Lynn Dickey
What if the Los Angeles Rams, after being humiliated by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1975 NFC title game, made a bold move?
What if they sent James Harris and a pair of middle-round picks to the Houston Oilers for backup quarterback Lynn Dickey? How would it play out?
In 1976, with a strong running game and receivers like Harold Jackson and Ron Jessie, Dickey’s arm led the Rams to playoff wins over the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings.
Facing the Oakland Raiders in the Rose Bowl for Super Bowl XI, both teams have exceptional defenses, but the difference ultimately is Ken Stabler’s experience over Dickey’s, and the Raiders win a close game.
In 1977, Dickey leads the Rams to a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the Mud Bowl. The following week, they go to Dallas and lose to the eventual champions.
Rumors swirl that Chuck Knox is leaving the Rams. Instead, Knox decides to return.
In 1978, Dickey takes the Rams to a playoff victory at home over the Vikings. Then, in an NFC title rematch, after a scoreless first half, Dickey leads the Rams to a 24-21 victory and another Super Bowl appearance.
The Rams face the Steelers in Super Bowl 13 and lose a close game, 17-13. Frustration boils over, and Knox decides to leave. To replace him, the Rams hire Bill Walsh.
In 1979, the Rams get off to a slow start as they slowly start to grasp Walsh’s West Coast offense. The defense keeps the team competitive, but they have to go to Dallas in the first round of the playoffs. Dickey picks apart the Cowboys’ defense and the Rams win 24-3.
The next week they travel to Tampa Bay and defeat the Buccaneers 17-0.
The three-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers are the favorite to take out the Rams in the rematch of Super Bowl 13. But the experienced Dickey and the Rams defense lead Los Angeles to a 23-17 victory in Super Bowl 14.
In 1980, the Rams fall in the NFC title game to the Philadelphia Eagles in the cold confines of Veterans Stadium. In 1981, age and Georgia begin to take their toll, and the Rams miss the playoffs.
In 1982, Dickey and the Rams go their separate ways after a contract dispute, and Walsh turns the quarterback duties over to a 1979 third-round pick out of Notre Dame.
…But that’s another story.
