By TJ Troup There are times when the struggle to find a title for my stories is challenging. Quoting men that are respected is always an option, thus the title for Part II of the saga of the 1953 Rams comes from Steve Sabol. Part I is
HERE.
Since the Rams have beaten the Lions in the Coliseum they are in first place at the halfway mark of the season, and will begin the second half of the campaign at home against San Francisco.
The high-powered Los Angeles offense is coordinated by the head coach Hampton Pool and the Rams align in the standard formations of this era. Slot, pro, and double tight, while the backs are aligned left, right, full house, and all of these have subtle adjustments that the Dutchman will use as he takes his boys with horns on their helmets up and down the field.
Since he was mentioned let's begin with the offensive backfield; though rookie Rudy Bukich plays some, this is the first time Norm Van Brocklin has a team of his own (Waterfield is retired). The Dutchman's ability to quickly read a defense on his drops, his precision accuracy, and very quick release is a daunting task for opponents pass rush, and pass defenders. He has one of his best seasons, yet would not be chosen first-team All-Pro since Otto Graham has the best year of his career.
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| Norm Van Brocklin |
Page 53 of the Rams media guide from 1964 lists that Van Brocklin had a streak of 85 consecutive passes without an interception in 1953—oops! This is not accurate (shame on the Rams historians), and Jim Hardy's record of 114 remained intact. T
om McCormick and Brad Myers get some carries, but the balanced Los Angeles offense has a very talented trio in halfback Skeets Quinlan, Tank Younger, and defending rushing champion Dan Towler. After five games all three men are in the top ten in rushing in the league! Quinlan is lightning-quick, very adept at using his blockers on sweeps, and is a capable receiver. Younger has power and speed and is a punishing blocker.
Early in the year the Tank proves to be a viable option as a receiver. Towler is not much of a factor as a receiver, but he is without a doubt a force to be reckoned with when he lugs the leather. Running between the tackles, oh yeah....he hits the hole hard, and off-tackle bursts, and sweeps, he has surprising speed for a big man. Van Brocklin, Younger, and Towler are all chosen for the Pro Bowl.
Tom Fears has been virtually unstoppable as a possession receiver for the last five years, but he deals with injury during '53, and during an eight-game stretch catches only two passes. Fears when healthy remains a constant in that he always finds a way to get open, and finishes the season strongly.
Bob "Seabiscuit" Boyd moves into the starting line-up at right end, and this thoroughbred gets open deep often. Boyd is still learning thus his other routes are a work in progress. Not only does he play defensive back at times, late in the game against the Cardinals he comes in at left defensive end to attempt to pressure Charlie Trippi.
Bob Boyd catches a 70-yard touchdown pass against the Beats
in am October game in Los Angeles
Elroy Hirsch moves from starting right end to left end with Fears injury, and this gifted athlete can run every route. His speed, moves, and cutting ability have him amongst the league leaders in receiving all year.
Hirsch latches onto at least one pass every game, and he also is a long-distance weapon. He is chosen for the Pro Bowl, and is first-team All-Pro. Verda Smith—Vitamin T., to all of you, is in his last year, and he is still a viable option as a receiver coming out of the backfield or aligned at flanker. Though overlooked, an in-depth film study shows the Los Angeles Rams offensive line is the strength of this team.
Starting at left offensive tackle is Bob Fry and he moves his feet well on pass blocking, and has the quickness to pull and lead sweeps to his side. Fry may not be the best drive blocker, but he more than gets the job done.
The left offensive guard is Duane Putnam, and he has future stardom written all over him. He may not have gotten all-pro votes, but he is outstanding at pulling on sweeps, and he is also adept at positioning himself when the Rams run counter plays. He battles bigger men as a pass blocker and is usually successful.
Late in the year, John Hock starts a game at left guard, and the final two games of the year Dick Daugherty starts at left guard. Daugherty starts often at right guard, and the lean tough guy is athletic, quick, and when asked plays left linebacker on defense.
Every team needs men who earn the respect of their teammates for their versatility, and passion for playing. Los Angeles has such a man in Harry Thompson. He starts at right guard opening day, overcomes injury during the season, is valuable in the kicking game covering punts and kick-offs, and is a combative warrior when he plays defensive end.
Bud McFadin had an outstanding year as a combination middle guard/linebacker, and he starts the final two games of the year at right offensive guard. He even receives votes for all-pro, yet not quite sure what dumbass writer would vote for a man who played so little on offense? T
Tom Dahms starts all twelve games at right offensive tackle, and he is the best drive blocker on the team, and is adequate as a pass blocker. Finally, at center is Leon McLaughlin. The book "Los Angeles Rams" by Bob Oates lists a section for awards; the team voted Hirsch offensive lineman of the year, but Ye Old Rams voted McLaughlin Most Valuable Player! Leon handles middle guards with aplomb as a pass blocker, and is able to cut off and block linebackers and lineman both with his quickness.
Coaching this group is Bill Battles, and while he is never mentioned since he was with Los Angeles such a short time, he really proved his acumen as an offensive line coach. Los Angeles allows the least amount of sack yardage in the league with just 107 yards. Combine that with the impressive amount of yards gained rushing—just one helluva year for the Rams offensive line.
Ben Agajanian struggled all year with his consistency kicking field goals, but Van Brocklin was excellent as a punter, and the return game belonged to record-setting Woodley Lewis. He led the league in number of returns and yards on kickoffs and also yards on punt returns.
As mentioned in closing last week's saga the exciting conclusion of the Rams '53 begins in the Coliseum against the hated San Francisco 49ers.
Los Angeles scores first with a Ben Agajanian field goal, but the Niners respond with Tittle rolling right and finding flexed tight end right Billy Wilson open in the endzone. San Francisco 7 Los Angeles 3. Tittle screens to Perry, and the Jet motors 60 yards up the right sideline to score. San Francisco 14 Los Angeles 3.
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| Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch |
The long pass to Boyd results in a pass interference penalty, and Hirsch beats Powers easily to take Van Brocklin's toss in the corner, and the Rams are back in the game. Both teams kick field goals, but the Rams high powered run game is in full force today and Towler punches it in. Los Angeles takes the lead back 20-17.
The 49ers come right back and score as Tittle sneaks in, and the lead changes once again. When the Niners get the ball back Tittle again rolls right and throws back over the middle—but the Night Train pilfers his pass, and the Rams start towards the 49er goal line. The San Francisco coaching staff made the decision to attempt to limit Van Brocklin and his effective and productive passing game. Repeated viewing of the film shows very deep drops by the 49ers defensive backs and linebackers.
Though Jack Manley is listed as a linebacker; for this game he is basically the right corner when on the field, when he is replaced by Powers, same alignment, and even Hal Ledyard the backup quarterback fills in.
You see a deep triangle of Bruney Arenas and Ledyard taking away Hirsch deep to the offensive left side, with Hardy Brown walked off to take the back out of the backfield. This leaves Rex Berry alone in man coverage on the as the left corner on defense. We see Big Bob St. Clair come in at left defensive end to rush the passer in a game where neither team records a sack.
Back to the saga—Tank Younger sweeps right and goes 39 yards for the go-ahead score. Los Angeles 27 San Francisco 24.
Can the first-place Rams hold on? Well, if the Ram defense is going to do their job they must stop royalty. Hugh McElhenny has done very little today as a runner, but late in the game he is flanked right as a receiver, and beats Dwyer to catch the lofted spiral by Tittle for 31 yards. Perry swings out of the backfield and as he is assigned the Night Train comes up to take him, thus Soltau running his corner pattern is wide open to catch the winning 19-yard touchdown pass. Niners 31 Rams 27.
Quinlan, Younger and Towler gain 268 rushing, but Tittle passes for 301.
Los Angeles begins a three-game road trip, yet this is not going to be difficult since the three teams they face are among the worst in the league. The Rams can return home for their final two games at the Coliseum if they can just win on the road, and as Vin Tanner states in "The Magnificent Seven" "If brother, if".
The Chicago Cardinals have been outscored 210 to 109, and are 2-12 in their last fourteen home games. Before a crowd of 26,674 at Comiskey on a cold Chicago day the Cardinals jump out to a 17-0 lead. How in the hell did the Cardinals achieve this? Well, gonna tell ya! Root flips to Johnny O. and he sprints down the sideline for 62 yards.
Pat Summerall kicks a short field goal, and when the Ram receiver slips and falls—the Dutchman's pass sails right to lean Ray Ramsey. The Cardinal safety dashes down the sideline and dives into the end zone.
Can Los Angeles come back? You betcha. Second quarter and Agajanian kicks a 27-yard field goal, and later Quinlan scores on a dive left from two yards out. Lewis kicks off and Billy Cross on the return has his armed hooked by Dick Daugherty and the ball pops loose. Well, by this time you all know who will be Johnny-on-the-Spot to grab the pigskin—why none other than the Night Train. Lane returns 26 yards and folks we are tied at 17.
The Cardinals move the ball but Summerall misses two field goal. When you watch enough historical film you see plays that originated from this forgotten era. Example you ask? Van Brocklin tosses out to Quinlan for what looks like the beginning of a sweep left. Quinlan stops and throws back to Van Brocklin who calmly locates his receiver and pitches downfield to Hecker for a completion.
During the '60s and early '70s you see this play done by the Baltimore Colts. The Rams drive goalward and score as Towler out of a fullhouse backfield goes off right tackle to score.
Time for the Ram defense to earn their paycheck, but this Cardinal team is now piloted by a new quarterback. Earlier in the game Charlie Trippi was at halfback, but with nothing to lose the Cardinals align in a spread formation with huge line splits to spread out the Los Angeles defensive line and linebackers. Trippi moves very well, and either runs or passes. Trippi gains 96 rushing on 15 carries, and completes 11 passes for another 117 yards.
Charlie T. is not only entertaining to watch, he is in complete control of the situation, and the Rams cannot stop him or his receivers. Chicago is on the Ram seventeen-yard line, and Trippi whistles a pass to halfback Don Paul in the end zone. While a tie is not a loss, Los Angeles's margin for error is now razor-thin. Next stop Baltimore on a foggy almost hound of the Baskervilles afternoon before 27, 268 rabid Colt fans.
Baltimore scores first on a Huzvar run. Bob Boyd gains 57 on a long completion, but Agajanian misses the field goal. Colts in spread formation with George Taliaferro at the controls. Did Baltimore decide to do this after watching Trippi the week before?
At one point in the game on an incompletion right corner Don Shula confronts Tom Fears out of bounds, this game even has combative theater. Los Angeles aligned in a full house t-formation and Towler sweeps right and goes 73 to pay dirt. Baltimore 7 Los Angeles 7.
Dan Towler's 73-yard touchdown run in Baltimore in heavy fog
To take the lead the Colts' George Taliaferro escapes the pocket and dashes down the sideline 43 yards to score. Baltimore 13 Los Angeles 7. Colts make a goal-line stand but fumble the ball back to the Rams. The Colts stop'em again.
Now in the 4th quarter, Van Brocklin finds a wide-open Vitamin T. Smith who is flanked right for 26 yards and the lead. This will be Smith's last touchdown as a pro. Taliaferro's underthrown pass in highjacked by Herb Rich, and the former Colt gets a convoy down the sideline for 53 yards and the score. The remainder of the game is filled with turnovers, and Towler setting a new Rams record for yards gained rushing with 205.
The Ram defense allowed only one man to gain over 100 yards rushing in a game in '53, and George Taliaferro gained 136.
Back to the Windy City and the Bears. This is a team in transition, and lacks the talent to be contenders, but Clark Shaughnessy is a master of mystical defensive alignments, and he knows that he must limit Towler.
Deacon Dan gained 163 yards on 51 carries in the first four games of the year, but his last five games? The Deacon has powered, plowed, and hammered his way for 569 yards on just 77 carries (7.38 a carry).
Los Angeles breaks on top as Fears aligned at tight end left gains 31 yards on a crossing route. Smith gains 21 on a sweep, and from the five-yard line; fullback Tank Younger out of a fullhouse t-formation scores. Bears punt, Rams lose the first of four fumbles, but Blanda misses a field goal.
Rams punt, and George Blanda with superb pass protection all afternoon completes to Dooley for 13, and then finds Billy Stone wide damn open on a well-thrown pass for 29 yards and the tying score. 2nd quarter, and the Night Train is human after all, he misses the pass and Dooley latches onto the ball and scores.
Rams have lost another fumble and Leon Campbell pounds up the middle for 31 yards, only to fumble, and the ball rolls over the goal line. Bill McColl recovers in the end zone. Bears 21 Rams 7. Van Brocklin attacks the suspect Bear secondary with 17 completions out of 31 attempts and gains 223 yards.
Chicago in a gap-control defense allows the Rams 141 yards rushing. Towler carries only twice all afternoon. Now it's the 3rd quarter and Van Brocklin tosses to Younger for 15 yards and the touchdown. Chicago 21 Los Angeles 14. Blanda has had success throwing to Billy Stone all afternoon (99 yards on 5 catches), and Blanda finishes off the drive with a 15-yard field goal.
Can the Rams score twice and pull this game out of the fire? Not today. Fears scores on a 7-yard reception, but the Lions now have a commanding lead in the Western Conference. Detroit is 8-2, San Francisco 7-3, and Los Angeles is 6-3-1.
Winning just once on the road is going to cost Los Angeles dearly. They need help from other teams to win the West.
Saturday afternoon and the Rams destroyed the Colts in the Coliseum 45-2. Since the Lions have won, they have clinched a spot in the playoffs.
A Detroit victory over the Giants on the season's final day clinches the conference title, as the 49ers must win and hope for a New York upset to force a tie and a special conference showdown. Los Angeles is playing for pride, but here come the Packers.
Los Angeles has beaten Green Bay five consecutive times in the Coliseum. Before a small crowd of just 23,069 the Rams score four times in the first quarter, and lead 26-7. First play of the second quarter Rote launches an a bomb to Billy Howton for 80 yards and a touchdown.
The Rams are not going to let the lowly Packers beat them? Right?
The rest of the second quarter is chock full of turnovers. During the third quarter, Green Bay drives 71 yards in 12 plays, all on the ground, and now Fred Cone attempts a 34-yard field goal. BLOCKED! And the ball is bouncing back towards the Packer goal, and of course sprinting to the ball grabbing it at the Green Bay thirty-yard line is Night Train Lane and he scores in his last game as a Ram.
The fourth quarter is also turnover-filled. Los Angeles gains 463 yards in total offense, but turns the ball over nine times! Hirsch and Fears are kickers in this game.
There is a side note to this game that is a once-in-a-lifetime game? Ready?
Hirsch had three different passers get the ball to him for at least 18 yards in the game. Quinlan, Smith, and Van Brocklin all completed passes to Crazy Legs as he gained 196 yards on 9 receptions.
The denouement you ask?
Every team has twists and turns during a season, yet this is a team that is never talked about. It came so close to being the first team in league history to earn a playoff berth in five consecutive years since divisional play began in 1933.
