1997 St. Louis Rams season

1997 St. Louis Rams season
Owner	Georgia Frontiere
Head coach	Dick Vermeil
Home field	Trans World Dome
Results
Record	5–11
Division place	5th NFC West
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	DE Kevin Carter

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 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.

Offseason

NFL Draft

Main article: 1997 NFL Draft

1997 St. Louis Rams draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	1	Orlando Pace *	Offensive tackle	Ohio State
Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Roster

1997 St. Louis Rams roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 12 Tony Banks 11 Mark Rypien Running backs (RB) 34 Craig Heyward FB 33 Amp Lee 38 David Thompson 21 Lawrence Phillips Wide receivers (WR) 80 Isaac Bruce 81 Keith Crawford 88 Eddie Kennison 82 Jermaine Ross 83 Torrance Small 87 J. T. Thomas Tight ends (TE) 84 Ernie Conwell 89 Mitch Jacoby 86 Aaron Laing

Offensive linemen (OL) 70 Wayne Gandy T 66 John Gerak G 60 Mike Gruttadauria C 73 Fred Miller T 76 Orlando Pace T 72 Zach Wiegert G Defensive linemen (DL) 93 Kevin Carter DE 75 D'Marco Farr DT 91 Leslie O'Neal DE 94 Jeff Robinson 92 Bryan Robinson DE 96 Jay Williams DE 90 Jeff Zgonina DT

Linebackers (LB) 53 Nate Dingle 57 Britt Hager 52 Mike Jones 55 Robert Jones 59 Muadianvita Kazadi 58 Roman Phifer 51 Lorenzo Styles Defensive backs (DB) {{{defensive_back}}} Special teams  2 Mike Horan P 14 Jeff Wilkins K

Reserve 50 Ryan Tucker C (PUP) Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Attendance	Record
1	August 31, 1997	New Orleans Saints	W 38–24	64,575	1-0
2	September 7, 1997	San Francisco 49ers	L 15–12	64,630	1-1
3	September 14, 1997	at Denver Broncos	L 35–14	74,338	1-2
4	September 21, 1997	New York Giants	W 13–3	64,642	2-2
5	September 28, 1997	at Oakland Raiders	L 35–17	42,506	2-3
6	Bye
7	October 12, 1997	at San Francisco 49ers	L 30–10	63,825	2-4
8	October 19, 1997	Seattle Seahawks	L 17–9	64,819	2-5
9	October 26, 1997	Kansas City Chiefs	L 28–20	64,864	2-6
10	November 2, 1997	at Atlanta Falcons	L 34–31	36,583	2-7
11	November 9, 1997	at Green Bay Packers	L 17–7	60,093	2-8
12	November 16, 1997	Atlanta Falcons	L 27–21	64,299	2-9
13	November 23, 1997	Carolina Panthers	L 16–10	64,609	2-10
14	November 30, 1997	at Washington Redskins	W 23–20	74,772	3-10
15	December 7, 1997	at New Orleans Saints	W 34–27	54,803	4-10
16	December 14, 1997	Chicago Bears	L 13–10	66,030	4-11
17	December 20, 1997	at Carolina Panthers	W 30–18	58,101	5-11

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

External links

• 1997 St. Louis Rams Rams at Pro-Football-Reference.com