The Los Angeles Rams entered the 1956 season with high hopes. They were coming off a championship game loss and still had much of the roster in place. However, the season unraveled soon after DE Andy Robustelli demanded to be traded.
Robustelli was in the prime of his career and a major part of the Rams’ promising defensive front. The problem was Robustelli’s relationship with the team broke down when Gillman refused his request for time off when his child was born. Robustelli demanded a trade, which led to him being sent to the New York Giants for a 1957 first round pick (Baylor University WR Del Shofner).
The deal cost the Rams one of their best defensive linemen, and it helped the Giants add one of the final pieces they needed to win a title. Meanwhile, the Rams finished last in the West Division with a record of 4-8.
The team started off the season with a decisive 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Rams then lost two close games on the road to the 49ers (33-30) and the Lions (24-21). These losses killed the team’s momentum for the rest of the season.
The once-powerful Rams defense struggled as the season wore on. Of course, it didn’t help that the offense couldn’t hold onto the ball. The team traveled to Baltimore to face the Colts and left with an embarrassing 56-21 loss. The Rams’ offense totaled 423 yards, but their offensive productivity didn’t matter because they couldn’t hold on to the ball. Los Angeles committed seven turnovers against the Colts, four of which were interceptions.
The Rams reached their low-point of the season in Week 10 when they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 30-13. Their record fell to 2-8, but the team refused to end the season on a down note. The Rams earned victories over the Colts (31-7) and the Green Bay Packers, 49-21 to finish the year 4-8. The win over the Packers was highlighted by some outstanding individual performances. The Rams ran for 314 yards, 223 yards of which belonged to halfback Tommy Wilson. WR Bob Boyd added 146 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The year did have some positives. QB prospect Billy Wade flashed some potential during the season, and LB Les Richter continued to dominate the league. Richter was named to the Pro Bowl once again alongside teammates TE Leon Clarke, OG Duane Putnam, DT Bud McFadin and DE Paul Miller. Richter was the only Ram to earn a spot on the All-Pro Team.
Still, the Rams had some tough years ahead of them despite the positives. The franchise spent much of the next 10 years trying to return to its championship roots.
Season Notes
– The Rams were 1oth in the league in points allowed with 307 points.
– Conversely, the Rams were third in the league in points scored with 291 points.
– It was productive year in the NFL Draft selecting four notable players: FB Joe Marconi, West Virginia (first round; sixth overall), TE Leon Clarke, USC (second round; 14th overall), DB Jesse Whittenton, Texas-El Paso College (fifth round; 60th overall), and C John Morrow, Michigan (28th round; 336th overall).
| 1956 Los Angeles Rams | ||||
| Week | Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
| 1 | Sunday, Sept. 30 | Philadelphia Eagles | W, 27-7 | 1-0 |
| 2 | Sunday, Oct. 7 | @San Francisco 49ers | L, 30-33 | 1-1 |
| 3 | Sunday, Oct. 14 | @Detroit Lions | L, 21-24 | 1-2 |
| 4 | Sunday, Oct. 21 | @Green Bay Packers | L, 17-42 | 1-3 |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 28 | Detroit Lions | L, 7-16 | 1-4 |
| 6 | Sunday, Nov. 4 | Chicago Bears | L, 24-35 | 1-5 |
| 7 | Sunday, Nov. 11 | San Francisco 49ers | W, 30-6 | 2-5 |
| 8 | Sunday, Nov. 18 | @Chicago Bears | L, 21-30 | 2-6 |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 25 | @Baltimore Colts | L, 21-56 | 2-7 |
| 10 | Sunday, Dec. 2 | @Pittsburgh Steelers | L, 13-30 | 2-8 |
| 11 | Sunday, Dec. 9 | Baltimore Colts | W, 31-7 | 3-8 |
| 12 | Sunday, Dec. 16 | Green Bay Packers | W, 49-21 | 4-8 |
Sources: Profootballreference.com, Stlouisrams.comYou can follow Johnny Gomez on Twitter @Johnny5not6. Be sure to follow Rams Talk on Twitter @TalkRams.
