For almost 60 years, the Rams have had a QB debate of the first order.

From 1949-52 the Los Angeles Rams likely had,in Norm Van Brocklin and Bob Waterfield, the greatest quarterback tandem in league history.

Both broke a number of records and eventually went to the Hall of Fame despite only sharing the Rams starting job during those seasons.

FIRST there was Buckets, Bob Waterfield. And then the Dutchman,Norm Van Brocklin.

And finally the two of them, equally sharing the game's most visible position and creating the most explosive offense in the history of the National Football League, one that set records like 735 yards in a game.

THE MUNSON-GABRIEL QB DEBATE

"That was an era in Los Angeles of some of the great quarterback controversies of all time. It started with Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin and picked up a lot of steam with Munson and Gabriel. Here are my comparisons. Gabriel was probably the strongest quarterback to ever play the game.

Defensive linemen would come in to sack him and bounce off him. It was too late in his career, but I thought he would have made a great tight end.

Munson had one of the quickest releases I had ever seen. He was as quick with the ball as Dan Marino.

It was early in both their careers and they both had very promising attributes. I am a very strong advocate of quickness and began to favor Munson because of it. It was really that simple."

That was then Ram head coach Harland Svare speaking.

Thank God he was replaced by George Allen. It was Allen who flew to Gabriel's home in North Carolina that stopped Gabe from signing with the Oakland Raiders.

1973 TO 1989

The Rams made the playoffs 14 out of the 17 seasons. That is outstanding.

Here's the kicker.

The Rams started 14 different QB's.

In 1973, John Hadl was the NFL MVP as he led the Rams to a 12-2 season.

After the 5th game of the 1974 season, the Rams trade Hadl for draft picks to GB. James Harris takes over and gets the Rams just 6 inches from the Super bowl.

In the second to the last game of the 1975 season, Harris gets injured and Ron Jaworski will make his first pro start against the Super Bowl champions, Pittsburgh Steelers.

92,000 Ramfans witnessed Jaworski doing a QB draw for the game winning TD.

In the first round of the 75 playoffs, Coach Knox again starts Jaworski and he leads the Rams to a win.

The Rams draft Pat Haden and in the first game of the 1976 season, Knox starts Jaws. Jaworski gets injured and the rookie Haden comes in.

Haden's first pass as a pro is a 45 yard TD.

As a rookie, Haden takes the Rams to the NFC championship game.

Before the 77 season starts, the Rams sign Joe Namath, he starts 4 games and that monday night game in Chicago ended him starting.

In 1979, Haden breaks his finger in the Seattle Superdome and Jeff Rutledge starts.

When Ferragamo is healed he becomes the starter and takes us to the Super Bowl.

Ferragamo in 81 goes to the Canadien league and Haden retires. So the Rams sign Bert Jones and Jeff Kemp.

In 1982, Vinnie signs with the Rams.

Jones last just about 4 games before a neck injury ends his career. Dan Pastorini is signed.

Jeff Kemp becomes the starter in 84.

Before the 1985 season the Rams acquire Deiter Brock from the CFL. He takes them to the NFC championship game.

In 1986 the Rams use Steve Dils and Steve Bartkowski. Then The Rams put Jim Everett in and he stays taking the Rams to the 89 NFC championship game.

14 starting QB's in 17 seasons and they go to the playoffs in 14 of them.

WARNER VS BULGER

Kurt Warner gave the TRUE RAMFANS 3 specials seasons. Winning us our first Super Bowl.

True Ramfans will always be grateful.

But, when Bulger was our QB true Ramfans got behind him 100%.

You see, true Ramfans never slam a former Ram QB.

That silly talk of warnerite and bulgerite is for the John Dean Ramfan

Don't know who John Dean is?

look it up.

THE NFL DRAFT

If a team has a good draft and takes them to the Super Bowl, the media will write the GM of that team is a "expert" at drafting.

But the fact is there is alot of luck too.

If Bill Walsh had his way in the 79 draft he would of taken Steve Fuller with his first pick, but KC beat him to it.

So in the third round he took Montana.

Who knows where Montana would of fallen if the "Genius" had his way.

And would the Niners be the team of the 80's with Fuller instead of Montana at QB.

In the last few years, the Rams have taken three defensive tackles in the first round.

Larry Brooks went in the 14th round. Brooks happens to be 5 times better than all three put together.

If it wasn't for a Ram scout that went to a game to evaluate a running back the Rams were high on, he wouldn't of seen this defensive player for the other team that was faster than this running back.

So he wrote down his name, Dave Jones.

Some of you might know him a Deacon Jones, the greatest defensive end to ever play in the NFL.

And the Rams took him in the 14th round.

When the Rams drafted Lawrence Phillips, Eddie Kennison and Tony Banks, the media gave the Rams an "A" grade.

Saying we stole the draft.

When the Rams had 3 first round picks in the 1975 draft and didn't take Anthony Davis of USC, the LA papers slammed the Rams GM, Don Klosterman.

Saying Doug France and Mike Fanning were just OK, But, passing on Anthony Davis for some guy they never heard of playing for a 2nd rate college.

He was talking about Miami and the player was Dennis Harrah.

Here is the tale of two teams.

The Dallas Cowboys and LA Rams.

The Rams struck out with all those picks for Eric Dickerson and the Dallas Cowboy's hit HR after HR with their picks for Herschel Walker.

So one team becomes the team of the 90's and the other is swimming with the bengals.

MORE RAM MEMORIES

For Hadl they got Mike Fanning, Monte Jackson, Pat Thomas.

Also they got Ron Jessie from Lions. Jessie was a free agent who signed with the Rams.

Pete Rozelle ruled that the Rams had to send the Lions a #1 pick.

That pick was the one they got for Hadl.They also got Geoff Reece with pick in that trade,

Tony Baker was effective for 2 years and then was traded to San Diego for a #5 pick that turned into Carl Ekern.

Dan Nugent was traded to Washington for a #2 that turned into Irv Pankey.

They also got a #3 that was sent to the 49ers to upgrade a pick that turned into Jewerl Thomas.

Monte Jackson was traded to Oakland for a #1. #2. #3.

Those picks were George Andrews, LeRoy Irvin and that #3 was used to move up in the 1st round in 1981 to get Mel Owens.

Geoff Reece was traded to Seattle with a #2 pick and the Rams got a higher #2. The upgrade yeilded Nolan Cromwell.

Ron Jessie was traded to Buffalo they Rams got a #7 pick that was used to upgrade a pick and got them Joe Shearin in 1982.

Harold Jackson was effective then traded to New England for a #3 and #4. That #3 was Mike Wellman.

Wellman was traded to the Packers for a #3. That #3 was used to upgrade the Rams #1 pick in 1980. They moved up in the 1st round and got Johnnie Johnson.

The #4 the Rams got for Jackson was sent to the 49ers in the upgrade that got them Jewerl Thomas.

Finally Irv Panky was traded to the Colts for a 1992 #3 (Mark Boute) and a #11 (Brian Townsend).

SOUND CLIPS

Here is the great Bob Kelley on Bob Waterfield in the 1950 Championship game.LISTEN

On Norm Van Brocklin's record of 554 yards passing in a single game.

LISTEN

Roman Gabriel in a 1970 game with the Jets. LISTEN