9 best backup quarterbacks in Rams franchise history

III: Norm Van Brocklin

It's hard to imagine that some of the legendary quarterbacks in the LA Rams' long-storied history were once backups, but that is the case of this legend: Norm Van Brocklin. But when you are on the same NFL roster as legendary quarterback Bob Waterford, you have to patiently await your turn to lead the offense.

Van Brocklin's opportunity occured in 1950, when he started six games for the LA Rams, throwing for over 2000 yards and recording 18 touchdowns. Norm Van Brocklin would go on to start 65 games for the Rams over his nine NFL seasons with the Rams, and appearing in 101 games.

He would throw for 16,114 yards, 118 touchdowns, and 127 interceptions for the Rams over his career. Like several Rams quarterbacks, he would eventually play for the Philadelphia Eagles after his chapter with the Rams had ended. But he would play nine incredible seasons spearheading the Rams offense.

Norm Van Brocklin played in a different era of the NFL and was not just the team's quarterback, but also the team's punter. In fact, he punted the football 523 times for the Rams for 22,413 yards, for an impressive average of 42.9 yards per punt. The last quarterback to serve both as quarterback and other duties in my recollection was former Oakland Raiders quarterback/kicker George Blanda who threw his last NFL pass in 1971.