[max]

I was thinking about this recently. Here are the NFL teams that didn't exist when the Rams starting playing in LA:

49ers
Bengals
Bills
Broncos
Browns
Bucaneers
Chargers
Cheifs
Colts
Cowboys
Dolphins
Falcons
Jaguars
Jets
Panthers
Patriots
Raiders
Ravens
Saints
Seahawks
Texans
Titans
Vikings

Think about it, 23 teams didn't exist in the NFL when the Rams were in LA. Actually there are only 8 other NFL teams that existed in 1946. There were a couple of teams like the Browns and Niners that were playing in some bush league back then that eventually got annexed into the NFL in the 50's.

As far as Rams fans are concerned those 23 teams are expansion teams.

[69superbowl]

That is what I always thought was neglected by Ram ownership in St. Louis - the legacy of this great franchise. Bringing NFL football to the west coast was certainly a bold move, but one that changed the NFL forever.

The Rams meshed well with the weather, lifestyle and growing population and became a sensational draw. While in St. Louis we barely heard of former players, championships, accomplishments and great teams. It wasn't just a lack of honor, it was a dishonor to my team. It was as if that great part of the asset never existed. And, in my opinion, was a very bad business decision. A helluva lot of history was ignored for two decades.

I can't wait to see a packed Coliseum on a sunny Sunday with those great uniforms. Winning football is great, but the NFL is cyclical (although very slowly because of faulty piloting for Ram football since Carroll died), and having the greatest spectator sport on earth back in Los Angeles will be a thrill.

[maxxx power]

I've been harping on this for YEARS.

This is one of the MOST significant and important franchises in NFL history and they do NOTHING to promote this.

Here's a sampling of their FIRSTS:

First professional sports team to move west of Mississippi River
First team to sign a black player (2) in the modern era (there were some black players in early pro football but were then 'banned' for years)
First team to put a logo on their helmet
First team to have a Special Teams coach (Vermeil)
First high powered passing game in NFL (Waterfield/Van Brocklin/Fears/Hirsch/Boyd of early 50s)

They REALLY need to lean on their history.

[maxxx power]

I've been harping on this for YEARS.

This is one of the MOST significant and important franchises in NFL history and they do NOTHING to promote this.

Here's a sampling of their FIRSTS:

First professional sports team to move west of Mississippi River
First professional team to sign a black player (2) in the modern era (BEFORE Dodgers signed Jackie Robinson) (there were some black players in early pro football but were then 'banned' for years)
First team to put a logo on their helmet
First team to have a Special Teams coach (Vermeil)
First high powered passing game in NFL (Waterfield/Van Brocklin/Fears/Hirsch/Boyd of early 50s)

They REALLY need to lean on their history.

[max]

You forgot first team to develop a scouting department.

And First team to televise a game.

[maxxx power]

You forgot first team to develop a scouting department.

And First team to televise a game.

See?

Also, didn't mean to quote myself above. Apparently I hit QUOTE rather than EDIT and didn't notice.

[Hacksaw]

First professional sports team to move west of Mississippi River,,,,,,

,,,,,Twice

Great thread max. StLoo still doesn't get it.

[Stranger]

That is what I always thought was neglected by Ram ownership in St. Louis - the legacy of this great franchise. Bringing NFL football to the west coast was certainly a bold move, but one that changed the NFL forever.

And we just did it (change the NFL forever) all over again

[max]

I recommend this book for anyone who hasn't read it yet.

Lots of great stuff on the legacy of the Rams.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7548 ... ica_s_Game

[LoyalRam]

That was the worst part about the Rams ownership in St Louis..Georgie divorced the Rams from LA. She didn't really honor the rich LA history that existed long before the ex show girl married Rosenbloom. I just hope that we don't do the same to St Louis Ram stars and history, which is significant for a 4 year period