1951 Los Angeles Rams season

1951 Los Angeles Rams season
Head coach	Joe Stydahar
General manager	Chile Walsh
Owner	Dan Reeves Edwin W. Pauley
Home field	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Results
Record	8–4
Division place	1st NFL National
Playoff finish	Won NFL Championship
Pro Bowlers	8 Larry Brink, DE Elroy Hirsch, WR Don Paul, LB Dan Towler, RB Norm Van Brocklin, QB Bob Waterfield, QB/K/P Stan West, MG Tank Younger, FB/LB
Uniform

The 1951 Los Angeles Rams season was the team's 14th year with the National Football League and the sixth season in Los Angeles. In 1951, the Rams had an up-and-down season, never winning more than three games in a row, but was able to win eight games and clinch the National Conference after defeating the Green Bay Packers during week twelve. Los Angeles also led the National Football League in attendance for the second time while in Southern California and was the first of ten straight seasons leading the league in attendance. The Rams' largest crowd during the 1951 campaign was 67,186 against the Cleveland Browns during week two.^[1]

After their 8–5 campaign, Los Angeles won the National Conference and advanced to their third NFL Championship Game in a row and faced the then-powerhouse Cleveland Browns. The Rams ended up winning their second NFL Championship in seven seasons, and their first in Los Angeles. The 1951 NFL Championship was also the State of California's first major professional championship and the Rams' only title while in Southern California. The Rams would advance to the championship round two more times (1955 and Super Bowl XIV), but failed to win another championship until after the Rams had moved out of the market.

Statistically, the Rams scored 391 points during this season, the second-most points-scored in the 1950s (although significantly less than the highest-scoring team of the decade, the 1950 Rams).^[2] Los Angeles led the league in total points, total yards, passing yards, and was third in the league in rushing. Ram quarterbacks Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin led the National Football League in quarterback rating with both in the top three in yards per completion. Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch was arguably the best receiver in the league in 1951, leading in nearly every receiving category (receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, yards per reception, yards per game, and points scored).^[3] While the Rams' offensive statistics were stellar, Los Angeles was middle-of-the pack in the NFL with 261 points and 3,879 yards given up.

Offseason

NFL Draft

• 1 (11) – Bud McFadin, Texas, G
• 2 (24) – Herb Rich, Vanderbilt, B
• 3 (35) – Charlie Toogood, Nebraska, T
• 4 (48) – George Kinek, Tulane, B
• 5 (59) – Tony Momsen, Michigan, C
• 6 (72) – Norb Hecker, Baldwin–Wallace, E
• 7 (83) – Alan Egler, Colgate, B
• 8 (96) – Hugo Primiani, Boston University, T
• 9 (107) – Nolan Lang, Oklahoma, B
• 10 (121) – Roland Kirkby, Washington, B
• 11 (132) – John Natyshak, Tampa, B
• 12 (145) – Don Hardey, Pacific, B
• 13 (156) – Joe Reid, Louisiana State, C
• 14 (169) – Rob McCoy, Georgia Tech, B
• 15 (180) – Obie Posey, Southern, B
• 16 (193) – Bill Robertson, Memphis State, E
• 17 (204) – Hal Riley, Baylor, E
• 18 (217) – Dick Daugherty, Oregon, G
• 19 (228) – Andy Robustelli, Arnold, DE
• 20 (241) – Jim Nutter, Wichita State, B
• 21 (252) – Earl Stelle, Oregon, B
• 22 (265) – Billy Baggett, Louisiana State, B
• 23 (276) – Dean Thomas, Michigan State, T
• 24 (289) – Harry Abeltin, Colgate, T
• 25 (300) – Jackie Calvert, Clemson, T
• 26 (313) – Howie Ruetz, Loras, T
• 27 (324) – Al Brosky, Illinois, B
• 28 (337) – Sterling Wingo, Virginia Tech, B
• 29 (348) – Earl Jackson, Texas Tech, B
• 30 (361) – Alvin Hanley, Kentucky State, B

Regular season

Game Log

1951 Los Angeles Rams Game Log
Preseason: 5–2 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–1; Neutral: 2–1) Week Date Opponent Score Top Passer Top Rusher Top Receiver Attendance Record Stadium Box 1 vs. 11th Naval 55–2 1–0 Balboa Stadium W1 2 Redskins 58–14 2–0 Los Angeles Coliseum W2 3 Bears 42–14 3–0 Los Angeles Coliseum W3 4 vs. Eagles 31–26 4–0 War Memorial Stadium W4 5 vs. Cardinals 36–21 4–1 Rice Stadium L1 6 @ Browns 7–6 4–2 Cleveland Stadium L2 7 @ Giants 23–21 5–2 Polo Grounds W1
Regular Season: 8–4 (Home: 5–2; Road: 3–2) Week Date Opponent Score Top Passer Top Rusher Top Receiver Attendance Record Stadium Box GB 1 September 28 Yanks 52–14 Van Brocklin (554) Hirsch (173 yds) 30,315 1–0 Los Angeles Coliseum W1 0 2 October 7 Browns 38–23 Jones (110 yds) 67,186 1–1 Los Angeles Coliseum L1 -1 3 October 14 @ Lions 27–21 Hirsch (147 yds) 52,907 2–1 Briggs Stadium W1 0 4 October 21 @ Packers 28–0 Towler (144 yds) Hirsch (111 yds) 21,393 3–1 State Fair Park W2 0 5 October 28 @ 49ers 44–17 Hirsch (163 yds) 51,987 3–2 Kezar Stadium L1 -1 6 November 4 49ers 23–16 Perry (115 yds) Hirsch (103 yds) 55,569 4–2 Los Angeles Coliseum W1 -1 7 November 11 Cardinals 45–21 Towler (109 yds) Hirsch (195 yds) 29,995 5–2 Los Angeles Coliseum W1 0 8 November 18 Yanks 48–21 Taliaferro (166 yds) 34,717 6–2 Los Angeles Coliseum W1 0 9 November 25 @ Redskins 31–21 Goode (148 yds) Hirsch (104 yds) 26,307 6–3 Griffith Stadium L1 0 10 December 2 @ Bears 42–17 Hirsch (106 yds) 50,286 7–3 Wrigley Field W1 +1 11 December 9 Lions 24–22 67,892 7–4 Los Angeles Coliseum L1 0 12 December 16 Packers 42–14 Rote (335 yds) Towler (102 yds) Hirsch (146 yds) 23,698 8–4 Los Angeles Coliseum W1 +1
Postseason: 1–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–0) Week Date Opponent Score Top Passer Top Rusher Top Receiver Attendance Stadium Round 1 December 23 Browns 24–17 Graham (280 yds) Graham (43 yds) Fears (146 yds) 59,475 Los Angeles Coliseum NFL Championship

Final games legend
Rams Win	Rams Loss	Clinched

"GB" Legend
1st (National Conference)	Not in Playoff Position	Tied (National Conference)

Week 1

Week one of the 1951 season for the Los Angeles Rams was an exercise in complete domination over the hapless New York Yanks at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Los Angeles jumped out to a 34–0 lead before allowing a New York touchdown in the second quarter and would have likely held the Yanks to only 7 points if it were not for a 30-yard fumble return in the fourth quarter. Ram quarterback Norm Van Brocklin sliced up the New York defense, throwing for 554 yards with five touchdown passes and three different Los Angeles receivers also had over 100 yards receiving.^[4] This was the first of two home for the Rams against the now-defunct Yanks, who had to play eight of their 12 games on the road.

Week One: New York Yanks (0–0) at Los Angeles Rams (0–0)

	1	2	3	4	Total
Yanks	0	7	0	7	14
Rams	21	13	7	13	54

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

• Date: Friday, September 28
• Game attendance: 30,315 (29.82% full)
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First Quarter LA – Elroy Hirsch 41 yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin (Tom Fears kick) – Rams 7–0 LA – Dick Hoerner 22 yard rush (Tom Fears kick) – Rams 14–0 LA – Vitamin Smith 67 yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin (Tom Fears kick) – Rams 21–0 Second Quarter LA – Norm Van Brocklin 1 yard rush (Tom Fears kick) – Rams 28–0 LA – Elroy Hirsch 47 yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin (PAT failed) – Rams 34–0 NYY – Buddy Young 79 yard punt return (Harvey Johnson kick) – Rams 34–7 Third Quarter LA – Elroy Hirsch 26 yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin (Tom Fears kick) – Rams 41–7 Fourth Quarter NYY – Art Tait 30 yard fumble return (Harvey Johnson kick) – Rams 41–14 LA – Elroy Hirsch 1 yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin (Tom Fears kick) – Rams 48–14 LA – Dan Towler 1 yard rush (PAT failed) – Rams 54–14 Rams Norm Van Brocklin— 27/41, 554 Yds, 5 TD, 2 INT Elroy Hirsch— 9 Rec, 173 Yds

Week 2

Week two saw the Rams face the then-powerhouse Cleveland Browns, winners of five straight league championships (4 AAFC, 1 NFL), in front of 67,186 at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The game started well enough for Los Angeles, jumping out to a 10–0 lead and holding a 10–7 lead at halftime. The Browns, however, stormed out of the gate in the third quarter with 21 points to essentially salt away the eventual National Conference champion Rams. Los Angeles would eventually get a rematch with the eventual American Conference champion Browns in the NFL Championship Game and were able to defeat the powerhouse Browns the second time around.^[5]

Week Two: Cleveland Browns (0–1) at Los Angeles Rams (1–0)

	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	7	0	21	10	38
Rams	10	0	7	6	23

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

• Date: Sunday, October 7
• Game attendance: 67,186 (66.08% full)
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First Quarter LA – Elroy Hirsch 34 yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 7–0 LA – Bob Waterfield 47 yard field goal – Rams 10–0 CLE – Ken Carpenter 45 yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) – Rams 10–7 Third Quarter CLE – Ken Carpenter 2 yard rush Lou Groza kick) – Browns 14–10 CLE – Ken Carpenter 7 yard rush (Lou Groza kick) – Browns 21–10 CLE – Warren Lahr 23 yard interception return (Lou Groza kick) – Browns 28–10 LA – Glenn Davis 1 yard rush (Bob Waterfield kick) – Browns 28–17 Fourth Quarter CLE – Lou Groza 44 yard field goal – Browns 31–17 LA – Glenn Davis 14 yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin (PAT failed) – Browns 31–23 CLE – Dub Jones 1 yard rush (Lou Groza kick) – Browns 38–23 Browns Dub Jones — 9 Rush, 110 Yds

Week 3

Week Two: Los Angeles Rams (1–1) at Detroit Lions (2–0)

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	7	0	21	10	38
Lions	10	0	7	6	23

at Briggs Stadium, Detroit

• Date: Sunday, October 14
• Game attendance: 52,907 (90.89% full)
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First Quarter LA – Bob Waterfield 37 yard field goal – Rams 3–0 LA – Elroy Hirsch 70 yard pass from Bob Waterfield (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 10–0 Second Quarter LA – Tom Fears 43 yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 17–0 DET – Dorne Dibble 36 yard pass from Bobby Layne (Doak Walker kick) – Rams 17–7 DET – Jack Christiansen 69 yard punt return (Doak Walker kick) – Rams 17–14 Third Quarter LA – Norb Hecker 20 yard pass from Bob Waterfield (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 24–14 LA – Bob Waterfield 47 yard field goal – Rams 27–14 Fourth Quarter DET – Jack Christiansen 47 yard punt return (Doak Walker kick) – Rams 27–21 Rams Elroy Hirsch — 7 Rec, 147 Yds

Week 4

Week Four: Los Angeles Rams (2–1) at Green Bay Packers (2–1)

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	0	0	7	21	28
Packers	0	0	0	0	0

at State Fair Park, West Allis, Wisconsin

• Date: Sunday, October 21
• Game attendance: 21,393 (47.54% full)
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information
Third Quarter LA – Dan Towler 79 yard rush (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 7–0 Fourth Quarter LA – Tommy Kalmanir 38 yard pass from Bob Waterfield (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 14–0 LA – Elroy Hirsch 81 yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 21–0 LA – Jerry Williams 5 yard rush (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 28–0 Rams Dan Towler — 11 Rush, 144 Yds Elroy Hirsch — 3 Rec, 111 Yds

Week 5

With Los Angeles heading into their rivalry game with the San Francisco 49ers on a two-game winning streak and a 3–1 record, the Rams were confident heading into Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. The Rams, however, were shocked by the rival 49ers 44–17. San Francisco exploded for four touchdowns (28 points) in the second quarter, effectively ending the game right there. The lone bright spot in the game for the Rams was the continued excellent play by Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch with seven receptions, 163 yards, and one touchdown.^[6]

Week Five: Los Angeles Rams (3–1) at San Francisco 49ers (2–2)

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	3	7	7	0	17
49ers	10	28	0	6	44

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

• Date: Sunday, October 28
• Game attendance: 51,987 (86.73% full)
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First Quarter SF – Gordy Soltau 23 yard field goal – 49ers 3–0 LA – Bob Waterfield 26 yard field goal – Tied 3–3 SF – Joe Arenas 2 yard rush (Gordy Soltau kick) – 49ers 10–3 Second Quarter SF – Gordy Soltau 10 yard pass from Frankie Albert (Gordy Soltau kick) – 49ers 17–3 LA – Elroy Hirsch 79 yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin (Bob Waterfield kick) – 49ers 17–10 SF – Johnny Strzykalski 1 yard rush (Gordy Soltau kick) – 49ers 24–10 SF – Leo Nomellini 20 yard blocked punt return (Gordy Soltau kick) – 49ers 31–10 SF – Gordy Soltau 13 yard pass from Y. A. Tittle (Gordy Soltau kick) – 49ers 38–10 Third Quarter LA – Dick Hoerner 12 yard rush (Bob Waterfield kick) – 49ers 38–17 Fourth Quarter SF – Gordy Soltau 48 yard pass from Y. A. Tittle (PAT failed) – 49ers 44–17 Rams Elroy Hirsch — 7 Rec, 163 Yds 49ers Gordy Soltau — 6 Rec, 132 Yds

Week 6

After being embarrassed on the road in San Francisco, the Rams returned home to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to face the very same 49ers that defeated them a week earlier. This meeting, however, ended with a Los Angeles victory. The Rams had a 13–7 lead heading into halftime, but the third quarter saw San Francisco tie the game at 13 (after a missed PAT) and then early in the fourth quarter take the lead. Los Angeles responded after the 49ers took the lead and rattled off 10 points in the fourth quarter to salt the game away.^[7]

Week Six: San Francisco 49ers (3–2) at Los Angeles Rams (3–2)

	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	0	7	6	3	16
Rams	10	3	0	10	23

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

• Date: Sunday, November 4
• Game attendance: 55,569 (54.66% full)
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First Quarter LA – Bob Waterfield 39 yard field goal – Rams 3–0 LA – Bob Waterfield 1 yard rush (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 10–0 Second Quarter SF – Joe Perry 58 yard rush (Gordy Soltau kick) – Rams 10–7 LA – Bob Waterfield 20 yard field goal – Rams 13–7 Third Quarter SF – Frankie Albert 7 yard rush (PAT failed) – Tied 13–13 Fourth Quarter SF – Gordy Soltau 11 yard field goal – 49ers 16–13 LA – Elroy Hirsch 76 yard pass from Bob Waterfield (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 20–16 LA – Bob Waterfield 38 yard field goal – Rams 23–16 49ers Joe Perry — 12 Rush, 115 Yds Rams Elroy Hirsch — 4 Rec, 103 Yds

Week 7

Week Six: Chicago Cardinals (1–5) at Los Angeles Rams (4–2)

	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	7	0	0	4	11
Rams	0	7	28	10	45

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

• Date: Sunday, November 11
• Game attendance: 29,995 (29.50% full)
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First Quarter CHC – Billy Cross 80 yard pass from Jim Hardy (Cliff Patton kick) – Cardinals 7–0 Second Quarter LA – Dick Hoerner 11 yard rush (Bob Waterfield kick) – Tied 7–7 Third Quarter LA – Bob Waterfield 1 yard rush (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 14–7 LA – Tommy Kalmanir 67 yard punt return (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 21–7 LA – Dick Hoerner 3 yard rush (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 28–7 LA – Elroy Hirsch 53 yard pass from Bob Waterfield (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 35–7 Fourth Quarter CHC – Charley Trippi 3 yard rush (Cliff Patton kick) – Rams 35–14 LA – Elroy Hirsch 54 yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 42–14 LA – Bob Waterfield 26 yard field goal – Rams 45–14 CHC – Fran Polsfoot 80 yard pass from Charley Trippi (Cliff Patton kick) – Rams 45–21 Rams Dan Towler — 11 Rush, 109 Yds Elroy Hirsch — 6 Rec, 195 Yds

Standings

NFL National Conference
	W	L	T	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Los Angeles Rams	8	4	0	.667	7–2	392	261	W1
San Francisco 49ers	7	4	1	.636	5–2–1	255	205	W3
Detroit Lions	7	4	1	.636	5–4–1	336	259	L1
Chicago Bears	7	5	0	.583	6–2	286	282	L1
Green Bay Packers	3	9	0	.250	1–8	254	375	L7
New York Yanks	1	9	2	.100	1–7–2	241	382	L2

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Postseason

NFL Championship Game

The Rams were the first to score with a 1-yard run by fullback Dick Hoerner in the second quarter. The Browns answered back with an NFL Championship record 52-yard field goal by Lou Groza. They later took the lead with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Otto Graham to Dub Jones. The Browns led at halftime 10–7.

In the third quarter Larry Brink landed a hard tackle on Graham causing him to fumble the ball. Andy Robustelli picked up the ball on the Cleveland 24 and returned it to the Cleveland 2. On the third play of the drive, "Deacon" Dan Towler ran the ball in for a touchdown from the one-yard line giving the Rams a 14–10 lead.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Rams increased their lead with a Bob Waterfield 17-yard field goal. The Browns answered back with an 8-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 5-yard touchdown run by Ken Carpenter, tying the game at 17–17. Twenty-five seconds later, late in the fourth quarter, Tom Fears beat defenders Cliff Lewis and Tommy James and received a Norm Van Brocklin pass at midfield. Fears raced to the endzone for a 73-yard touchdown, securing a Rams 24–17 win and the 1951 NFL title.

NFL Championship Game: Cleveland Browns (11–1) at Los Angeles Rams (8–4)

	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	0	10	0	7	17
Rams	0	7	7	10	24

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

• Date: Sunday, December 23
• Game attendance: 59,475 (58.50% full)
• TV announcers (DuMont): Harry Wismer and Earl Gillespie
• Pro-Football-Reference.com
  '51 Rams Celebrate Their Title Season (LA Times)

Game information

Second Quarter LA – Dick Hoerner 1-yard run (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 0–7 CLE – Lou Groza 52-yard field goal – Rams 3–7 CLE – Dub Jones 17-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) – Browns 10–7 Third Quarter LA – Dan Towler 1-yard run (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 10–14 Fourth Quarter LA – Bob Waterfield 17-yard field goal – Rams 10–17 CLE – Ken Carpenter 5-yard run (Lou Groza kick) – Tied 17–17 LA – Tom Fears 73-yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin (Bob Waterfield kick) – Rams 17–24 Browns Otto Graham— 19/40, 280 Yds, 1 TD, 3 INT Otto Graham— 5 Rush, 43 Yds Mac Speedie— 7 Rec, 81 Yds Rams Norm Van Brocklin— 4/6, 128 Yds, 1 TD, 0 INT Dan Towler— 16 Rush, 36 Yds Tom Fears— 4 Rec, 146 Yds

Final roster

1951 Los Angeles Rams final roster
	Quarterbacks 11 Norm Van Brocklin  7 Bob Waterfield Running backs 41 Glenn Davis 31 Dick Hoerner 77 Vitamin Smith 32 Dan Towler 13 Paul "Tank" Younger Wide receivers 55 Tom Fears 40 Elroy Hirsch Tight ends 80 Bob Boyd 30 Woodley Lewis 11 Jack Zilly		Offensive linemen 72 Bobby Collier T 71 Tom Dahms T 67 Dick Daugherty G 44 Harry Thompson G 68 Jack Finlay G 50 Leon McLaughlin C 76 Don Simensen T Defensive linemen 63 Larry Brink DE 93 Jack Halliday DT 81 Andy Robustelli DE 70 Charlie Toogood DT 64 Stan West NT		Linebackers 57 Don Paul 52 Curtis Johnson OLB 50 Bryan Kehl OLB Defensive backs 80 Bob Boyd CB 88 Norb Hecker S 27 Marvin Johnson CB 10 Tom Keane CB 30 Woodley Lewis CB 42 Herb Rich S 33 Jerry Williams CB Special teams  7 Bob Waterfield K/P		Reserve lists None Practice squad None Rookies in italics 29 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 Practice squad

External links

• Rams on jt-sw.com
• Rams on Database Football
• Rams on Pro Football Reference

References

1. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1951/opp.htm
2. "In a single season, from 1950 to 1959, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points For.". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 26, 2012.
3. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1951/leaders.htm
4. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195109280ram.htm
5. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/1951.htm
6. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195110280sfo.htm
7. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195111040ram.htm