As Steve Sabol once told me, "You can have 1,000 ideas, but unless you capture an emotion, it is an essay". Let us see if emotion is drawn from all of you? Many discussions on the best second-place teams in history, but almost nothing about third-place teams, and the 1953 Los Angeles Rams are the best third-place team in league history.
Read on and discover why.
The title comes from Lewis "Bud" McFadin when he joined the Denver Broncos in 1960 and comes from Murray Olderman's book "The Defenders". McFadin is is one of the many talented and tough men who took the field for the Rams in '53.
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| Bud McFadin |
The chapter in my second book on the '53 Rams is adequate, yet when you have seen so much more film on this team, the fascination grew, and can now do an in-depth study on the players, what positions they played, and the strategy used.
Going to start on the defensive side of the ball and since the '52 Rams led the league in the defensive passer rating with a mark of 42.5 the (league average was 57.7)will begin with the men that played in the secondary. Page 95 of Bob Oates's book "The Los Angeles Rams" lists the Rams club awards, and the award for defensive back of the year was given to Jack Dwyer.
Dwyer was put on waivers as the '52 season began and joined Los Angeles during the campaign, and late in the season he demonstrated a penchant for taking the ball away with interceptions, and fumble returns. Dwyer is the starting left corner all twelve games and is rock solid in defending the run, and tackling. He is adept at both man and zone coverage and played the ball well in flight. Left safety is the province of Norb Hecker, and he is an aggressive defender who is a strong tackler, and instinctive as a pass defender.
After five games Hecker had intercepted five passes to rank amongst the leaders in the league. Many times he would align in the middle of the field or offensive formation looking straight at the quarterback. Since his alignment was mentioned this is as good a time as any to attempt to describe the coverages Los Angeles used. The secondary would align at times making the coverage look like man, and then on the snap rotate their zone coverage.
Very few times at this point in pro football history were teams capable of doing this, yet the Rams many times force opposing quarterbacks to hesitate and allow the pass rush to pressure the passer. The Los Angeles secondary would align alerting the quarterback they were in man, and they would stay in man coverage.
This ability to disguise, and create doubt allowed the Ram secondary to finished third in the defensive passer rating category with a mark of 43.1 (league average was 53.6); again not quite as strong as '52, but nonetheless a top-notch season by the boys in their gold jerseys.
Right safety was manned by both Woodley Lewis and Herb Rich. Lewis began the season as the starter, and he also started at right corner one game, and left safety. Herb Rich starts week five against the Bears, and is the nominal starter the rest of the year.
There are games where both Lewis and Rich play right safety. Both men are superb at playing the ball in flight, and make key plays during the campaign when needed. Both men are adequate tacklers, though neither would be deemed as physical.
Many times the right safety for the Rams rotated behind the right corner in a roll coverage look. Though the Lions were considered masters at this alignment, Los Angeles also is very adept at this early rudimentary roll zone and is never mentioned.
Bob Boyd plays some corner, and some safety since he is experienced, and has blazing speed, and Neil Ferris joins the team the week that Richard Lane misses his one game and plays a few games. Richard Lane is the starting right corner for Los Angeles—ah, "The Night Train"—he is almost mythical as stories conjure up this character of speed, toughness, and savvy instincts.
The Scottsbluff Junior College alum had such a great year in '52. Ththe question is simple; what would he do for an encore? Evaluating his play in '53 is a challenge since the Train did not always maintain his discipline in the coverage called.
Most of the time he aligns himself where he can see the quarterback, and then drifts back into the short zone. When the opposing halfback would flare, or swing out of the backfield the Train would be there to deliver destruction.
Very physical, and so damn aggressive, he was convinced he would serve notice that opponents stay away from his territory. He did play man, and stay with the wide receiver covering him step by step. He would gamble and get beat, and he would make key plays to help his team. Lane intercepted only three passes all year.
The Night Train was so quick, and took the proper angles that he blocked his share of field goal attempts during the year, and these eye-popping plays would sure make Sportscenter on ESPN ... oh, wait, there is no ESPN in 1953? He again is not selected for the Pro Bowl and is traded in the off-season.
Dick Daugherty starts opening day at left linebacker but is soon switched to offense, but does see plenty of action at linebacker. Lean, quick, and able to shed blocks, he has a strong season when he is on defense.
Most of the season Harland Svare is the starting left linebacker. This is on-the-job training for him, he is not instinctive, struggles at times as a tackler, but he gives maximum effort and hustles. The last two games of the year Bob Griffin is the starter.
To quote Paul Lionel Zimmerman; Griffin is just a guy. Right linebacker is team captain Don Paul. He is strong, instinctive, a punishing tackler that borders on dirty, and very adept at his zone drops on pass defense.
Don Paul is voted the Rams most valuable player in '53 and is voted to the Pro Bowl. He misses two games, and his replacement is Paul "Tank" Younger. He is not listed as a linebacker at Pro Football Reference, and when in the line-up late in the year he plays with the same vigor and savvy that he did in 1949-1951.
Tank is just one helluva football player. Now, the defensive line. Left end is manned by veteran Larry Brink, and though he is not as quick as he once was, he still can pressure the passer, and hold his own against the run.
The left defensive tackle in the Rams 5-2 is Charlie Toogood. He starts every week, and every offensive lineman that comes to block him needs to be prepared as Charlie is one tough hombre. The starting right defensive tackle is Frank Fuller, and he is voted by Ye Olde Rams as rookie of the year. Fuller has the size and strength to defend the run, and he sheds blocks well, and is capable in pursuit. His strength allows him to push the pass pocket back into the quarterback's face.
The starting middle guard on opening day is Lewis "Bud" McFadin. He wins the position over veteran Pro Bowl player Stan West.
McFadin is as tough as "nine fields of Texas onions", very quick, and strong as an ox. Many times in long yardage situations, or late in the game when Los Angeles has the lead the middle guard moves to linebacker, sometimes middle, sometimes either left or right depending on Captain Don Paul's savvy knowledge.
McFadin though a novice proves he is a willing pupil in learning the nuances of linebacker play, and especially pass defense. Stan West gets plenty of playing time during the year at middle guard and linebacker, and still plays quality football, he is just not as gifted as McFadin. The starting right defensive end is Andy Robustelli, and we believe he probably led the league in sacks with a minimum of 13.
Tenacious, quick, with plenty of technique, he is a nightmare for left offensive tackles. Robustelli is rock solid against the run, and excellent in pursuit against the weakside sweep. The Rams vote him defensive lineman of the year.
Len Teeuws earns his letter at both tackle posts, and even starts a couple games.
Finally, fresh off the Marine base in El Toro is Eugene Lipscomb. He immediately draws your attention when he is on the field. He starts at left defensive end against the Colts in the Coliseum in December and plays the second quarter against Green Bay to close the season. Raw, and undisciplined, he is a work in progress, but his immense size, and speed are eye-popping.
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| Eugene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb |
He almost looks lean at 271 pounds as a rookie. Against the Colts, Robustelli crashes the pass pocket and gets the sack, and there is Eugene pouncing on the fumble. He may not be the "Big Daddy" yet, but what physical gifts this youngster has.
Let's take a look at the first half of the season shall we?
Richard "Night Train" Lane leads the Rams out of the tunnel for opening day against the Giants. Captain Don Paul won the toss, but the Rams lose the ball as Weinmeister recovers for New York. Though Robustelli blocks a punt, Agajanian misses a field goal (he will miss far too many during the year).
The Giants drive is halted by a McFadin sack, but Cannady of Giants sacks Van Brocklin and we are having a punting fest in the Coliseum. After a goal-line stand by New York, Woodley Lewis's 23-yard punt return sets up a short drive, and the Rams score first out of a full house t-formation. Half-time and Los Angeles has limited New York to just 79 yards in total offense. The third quarter begins much like the first half, with punt after punt until Towler dashes 49 yards on a screen.
He is chased down by starting right safety of the Giants Frank Gifford wearing jersey #17. Tom Fears aligned at left tight end runs one of his patented out patterns for the score and later Hirsch does the same on the left side when Fears is out of the line-up due to injury. New York scores their lone touchdown as Lane is beaten by Pelfrey in the end zone.
Late in the game both teams intercept twice. Final: Los Angeles 21 New York 7.
The Ram defense is off to a very strong start.
Next up are their rivals from the bay and the game at Kezar is without a doubt the game of the year in the NFL.
First quarter and a Clay Matthews sack forces a punt, and Joe "The Jet" Perry breaks loose for a 31-yard gain but he fumbles, and a hustling McFadin recovers for Los Angeles as he demonstrates his ability to pursue with the proper angles.
Bud McFadin recovers a Joe Perry fumble
Van Brocklin pitches a perfect pass to Boyd for 65 yards and the score. The teams trade interceptions, then the Rams drive 47 yards, as Agajanian splits the uprights.
Second quarter, and a 58-yard drive ends with Van Brocklin connecting with Hirsch (now the starting left end). Los Angeles leads 20-0 and out of punt formation Van Brocklin throws to a wide-open Night Train and he drops the pass!
San Francisco scores and later in the second quarter McElhenny fields a punt on his own seven-yard line and as only "The King" can do, escapes, eludes, twists, and dashes 93 yards to score.....wait a minute? A damn penalty flag on the field. The first half ends with the Niners on the Ram eighteen. The third quarter begins with San Francisco driving 68 yards to score as McElhenny pitches underhanded to Perry in the endzone.
A superb 90-yard drive by the Rams in 11 plays as the Dutchman gains 65 yards on his five completions. Los Angeles leads 27 to 14.
Bob Boyd returns a Niner punt for a touchdown, but there is one of those damn penalty flags negating the runback. Carapella forces a fumble on a sack of Van Brocklin and the 49ers score in three plays. Folks we now have a ballgame.
On the first 49er position of the 4th quarter, Tittle's pass is pilfered by McFadin and he returns into San Francisco territory, yet a clipping penalty brings the ball back to midfield.
Bud McFadin intercepts Y.A. Tittle
For a moment lets evaluate what McFadin has done shall we? He has achieved the double take-away of an interception and fumble recovery and did this at the expense of two future Hall of Famers.
The Ram drive is halted when Rex Berry intercepts. Mixon scores on a well-blocked off tackle right out of a full house backfield to give San Francisco the lead 28-27.
Here come the Rams and they drive 65 yards in 14 plays, but when stopped, another field goal. Rams 30 49ers 28.
Three minutes left and on first down Tittle flips to McElhenny and his ability to break tackles, weave, fake, and elude tacklers takes him to the Los Angeles nine-yard line.
The Niners eat up clock and with five seconds on the clock, Soltau kicks the game-winner—final San Francisco 31 Los Angeles 30.
A measure of a team is how they respond after a loss, so it is on to Wisconsin and the Packers. Green Bay after recovering a fumble attempts a field goal, but the Night Train blocks the kick. Rams again fumble the ball to the Packers and mount enough offense to kick a field goal.
After an exchange of punts the Rams score in five plays going 43 yards, and now have the lead. Lewis intercepts for the Rams and the ensuing drive culminates in a Myers touchdown.
Second quarter and Lewis again intercepts but Agajanian misses a long field goal attempt and Al Carmichael dashes swiftly into Ram territory with the short attempt. Cone punches it in, and Green Bay is back in the ball game.
The Van Brocklin 59-yard touchdown toss to Quinlan is picturesque, and the next Green Bay drive right before the half is halted when Charlie Toogood intercepts Parilli. Early in the third quarter, Cone kicks a 33-yard field goal, but the Rams kick one also.
The Ram defense forces a punt, and after a penalty, Los Angeles is faced with 1st and 15 on their own twelve-yard line. Van Brocklin lofts to Hirsch and Crazy Legs goes 70 for the score. Early in the 4th quarter Johnny Papit scores but the Rams now led by a young Rudy Bukich drives 50 yards as "Rudy the Rifle" completes three in a row, and sneaks into from the one. Los Angeles now leads 38 to 20, and the rest of the game is scoreless.
Onto the Motor City and the defending champion Lions. Opening drive the Rams drive 65 in eight plays. The key play is Quinlan on a sweep left for 34 yards behind an excellent block. Tank Younger punches it in from the one. Detroit advances but Don Paul recovers a Lion fumble.
A short Ram drive ends with Agajanian missing a field goal. Miller of Lions tips a pass to Sewell, and the Champions drive 72 yards in seven plays with Layne finding Hart wide open over the middle for the score.
Lewis returns the kick-off 69 yards, but Agajanian misses again. Smith of the Lions punts and Lewis returns it 20 yards, as he is going down he laterals to guard Duane Putnam and he goes an additional 25.
Over the years have tried and failed to convince Elias that there should be a change to the stats of the game, and though listed in the play-by-play and having the film; the Elias Sports Bureau refuses to listen.
Van Brocklin tosses to Hirsch and Los Angeles leads 14 to 6. After an exchange of punts. Don Paul intercepts and looks like a fullback on his return until a pride of Lions can pull him down. Los Angeles puts three more on the scoreboard as Ben finally makes one, but Walker does also, and at the half Los Angeles 17 Detroit 9.
Third quarter and Bob Smith punts to Lewis, and he goes 78 yards untouched through the Lions to score. Detroit responds with a 50-yard drive and a Walker field goal. Los Angeles punts and the Lions drive 61 yards to score. Los Angeles 24 Detroit 19.
Since the Lions have beaten the Rams four straight times, and have closed the gap; we are about to see what the mettle of this Rams team is. When Carpenter of the Lions fumbles, there he is: the Night Train recovers.
Agajanian misses another field goal, but the Ram pass rush gets to Layne twice, and on third down Hecker intercepts.
Van Brocklin fires deep and Karilivacz is out of positon, but Bob "Seabiscuit" Boyd sprinting deep on the post pattern latches onto the ball and the Rams now have a commanding lead. Final the now first-place Rams 31 Lions 19 as Woodley Lewis on one of the best return games in the early modern era gains 174 on kick-off returns, and 117 on punt returns.
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| Bob Boyd |
Returning home to the Coliseum to play a Chicago Bear team that has their worst defense in team history. Captains Connor and Sprinkle of the Bears win the toss, and Blanda throws deep to Dooley for 72 to exploit the fact that Night Train Lane is not at right corner today. Hoffman scores from the five. Chicago 7 Los Angeles 0.
Both teams both go three and out over and over, till early in the second quarter when Towler powers and sprints through the porous Bear defense for 59 yards. Since Agajanian had made a field goal earlier the Rams lead 10-7. Blanda drives the Windy City boys 65 yards and kicks a short field goal. Stan West starting at middle guard takes Blanda down twice and on the second sack forces a fumble that Brink recovers. One second left in teh half and Van Brocklin finds Boyd wide damn open deep for 70 yards and a touchdown.
At the half—it's Rams 24 Bears 10. Los Angeles has gained 336 yards in total offense. 3rd quarter and Blanda fumbles again when sacked; Charlie Toogood trundles 21 yards, but the big man fumbles the ball back to the Bears. Rich to the rescue as he pilfers a Blanda pass. Agajanian again misses a field goal, and here come Blanda and the Bears, but Hecker intercepts on his own two-yard line. Rams drive 56 yards, but again Agajanian misses, and this time Blanda drives Chicago 90 yards in 9 plays to score. Rams 24 Bears 17.
Fourth quarter, and Chicago advances 52 yards in nine plays to score and folks the lowly Bears are now tied with the first-place Rams. Los Angeles drives 77 yards in five plays, and out of a full house double flexed tight end formation Quinlan sweeps right for 23 yards and the go-ahead score at 7:43 of the 4th. Later in the quarter, Hecker intercepts again and now deep in Bear territory, Towler sweeps right for 23 yards to put Los Angeles ahead 38 to 24.
Lewis intercepts Blanda, and the first-place Rams remain there.
November 1st, and the Lions win the toss as Captains Walker and Bingaman take the ball, and the drive ends with Walker kicking a field goal. McFadin returns Hart's short kick-off and Los Angeles heads goalward until Christiansen intercepts at his own eight-yard line. His long strides and speed have him going the distance. Detroit 10 Los Angeles 0.
The teams exchange punts into the second quarter. Los Angeles drives 58 yards in 10 plays with Quinlan scoring from the five. The next Ram possession results in Ben making the field goal. Jug Girard motors 85 yards with the ensuing kick-off and Layne finds Hart open for the scoring pass. Lions 17 Rams 9 at the half.
The Ram defense has again held up well though as Detroit has just 99 yards in total offense.
Third quarter and Los Angeles scores in three plays as Quinlan weaves, and dashes through the tough Lion defense for 74 yards to narrow the gap to 17-16. Detroit drives into Ram territory, but Herb Rich intercepts on the Ram two and returns 38 yards.
Jim David intercepts Quinlan's option pass.
Time for an all-pro to play like, well an All-Pro as Don Paul dropping into coverage near the hash nabs Layne's pass and after going 15 yards laterals to Lewis, and the speedy safety goes the remaining 45 yards to a touchdown, the score—Los Angeles 23 Detroit 17.
Don Paul intercepts a Bobby Layne pass and laterals to Woodly Lewis
Layne is sacked twice and punts. Agajanian misses a field goal, but the Ram pass rush gets to Layne again, and Hecker intercepts, but a penalty on the Rams negates the turnover. Layne throws near the sideline and Dwyer intercepts, and sprints 31 yards to score. Rams 30 Lions 17.
Dublinski is now in at quarterback and Dwyer again intercepts.
When McGraw of Detroit intercepts Van Brocklin Detroit has fleeting hope, but Layne's 4th down pass hits the goal post. Van Brocklin puts the game away as he hits veteran Vitamin T. Smith with a 54-yard scoring pass.
Detroit punts after a penalty against the Lions of having a coach on the field. Hirsch fumbles away a Bukich pass, and the Lions advance 63 yards in eight plays. Hunchy punches it in from the one. at 14:10 of the 4th. Final score: first place Rams 37 Lions 24. Halfway through the season and the opportunistic Ram defense has taken the ball way repeatedly.
Much like the serials of the roaring '1920s, stay tuned for next week's exciting conclusion of Rams '53.
Will end with a side note that tomorrow the 4th of December will be Chris Hillman's 80th birthday. Have listened and followed his storied career from his days with the Byrds, Burrito's, Manassas and Desert Rose, and of course all his solo albums.
He is one of the most gifted musicians of his generation, and a fine songwriter and singer, he has given me many hours of enjoyment listening to so many fine songs.
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