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den-the-coach
I always wanted to know what happen and thank you for clarifying. Some had posted he had hurt his back when they played the Packers in October and he was not the same, but November makes more sense and I only wish he called the auto club, if there was such a thing back then and I believe there was.
With a healthy Hadl, they beat Dallas & Minnesota IMO as if the Rams had beaten Dallas the Vikings would have had to travel to L.A. Too bad that was something so simple like that.
I knew it was his back because I read an article in which Hadl said in 1974 Carroll Rosenbloom at a practice asked him, what was wrong with his arm because Hadl's passes were fluttering and Hadl responded by saying, it wasn't his arm, it was his back and two days later he was traded to Green Bay. Hadl said, guess I shouldn't have been so honest.
Hadl was hot most of 1973---then was just flat. Rams were also flat vs Dallas, but gave away 10 points and fought back. A healthy Hadl makes a difference
even with the blown Preece play.
About his back---again, I have no way of knowing if it was true, but the specifics were such that it made me think it was possible/probable.
And you are right, Hadl did say, when traded to GB, that his arm was fine, his back was hurting his mechanics or something.
I will say this, the first INT in Dallas PO game was not because of a bad back, I don't think, it was a short pass, just bad...that game is now on youtube..
and you can see it better than the highlight version from NFL Films, then McCutcheon fumbles next series, like 3 plays two turnovers..
and you mentioned before, Rams down 17-16 . . . fought back...3rd and long and Rams take Merlin out and go with a 3-4 defense and on that play to Pearson where Preece, IMO, should have done better...and maybe McMillan, too . . .he looked like he was in fair position . .. maybe he was beat, but anyway
that was the backbreaker.... a 3-4 . . when a 4-3 was working