Los Angeles Ram Career
Mack was the number 1 pick of the Rams in the 1966 NFL Draft, second overall, from the University of Michigan, one of only two rookies not cut in George Allen’s tough veteran-dominated squad.
During his rookie campaign when starter Don Chuy was injured during the 5th game of the season, Mack moved into the lineup. He was back as the starter for 3 games after that, lost out to Ted Karras briefly, only to reclaim the position and start for the next 12 years. Mack never missed a game through injury in his entire career, appearing in 184 consecutive contests, a streak topped only by Merlin Olsen and Jack Youngblood. He played next to center Ken Iman from 1966 to 1974 and left tackle Charley Cowan from 1966 to 1975. During Mack's career with the Rams, they compiled an impressive record, with winning seasons 12 out of the 13. During this span, the Rams enjoyed a .720 winning percentage with a won-lost-tie record of 129-48-7, winning their division (and reaching the playoffs) 8 times (1967,1969,1973 to 1978) and reaching 4 NFC championship games.
In 1967, 1969, and 1973, Los Angeles lost the divisional round to the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and Dallas Cowboys, respectively, in the 1967 NFL playoffs, the 1969 NFL playoffs, and the 1973-74 NFL playoffs. In the 1973 regular season, the Rams were especially potent, scoring the most points in the NFL: 388 points (27.7 points/game). The Rams finally won a playoff game in the 1974-75 NFL playoffs, beating the Washington Redskins while amassing 131 yards on the ground, as Mack outplayed the opposing defensive right tackle, Diron Talbert, but lost the NFC championship game to the Minnesota Vikings. In 1975, they beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the divisional round of the 1975-76 NFL playoffs, amassing a mighty 237 yards on the ground, as Mack overwhelmed the opposing defensive right tackle, Bob Rowe, but lost to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC championship game. The following year, the Rams beat the Cowboys in the divisional round of the 1976-77 NFL playoffs, thanks in part to 120 rushing yards, Mack playing well against Larry Cole, but lost the NFC championship for the third consecutive year, to the Vikings, as in 1974. The Vikings eliminated them from the playoffs for the fourth time since 1969 and second year in a row in the divisional round of the 1977-78 NFL playoffs. In Mack's final year, the Rams beat the Vikings at last in the divisional round of the 1978-79 NFL playoffs, as Mack pulverized James White (American football) at defensive right tackle, the team gaining 200 yards on the ground, but lost the NFC championship game to the Cowboys for the second time (1975,1978). In summary, the Rams lost in the playoffs 7 times from 1969 to 1978 to only 2 teams: the Vikings (4 times) and the Cowboys (3 times), so that Mack never went to the Super Bowl. After retiring, he was replaced by Kent Hill in 1979.
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