The 1996 St. Louis Rams season marked the second year for the franchise in St. Louis after its relocation from Los Angeles. Under the leadership of head coach Rich Brooks, the Rams were still in the midst of a rebuild and trying to find their footing in their new city. The team struggled again in 1996, finishing the season with a 6-10 record. While the record was slightly better than their 4-12 finish in 1995, the team still had significant challenges both offensively and defensively.
Record: 6-10
The Rams finished with a 6-10 record in 1996, which, while an improvement from the previous season, still left them well outside of playoff contention. They continued to struggle within the NFC West division, finishing in last place for the second consecutive year. Their inability to consistently perform against division rivals, as well as other strong NFL teams, was a significant factor in their subpar season. Despite this, there were some bright spots during the season that gave hope for the future.
Quarterback Play
The quarterback position remained one of the biggest weaknesses for the Rams in 1996. Chris Miller, who had been the starting quarterback since the team’s move to St. Louis, continued to struggle with inconsistency. He finished the season with 2,295 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. Miller’s inability to minimize mistakes and provide stability for the offense was a major issue, and it was clear that the team needed to find a more consistent signal-caller if they were going to take the next step forward.
Tony Banks, a rookie quarterback, also saw some playing time in 1996. He had shown promise during the preseason, and the team began to develop him as the future of the position. While Banks showed flashes of his potential, he was still raw and needed time to develop. Banks’ performance, while not yet stellar, offered a glimmer of hope for the future as the Rams looked to improve their quarterback situation moving forward.
Offensive Struggles
The Rams’ offense in 1996 was largely inconsistent, as the team had trouble putting points on the board. Troy Davis, the starting running back, was one of the few bright spots in the backfield. Davis rushed for 1,090 yards and 6 touchdowns, marking the first time in his career that he reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark. Despite his success, Davis could not carry the team on his own, as the offensive line struggled to provide consistent protection and open running lanes. Additionally, the passing game was inconsistent, making it difficult for the Rams to establish a balanced offensive attack.
Wide receiver Isaac Bruce continued to be the Rams’ top offensive weapon in 1996. Bruce had another solid season, catching 79 passes for 1,165 yards and 6 touchdowns. Despite the team’s struggles, Bruce remained one of the league’s most talented wide receivers and was a consistent target for both Miller and Banks. However, the lack of a consistent quarterback and a balanced offensive attack meant that Bruce could not carry the team on his own.
Defensive Challenges
The Rams’ defense in 1996 was also a source of frustration, as the unit continued to show signs of promise but ultimately failed to deliver consistent performances. The defensive line, led by Sean Gilbert and Robert Young, had moments where they could pressure opposing quarterbacks, but the defense as a whole struggled to generate turnovers and prevent big plays.
One of the team’s defensive standouts was linebacker Kevin Greene, who continued to be a force on the field. Greene was the Rams’ best defensive player in 1996, providing leadership, generating pressure on the quarterback, and being a reliable tackler. He finished the season with 10 sacks, further cementing his status as one of the NFL’s top linebackers. However, despite Greene’s efforts, the Rams’ defense struggled to perform as a cohesive unit, leading to many high-scoring losses.
The secondary was also a weakness for the Rams in 1996, with Todd Lyght and Aeneas Williams being the primary starters in the defensive backfield. While both players were solid, the secondary as a whole was inconsistent, often allowing big passing plays that would keep the team from making stops when they needed to.
Special Teams
The Rams’ special teams play in 1996 was fairly average, with placekicker Jeff Wilkins being one of the team’s more reliable players. Wilkins made 24 of 29 field goal attempts and was solid on extra points. While special teams were not a major liability for the Rams, they were also not a source of consistent excellence. The return game, which had been a bright spot in years past, did not generate the same level of excitement in 1996, further limiting the team’s ability to shift momentum.
Bright Spots and Future Outlook
Despite the overall struggles of the 1996 season, there were some bright spots that provided hope for the future of the Rams. Isaac Bruce continued to emerge as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, and Troy Davis showed that he could be a reliable running back. Additionally, the development of Tony Banks at quarterback offered a glimpse of the Rams’ future at the position. While the offense continued to be a work in progress, the pieces were starting to fall into place.
On defense, Kevin Greene remained the heart and soul of the unit, and Aeneas Williams and Todd Lyght provided some stability in the secondary. The Rams had young players who could contribute to a rebuilding process, and they would need to continue to add pieces in both free agency and the draft to improve.
The 1996 St. Louis Rams season may have been another step in the rebuilding process, but it was clear that the franchise was starting to build toward a brighter future. With a new stadium (the Trans World Dome, which had opened in 1995) and a dedicated fan base in St. Louis, the team had the foundation to start moving in the right direction. However, more time and effort would be needed for the Rams to become competitive in the NFC West and return to playoff contention.
Key Players:
- Isaac Bruce (WR): Bruce was the Rams’ top offensive weapon, continuing to establish himself as one of the NFL’s premier wide receivers.
- Kevin Greene (OLB): Greene remained the anchor of the Rams’ defense, providing leadership and pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
- Troy Davis (RB): Davis rushed for over 1,000 yards, establishing himself as a reliable back for the Rams.
- Chris Miller (QB): Miller continued to struggle at quarterback, and the Rams would eventually look for a more consistent option at the position.
- Tony Banks (QB): Banks saw some playing time as a rookie and showed potential as the future of the Rams’ quarterback position.
Looking Ahead:
The 1996 season was another tough year for the Rams, but it was a season that continued to lay the groundwork for the team’s future. The Rams were in the early stages of their rebuilding process, and while they still had significant holes to fill, they had some promising young players who could help lead the way. With a few more years of development, the Rams would be poised for success in the years to come. Ultimately, the 1996 season was one of transition, but it helped set the stage for the Rams’ future success.
Head Coach: Rich Brooks
- To be listed, a player must have played at least one game for the team during this season.
- + Primary starter
| Pos | # | Player | GP | GS | Start Pos | Exp | DOB | Ht | Wt | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T | Darryl Ashmore | 6 | 4 | 11/01/1969 | ‘ “ | Northwestern | |||||
| QB | Tony Banks | 14 | R | 04/05/1973 | ‘ “ | Michigan State | |||||
| G | Chuck Belin | 1 | 3 | 10/27/1970 | ‘ “ | Wisconsin | |||||
| C | Bern Brostek | 16 | 7 | 09/11/1966 | ‘ “ | Washington | |||||
| WR | Isaac Bruce | 16 | 3 | 11/10/1972 | ‘ “ | Memphis State | |||||
| DE/DT | Kevin Carter | 16 | 2 | 09/21/1973 | ‘ “ | Florida | |||||
| TE | Hayward Clay | 11 | R | 07/05/1973 | ‘ “ | Texas | |||||
| TE | Ernie Conwell | 10 | R | 08/17/1972 | ‘ “ | Washington | |||||
| WR | Keith Crawford | 16 | 3 | 11/21/1970 | ‘ “ | Howard Payne (TX) | |||||
| LB | Paschall Davis | 10 | 2 | 06/05/1969 | ‘ “ | Texas A&M – Kingsville | |||||
| CB | Torin Dorn | 9 | 6 | 02/28/1968 | ‘ “ | North Carolina | |||||
| TE | Troy Drayton | 3 | 4 | 06/29/1970 | ‘ “ | Penn State | |||||
| DT | D’Marco Farr | 16 | 3 | 06/09/1971 | ‘ “ | Washington | |||||
| LB | Cedric Figaro | 15 | 7 | 08/17/1966 | ‘ “ | Notre Dame | |||||
| T | Wayne Gandy | 16 | 3 | 02/10/1971 | ‘ “ | Auburn | |||||
| LB | Percell Gaskins | 15 | R | 04/25/1972 | ‘ “ | Kansas State | |||||
| G/T | Leo Goeas | 16 | 7 | 08/15/1966 | ‘ “ | Hawaii | |||||
| LB | Antonio Goss | 8 | 7 | 08/11/1966 | ‘ “ | North Carolina | |||||
| RB | Harold Green | 16 | 7 | 01/29/1968 | ‘ “ | South Carolina | |||||
| C | Mike Gruttadauria | 9 | 1 | 12/06/1972 | ‘ “ | Central Florida | |||||
| RB | Derrick Harris | 11 | R | 09/18/1972 | ‘ “ | Miami (FL) | |||||
| DE | James Harris | 16 | 4 | 05/13/1968 | ‘ “ | Temple | |||||
| FB | Marcus Holliday | 1 | 1 | 07/16/1973 | ‘ “ | Memphis | |||||
| LB | Thomas Homco | 3 | 4 | 01/08/1970 | ‘ “ | Northwestern | |||||
| K | Carlos Huerta | 1 | 1 | 06/29/1969 | ‘ “ | Miami (FL) | |||||
| C | Jesse James | 1 | 2 | 09/16/1971 | ‘ “ | Mississippi State | |||||
| LB | Carlos Jenkins | 13 | 6 | 07/12/1968 | ‘ “ | Michigan State | |||||
| DT | Jimmie Jones | 14 | 7 | 01/09/1966 | ‘ “ | Miami (FL) | |||||
| LB | Robert Jones | 16 | 5 | 09/27/1969 | ‘ “ | East Carolina | |||||
| WR | Eddie Kennison | 15 | R | 01/20/1973 | ‘ “ | Louisiana State | |||||
| DT | Jon Kirksey | 11 | 1 | 02/21/1970 | ‘ “ | Sacramento State | |||||
| TE | Aaron Laing | 12 | 2 | 07/19/1971 | ‘ “ | New Mexico State | |||||
| P | Sean Landeta | 16 | 12 | 01/06/1962 | ‘ “ | Towson State | |||||
| CB | Jeremy Lincoln | 13 | 4 | 04/07/1969 | ‘ “ | Tennessee | |||||
| K | Chip Lohmiller | 15 | 9 | 07/16/1966 | ‘ “ | Minnesota | |||||
| CB | Todd Lyght | 16 | 6 | 02/09/1969 | ‘ “ | Notre Dame | |||||
| S | Keith Lyle | 16 | 3 | 04/17/1972 | ‘ “ | Virginia | |||||
| QB | Jamie Martin | 6 | 1 | 02/08/1970 | ‘ “ | Weber State | |||||
| S | Gerald McBurrows | 16 | 2 | 10/07/1973 | ‘ “ | Kansas | |||||
| T | Fred Miller | 14 | R | 02/06/1973 | ‘ “ | Baylor | |||||
| T | Billy Milner | 10 | 2 | 06/21/1972 | ‘ “ | Houston | |||||
| RB | Jerald Moore | 11 | R | 11/20/1974 | ‘ “ | Oklahoma | |||||
| C/S | Herman O’Berry | 9 | 1 | 07/11/1971 | ‘ “ | Oregon | |||||
| DE | Leslie O’Neal | 16 | 10 | 05/07/1964 | ‘ “ | Oklahoma State | |||||
| DT | Chuck Osborne | 15 | R | 11/02/1973 | ‘ “ | Arizona | |||||
| CB | Anthony Parker | 14 | 7 | 02/11/1966 | ‘ “ | Arizona State | |||||
| LB | Roman Phifer | 15 | 6 | 03/05/1968 | ‘ “ | UCLA | |||||
| RB | Lawrence Phillips | 15 | R | 05/12/1975 | ‘ “ | Nebraska | |||||
| RB | Greg Robinson | 11 | 3 | 08/07/1969 | ‘ “ | Northeast Louisiana | |||||
| WR | Jermaine Ross | 15 | 2 | 04/27/1971 | ‘ “ | Purdue | |||||
| CB | Mike Scurlock | 16 | 2 | 02/26/1972 | ‘ “ | Arizona | |||||
| WR | J. T. Thomas | 16 | 2 | 07/11/1971 | ‘ “ | Arizona State | |||||
| T/G/C | Joe Valerio | 1 | 5 | 02/11/1969 | ‘ “ | Pennsylvania | |||||
| CB | Marquis Walker | 8 | 1 | 07/06/1972 | ‘ “ | Southeast Missouri State | |||||
| QB | Steve Walsh | 3 | 7 | 12/01/1966 | ‘ “ | Miami (FL) | |||||
| DE | Alberto White | 3 | 3 | 04/08/1971 | ‘ “ | Texas Southern | |||||
| G | Dwayne White | 16 | 7 | 02/10/1967 | ‘ “ | Alcorn State | |||||
| T | Zach Wiegert | 16 | 2 | 08/16/1972 | ‘ “ | Nebraska | |||||
| WR | Billy Williams | 1 | 1 | 06/07/1971 | ‘ “ | Tennessee | |||||
| DT/DE | Jay Williams | 2 | 2 | 10/13/1971 | ‘ “ | Wake Forest | |||||
| LB | Mark Williams | 2 | 3 | 05/17/1971 | ‘ “ | Ohio State | |||||
| WR | Alexander Wright | 3 | 7 | 07/19/1967 | ‘ “ | Auburn | |||||
| S | Toby Wright | 12 | 3 | 11/19/1970 | ‘ “ | Nebraska |
