The St. Louis Rams coaching staff is starting to take shape. Following the hire of Jeff Fisher, the Rams' new coach had his coordinators hired within a week. The work has since turned toward hiring the assistant coaches. The public has been especially curious about a couple position coaches: at wide receiver and quarterback.
Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said today that he was still looking for a quarterbacks coach, but the team may be getting closer to hiring a receivers coach, according to Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch. One name on that list will be particularly familiar to Rams fans: Henry Ellard.
Ellard is, of course, one of the franchise's all-time greats. Their leading receiver until the days of the Greatest Show on Turf put new names in the record books. Ellard played for the Rams from 1983-1993.
Younger fans will remember him from his lengthy stint as the team's receivers coach, from 2001-2008. He was given his walking papers by Steve Spagnuolo.
Ellard's work as the team's receivers coach speaks for itself. Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce both predated his hire, but both players reached new heights under his tutelage. Of course, Mike Martz' high flying offense helped with their stats. Ellard then went to work for the Jets, from 2009-2011, under Brian Schottenheimer.
I can't really think of a more popular hire for Rams fans longing for the franchise's glory days.
Another candidate for the job is James Lofton. An eight time Pro Bowler as a player, Lofton used to be the Packers' receiving leader, before Donald Driver broke his mark.
As a coach, he worked in San Diego from 2002-2007 as the receivers coach. That was followed by a season in Oakland.
0 recs | 40 comments
AWESOME!
Joe Mazzi - January 24, 2012
What about Isaac Bruce himself?
Last I heard he was helping with the bears receivers or something. Anybody know what he’s up to? I think he’d be a great coach for the young receivers. I’d be stoked about Ellard though too.
waglers - January 24, 2012
Bruce said he wants to wait a few years before coaching
He has young kids & has said he’d like to spend time with ’em
EddieP - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Ah ok.
That’s an acceptable reason. I’d love to see him training up some rams receivers some day though.
waglers - January 24, 2012
He worked with our guys last summer for several days
Here’s his views on coaching
http://www.stlouisrams.com/media-lounge/videos/Rams-Legend-Isaac-Bruce-Press-Conference-/66d73c16-01e7-43ac-b640-2cd4545f0635
ramdude - January 24, 2012
Isaac Bruce could be interested.
Bruce was Dick Vermeil’s WR coach in last week’s AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. I asked him if he’s interested in a full time WR coaching position. Click on the link to see the interview.
http://youtu.be/Igv1ObMzQuw
EROQ - January 24, 2012
I like it...
DCRamFan - January 24, 2012
As much as I like Ellard, I think Lofton would be a good pick too. So would Holt...
Douglas M - January 24, 2012
how about Mardy Gilyard?
DCRamFan - January 24, 2012
A coaching diamond in the ruff...lol
Douglas M - January 24, 2012
A coaching piece of gravel in the ruff...lol
ramdude - January 24, 2012
Our WRs will be playing parts of Shurmer's system in no time
LARams1968 - January 24, 2012
I honestly think
Holt could still play. lol
At least better than our receiver now.
ramsfanman7 - January 24, 2012
I'd like either
Ellard brings back memories of what used to be. Lofton was a great receiver & can pass along a plethora of knowledge to our young corps
EddieP - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Ellard was just plain brilliant when he played
Douglas M - January 24, 2012
Sweet!
RAMpage28 - January 24, 2012
Dope! Cant go wrong with either!
kevio3000 - January 24, 2012 via Android app
Hells to the yes
Ellard is a boss.
Eric Nagel - January 24, 2012
I'm seeing a few more names mention for other posts:
Douglas M - January 24, 2012
Except for last year
Boudreau coaches a top ten unit every year with the Falcons.
Eric Nagel - January 24, 2012
Lions team website
Joe Mazzi - January 24, 2012
Who's Rob Boras?
RAMpage28 - January 24, 2012
Jacksoville Jags TE coach
Douglas M - January 25, 2012
This would be far and away the best hire yet!
leadhead - January 24, 2012
Ellard Wide Reciever Coach.
What a fabulous choice that would be. They also have 2 future Hall of Famers named Holt and Bruce that could also be excellent W.R. coaches somewhere if not with the RAMS.
California Mobile CPR - January 24, 2012
Lack of Henry Ellard on here.
RAMpage28 - January 24, 2012
Fisher needs to call Isaac Bruce!
Isaac Bruce could be interested. He was Dick Vermeil’s WR coach in last week’s AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. I asked him about that. Here’s the link:
http://youtu.be/Igv1ObMzQuw
EROQ - January 24, 2012
Ellard
“He was given his walking papers by Steve Spagnuolo.” Damn, I thought that I was done being upset with Coach Spags.
Mister T - January 24, 2012
Nope, never.
I get mad at Madden when they show Spags as the Rams coach
sergey606 - January 24, 2012
+100! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA HILARIOUS! I’VE BEEN LAUGHING AT THE POST, YOU’VE GUYS BEEN INSERTING ALL NITE
Boy Yottic - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Does he clap when you mess up?
LARams1968 - January 24, 2012
no, i guess the game isn't that detailed. next year they better have the "fisher fist pump" in the game though
sergey606 - January 24, 2012
DLC material
LARams1968 - January 24, 2012
My boy Torry should do it
Brick Top - January 24, 2012
I would love to see him back with the team , fucking Spags was such a douchebag
Rammon105 - January 25, 2012
we loved him 3 years ago
…oh how things change. Glad he’s gone now, he should just remain a DC
sergey606 - January 25, 2012
If he had been our DC under a decent HC, we might not be starting over again
ramdude - January 25, 2012
+1
Taosman - January 25, 2012
Do you think Henry Ellard should be in the HOF? I do!!!
Hello Everyone,
My name is Jeremiah Ellard. I am a longtime fan of the sport of football and enjoy every minute of every game! With this week being HOF weekend. I just wanted to know some information about how players are submitted to the voters to be evaluated for the hall. My uncle is Henry Ellard, he played for the Los Angeles Rams and the Washington Redskins, of course. I just wanted to know if fans or viewers can propose players as well? If so, I would like to offer my uncle’s name for the following induction ceremony. I believe my uncle was one of the most consistent and productive players to ever play the WR position. He may not have been the biggest, fastest or most flashy player; yet, he was still reliable. There were times when he was a league leader in different categories, during his prime, however he never got the chance to reach a superbowl. Him never reaching a superbowl, I feel, is what leaves him out of many HOF discussions. Much like Peyton Manning’s talent’s were questioned before he finally won Superbowl 41. Although winning a superbowl is a great achievement, it should be added to a player’s values and not take away from them. Winning a superbowl takes an entire team. No one player can get there alone. Therefore I don’t believe not winning a superbowl should hinder a player’s chance of entering the HOF. Henry Ellard maintains records far superior to other player’s who have been selected for the HOF. A few of these records include:
Receptions: Ellard-814 HOF: James Lofton-764, Charlie Joiner-750, Michael Irvin-750
Rec TD’s: Ellard-65 HOF: Tied with- Michael Irvin, Charlie Joiner & Bobby Mitchell
More than- John Stallworth-63, Lynn Swann-51
Rec Yards: Ellard-13,777 HOF: Art Monk-12,721, Michael Irvin-11,834,
(9th Alltime) John Stallworth 8,723 and Lynn Swann- 5,462
Yards/Rec avg: Ellard-16.9 HOF: Lynn Swann-16.3, John Stallworth-16.2
Yards/Game avg: Ellard-60.4 HOF: James Lofton-60.1, John Stallworth-52.9,
Charlie Joiner-50.8
This is where Henry Ellard succeeds other HOFamers in receiving. He also was a league leader is punt and kickoff returns. He was atop the league between 1983-1985 in punt return yardage and TD’s. I believe my uncle made his mark in the NFL record books and although he has been surpassed my those who came after him, it does not take away from the records he set during the 1980’s and 1990’s. For this reason, and many others, I believe my uncle, Henry Ellard, should be considered for enshrinement into the NFL Hall of Fame. If any of you agree with me join my push and write to:
Pro Football Hall of Fame
2121 George Halas Drive NW
Canton, OH 44708
ATTN: Selection Process
Ellard24 - January 31, 2012
A case for Henry Ellard's enshrinement:
This was a letter I wrote on my uncle’s behave to make an attempt to get his name tossed around in the Canton discussion. I hope he gets enshrined one day! I believe he deserves it and I find many ppl who have the same belief. Hopefully, the voters will one day agree and see how much work he put into his career and just how successful and productive he was as a NFL player. He’s had an effect on the league as much as many other WR’s who are more famous than he is. Why do we reward boisterous and outlandish personalities like T.O or Randy Moss, but forget about the “classy” players like my uncle or Marvin Harrison? Players who are every bit of a Professional!!!
Ellard24 - January 31, 2012
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