1997 St. Louis Rams season

The 1997 St. Louis Rams season was the team's 60th year with the National Football League (NFL) and the third season in St. Louis. Still struggling to find answers, the Rams looked to improve on their 6–10 record from 1996 and make the playoffs for the first time since 1989, when the team was still based in Anaheim. The Rams started out the season mediocre, splitting their first four games. However, after beating the New York Giants at home, things began to unravel, as the Rams lost their next eight games before winning three of their last four to end the season 5–11. This was Dick Vermeil’s first season as head coach of the Rams. Despite the losing record, Vermeil had brought the Rams back to competitiveness. Of their 5-11 record, five of those losses were only by a touchdown or less.

1997 St. Louis Rams season
OwnerGeorgia Frontiere
General managerDick Vermeil
Head coachDick Vermeil
Home fieldTrans World Dome
Results
Record5–11
Division place5th NFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersDE Kevin Carter
Uniform

Offseason

NFL Draft
Main article: 1997 NFL Draft

[1]

1997 St. Louis Rams draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 1 Orlando Pace * †  Offensive tackle Ohio State
2 40 Dexter McCleon  Cornerback Clemson
4 112 Ryan Tucker  Offensive tackle TCU
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Roster
1997 St. Louis Rams roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists
  • 56 Charlie Clemons LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 82 Malcolm Floyd WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 23 Gerald McBurrows S (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • -- Billy Milner T (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 51 Lorenzo Styles LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 90 Jeff Zgonina DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Practice squad

53 active, 6 inactive, 4 practice squad


Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 August 31 New Orleans Saints W 38–24 1–0 Trans World Dome 64,575
2 September 7 San Francisco 49ers L 12–15 1–1 Trans World Dome 64,630
3 September 14 at Denver Broncos L 14–35 1–2 Mile High Stadium 74,338
4 September 21 New York Giants W 13–3 2–2 Trans World Dome 64,642
5 September 28 at Oakland Raiders L 17–35 2–3 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 42,506
6 Bye
7 October 12 at San Francisco 49ers L 10–30 2–4 3Com Park 63,825
8 October 19 Seattle Seahawks L 9–17 2–5 Trans World Dome 64,819
9 October 26 Kansas City Chiefs L 20–28 2–6 Trans World Dome 64,864
10 November 2 at Atlanta Falcons L 31–34 2–7 Georgia Dome 36,583
11 November 9 at Green Bay Packers L 7–17 2–8 Lambeau Field 60,093
12 November 16 Atlanta Falcons L 21–27 2–9 Trans World Dome 64,299
13 November 23 Carolina Panthers L 10–16 2–10 Trans World Dome 64,609
14 November 30 at Washington Redskins W 23–20 3–10 Jack Kent Cooke Stadium 74,772
15 December 7 at New Orleans Saints W 34–27 4–10 Louisiana Superdome 54,803
16 December 14 Chicago Bears L 10–13 4–11 Trans World Dome 66,030
17 December 20 at Carolina Panthers W 30–18 5–11 Ericcson Stadium 58,101
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings
NFC West
W L T PCT PF PA STK
(1) San Francisco 49ers 13 3 0 .813 375 265 L1
Carolina Panthers 7 9 0 .438 265 314 L2
Atlanta Falcons 7 9 0 .438 320 361 L1
New Orleans Saints 6 10 0 .375 237 327 L1
St. Louis Rams 5 11 0 .313 299 359 W1

References
  1. "1997 St. Louis Rams draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 3, 2014.


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