be reckoned with and set a foundation for the future.

Post-1989:

• After a playoff appearance in 1989, the Rams seemed poised to build on their success and make a run for the NFC Championship in the years to come. Jim Everett continued to develop at quarterback, and the defense, led by Kevin Greene, was one of the league’s best.

• However, despite their solid season, the Rams still had work to do in terms of building a consistent offense and overcoming the dominant San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West. But the 1989 season showed that the Rams were back on the rise, and they would remain competitive in the years that followed.

In summary, the 1989 Los Angeles Rams made a strong comeback after a few years of decline, finishing with a 11–5 record and making the playoffs. They were a well-rounded team with a solid offense, led by Eric Dickerson and Jim Everett, and a dominant defense, spearheaded by Kevin Greene. While they were eliminated in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the 1989 season marked a positive step for the franchise and set the stage for future success.

Head Coach: John Robinson

• 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
WR			Flipper Anderson	16			2	03/07/1965	‘ “		UCLA
G			Kurt Becker	2			8	12/22/1958	‘ “		Michigan
RB			Greg Bell	16			6	08/01/1962	‘ “		Notre Dame
DE			George Bethune	16			R	03/30/1967	‘ “		Alabama
LB			Richard Brown	13			2	09/21/1965	‘ “		San Diego State
WR/DB			Ron Brown	16			6	03/31/1961	‘ “		Arizona State
TE			Pat Carter	16			2	08/01/1966	‘ “		Florida State
WR			Aaron Cox	16			2	03/13/1965	‘ “		Arizona State
RB			Robert Delpino	16			2	11/02/1965	‘ “		Missouri
WR			Henry Ellard	14			7	07/21/1961	‘ “		Fresno State
QB			Jim Everett	16			4	01/03/1963	‘ “		Purdue
RB			Mel Farr	1			1	08/12/1966	‘ “		UCLA
LB			Brett Faryniarz	16			2	07/23/1965	‘ “		San Diego State
RB			Cleveland Gary	10			R	05/04/1966	‘ “		Miami (FL)
DB			Jerry Gray	16			5	12/16/1962	‘ “		Texas
RB			Gaston Green	6			2	08/01/1966	‘ “		UCLA
LB		*	Kevin Greene	16			5	07/31/1962	‘ “		Auburn
P			Dale Hatcher	16			5	04/05/1963	‘ “		Clemson
DE			Bill Hawkins	13			R	05/09/1966	‘ “		Miami (FL)
CB			Darryl Henley	15			R	10/30/1966	‘ “		UCLA
QB			Mark Herrmann	3			8	01/08/1959	‘ “		Purdue
S/CB			Clifford Hicks	15			3	08/18/1964	‘ “		Oregon
TE			Pete Holohan	16			9	07/25/1959	‘ “		Notre Dame
DB			LeRoy Irvin	13			10	09/15/1957	‘ “		Kansas
CB			Alfred Jackson	7			R	07/10/1967	‘ “		San Diego State
T			Robert Jenkins	16			3	12/30/1963	‘ “		UCLA
LB			Mark Jerue	6			7	01/15/1960	‘ “		Washington
TE			Damone Johnson	16			4	03/02/1962	‘ “		Cal Poly – S.L.O.
LB			Larry Kelm	7			3	11/29/1964	‘ “		Texas A&M
K			Mike Lansford	16			8	07/20/1958	‘ “		Washington
G			Duval Love	15			5	06/24/1963	‘ “		UCLA
LB			Mike McDonald	16			5	06/22/1958	‘ “		Southern California
RB			Buford McGee	16			6	08/16/1960	‘ “		Mississippi
LB			Mark Messner	4			R	12/29/1965	‘ “		Michigan
NT/DE/DT			Shawn Miller	16			6	03/14/1961	‘ “		Utah State
G			Tom Newberry	16			4	12/20/1962	‘ “		Wisconsin – La Crosse
S			Anthony Newman	15			2	11/21/1965	‘ “		Oregon
S			Vince Newsome	16			7	01/22/1961	‘ “		Washington
LB			Mel Owens	16			9	12/07/1958	‘ “		Michigan
T			Irv Pankey	14			9	02/15/1958	‘ “		Penn State
DT			Mike Piel	13			1	09/21/1965	‘ “		Illinois
DE/DT			Doug Reed	11			6	07/16/1960	‘ “		San Diego State
T		*	Jackie Slater	16			14	05/27/1954	‘ “		Jackson State
C/G			Tony Slaton	15			5	04/12/1961	‘ “		Southern California
LB/DT			Brian Smith	3			R	04/23/1966	‘ “		Auburn
C/G/T			Doug Smith	16			12	11/25/1956	‘ “		Bowling Green State
DE/DT			Sean Smith	2			3	03/27/1965	‘ “		Grambling State
LB			Frank Stams	16			R	07/17/1965	‘ “		Notre Dame
S			Michael Stewart	16			3	07/12/1965	‘ “		Fresno State
LB			Fred Strickland	12			2	08/15/1966	‘ “		Purdue
S			James Washington	9			2	01/10/1965	‘ “		UCLA
LB			Mike Wilcher	16			7	03/20/1960	‘ “		North Carolina
NT/DT/DE			Alvin Wright	16			4	02/05/1961	‘ “		Jacksonville State (AL)