Eric Dickerson, Deacon Jones among greatest Rams never to win a Super Bowl

[www.turfshowtimes.com] Eric Dickerson, Deacon Jones among greatest Rams never to win a Super Bowl
Who else should join them on this list?

By Evan Craig Feb 8, 2023, 10:05am CST
NFL: USA TODAY Sports-Archive
Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY Sports
The week leading up to the Super Bowl is always a reflective time for fans everywhere. Reflections include why their favorite team didn’t make it to the Big Game or in the Rams’ case, why were they unable to repeat? LA fans already have an answer so that’s not a rabbit hole we want to fall into at the moment.

One of the more depressing reflections during this time is thinking about the all-time greats that were unable to win a title during their playing days. There have been plenty of elite players that never hoisted the Lombardi while playing for the Rams and here is my list of those players. I did my best to capture the ones who I felt earned it most so I know that I’ve likely missed a few. All the more reason to drop those names in the comments!

Eric Dickerson, Running Back (1983-87)
This inclusion is a no-brainer. Eric Dickerson wasn’t in LA for very long, but he made his impact felt early and often. In three of his first four seasons, Dickerson led the league in rushing and totaled 3,913 yards between his freshman and sophomore campaigns. His single-season NFL-record of 2,105 yards has stood for 38 years and counting. With such a pass-happy league, his record might stand for a while longer, even with a extra game tacked on.

RBs with 3 seasons of 1,500+ rushing yards and 13+ rushing TDs

DERRICK HENRY
LaDainian Tomlinson
Edgerrin James
Terrell Davis
Eric Dickerson pic.twitter.com/YGdh48l0A4

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 8, 2023
It’s rather unfortunate that the rushing record is about the only thing keeping Dickerson relevant around today’s NFL. Winning Super Bowls seems to be the only thing fans and the media care about anymore. Anyways, there’s simply no debating that Eric Dickerson was one of the greatest running backs to ever play the game. For a guy who never won the big one, he had the ability to step up when the lights shined brightest.

On this date in 1986, Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson shatters an NFL postseason record with 248 yards in 20-0 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

pic.twitter.com/SiBwjv4BZg

— Honest☘️Larry (@HonestLarry1) January 4, 2023
Deacon Jones, Defensive End (1961-71)
Before Aaron Donald terrorized opposing offenses, there was Deacon Jones. Back in the days when sacks weren’t an official stat yet, Jones was king at getting to the quarterback. Although his final sack totals remain unofficial, the Rams listed the Secretary of Defense as having 159.5 sacks with the team during his career.

#OTD Deacon Jones (Dec. 9, 1938 – Jun 3, 2013). Pro Football HOF DE born in Eatonville, FL. He would play for the Los Angeles Rams, the San Diego Chargers & Washington Redskins.

#15: Deacon Jones - The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players
Pt.1#History #NFLpic.twitter.com/u0viBWdjJg

— Jazz the Professor (@LikeButta3) December 9, 2022
According to data collected by Pro Football Reference, Jones has the most 15+ sack seasons (6), most 20+ sack seasons (3) and most seasons leading the league in sacks (5). Considering how Deacon was an “old timer” and most current fans don’t have a clue as to how dominant he was, this should enlighten them:

“During Jones’ prime from 1964 to 1969, he tallied 115.5 sacks in six seasons — only 29 other players have more than 115.5 sacks in their career. Jones had six consecutive seasons of 15.0-plus sacks, which remains the most in NFL history.” per CBS Sports

Sadly, Jones never appeared in a Super Bowl or a conference championship. Not all hope was lost however as other elite defenders rightfully recognize his greatness all these years later.

The top 5 defensive players of all-time, according to Lawerence Taylor:

1) @LT_56
2) Reggie White⁣
3) Deacon Jones⁣
4) @DeionSanders
5) @RonnieLottHOF

Should #Rams @AaronDonald97 be on the list?

(@IAMATHLETEpod) pic.twitter.com/3N8SncX1Ka

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 5, 2023
Merlin Olsen, Defensive Tackle (1962-76)
Merlin Olsen played alongside Deacon Jones on the “Fearsome Foursome” of the Rams. While he wasn’t exactly the statistical menace Jones was, Olsen was still a player opposing offenses were beyond terrified of.

Merlin Olsen #Rams pic.twitter.com/Gqm7oFaJbH

— Old Time Football (@Ol_TimeFootball) February 7, 2023
OTD, 1962
Low snap to McGee on the punt attempt, Deacon Jones and Jack Pardee pressure him into throwing the ball.
Rookie Merlin Olsen picks it off and scores his only career touchdown #Rams #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/DEAbxStDjx

— Old Time Football (@Ol_TimeFootball) December 17, 2022
Throughout his 15-year career, Merlin made the Pro Bowl every season except his last. He never made the “Bowl” he wanted to play in most as he lost three-straight NFC Championships from 1974-76. Olsen remains one of the top defensive linemen ever on a team that historically hasn’t experienced a shortage of them.

Jack Youngblood, Defensive End (1971-84)
Just like Deacon Jones before him, Jack Youngblood was a menace for signal callers across the league. Not only did he star right away as a rookie but he played so well that LA felt comfortable enough to trade Jones before the next season. Jack was as tough as they come. Seriously, he makes current players look even more like cupcakes after playing through a significant injury during his lone Super Bowl run.

THIS........ is playing with an injury. BROKEN leg. NFC championship, Super Bowl, and Pro Bowl, Jack Youngblood actually DID play "on one leg" in 3 straight games.

He didn't have a "minor ankle sprain". [t.co]

— Randy Moehlman (@RandymoVoice) February 7, 2023
OTD 1980
Super Bowl XIV Jack Youngblood wearing a brace on left leg to protect an oblique fracture in left fibula#RamsHouse @TheLARamsPR @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/77Nu39FgBQ

— ᑭᖇO ᖴOOTᗷᗩᒪᒪ ᒍOᑌᖇᑎᗩᒪ (@NFL_Journal) January 20, 2023
Goodness, and I @#$%& about the littlest hangnail. Sheesh Jack, way to make us mere mortals appear weak! Youngblood played in a Rams-record 201 consecutive games and only missed one game which came in his final season. His official sack statistics are a mystery much like the player he replaced so it’s fitting that he unofficially sits just behind him on the all-time leaderboard.

Worth mentioning that these are the "official" numbers only since sacks weren't counted until 1982. Deacon Jones is unofficially credited with 157.5 with the Rams, and Jack Youngblood unofficially with 151.5 with the Rams. [t.co]

— RamsRegeared (@_RamsRegeared) September 15, 2021
Jackie Slater, Offensive Tackle (1976-95)
Similar to Merlin Olsen, Jackie Slater was a model of stability for his team. Slater played his entire 20-year career with the Rams and followed them everywhere from LA to St. Louis.

Jackie Slater got to play in a handful of cities, but was and will forever be a Ram. #GoldJacketSpotlight pic.twitter.com/WSLeOmpjZY

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) November 16, 2022
According to his Pro Football Hall of Fame profile:

“Slater is tied for third all time for the most seasons played in the history of the league. His 259 regular-season games played were the most ever by an offensive lineman when he retired, and his 20 seasons with one team was an NFL record.” per Pro Football HOF

Postseason heartbreak haunted Slater throughout the duration of his career. He started five NFC Championships, losing four. Even when he was able to play in a Super Bowl, his Rams lost Super Bowl XIV to the Pittsburgh Steelers, an absolute buzzsaw in the 70s. Jackie Slater shouldn’t be at fault for his team coming up short, not with all the changes and instability that surrounded him.

the great jackie slater
during his 20 years with the rams he saw:

5 rams hc changes
8 different rams offensive coordinators
25 rams qbs throw a pass
17 rams qbs start a game
44 rams rbs carry the ball
38 rams wrs catch a pass pic.twitter.com/dC5zW7rQKL

— roberto clemente (@rclemente2121) August 27, 2021