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When the topic of discussion concerns the great defensive players to play for the Rams franchise, a few names come to mind and one of those is defensive end Fred Dryer.
After spending his first three seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants, Dryer’s career took off as a member of the Los Angeles Rams. There he developed into one of the most feared defensive ends in the league.
He entered the NFL as a standout from San Diego State. Dryer was viewed as a top collegiate talent who could transition to be an effective defensive player despite being a bit undersized for the position. During his first three years with the Giants, he led the team in sacks in each season with 8½ in 1969, 12 in 1970 and 8½ in 1971. Dryer wasn’t just a sack-artist defensive end, but he was also an all-around player, who was seemingly always around the football.
In February 1972, the Giants traded Dryer to the New England Patriots or three draft picks (a first, second, and sixth round pick). He wouldn’t play a single game for the Patriots because he refused to report to the team, which lead to the Hawthorne native being dealt to the Rams just a month later for a first-round pick and backup defensive end Rick Cash.
Dryer backed up Jack Youngblood during his first season with the team and was primarily subbed into the game as a designated pass rusher. He played in every game that season, including four starts with 40 total tackles and 4 1/2 sacks.
His playing time increased significantly the following year when he started in all 14 regular season games as the right defensive end opposite of Youngblood. Together with Youngblood, they formed a dynamic duo that the team kept together for nearly a decade. It was also the season in which Dryer became the only player in NFL history to record two safeties in a single game.
Dryer was one of the league’s most dominant defensive ends during his time and was a major part of the Rams’ second coming of the “Fearsome Foursome” that included Hall of Famers Youngblood and Merlin Olsen along with five-time Pro Bowler Larry Brooks.
In total, the Rams’ defense became their identity from the 1970s to the early 1980s. The unit helped the Rams become a powerhouse in the NFL and played a significant role in the team’s trip to Super Bowl XIV where they played the Pittsburgh Steelers following the 1979 regular season. Dryer was a consistent force during his 10 years with the Rams that included four seasons with at least 10 sacks.
Although sacks didn’t become an official statistic until the 1982 season, he finished with 104 sacks and 20 fumble recoveries in 176 career games. He has most of his success with Los Angeles earning his lone Pro Bowl selection (1975), one First-Team All-Pro honor (1974) and a Second-Team All-Pro selection (1975).
All in all, Dryer may be remembered most for his quirky personality and his successful acting career following his retirement, but he was one of the best defensive players to suit up in a Rams’ uniform.
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When the topic of discussion concerns the great defensive players to play for the Rams franchise, a few names come to mind and one of those is defensive end Fred Dryer.
After spending his first three seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants, Dryer’s career took off as a member of the Los Angeles Rams. There he developed into one of the most feared defensive ends in the league.
He entered the NFL as a standout from San Diego State. Dryer was viewed as a top collegiate talent who could transition to be an effective defensive player despite being a bit undersized for the position. During his first three years with the Giants, he led the team in sacks in each season with 8½ in 1969, 12 in 1970 and 8½ in 1971. Dryer wasn’t just a sack-artist defensive end, but he was also an all-around player, who was seemingly always around the football.
In February 1972, the Giants traded Dryer to the New England Patriots or three draft picks (a first, second, and sixth round pick). He wouldn’t play a single game for the Patriots because he refused to report to the team, which lead to the Hawthorne native being dealt to the Rams just a month later for a first-round pick and backup defensive end Rick Cash.
Dryer backed up Jack Youngblood during his first season with the team and was primarily subbed into the game as a designated pass rusher. He played in every game that season, including four starts with 40 total tackles and 4 1/2 sacks.
His playing time increased significantly the following year when he started in all 14 regular season games as the right defensive end opposite of Youngblood. Together with Youngblood, they formed a dynamic duo that the team kept together for nearly a decade. It was also the season in which Dryer became the only player in NFL history to record two safeties in a single game.
Dryer was one of the league’s most dominant defensive ends during his time and was a major part of the Rams’ second coming of the “Fearsome Foursome” that included Hall of Famers Youngblood and Merlin Olsen along with five-time Pro Bowler Larry Brooks.
In total, the Rams’ defense became their identity from the 1970s to the early 1980s. The unit helped the Rams become a powerhouse in the NFL and played a significant role in the team’s trip to Super Bowl XIV where they played the Pittsburgh Steelers following the 1979 regular season. Dryer was a consistent force during his 10 years with the Rams that included four seasons with at least 10 sacks.
Although sacks didn’t become an official statistic until the 1982 season, he finished with 104 sacks and 20 fumble recoveries in 176 career games. He has most of his success with Los Angeles earning his lone Pro Bowl selection (1975), one First-Team All-Pro honor (1974) and a Second-Team All-Pro selection (1975).
All in all, Dryer may be remembered most for his quirky personality and his successful acting career following his retirement, but he was one of the best defensive players to suit up in a Rams’ uniform.
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