From The RamCave: 3/4/22

Off the Top:
The New York Giants have released tight end Kyle Rudolph and Devontae Booker. That doesn’t affect the cost of gas in Los Angeles, but moves like that are coming to LA.

The Rams are roughly 21-Rocks over the cap, and they need to get under it (208-Rocks) through restructure, retirements, and release.

News broke today that the Dallas Cowboys—with serious cap issues—are likely to release Amari Cooper.

As a Rams fan, I love it. Tom Brady’s gone, Kyler Murray’s an overrated pain in the neck, Zen Rodgers is trying to reboot the Summer of Love, the Saints are in transition, the 49ers have uncertainty at quarterback, and the Cowboys are putting players in the street. So far, this has been a great offseason for the Rams, and they haven’t made a move.

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Fast Note:
I missed this earlier, but Justin Lawler, linebacker (7/244/2018), signed with Tennessee on February 23rd.

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Don Klosterman

A Case for Don Klosterman:
I shared yesterday on RamView that legendary Los Angeles Rams General Manager Don Klosterman should be better remembered. And given a spot in a ring of honor (if and when it comes about).

Klosterman passed away at the age of 70 in 2000. Which seems young now, but he broke onto the football scene well before the age of 30.

He played quarterback for Loyola Marymount (Yes, there was football at LMU back in the day) and nearly led the Lions to an Orange Bowl appearance. He hung around the Rams a couple of seasons before going to Canada to play in the CFL.

A skiing accident nearly cost him his life and did cost him his playing career. After joining the Los Angeles Chargers as a scout, he went to the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Oilers (GM), Baltimore Colts (GM), and finally came home when Carrol Rosenbloom swapped the Colts for the Rams.

And that’s all you need to know except for these transactions, acquisitions, and draft picks.

Los Angeles Chargers: Lance Alworth, John Hadl, and even Jack Kemp.

Kansas City Chiefs: Bobby Bell, Buck Buchanan, Mike Garrett, and Otis Taylor.

Houston Oilers: He took over the team in 1966, and the team went 3-11. The following season the Oilers were 9-4-1 and in the playoffs. In four seasons, Klosterman’s team would make two playoff appearances and acquire the following players:

Pro Bowlers Alvin Reed (TE), Hoyle Granger (RB), and Jerry LeVias (WR). Future Hall of Famers Ken Houston (S) and Charlie Joiner (WR).

Baltimore Colts: His tenure was short, but Klosterman did manage to draft Jim O’Brien in the third-round. O’Brien kicked the game-winning field goal in Super Bowl 5.

Los Angeles Rams: Players in BOLD were members of Super Bowl 14 team (1979).

1/29/72—Traded Deacon Jones to the San Diego Chargers for two second-round picks and a third-rounder—Jim Bertelsen, Cullen Bryant, Tim Stokes
(Note: Officially, Rosenbloom didn’t become owner of the Rams until July of 1972. But I’ll credit Klosterman for the Deacon Jones trade and assume his involvement as the business side of the franchise swap was ironed out. And because the Deacon Jones deal presents like a Klosterman move. I’m also loathed to give any credit to Tommy Prothro. But I’ll accept correction.)

1972 Draft: Jim Bertelsen (2/30), Lawrence McCutcheon (3/70), Larry Brooks (14/355)…

1/25/73—Traded Coy Bacon & Bob Thomas (RB) to Chargers for John Hadl

1973 Draft: Cullen Bryant (2/31), Ron Jaworski (2/37), Jim Youngblood (2/42), Tim Stokes (3/60–5year starter Wash/GB), Eddie McMillan (4/95), Terry Nelson (4/99).

6/8/73—Traded Roman Gabriel to Philly for—Harold Jackson, Tony Baker, two first-round picks, and one third-round pick—John Cappelletti, Dennis Harrah.

1974 Draft: John Cappelletti (1/11), Bill Simpson (2/50).

10/22/74—Traded John Hadl to Green Bay for 1975 pics one, two, and three, and 1976 one and two. Mike Fanning, Monte Jackson, Pat Thomas.

1975 Draft: Mike Fanning (1/9), Dennis Harrah (1/13), Doug France (1/20), Monte Jackson (2/28), Rod Perry (4/98), Pat Haden (7/156).

1976—Traded first-round pick acquired from Green Bay to the Detroit Lions to compensate Ron Jessie signing.

1976 Draft: Kevin McClain (1/26), Pat Thomas (2/39), Jackie Slater (3/86), Carl Ekern (5/128), Dwight Scales (5/155), Jim Jodat (12/44).

1977 Draft: Bob Brudzinski (1/23), Nolan Cromwell (2/31), Billy Waddy (2/50), Wendell Tyler (3/79), Vince Ferragamo (4/91).

1978 Draft: Elvis Peacock (1/20), Ron Smith (2/53), Frank Corral (3/78), Reggie Doss (7/89).

5/16/78—Signs Preston Dennard. (Note: On 8/1/84, Dennard is traded to Buffalo for fifth-round pick who turns out to be Kevin Greene—Not a Klosterman deal.)

8/21/78—Monte Jackson to Oakland for 1979 First-rounder (George Andrews), 1980 third-rounder (LeRoy Irvin) and a 1981 second-round pick

1979 Draft: George Andrews (1/19), Kent Hill (1/26), Jeff Rutledge (9/246), Drew Hill (12/328)

1980 Draft: Johnnie Johnson (1/17), Irv Pankey (2/50), LeRoy Irvin (3/70), Mike Guman (6/154), Kirk Collins (7/176), George Farmer (9/248).

Klosterman did not manage the 1981 & 1982 drafts. Before he departed from the team, there was a period when he was not even welcome at the team’s practice facility.

How could that happen? Can you say, “Georgia?”

1981 Draft: Mel Owens (1/9), Jim Collins (2/43), Greg Meisner (3/63).

1982 Draft: Barry Redden (1/14), 3 & 4th picks didn’t play in NFL.

With this resume, Klosterman should not only be in an eventual ring of honor, but he belongs in the Hall of Fame.

Mock Draft Compilation of Names:

Tangent Dreams: A High School Football Novel (Available thru Amazon–click on pic)

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