1994 Los Angeles Rams

The 1994 Los Angeles Rams season marked the end of an era in Los Angeles, as it was the final year before the Rams relocated to St. Louis in 1995. The team, under the guidance of head coach John Robinson, struggled throughout the year, finishing with a disappointing 6-10 record. Despite a few bright spots, the Rams were unable to find consistency, and their 1994 season further illustrated the team’s ongoing struggles during the early 1990s.

Regular Season Record: 6-10

The Rams’ 6-10 record in 1994 was indicative of their continued mediocrity, as they finished third in the NFC West division. They were competitive in some games but ultimately failed to put together the consistency needed to contend for a playoff spot. The team’s struggles were highlighted by an offense that was not explosive enough and a defense that couldn’t hold up consistently against tougher opponents.

Coaching and Staff:

Head coach John Robinson was in his fourth season with the Rams, and while he had previously experienced success with the team in the 1980s, his return to the franchise had not produced the desired results. Although Robinson’s leadership and coaching experience were valued, the team was still stuck in a rebuilding phase, which continued to hinder the Rams’ progress.

Quarterback Play:

The quarterback position was a point of uncertainty throughout the 1994 season. Jim Everett, the team’s longtime starting quarterback, struggled to maintain his form and was eventually benched during the season. Chris Miller took over as the starter at various points, but neither quarterback was able to find consistent success.

While Everett had his moments as a capable passer, his inconsistencies and inability to deliver in crucial moments ultimately cost the team. Miller, who had started for the Rams in the past, also failed to stabilize the position. The lack of a reliable quarterback was a significant obstacle for the offense and reflected one of the Rams’ ongoing problems during this era.

Running Game:

The running game was another area of concern for the Rams in 1994. Greg Bell, the team’s primary running back, continued to do his best despite the lack of a strong offensive line. However, like in previous seasons, the Rams struggled to establish a dominant ground game. Bell had a respectable year but did not have the support needed to make a significant impact on the team’s overall performance.

The offensive line struggled to create running lanes, and as a result, Bell’s production was often limited. The lack of a potent rushing attack forced the Rams to become more reliant on the passing game, which, as previously mentioned, was inconsistent.

Wide Receiver Play:

The Rams’ receiving corps featured some talent, but again, consistency was an issue. Flipper Anderson, one of the most reliable playmakers on the team, was a constant threat downfield. Henry Ellard, a veteran wide receiver, also contributed and provided a steady target in the passing game. However, the inconsistent quarterback play limited the effectiveness of the receiving group.

As a result, the Rams’ offense was often stagnant and unable to sustain long drives. Though Anderson and Ellard had moments of brilliance, they were unable to carry the offense on their own.

Defensive Play:

The Rams’ defense, while not dominant, had some solid individual performances. Kevin Greene, a linebacker and one of the team’s best players, continued to be a standout on defense. Greene had a Pro Bowl-caliber season and provided a constant pass-rush presence. He was one of the few bright spots on a defense that was otherwise inconsistent.

Despite Greene’s efforts, the Rams’ defense struggled with depth and consistency, allowing too many big plays and not generating enough turnovers to give the offense a chance to succeed. The secondary and defensive line also faced difficulties in stopping opposing offenses, leading to several games in which the Rams fell behind and could not catch up.

Special Teams:

Special teams were once again an area where the Rams did not find much success. John Baker, the team’s kicker, was reliable but had limited opportunities due to the team’s struggles offensively. The Rams were not able to gain significant advantages on special teams, and that lack of an edge further hindered their ability to compete with stronger teams.

Key Players:

• Jim Everett (QB): The veteran quarterback continued to be inconsistent in 1994, struggling to regain his previous form. He was benched for portions of the season in favor of Chris Miller, but neither quarterback could stabilize the position.

• Greg Bell (RB): Bell remained the team’s workhorse running back. While he was effective in limited opportunities, the lack of a strong offensive line meant he couldn’t consistently get the Rams’ offense moving.

• Flipper Anderson (WR): Anderson was one of the few reliable playmakers in the Rams’ offense. His ability to stretch the field made him a constant deep-threat target for the quarterbacks. However, his efforts were often undermined by inconsistent quarterback play.

• Kevin Greene (LB): Greene was arguably the Rams’ most valuable player in 1994. His leadership and pass-rushing ability kept the defense competitive, earning him a Pro Bowl nod despite the team’s overall struggles.

Challenges and Struggles:

The 1994 season continued the pattern of mediocrity that had plagued the Rams in the early ’90s. The offense struggled with poor quarterback play and a lack of a consistent running game. The defense, while led by Greene, was also plagued by inconsistency, and the special teams were not able to provide any spark.

The Rams’ 6-10 record signaled that the team was still far from being a contender. With key players like Greene continuing to perform at a high level, the team had talent, but a lack of depth, particularly in the offensive line and quarterback positions, prevented them from reaching their potential.

Looking Ahead:

The 1994 Los Angeles Rams season marked the final year in Los Angeles before the team relocated to St. Louis in 1995. The season’s struggles highlighted the franchise’s ongoing difficulties, and it became clear that significant changes would be necessary to return the team to prominence.

With a 6-10 finish, the Rams needed to reevaluate their roster, coaching staff, and overall strategy. While there were bright spots, such as Kevin Greene‘s continued excellence, the team’s overall lack of consistency made it clear that more would be needed to turn the franchise around.

In summary, the 1994 Los Angeles Rams were yet another example of the team struggling to regain its footing in the early ’90s. The inconsistent quarterback play, lack of a dominant running game, and an underperforming defense led to another losing season. With the Rams’ relocation looming, the team would need a fresh start in St. Louis to rebuild and look forward to a new chapter in its history.

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
WR			Flipper Anderson	16			7	03/07/1965	‘ “		UCLA
T			Darryl Ashmore	11			2	11/01/1969	‘ “		Northwestern
RB			Johnny Bailey	14			5	03/17/1967	‘ “		Texas A&I
CB			Robert Bailey	16			4	09/03/1968	‘ “		Miami (FL)
G			Chuck Belin	14			1	10/27/1970	‘ “		Wisconsin
RB		*	Jerome Bettis	16			2	02/16/1972	‘ “		Notre Dame
TE			Rickey Brady	1			R	11/19/1970	‘ “		Oklahoma
WR			Chris Brantley	15			R	12/12/1970	‘ “		Rutgers
C			Bern Brostek	10			5	09/11/1966	‘ “		Washington
WR			Isaac Bruce	12			R	11/10/1972	‘ “		Memphis State
WR			Richard Buchanan	3			2	05/08/1969	‘ “		Northwestern
C			Blair Bush	16			17	11/25/1956	‘ “		Washington
QB			Chris Chandler	12			7	10/12/1965	‘ “		Washington
LB			Brett Collins	2			3	10/08/1968	‘ “		Washington
LB			Shane Conlan	15			8	03/04/1964	‘ “		Penn State
CB			Dexter Davis	4			4	03/20/1970	‘ “		Clemson
TE			Troy Drayton	16			2	06/29/1970	‘ “		Penn State
DT			D’Marco Farr	10			1	06/09/1971	‘ “		Washington
C			Brad Fichtel	1			1	03/10/1970	‘ “		Eastern Illinois
T			Wayne Gandy	16			R	02/10/1971	‘ “		Auburn
DT			Sean Gilbert	14			3	04/10/1970	‘ “		Pittsburgh
G/T			Leo Goeas	13			5	08/15/1966	‘ “		Hawaii
FB			Howard Griffith	16			2	11/17/1967	‘ “		Illinois
CB			Wymon Henderson	15			8	12/15/1961	‘ “		Nevada – Las Vegas
CB			Darryl Henley	15			6	10/30/1966	‘ “		UCLA
WR			Jessie Hester	16			9	01/21/1963	‘ “		Florida State
LB			Thomas Homco	15			2	01/08/1970	‘ “		Northwestern
CB			Steve Israel	10			3	03/16/1969	‘ “		Pittsburgh
T			Clarence Jones	16			4	05/06/1968	‘ “		Maryland
DT			Jimmie Jones	14			5	01/09/1966	‘ “		Miami (FL)
LB			Joe Kelly	16			9	12/11/1964	‘ “		Washington
WR			Todd Kinchen	13			3	01/07/1969	‘ “		Louisiana State
P			Sean Landeta	16			10	01/06/1962	‘ “		Towson State
RB			David Lang	13			4	03/28/1967	‘ “		Northern Arizona
FB			Tim Lester	14			3	06/15/1968	‘ “		Eastern Kentucky
G			Keith Loneker	2			2	06/21/1971	‘ “		Kansas
CB			Todd Lyght	16			4	02/09/1969	‘ “		Notre Dame
S			Keith Lyle	16			R	04/17/1972	‘ “		Virginia
QB			Tommy Maddox	5			3	09/02/1971	‘ “		UCLA
LB			Chris Martin	14			12	12/19/1960	‘ “		Auburn
TE			Ron Middleton	16			9	07/17/1965	‘ “		Auburn
QB			Chris Miller	13			8	08/09/1965	‘ “		Oregon
G			Tom Newberry	15			9	12/20/1962	‘ “		Wisconsin – La Crosse
S			Anthony Newman	16			7	11/21/1965	‘ “		Oregon
DE			Brad Ottis	13			R	08/02/1972	‘ “		Wayne State (NE)
LB			Roman Phifer	16			4	03/05/1968	‘ “		UCLA
CB			Marquez Pope	16			3	10/29/1970	‘ “		Fresno State
DE			Gerald Robinson	13			8	05/04/1963	‘ “		Auburn
DT			David Rocker	11			4	03/12/1969	‘ “		Auburn
LB			Henry Rolling	9			7	09/08/1965	‘ “		Nevada
WR			Jermaine Ross	4			1	04/27/1971	‘ “		Purdue
T		*	Jackie Slater	12			19	05/27/1954	‘ “		Jackson State
DE			Fred Stokes	16			8	03/14/1964	‘ “		Georgia Southern
S			Toby Wright	16			R	11/19/1970	‘ “		Nebraska
DE			Robert Young	16			4	01/29/1969	‘ “		Mississippi State
K			Tony Zendejas	16			10	05/15/1960	‘ “		Nevada – Reno