The 2001 St. Louis Rams were a standout team in the NFL, known for their high-powered offense, often referred to as “The Greatest Show on Turf.” Under head coach Mike Martz, they showcased one of the most explosive offenses in NFL history, led by quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk, and wide receivers Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, and Az-Zahir Hakim.
Key highlights from their 2001 season include:
Regular Season:
- Record: The Rams finished the regular season with a 14-2 record, securing the top seed in the NFC.
- Offensive Dominance: Their offense was one of the most prolific in NFL history, averaging 33.8 points per game, leading the league. Kurt Warner, the MVP of the NFL in 2001, threw for 4,830 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Playoffs:
- NFC Championship: The Rams advanced to the NFC Championship game, where they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 29-24. Kurt Warner threw for over 200 yards and a touchdown, while Marshall Faulk contributed both rushing and receiving yards.
Super Bowl XXXVI:
- Super Bowl Loss: Unfortunately for the Rams, despite their incredible season, they lost in Super Bowl XXXVI to the New England Patriots. The game is most famous for Tom Brady’s last-minute drive and Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning 48-yard field goal. The Rams’ offense was stifled in the second half, and they lost 20-17. Kurt Warner threw for 365 yards, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Patriots’ defense in the game’s final moments.
Key Players:
- Kurt Warner: The team’s quarterback, who was named NFL MVP, led the league in passing yards and touchdowns. Warner was known for his incredible ability to read defenses and his connection with his receivers.
- Marshall Faulk: One of the most versatile running backs in NFL history, Faulk rushed for over 1,000 yards and caught 83 passes for 765 yards, contributing greatly to both the running and passing game.
- Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt: Both were top-tier wide receivers, with Bruce catching 10 touchdowns and Holt having an impressive season with 1,635 yards and 7 touchdowns.
The 2001 Rams are remembered for their dynamic offense, but their inability to secure a victory in Super Bowl XXXVI is a defining moment in their season. Nonetheless, their regular-season success and the explosive nature of their offense are still talked about among the greatest in NFL history.
Head Coach: Mike Martz
- 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE/DT | 72 | Chidi Ahanotu | 16 | 9 | 10/11/1970 | ‘ “ | California | ||||
| LB | 51 | Brian Allen | 3 | R | 04/01/1978 | ‘ “ | Florida State | ||||
| S | 31 | Adam Archuleta | 13 | R | 11/27/1977 | ‘ “ | Arizona State | ||||
| LB | 54 | Kole Ayi | 6 | 1 | 07/27/1978 | ‘ “ | Massachusetts | ||||
| P | 4 | John Baker | 16 | 2 | 04/22/1977 | ‘ “ | North Texas | ||||
| CB | 32 | Dre’ Bly | 16 | 3 | 05/22/1977 | ‘ “ | North Carolina | ||||
| S | 27 | Matt Bowen | 1 | 2 | 11/12/1976 | ‘ “ | Iowa | ||||
| LB | 57 | O. J. Brigance | 8 | 6 | 09/29/1969 | ‘ “ | Rice | ||||
| DE | 93 | Jonathan Brown | 3 | 2 | 11/28/1975 | ‘ “ | Tennessee | ||||
| WR | 80 | Isaac Bruce | 16 | 8 | 11/10/1972 | ‘ “ | Memphis State | ||||
| CB | 23 | Jerametrius Butler | 16 | R | 11/28/1978 | ‘ “ | Kansas State | ||||
| RB | 24 | Trung Canidate | 16 | 2 | 03/03/1977 | ‘ “ | Arizona | ||||
| RB | 82 | Aveion Cason | 1 | 1 | 07/12/1977 | ‘ “ | Illinois State | ||||
| S | 38 | Rich Coady | 12 | 3 | 01/26/1976 | ‘ “ | Texas A&M | ||||
| LB | 56 | Dustin Cohen | 4 | 1 | 12/22/1976 | ‘ “ | Miami (OH) | ||||
| TE | 84 | Ernie Conwell | 16 | 6 | 08/17/1972 | ‘ “ | Washington | ||||
| LB | 58 | Don Davis | 12 | 6 | 12/17/1972 | ‘ “ | Kansas | ||||
| RB | 28 | * | Marshall Faulk | 14 | 8 | 02/26/1973 | ‘ “ | San Diego State | |||
| LB | 55 | Mark Fields | 14 | 7 | 11/09/1972 | ‘ “ | Washington State | ||||
| LB | 59 | London Fletcher | 16 | 4 | 05/19/1975 | ‘ “ | John Carroll (OH) | ||||
| C | 65 | Frank Garcia | 13 | 7 | 01/28/1972 | ‘ “ | Washington | ||||
| S | 30 | Willie Gary | 7 | 1 | 11/01/1978 | ‘ “ | Kentucky | ||||
| WR | 81 | Az-zahir Hakim | 16 | 4 | 06/03/1977 | ‘ “ | San Diego State | ||||
| S | 20 | Kim Herring | 16 | 5 | 09/10/1975 | ‘ “ | Penn State | ||||
| RB | 42 | James Hodgins | 16 | 3 | 04/30/1977 | ‘ “ | San Jose State | ||||
| RB | 25 | Robert Holcombe | 16 | 4 | 12/11/1975 | ‘ “ | Illinois | ||||
| WR | 88 | Torry Holt | 16 | 3 | 06/05/1976 | ‘ “ | North Carolina State | ||||
| DE | 97 | Tyoka Jackson | 16 | 7 | 11/22/1971 | ‘ “ | Penn State | ||||
| G/T | 60 | Rod Jones | 6 | 6 | 01/11/1974 | ‘ “ | Kansas | ||||
| DT | 92 | Damione Lewis | 9 | R | 03/01/1978 | ‘ “ | Miami (FL) | ||||
| DE/LB | 91 | Leonard Little | 13 | 4 | 10/19/1974 | ‘ “ | Tennessee | ||||
| TE | 86 | Brandon Manumaleuna | 16 | R | 01/04/1980 | ‘ “ | Arizona | ||||
| QB | 12 | Jamie Martin | 5 | 4 | 02/08/1970 | ‘ “ | Weber State | ||||
| CB | 21 | Dexter McCleon | 16 | 5 | 10/09/1973 | ‘ “ | Clemson | ||||
| C/G | 67 | Andy McCollum | 16 | 7 | 06/02/1970 | ‘ “ | Toledo | ||||
| DE | 77 | Sean Moran | 16 | 6 | 06/05/1973 | ‘ “ | Colorado State | ||||
| WR | 83 | Yo Murphy | 16 | 2 | 05/11/1973 | ‘ “ | Idaho | ||||
| C | 61 | Tom Nutten | 15 | 5 | 06/08/1971 | ‘ “ | Western Michigan | ||||
| T | 76 | * | Orlando Pace | 16 | 5 | 11/04/1975 | ‘ “ | Ohio State | |||
| NT/DT/DE | 79 | Ryan Pickett | 11 | R | 10/08/1979 | ‘ “ | Ohio State | ||||
| LB | 52 | Tommy Polley | 16 | R | 01/11/1978 | ‘ “ | Florida State | ||||
| WR | 87 | Ricky Proehl | 16 | 12 | 03/07/1968 | ‘ “ | Wake Forest | ||||
| TE/LS/DE | 45 | Jeff Robinson | 16 | 9 | 02/20/1970 | ‘ “ | Idaho | ||||
| CB | 22 | Jacoby Shepherd | 7 | 2 | 08/31/1979 | ‘ “ | Oklahoma State | ||||
| S | 41 | Nick Sorensen | 7 | 1 | 07/31/1978 | ‘ “ | Virginia Tech | ||||
| G | 73 | Cameron Spikes | 5 | 3 | 11/06/1976 | ‘ “ | Texas A&M | ||||
| G | 62 | Adam Timmerman | 16 | 7 | 08/14/1971 | ‘ “ | South Dakota State | ||||
| T/C/G | 50 | Ryan Tucker | 15 | 5 | 06/12/1975 | ‘ “ | Texas Christian | ||||
| QB | 13 | * | Kurt Warner | 16 | 4 | 06/22/1971 | ‘ “ | Northern Iowa | |||
| RB | 33 | Justin Watson | 11 | 3 | 01/07/1975 | ‘ “ | San Diego State | ||||
| K | 14 | Jeff Wilkins | 16 | 8 | 04/19/1972 | ‘ “ | Youngstown State | ||||
| CB | 35 | * | Aeneas Williams | 16 | 11 | 01/29/1968 | ‘ “ | Southern | |||
| DE | 98 | Grant Wistrom | 15 | 4 | 07/03/1976 | ‘ “ | Nebraska | ||||
| DE/DT | 66 | Brian Young | 16 | 2 | 07/08/1977 | ‘ “ | Texas – El Paso | ||||
| DT | 90 | Jeff Zgonina | 13 | 9 | 05/24/1970 | ‘ “ | Purdue |
