Continuing on the theme of Hall of Fame members who have some lesser known tidbits involving them, let’s visit the Los Angeles Rams of the early 1950’s again. If it seems like we keep going back there, the reason is due to how much took place at that time and place in America.
They played before 100,000 a game in the Los Angeles Coliseum, with alternating quarterbacks who BOTH made the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Just think about that. How could a team have alternating quarterbacks who both made the Hall of Fame, and it’s not a trick question or topic.
The players were Norm Van Brocklin and Bob Waterfield, but their performances were just part of the story.
This was the time in America just after World War II, and so much was happening all at once on the West Coast:
Consider: all the returning veterans from the war and for the first time in our history the GI Bill gave the possibility of college to tens of thousands who did not have it before. Simultaneously there was the development of the super highway system, the time payment plan for housing, corresponding with the creation of suburbia, the development of the shopping mall, and of course, the Rams.
They won division titles in 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1955, winning the NFL championship in 1951 and losing the title game in 1949 and 1955.
They scored 466 points in a 12-game season in 1950, 38.8 points per game in a devastating offensive assault that featured options, flea flickers, downfield laterals and just about any other creative thing you could imagine.
Waterfield and Van Brocklin posted astounding passing numbers for the Rams, and Van Brocklin of course went on to quarterback the Philadelphia Eagles to the last world crown in 1960, then took over the expansion Minnesota Vikings as their head coach.
But both had personal stories that the world at large did not realize.
Van Brocklin’s nickname was “The Dutchman” and his reputation was tough as nails, but he had the proverbial heart of gold.
Something that I know that very few others do is that at one stage of Van Brocklin’s career—and I won’t identify the year or city, for privacy issues—a wonderful member of the team’s front office was trying to buy a house for his expanding family but was having trouble coming up with the down payment.
Norm Van Brocklin gave this individual the money and said he could pay it back when it was comfortable. That time came, and the individual repeatedly tried to pay his quarterback, but Van Brocklin would never take the money back.
As for Waterfield, in 1943 he scored one of the biggest Hollywood stories of the year in marrying Jane Russell, who starred in the legendary Howard Hughes film, “The Outlaw,” that same year. Perhaps I’ll do another blog about the significance of Jane Russell and that movie in motion picture history—huge, with no puns intended.
With hearts as big as they could be, The Russell-Waterfield marriage adopted three children and in 1955, with the support of her quarterback husband, Jane Russell founded the World Adoption International Fund.
Can you imagine the publicity today if, say a team had two quarterbacks who had that situation?
By the way, the Rams of the 1950’s also had a Hall of Fame owner (Dan Reeves) and a young public relations man who went on to become the team’s general manager, and then pro football’s commissioner—Pete Rozelle.
So as you can see, we’ll be visiting the 1950’s Rams again.
But for today, let’s just chew on the fact that once upon a time, in another era of the NFL, a team had alternating quarterbacks who performed the above charitable acts while combining for two Hall of Fame careers, with Waterfield inducted in 1965 and Van Brocklin joining him in 1971.
Tags: Bob Waterfield, HoF Memories, Jane Russell, Los Angeles Rams, Norm Van Brocklin
And to think that a gentleman named Shahid Khan is now trying to buy the Rams and all that history, it boggles the mind what money can do, you would think a guy with that name would own Kuwait instead, and he probably does, LOL.
I wanted to adress the top story about Tom Brandstater. He seems to have all the tools but I have heard from an inside source that he was out on the town a little too much this season. I also heard he didn’t run the scout offense very well and that’s why Pat Bowlen mentioned he wouldn’t be shocked if we drafted a quarterback. Is there some validity to this???
There has to be something that is bothering McD about Brandstater for Bowlen to say we might go after a QB. I heard about the scout Offense thing, never heard about the hanging out on the town part. If Brandstater was the answer McD was looking for and considering how tough Orton is, we could even go into the season with 2 QB’s, meaning no reason to even talk about drafting a QB. I am really starting to buy into Bowlen’s comment that we will draft a QB because it seems more and more Brandstater is not who McD thought he was. Of course I am not even talking about Simms because unfortunately he is a non factor.
broncochick1-
I haven’t heard any of this news before. But I wouldn’t be shocked if it were true.
Some people get a little delusional thinking he will be a starter down the road.
Tom Brady is once in a lifetime type of deal. Brandstater will not be any good. And a lot of pressure with all this hype about him being the answer for the future, will shut him down. If he was so good they would have drafted him higher. Or traded a 1st round pick for a 2nd round pick so we could snatch him there.
McD might not want a QB in the draft, but it sounds like Mr.B does. And let me remind you who is paying Josh’s bills.
nuff sed
For what it’s worth, this is what Woody had to say about Brandstater today:
So the Broncos will have to replace Orton in a couple of years. We know it ain’t Chris Simms. We actually know it’s not Brandstater. Unfortunately, he didn’t impress the coaching staff while running the scout team’s offense last year. I think the kid’s got a chance, but not here. He probably will stick as a third QB again next season.
Maybe this whole QB situation has to do with the impending trade of Marshall. It will be difficult for Orton to succed in McD’s offense if he doesnt have the big WR at his disposal. Coupled with the stagnant run game, it forces Orton to be the game changer, and Im not so sure he is capable of that. Game manager yes. Maybe thats what Mr. Bowlen sees as well. Dont get me wrong, I am rooting for Orton to succeed, but with McD direction, it will be difficult!
If bowlen wants a QB we have to pick one in the third round or higher. No point in getting one any lower.
Some people hate on Colt McCoy from texas, but he has a drew brees esque to him. Undersized but accurate as a calculator. A good leader and runs a pro style offense. His best WR was Shipley who won’t go until the 5th round. He could be great with real quality WR’s here.
Just something to think about.
It’s almost certain he will be available in the 2nd round.
Depending on this what if scenario- What we might get in the Marshall deal, Clausen is first on the list. He may be unavailable. Colt McCoy is second, Tebow is third and Bradford rounding out the bunch. They each provide something different. They all have ?’s. But if we land any of the four, I will be content!
The McCoy injury was a freak thing, btw. He didnt take an unusually big hit. He even mentioned that he took that hit many times. He might be the one with the chip on his shoulder. Same can be said for Tebow. The Bradford injury has cause for concern. He is certain to take hits just like the ones that injured him, in the NFL.
Heres a rumor to chew on though. With Weis coming to KC, and their high draft pick, could it be possible McD lands Cassel after all?
I don’t agree with drafting Tebow. He is not the answer. I say Clausen first but he will definately be gone. So we can wait til the third round and snag Jevon Snead out of ole miss. I think he is gonna be a great QB. He has all the skills and intangebles. Also I don’t like Bradford, he is too small and will get crushed by the big defenses in the NFL. Too injury prone.
No one is mentioning Pike exactly McD’s mold for a QB at 6’6″, I didn’t really like how he played at the Senior Bowl, but I would think he could be on McD’s radar.
If were talking darkhorse candidates (and projects), I like Stull from Pitt. He played in a pro style offense under Wanny. Can make all the throws and has the size at 6-3 and 215! Plus he excels in play action!
This is a scouting report on Pike:
6’ 6” 225 lbs.
Strengths: Size, Awareness, Accuracy, Intelligence
Weaknesses: Inconsistency, Big Game Struggles, Deep Ball Touch, Athleticism
If there is an NFL team out there, and there are several, that might be interested in a quarterback that they could develop for the future then Pike might just be their kind of guy.
I think it was florio who said something like if the QB is over 6’5′, can’t move in the pocket, then he is McD’s guy, LOL.
Bledsoe was about that size, only drawback would be mobility. Something a lot of us are clamoring for!
Orton can succeed even without Marshall, especially if we can get our running game going, which is why we need to upgrade our big uglies. IMO.
I posted a few days ago about Pike,QB Cincinnati,I believe either him,Snead,or Lefevour is our choice.I like Defense for our 1st 2 draft picks,IMO.Like I said earlier McD will probably screw it all up anyway……..HEY MCD IF YOU’RE READING THIS FOR THE LOVE OF GOD,WE NEED A NT,ILB,and an OG,PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
anyone else think that ben hamiltons time in denver is up
Anybody heard the one about B Marsh going to the Raiders for Jamarcus Russell and a 3rd rounder?
oldsouthstander, I hope you are just trying to ruin my day, LOL.
oldsouthstander: You’re too funny. I know a lot of people think McD is stupid, but I doubt that even he is THAT stupid. LOL!
Not Marshall leaving, but Jamarcus coming, that is.
Have you heard the one about the pig, the rabbit and the priest in a bar? LOL.
Yeah, can you believe the money the Raiders wasted on Russell. Good thing they made their kicker the highest paid kicker. He’s the most explosive player on their team. LOL!!! OMG I love hatin’ on the raiders…oh man. Mornin’ baylinorcrush. I just read about that plane crash in Austin you were talkin’ about. Crazy!
Yeah, it was about an engineer losing his job, couldn’t find a new one, used all his retirement money to make ends meet and the IRS was on his tail, got in a fight with his wife at the house the night before, she took their girl and spent the night in a hotel, the next morning, yesterday, the guy leaves a 6 page note on a website finishing it saying something like well I tried everythingwith the IRS, now I’m going to put my weight on them in a different way and signs it with his name and (1956-2010) his life years. Then he sets his house on fire, takes off in his piper plane which the IRS was probably after and flies it directly into the IRS office building, luckly other than the building being completely destroyed, not too much collateral damage. That’s stuff you would think you’d see in a movie, not in your neighborhood. Very sad for all involved.
ESPN reports Raiders will put the franchise tag on Seymour.
Figures. They spent too much on him to just him walk.
Ravens release Jamal Lewis RB 5’11 245 lbs,he’s 30 years old.I seen this guy play in college,he can bench press 400 lbs.The man is a BEAST he could very well be the power back we need.IMO
Sorry,Cleveland released Lewis.
Bradford (shoulder)and Clausen(toe) will NOT work out at the combine next week.But McCoy will.
Am I the only one who thinks Orton is a good quarterback. I know that Pat Ballin said that we might go after a QB but i am not sure that will happen. I have never seen a team release information of that nature, except to throw off the board. I really think that Orton can handle the load and lead us to a championship. He is still young and did good for a players first year in a new system. I would rather take a vet over a rookie any day. As this season progresses McD will release the reins on him a little more to show what he is capable of doing.
Baylin I hope you dont take anything Woody Paige says seriously, the buys a moron.
P.S. Where is FTR?
Go Broncos 2010
~guys~
Regarding Woody, that’s why I said “for whatever it’s worth”.
Good just checkin didnt think anyone here would be that foolish
I know its the “Patriot” way to load up on wiley veterans but we already have two backs over 30 on the roster and loading up on old guys can cause the offense to become stagnant. I’d rather see us go after Gehart or use Hillis a bit more. Plus isn’t Lewis injury prone also, we already have one injury prone back in Buck, I don’t know if we want two.
I’m just saying if the price is right,Lewis is a Power Back something we don’t have,and no he isn’t injury prone.Plus who says we’re getting Gerhart,somebody might snatch him up before we do.
Hillis isn’t going to be nothing but a fullback,in McD’s scheme.
BFE92, I would have to side with brian on this one, no way I would want Lewis here, not so much because of his age or whatever injuries he might of had, but because of the hard mileage he has endured with his tough style of running, there is no way those tire treads of his have much left, those tires have gone about bald I’m afraid.
I think were pretty good at the running back position. If anything we need to beef up at the line so they can clear the road for the backs. I believe our main problems are in the line offensive and defensive. We have a pretty solid receiving core, we have depth at the hb position, we have a solid linebacking core, great cornerbacks in Champ and Goodman, the safety spot opposite Dawkins could use some work. We should beef up the lines in the free agency, grab some solid vets to take care of that. In the draft we should go for some young secondary talent to get experience behind our vets, maybe a corner and a safety to learn from the best in Champ and Dawk. in later rounds we could pick up any lacking lineman spots or go offensive with a receiver.
Any thoughts? (Baylin Im sure you got something to say)
We have Bruton and McBath at the safeties, which I think will do very well, they’ve both showed they can play. We have a couple of CBs in Carter and Smith, who haven’t showed too much promise yet. I defintely think for them to be successful they need to get as much out of Champ and Goody they can. Broncosfolife88, I can tell you now, both I and baylinorcrush are both for beefing up the o and d line.
Bruton is decent
Not too sure about Mcbath Smith I think will be good but i think we need more depth for the nickel package, which we use a lot. Really just pullin for the line to get better.
I totally agree that we need to beef up our big boys. If they could open some holes then we would be fine with the backs we have.
Awww, you don’t like Ty outLaw? LOL!!!
If we are going to run the power scheme,then we don’t have the backs we need,considering we DON’T have a power back.Lewis may not be the answer,but we have to have a bruising type RB for power running,hopefully we get Gerhart,or maybe even Lendall White in FA,but either way we are too small at RB for power rushing.
Bronc88,Bruton is going to be GREAT.aka(THE BRUTE).LOL
BFE92 We need the line to create a power running game. If we are getting strong blockers up field to tear up the defenders all we we need is a back that can follow. A running back is as powerful as his lineman no more no less. Any back can be considered a power back when the line is powerful and blocking strong.
P.S. Shocked baylin aint said nothin for like an hour lol
I like that “THE BRUTE” better coin that for someone else does BFE92 LOL
I agree we need line help on both sides.But as far as having a solid LB core,I have to disagree,I think they played poorly in a lot of games,but the D-line hurt them a lot.Doom is one of my favorite Bronco players,he is a sack specialist,but can’t pass cover,the only LB I’ve seen that can is DJ.We need LB’s that can blow people up like Al Wilson and Bill Romanowski.