When defense still mattered - Uncovering the Past

WITH PLAYERS LIKE KURT Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, and Torry Holt scoring points in bunches these days, we sometimes forget about the storied defensive tradition of the Rams.

The "Fearsome Foursome" of the 1960s, led by Hall-of-Famers Deacon Jones and Merlin Olson, was one of the greatest, if not the greatest, defensive lines ever. And in the 1970s, the team's defensive legacy was carried on by Jack Youngblood and company.

In our January 1978 issue, we featured Youngblood on the cover, with the headline "Jack Youngblood: New Leader of the L.A. Defense." And what a defense it was. In 1978, the Rams won the NFC West title with a 12-4 record and advanced to the NFC Championship Game. And the next year, they reached the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who also knew a thing or two about hard-nosed defense.

The current Rams (whom we examine in a feature beginning on page 34) have recaptured that Super Bowl feeling. They won the NFL title in 1999 and are strong contenders to capture another one this year. But this group bears little resemblance to the Rams teams of yore. An explosive, innovative offense is the team's driving force, whereas the defense has been something of an afterthought.

However, defensive shortcomings prevented the Rams from winning a second straight Super Bowl last year. And if they go all the way this season, the defense--retooled in the offseason with several new additions--will be the key. As the Rams learned in 2000, all of the weapons on offense don't mean much if the opposing team also is able to score at will.

Can the defense help the Rams make a stand when the postseason arrives? That's the big question. Perhaps those defenders can look to the likes of Jones, Olsen, and Youngblood for inspiration.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Century Publishing
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group