By TJ Troup
Today is the first Saturday in May, and for some of us that means the Kentucky Derby, which is a special day for those of us who relish horse racing. Every team in Pro Football history has had their fair share of outstanding receivers, yet which team has had the best group of elite receivers? I am hoping that many of you will respond after reading this story with your thoughts and opinions, which are always welcome.
The Rams, representing three different cities, have the best group of elite receivers. Where to start? Like any list of elite players, this group has honorable mentions.
The Ram list begins with Bob Boyd, who sure had his moments as a deep receiver for Los Angeles (especially in 1954). Next on my list is Bucky Pope. When the "Catawba Claw" was interviewed by Steve Sabol for his "Lost Treasures" series, he was emphatic that he would earn a spot on the '64 Rams. His severe knee injury in '65 basically ended Pope's career, yet for those of us who saw him play in person, he was a legit talent.
Tommy McDonald had success with the Eagles but did not shine for Dallas. Was the speedy little guy done when he joined the Rams? No! I saw him play in person in '65 against the Bears, and Tommy was still a force to be reckoned with. His time in Los Angeles was just too short to make my list.
Bernie Casey joined the Rams from the Falcons, and the former Niner star sure had his moments in '67 and '68 for Los Angeles, but Mr. Casey wanted a different spotlight, thus he retired.
Finally, the last of my honorable mentions is Flipper Anderson. Though he had plenty of excellent performances, his performance in the Superdome against the Saints in '89 was a game for the ages.
Starting the elite list for the Rams is Del Shofner at #11. After playing well as a defensive back in 1957, he was moved to left split end in '58, and for two seasons he was the best in the NFL. Long-striding, swift, lean Del Shofner excelled at running every route, and film study sure shows that. His stats tell us he was the best in the league at yards per catch over that two-year period.
Del Shofner takes a short one the distance
Though he had the long strides and speed to run past all the right corners in the league, many times it was his ability to run after the catch. Surprisingly, Shofner averaged more yards per catch in Ram losses (20.72) than wins (17.68).
Del Shofner takes a short one the distance
Shofner was benched at times during the '60 campaign and even went both ways in a game against Detroit. His trade to New York gave the Giants the deep threat they so sorely needed. Though he makes the list based just on two seasons, those two seasons he was simply the best in the NFL.
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Jim "Red" Phillips joins the Rams in '58, and over the course of his first three years he establishes himself as a dedicated pro. He has enough speed to get deep, runs sharp routes, yet his ability to explode out of his cuts in 1961 earns his place as one of the best receiving seasons in Ram history. He continues to play well for the next three years, but he is traded to Minnesota. Phillips averaged 17.07 yards per catch in victory and 13.97 in defeat.
Ranking #9 on the list is Puka Nacua. Yes, he has not played very long in Los Angeles, yet he has already established himself as an elite receiver in Ram history. Adequate speed, and his routes still need polish, but boy oh boy he is as strong as nine fields of Texas onions! The youngster is a master at fighting defenders for the ball and coming away with the pigskin. He has averaged 13.91 yards per catch in victory and 12.44 in games the Rams have lost.
Jack Snow's belief in his speed and opposing defensive backs differed greatly. Jack was an excellent route runner with strong, reliable hands, yet what set him apart during his time as a Ram was his long-yardage plays. Snow averaged 17.63 per catch in victory and amazingly 17.76 in defeat. Why is he ranked so high on my list, you ask? Snow caught 34 touchdown passes in Ram victories and only 11 when the Rams lost.
Jack Snow catches the back half of the ball versus Colts, 1967
credit: NFL Films
When you watch film of Jim Benton, you come away knowing this man maximized his ability. Quoting Bob Waterfield in the NFL Great Teams series, he stated when asked "who made the biggest impression on you when you first walked in"? Waterfield responded, "Jim Benton. I looked up on one play and saw Benton 25 yards from everyone and I wondered, hey, what park am I in?" When asked what kind of receiver was Benton, Waterfield responded, "he was all moves. He had no speed. He used to get caught from behind all the time." What kind of moves did he have? "Any kind you wanted to see." Did the two of you develop a good rapport? "Sure, I didn't call the plays, he did. He'd tell me he was going to get open on a hook, corner or an out. And I believed him. When I got ready to throw, sure enough, he was open!"
Benton averaged 18.71 yards a catch in victory and 14.24 in defeat. Benton's performance in 1945 might have been by far his best season, but he continued in '46 to shine for Los Angeles. His long reach and glue fingers made watching film of him a delight.
Will Torry Holt ever be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Not sure, but he makes my list at #6. An adequate route runner, and though he would drop a pass now and then, his sharp cuts and blazing speed got him open play after play, year after year. Holt averaged 15.59 yards per catch in wins and 13.56 in losses. Holt is tied for 2nd on the all-time Ram list for touchdowns receiving in victory with 42!
I saw Harold Jackson in December of '68 against the Bears go deep late in the game when Los Angeles needed the big play to win. Was he as fast as Bob Hayes? No! But boy oh boy could he fly. Jackson gained polish and experience with the Eagles, and when he returned in '73 he was the difference maker for the Rams. At this point in his career his route running had significantly improved. Jackson averaged 18.75 per catch in victory and 15.85 in defeat.
Credit: NFL Films
Though they are built so differently physically, when you compare Benton to Jackson, the following: Jackson caught 145 for 2,719 yards in victory, Benton 145 for 2,714 in victory.
During my days as a coach in Southern California I was able to go to Ram camp every year, and it was a joy to watch Henry Ellard at practice. Not only a dedicated pro with exceptional skills, Ellard, my #4, was money when needed for the Rams. Superb routes since he had very sharp cuts, he had enough speed to get open deep, and had very reliable hands. Henry Ellard averaged 17.11 yards per catch in victory and 15.98 in defeat.
Cooper Kupp's season in 2021 ranks with the best seasons ever for a wide receiver, yet he played so well during his entire time for the Rams he earns my #3 ranking. Kupp averaged 12.95 yards per catch in victory and 11.19 in defeat. Kupp is tied with Holt for 2nd on the all-time Ram list for touchdowns receiving in victory with 42.
Credit: NBC Sports
Tied for second are Tom Fears and Elroy Hirsch! Just cannot separate them. Fears averaged 13.43 yards per catch in victory and 13.61 in defeat. The key stat for Fears was not how many catches he made—yes, he set the record back-to-back seasons which he held for 14 years—it is his red zone receptions since he had 32 touchdown catches in victory and only 6 in loss! His strength, knowledge of the open areas to run to, and strong hands made him a force that led him to the Hall of Fame.
Elroy Hirsch in his 1951 record-breaking season
Fears' performance in 1950 forced secondaries to adjust coverage to try to limit him, thus Hirsch could learn on the job at right end. Hirsch in 1951 was the key man in the Rams winning the title. Hirsch averaged 19.51 yards per catch when Los Angeles won and 16.04 when they lost. His ability to run after the catch and adjust to the ball in flight was the best of his era. When Fears began to have injury issues late in his career, Hirsch was able to pick up the slack as he was now an experienced receiver with every trait you look for in an elite receiver.
1951 NFL Championship Game, partial, Fears with game-winning TD reception
Finally, at #1 is Isaac Bruce. He was the whole package in what you look for in a receiver: excellent routes, sharp cuts, speed to go deep, and his ability to catch the ball. Bruce averaged 15.33 yards per catch in victory and 14.63 in defeat. He is the only Ram receiver to catch a minimum of 50 touchdown passes in Ram victories with 51! With the game on the line in the Super Bowl against Tennessee, he delivered. He has the stats, yet film study shows the Rams may never have a receiver better than Isaac Bruce.
Credit: Fox sports, NFL Throwback Tweets Compilation
While playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Stumpy Thomason asked coach Col. John McEwan at practice one day, "How do I run this play?" "Young man," replied the professor, "dispatch yourself with the utmost precision and proceed as far as your individual excellency will permit!"
That statement by Coach McEwan sure applies to my list of the best Ram receivers in team history.737msFast