Selected in the fifth round of the 1972 NFL Draft out of Wyoming, Conrad Dobler entered the league as a defensive lineman before transitioning to right guard. Lined up alongside future Hall of Fame tackle Dan Dierdorf, Dobler weaponized mind games, brutal hand placement, and pure physical punishment to become the undisputed psychological villain of 1970s professional football.

Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 255 pounds, Dobler approached offensive line play with the aggressive mentality typical of a linebacker. Opponents often accused him of biting, leg-whipping, twisting facemasks, and punching defenders in the pile. His intimidating reputation peaked on the July 25, 1977 cover of Sports Illustrated, which called him "Pro Football's Dirtiest Player.” Despite the controversy, Dobler was also one of the most technically skilled and fierce pass protectors of his time. He was the emotional driving force of the "Air Coryell" line that led St. Louis to consecutive NFC East titles in 1974 and 1975. In 1975, his unit set a then-NFL record by allowing only eight sacks in a 14-game season.

His outstanding performance on the field led to three straight Pro Bowl selections from 1975 to 1977, culminating in Second-Team All-Pro in 1977. Despite some beliefs that his teams faced difficulties, Dobler was a key contributor to the Big Red's impressive 31-11 record during their peak in the mid-70s.

Contract disputes and roster turnover led to a 1978 trade to New Orleans, followed by a final stint in Buffalo, after which he retired following the 1981 season. In six seasons with St. Louis, Dobler appeared in 77 games (73 starts), serving as the unyielding, mean-spirited anchor of the franchise's greatest offensive line.