PRESEASON: Green Bay Packers (1-0) 23, Washington Redskins 21
Sunday September 5th 1943 (at Baltimore)
GAME RECAP (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE)
(BALTIMORE) - The Green Bay Packers established themselves as a definite threat in the NFL's 1943 championship race by clipping those mighty Chicago Bear killers - the Washington Redskins - by a 23-21 count before 45,000 fans in Municipal stadium Sunday afternoon. The Packers, dripping all over with confidence that they have something on the ball this season, started workouts in Pittsburgh today for their second exhibition fuss with the combined Phil-Pitt eleven there Saturday night. Coach Curly Lambeau gave them Labor Day off, a welcome gift in view of the fact that each Packer lost about ten pounds doing his duty against the Redskins in 85 degree temperature. High humidity added to the discomfort, and all players were soaked in sweat before halftime. The season opener was a big triumph for the Packers. It was sweet revenge for the 28-7 pasting the league champions handed the Bays here a year ago; it was a bitter defeat for the Washington club which already had the polish of the All-Star contest on its shoes, and it made the Packers look plenty tough because Washington had the same team that beat the Bears for the championship last year. Ted Fritsch, the Stevens Point fullback who has all the earmarks of Clarke Hinkle, picked up two touchdowns and Andy Uram got the other. Mr. Donald Hutson, who usually provides the winning margin by catching touchdown passes, became a hero in a different way. He booted a fourth quarter 20-yard field goal for the Packers' margin of victory, and added two extra point; another try was blocked. The Packers iced things in the last quarter. On the short end of a 14-13 count, Fritsch intercepted one of Sammy Baugh's bullets and ran unmolested for 35 yards and a touchdown. Three minutes later, Hutson kicked his field goal after Washington lost the ball in its own territory by trying to pass on fourth down, with three yards to go.
FRITSCH TAKES KICKOFF
Green Bay started out as if it planned to run a 73 to 0 score, Fritsch taking the opening kickoff from the goal line to the Packer 45. In seven plats, Fritsch charged over from the one-yard line. It was in this series, Tony Canadeo distinguished himself as another Cecil Isbell. He pegged one to Hutson for a gain of 24 yards and, after Fritsch made 14 on a tour inside right tackle, threw again to Hutson's spot. But Don wasn't there because Wilbur Moore held him. Interference was called and the Bays got the ball on the one. The Redskins couldn't be outdone, so they took the kickoff and went 54 yards in eight plays for their touchdown, the payoff coming on a 22-yard throw from Baugh to Masterson in the end zone. A minute later, Washington threatened again as Moore intercepted Canadeo's pass on the Packer 40 and raced to the 31. Washington worked the ball to the Packer 16 where Chet Adams, Baby Ray and Charley Brock gummed things up. Masterson's attempt at a field goal went wide. What amounted to a second string team went in for the Packers and the rookie from Platteville, Don Perkins, gained 12 yards on his first try. Irv Comp failed twice on the next series and then punted to Akin on the Washington 43. Paul Berezney and Tiny Croft tossed Akin for a five-yard loss and Washington was forced to punt to the Packer 16. Canadeo punted back 67 yards to Washington 24. But the Redskins were also held and Baugh quick-kicked to the Packer 34. Things speeded up as Fritsch reeled off six and Canadeo pegged a 16-yard pass to Hutson for a first down on the Redskin 44. Washington tightened and Canadeo delivered a short punt out of grounds on the Redskin 30. Four Baugh passes put the ball on the Bay 19 and, in two plays, Andy Farkas went over for a touchdown from the 10. Masterson's kick was good.
SEYMOUR MAKES RECOVERY
Fritsch fumbled a bad pas from center on the first play after the kickoff and Seymour recovered on the Packer 30 as Washington went into position for a field goal. The gun went off ending the half. The Packers drove from their own 25 to the Washington 31 on runs by Fritsch and Canadeo passes to Harry Jacunski and Don Hutson before Adams' attempted field goal fell short early in the third quarter. Baugh quick kicked on first down to set the stage for the Bays' second touchdown. On the first play, Perkins sprained his right ankle and was carried from the field, after which his substitute, Fritsch, picked up four yards to the Packers' 40. Then Canadeo went wide to his right, wheeled and threw a 30-yard pass to Andy Uram, who stood alone on the Washington 30. Uram took to the left sidelines and scored without a hand touching him. Huston's kick was blocked. Glen Sorenson kicked to the goal line, but the Packers were offside and Sorenson had to kick over. Farkas took the ball and was knocked dizzy as Baby Ray threw him into the air with a flying block. Seymour replaced the dazed Farkas and took the second boot to the Redskin 44. The teams exchanged punts as the third period ended.
FRITSCH KICK SHORT
Early in the fourth quarter Fritsch tried a field goal from the 45 but it fell short. On the second play, Fritsch crossed into the flat zone and snagged Baugh's pass intended for McChesney and ran 35 yards for a touchdown. Hutson's kick was perfect. Adams sent the kickoff into the cinder track in back of the goal posts and Washington took the ball out on the 20. The Packers turned on the heat and tossed the Skins back to the 13 chiefly on the work by Adams, Harry Jacunski and Joel Mason. Baugh kicked to the 50 and Canadeo put the Packers in position by running back to the Washington 36. Tony Falkenstein and Canadeo failed, so Adams tried a field goal and missed. The Redskins committed a tactical error a few minutes later as Baugh tried a fourth down pass on the Packer 26 and failed as McChesney stumbled over Brock. After the Redskins were penalized for offside, Laws dropped a touchdown pass in the open but Fritsch and Canadeo made it first down on the Redskin 14. Three plays gained four yards, so Hutson stepped back and made the game-winning field goal.
MASTERSON CATCHES TOUCHDOWN
The Redskins scored a minute later on a neat shovel pass from Baugh to Masteron at the line of scrimmage. The play covered 52 yards, and there were three minutes left after Masterson kicked the extra point. The Packers then proceeded to stall but Canadeo was forced to punt. On the last play of the game. Hutson intercepted a long pass from Baugh. The Packers also outplayed the Redskins statistically, making 15 first downs to 11 for Washington, 325 yards gained to 276, 130 yards by rushing to 104, and 195 yards by passing to 172.
GREEN BAY - 7 0 6 10 - 23
WASHINGTON - 7 7 0 7 - 21
SCORING
1ST - GB - Ted Fritsch, 1-yard run (Don Hutson kick) GREEN BAY 7-0
1ST - WASH - Andy Farkas, 22-yard pass from Sammy Baugh (Bob Masterson kick) TIED 7-7
2ND - WASH - Farkas, 10-yard run (Masterson kick) WASHINGTON 14-7
3RD - GB - Andy Uram, 60-yard pass from Tony Canadeo (Hutson kick blocked) WASHINGTON 14-13
4TH - GB - Fritsch, 35-yard interception return (Hutson kick) GREEN BAY 20-14
4TH - GB - Hutson, 20-yard field goal GREEN BAY 23-14
4TH - WASH - Masterson, 52-yard pass from Baugh (Masterson kick) GREEN BAY 23-21
STEAGLES PLAY GREEN BAY IN LOCAL GRID OPENER SATURDAY
SEPT 5 (Pittsburgh) - The cash-and-carry gridders provide local football fans with their first taste of 1943 grid fare, wartime - 4-F defense plant variety - next Saturday night when the combined Pittsburgh-Philadelphia "Steagles" open their campaign the hard way by tackling the Green Bay Packers in an exhibition game at Forbes Field. Neither Pittsburgh nor Philadelphia has been able to handle the Packers alone in past meetings, but perhaps under their new partnership arrangement they can pull the old double-team act successfully. At least they hope so...BEAT STEELERS EIGHT TIMES: Green Bay, stronghold of the professional game for more than two decades, has been a particularly annoying jinx of the Pittsburgh pro eleven, winning every one of eight meetings with the locals. Last year's crack Steeler eleven, runner-up in the Eastern division race, came close in forcing the Packers all the way before bowing, 24-21, but the passing act of Cecil Isbell to Don Hutson proved the deciding factor. One-half of that smash-hit act has been broken up, with Isbell retiring to take over the backfield coaching post at his old alma mater, Purdue. But Hutson, after announcing that he would retire, reconsidered and is back at the same old stand ready to nab any passes tossed his way. Just how much he will miss Isbell on the throwing end is one of the questions which makes the Packers a doubtful quantity in the National league race. But Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau has a knack of coming up with an ace pitcher to make his aerial circus one of the most feared scoring threats in the National loop. The Packers, it seems, always have been well fortified with a super passer - beginning with Lambeau, himself, and running on down through Verne Lewellen, Red Dunn, Arnie Herber and Isbell..STEAGLES STRONG IN TACKLES: This year, Tony Canadeo, 24-year old veteran who carried an honorable discharge from the Naval Air Corps, draws the spotlight assignment. The Gonzaga University graduate didn't get much chance to display his talents playing in the shadow of Isbell, but he still managed to complete 24 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns last year - indicating that he may develop into an expert marksman. Canadeo will get his first real test today when Green Bay opens its exhibition campaign in opposing Washington's defending champions at Baltimore. The Steagles are still pretty much of an unknown quantity, but, according to reports out of the Philadelphia training camp, they are shaping up as a strong threat in the Eastern division, which promises to produce a wide-open scramble for top honors. Their line, under the direction of Walt Kiesling, appears to be the strongest, and longest, suit, and if backfield boss Greasy Neale can uncover a sufficient punch in the backfield to go with the power up front - this club is rated a good chance of going places in the play-for-pay circuit. Any team that is strong in the tackle department has the makings of a stout defense - and that's where the Steagles are best equipped. There are no fewer than four top-flight tackles in Ted Doyle, George Somers, Eberle Schultz and Al Wistert, the latter an All-American recruit from Michigan. This department looks so good that Coach Kiesling is toying with the idea of shifting Wistert, a fast, rangy 200-pounder, to guard...THURBON SPARKLES AT HALF: Ed McGee, formerly of Temple, and Edgar Michaels, Villanova veteran, lead in the battle for the guard berths, while Ray Graves, former Tennessee all-American, tops the center candidates. However, Al Wukits, center on Duquesne University's 1942 eleven, is coming fast, and while underweight at less than 190 pounds, he's given a good chance of seeing plenty of action. A fine defensive end, Gorham Gretchel, 210-pound Temple product, and two slick pass catchers in Larry Cabrelli, Colgate, and Alex Piasecky, Duke graduate out of Jeannett, Pa., take care of the terminal assignments in pretty fair shape. The Steagles will lose a valuable seasoned fullback after the Green Bay game as Joe Hoague, veteran Steeler from Colgate, has received orders to report for active duty, as ensign in the Naval Reserve, on Sept. 24. Bob Thurbon, speedy 1940 Pitt halfback, has sparkled in drills to date and may win a regular job in his first pro campaign. Another Pittsburgh district, guard George Smith, whose only experience was with the Sto-Rox sandlot eleven has showed up well in drills. Bob Marmion, St. Vincent College tackle, has been released to return to his defense post in a local plant. The Packer-Steagles exhibition game originally was scheduled for Sept. 12, but it was moved up to Saturday night, Sept. 11, so that it would not interfere with a big war bond rally which will be held at Forbes Field one week from today.
DUTCH BERGMAN GENEROUS IN PRAISE OF GREEN BAY LINE, BUT OWNER MARSHALL ARGUES ABOUT OFFICIALS
SEPT 7 (Baltimore) - "That's the best Packer line I've seen in years," Dutch Bergman smiled as his huge Washington Redskins wiped off the sweat of battle in their stadium dressing room here Sunday afternoon. The silver-thatched coach, who is filling in for Lt. Ray Flaherty, now in the Navy, wasn't feeling as tough as his boss, George P. Marshall, who spent 15 minutes after the game "telling off" the officials and everybody who would listen. Bergman had all sorts of praise for the line - from Chet Adams and Baby Ray down to the rookies. "And you can't forget you've got this Hutson boy, who looks as good as every. He had fine passing, and, well, you know how it goes with a good receiver like Hutson in there. He wrecked our morale quicker than anything, although that line was the deciding point." Bergman must have been surprised when he saw his big line crack because the Redskins wall is the same unit that stopped the great Chicago Bear line last year for the championship. Marshall, the big talkative Redskin owner, spent the afternoon running up and down the full length of the sidelines, a maneuver that is supposed to be taboo in the National league...DISPUTES CANADEO PLAY: Marshall was yelling mostly about a play late in the fourth quarter when, on third down, Canadeo pitched an over-the-center pass into the ground just short of the intended receiver. Marshall figured it was intentionally grounded, but the refs said no. A 15-yard penalty would have forced Hutson to try his game winning field goal from the 40 yard line. Curly Lambeau, of course, was smiles from head to foot. The Packer coach was thoroughly convinced that his 1943 Packers showed a "real will to win." He admitted that some of the boys made a lot of mistakes, but "they all showed that they're stopping at nothing to win." Lambeau or Line Coach Red Smith didn't go into hysterics about the Packer line, although they both agreed the wall "definitely has possibilities." The coaches said they'd rather hold their praises until after a certain game in Green Bay on Sept. 26. The opponents will be the Chicago Bears...COMP AND CANADEO: Irv Comp was the hard luck Packer citizen. Every time he carried the ball, the pass from center would be bad or somebody would miss his assignment. He showed plenty of excitement when passing but most of his aerials were accurate. Lambeau had much praise for Canadeo's passing, "It was very good and he'll be better as the season goes on." Kindly remember, folks, that Tony faces the choice of filling Cecil Isbell's shoes...TED (HINK) FRITSCH: Lambeau's predictions that Fritsch would be another Clarke Hinkle appeared very true here. The Stevens Point ace was the most consistent ground gainer, the chief item being his ability to smash the Redskins' power line apart when the Packer forwards failed to do so. Although he didn't get a chance to show his pass receiving skill, Fritsch tried his sticky fingers out on the Redskins with much success, intercepting one of Sammy Baugh's throws for a touchdown. Incidentally, his interception and T.D. run was an exact duplicate of his maneuver against the Western Army All-Stars in Milwaukee last year...TOUGH AFTERNOON: Center Bob Flowers and back Joe Laws had the toughest time. Flowers had several bad passes from center, one of which allowed the 'Skins to block Hutson's extra point kick that might have ties the score at 14-14. Laws muffed a chance to score in the fourth quarter when he dropped Canadeo's throw in the open on the Redskin 15. Hutson kicked his field goal several minutes later...THAT GUY ADAMS: Chet Adams, new Packer tackle obtained from Cleveland, really meant business. He played the entire game with his sleeves rolled above his elbows. The big fellow had a big time nailing Redskin backs from behind as they went to the opposite side. Chet delivered the longest kickoff ever seen in Municipal park. The high boot landed a good 20 yards on the track back of the goal posts. The kick left the crowd rather stunned because it was calling for a rally when Fritsch's interception gave the Bays a 20-14 lead...NAUGHTY LETDOWN: Coach Lambeau said the Redskins never would have scored their last touchdown if Hutson had missed the field goal. "It was our usual letdown and after Don kicked the field, which made it necessary for Washington to get two touchdowns to win, we just let down. The result was a 52-yard touchdown run."...SORRIEST SIGHT: The sorriest sight was the Washington backfield when the Packers pulled their 60-yard touchdown performance in the third quarter. With perfect deception, Canadeo ran wide to right as Andy Uram circled around right end and then crossed deep into the area to the left. Near the sidelines, Canadeo stopped suddenly and tossed a 25-yard pass to Uram, who was as alone as the signal tower on the top of the Minahan building. In fact, Uram had to wait for the throw and when he caught the ball the Redskin backs were still a good 10 yards away. It was simple for Andy to hit for the left sidelines and a touchdown...SERVICEMEN FREE: The 45,000 crowd included 10,000 servicemen who were admitted for free. They sat in the bend of the huge horseshoe...ODDS AND ENDS: Les Grebele, former Green Bay resident, helped radio announcer Harry E. Wismer of Detroit as spotter. Grebele was accompanied by Ensign Phil Ragazzio, Western Reserve guard who was drawn in the draft by the Packers in 1937 and then traded to Cleveland for center Oakie Miller. For the few Badgers, one of the greatest thrills was playing of "On Wisconsin" by George Marshall's band before the game and after each Packer score. Sammy Baugh wrote his autograph for nearly a half-hour after the game. He was still in uniform when several of the Redskins were already showered and street dressed. About 300 persons were in the huge press box and nearly 50 of them were writers...BASEBALL, TOO: The Packers had competition since the Baltimore Orioles closed their home International league second against Jersey City with a twin bill in the afternoon. A special field day was held before the ball game. Municipal stadium is two score years old this year. It's seating capacity was cut from 85,000 to 56,000 several years ago when floods washed part of the huge bowl away.
PACKERS HERE FOR EXHIBITION
SEPT 7 (Pittsburgh) - The Green Bay Packers, 25 strong, arrived here last night from Baltimore where they made an auspicious start in the 1943 football season by beating the world champion Washington Redskins by 23-21 last Sunday in their first exhibition game before 45,000 fans. The famous Wisconsin eleven will clash with the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia combine at Forbes Field on Saturday night in another non-league contest. Coach Earl L. (Curly) Lambeau, who is in his twenty-fifth season as the only head mentor of the Packers, was detained in the East by business and will not join his squad until today. Richard (Red) Smith, line tutor who serves as baseball coach of the Milwaukee Brewers in the American Association through most of the diamond season, was in charge of the travelers yesterday. Green Bay is staying at Allegheny YMCA on the Northside and will hold their first local practice at 2:30 this afternoon on Monument Hill field. During the remainder of the week they will drill in the mornings.
PACKERS ROMP THROUGH DRILL LIKE COLLEGE BOYS
SEPT 8 (Pittsburgh) - Any sports follower who believes the hard-bitten professional football player is in there only for what he can get in a monetary sense should have been at the Monument Hill playground yesterday afternoon, and watched the Green Bay Packers go through their paces in preparation for a game with the Steelers at Forbes Field Saturday night. Said sport follower, with the slightly jaundiced attitude, would have changed his mind as he saw a burly group of men romp through a light drill, much in the manner of high school and college kids, and really enjoying the workout. The famous squad, which has put a small town in Wisconsin on the map for the past 25 years, was under the direction of Assistant Coach Red Smith, who is taking over until head man Curly Lambeau arrives sometime today. There was a lot of hilarity and levity as the players went through loosening up exercises, and a touchball game afterwards, but beneath it all could be seen the firm hand of discipline. As soon as Smith would bark out an order it would be obeyed, as fast as if not faster than college boys would...SURPRISED REDSKINS: Smith let the men take things easy yesterday to help them shake off their train legs. He promised stiffer workouts as the week wore along and believes the team will be in tip-top shape for the game Saturday night. The Packers' showing in their 23 to 21 victory over the Washington Redskins last Sunday both surprised and delighted Lambeau and Smith. "We hardly expected the boys to be in such good condition," Smith said yesterday. "We started training August 16, but the Redskins were far more advanced in their work, and had a couple of games under their belt before they met us. That's why we feared them at first." Smith predicts the Packers will be in the flag race and, while the squad has been weakened by the loss of a few regulars from last year, capable subs will handle their jobs satisfactorily. "We'll be much stronger when Lou Brock and Buckets Goldenberg join the team," he added. The two players are winding up their business activities and are expected to report sometime next week...CANADEO FINE SUB: The standout loss for the Packers this year is Cecil Isbell, who quit to take over a coaching position at his alma mater, Purdue. Isbell and Hutson formed the greatest forward passing combination in the history of football. Smith was inclined to believe that the loss of Isbell will not be as bad as it appears, with two fellows like Tony Canadeo and Irv Comp around. Canadeo has been Isbell's understudy for three years and, when in there, works with Hutson like a well-oiled team. Prematurely gray, Canadeo is dubbed the "Gray Ghost" by his teammates. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy Air Corps, and is set to put in a full campaign. He is a Gonzaga graduate. Comp, a first-year man, hails from St. Benedict College, and has shown plenty of class in early workouts. The Packer line will be as strong as last year's when Goldenberg reports, while the backfield will be at its tops once fullback Brock starts smashing opposing lines. The line at present shows Harry Jacunski and Hutson at the ends; Chet Adams and Baby Ray at the tackles; Sherwood Fries and Bill Kuusisto at the guards, and Charley Brock at center. The backfield which will start Saturday night has Andy Uram and Canadeo at halfback; Larry Craig at quarter, and Ted Fritsch at fullback.
LAMBEAU DRILLS PACKERS HERE
SEPT 8 (Pittsburgh) - Coach E. L. (Curly) Lambeau, coach of the famed Green Bay Packers' football circus, arrived here last night and was up bright and early this morning to send the visiting squad through a stiff drill at Monument Hill, North Side. "These preseason games are important," Lambeau said. "We're expecting a good tough game with the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia outfit and will be in there playing for keeps." The Packers and Steagles open the local grid season Saturday night at Forbes Field in an exhibition game. Lambeau was pleased with the showing his Packers made in beating the Washington Redskins, 23-21, in the opening preseason tilt lat Sunday night in Baltimore. "We won that one the hard way," he said, "and any team that can win those games is the kind of team I like." The Steagles squad will remain in their Philadelphia training camp until the last minute, being slated to check in here Saturday afternoon.
PACKERS SAY THEY'RE STRONGER IN MANPOWER THAN THE BEARS
SEPT 8 (Pittsburgh) - The Green Bay Packers, here to prepare for their preseason game with the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia Steagles at Forbes Field Saturday night, think they have the makings of a great team. "I heard Coach Curly Lambeau tell a Kiwanis club dinner gathering the other day that for the first time in several seasons he's better fixed in the way of manpower than the Chicago Bears," the club's publicist said yesterday. "The Bears usually are three or four deep in stars at every position. This year they'll be about two deep in most spots and only one deep in others. We're better supplied than that. For one thing, the Bears have lost both of their first-string tackles, Lee Artoe and Joe Stydahar, and they'll be hard to replace, as you can judge from the fact that they're bringing back old Bronko Nagurski out of years of retirement to fill in. We have two corking tackles in Chet Adams and Baby Ray. Chet had made our line. At the moment we could stand a little more strength at the guards, but we'll be all right when Buckets Goldenberg reports. He's signed a contract and we're awaiting him. Our gang played a great game in beating the champion Washington Redskins in Baltimore last Sunday, 23-21. We probably could have won by a wider margin if we had not fallen into our habit of last year of letting down when we're ahead. That's one of the things Lambeau is going to work to correct." I asked the Packer man how Don Hutson's forward pass catching is going to hold up now that he no longer has Cecil Isbell to throw them to him. "All right, I think," he replied. "Tony Canadeo is throwing the passes and he played the best game of any of our fellows against the Redskins. Every day after the regular practice Hutson takes him off to the side and they work together, with Don showing Tony how he cuts, stops, etc., and Tony's getting so he gets the ball to where it should go. They're going to be a great combination."
COAL-DUSTED PACKERS WASH EARS, START DRILL FOR SATURDAY EXHIBITION TILT WITH PHIL-PITT
SEPT 8 (Pittsburgh) - The Green Bay Packers cleaned coal dust out of their ears today as they sharpened their claws for an exhibition game with the Pitt-Phil eleven in Forbes Field at 8:30 Saturday night. It all started somewhere west of Harrisburg, Pa., on the Pennsylvania railroad which was traveling through the soft coal districts. It was 100 above in the coaches, and dust and smoke from hundreds of mines and factories seeped through the car windows and doors. When the Packers arrived late Monday night they looked as if they had been riding in the tenders of the two steam engines which pulled the 16-car train. Ted Fritsch and Bill Kuusisto were so black they were mistaken for the Negro porters. The entire personnel looked like a collection of husky hoboes. Every players sent the clothes he wore to the cleaners Tuesday morning. To top their misery Monday night, most of their beds at the Allegheny YMCA were too small to house the huge frames of baby Ray, Chet Adams and several others. As Trainer Bud Jorgensen put it, "It was so tragic it was funny." Don Hutson received bad news shortly before the boys took to Monument hill for Tuesday's workout. His parents in Pine Bluff, Ark., wired that Lt. Robert Hutson is missing in action in the South Pacific area. Robert is a twin brother of Lt. Raymond, who pilots a ferry plane to India and other countries for the Army, and who visited Don in Baltimore over the weekend. He is stationed temporarily at an air base at Wilmington, Del. Robert, who is 23 years of age, piloted a paratroop plane in the Pacific area. The twins enlisted over a year ago. Don continued to drill with the squad, although he said, "It's got me down." Every member of the team is feeling blue about Don's brother and all are keeping their fingers cross in hopes that he is alive...SMITH IN CHARGE: Tuesday's drill was in the charge of Line Coach Red Smith, who sent the boys through a touch football game and the usual calisthenics. The contest helped the gridders loosen up their muscles and got them ready for tougher work today. A scrimmage is scheduled for Thursday morning. Coach Curly Lambeau arrived from Washington Tuesday night and immediately went over scout reports on last year's Eagle and Steeler games. Lambeau was disappointed to hear that Bill Hewitt, a former Bear end, will play fullback for the combined Phil-Pitt team. "Bill knows he can't stand the gaff at fullback." Surprising to Lambeau and Smith was the fact that the Packers came out of the Washington game with the minimum of injuries. The only serious mishap was a sprained ankle for Don Perkins, substitute fullback. Perkins spent five hours in a Baltimore hospital Sunday night, and did not work out with the team Tuesday. Lambeau may send him to Green Bay for further treatment so that he will be ready for the Bears Sept. 26. There were plenty of bruises but none were serious. Paul Berezney, former Fordham tackle, left the team Sunday night for Milwaukee where he will resume his medical studies at Marquette. He'll rejoin the club here Saturday night. Berezney will receive his medical degree Oct.1...LOU BROCK EXPECTED: Expected today was Lou Brock, right halfback, who has finished work on his Kansas farm. He may seem some action Sunday. The Pitt-Phil team is still somewhat of a mystery around here. The local sportswriters say they're putting their efforts on the Packers and "news about the Pitt-Phil club which is stationed in Philadelphia" is pretty scarce. All three papers had photographers at Tuesday's workout and radio talks will be given over local stations by players this week.
PETE TINSLEY MAY RETURN
SEPT 8 (Spartanburg, SC) - Discharged from the Army because of "chronic arthritis and ear trouble", Pete Tinsley, former University of South Carolina football star and guard on the Green Bay Packers, says he is considering a return to the grid. Tinsley, now 30 years old, said he would leave today or Thursday for Green Bay, Wis., to discuss a 1943 contract with the Packers, and added that if he did not play professional football this year he would volunteer for the Merchant Marine. He said he received his Army discharge at Keeler Field, Miss.
Washington tilt. The Chicago Bears, who meet Phil-Pitt at Philadelphia Thursday night, Sept. 16, are expected to have a number of scouts at the game here Saturday night, taking notes for the Sept. 26 event in Green Bay. The coach is really excited about the spirit of the Green Bay team. He just can't describe the feeling and pep the gridders are showing. Visiting scribes call it the "Ole college spirit", while Lambeau is inclined to think the boys suddenly realize after beating Washington that they are going places in their second war year...PERKINS MAY STAY: Fullback Don Perkins, who injured his leg in the Washington game, took a few laps around the Monument Hill track Wednesday and may remain with the club for the Saturday night tilt. Lambeau had planned to send him back to Green Bay for more treatment. There are no other injuries in camp, a satisfying fact in view of the rough Washington game. The Packers will drill in Forbes Field Friday night for the purpose of focusing their night eyes. The Saturday night game will start at 8:30.
PRO FOOTBALL FASTER NOW, LAMBEAU BELIEVES
SEPT 9 (Pittsburgh) - Pro football is faster and more interesting now than it was a quarter of a century ago and it will continue to get even faster and still more interesting. This is the belief of Earl L. (Curly) Lambeau, veteran coach of the powerful Green Bay Packers, and he ought to know what he's talking about. Lambeau has been guiding the destinies of the community-owned grid teams for the last 25 years. The Packers, who are working out daily here for their exhibition game with the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia team at Forbes Field Saturday night have won the National League title five times and they've been a big factor most every season. "When I started in the game the teams all used seven man defensive set-ups and there weren't many passes thrown," Lambeau said...SEES IMPROVEMENT: "Then, too, we had fewer players and since each man was expected to play 60 minutes or be called a 'softie' he was sure to loaf part of the time," the coach added. He went on to say that the game has a faster tempo now; fresh men who are put into the game frequently continue to play at top speed throughout their tenure in the contest. Lambeau said that he expects the sport to improve after the war because "we will have more good talent on hand." But the mentor said he never expects to see the league play more than one game a week or for the loop to approach the big baseball circuits in its operation. "It takes five days to recover sufficiently from the pounding of a game and hence to play more than once a week would either lower the caliber of play greatly or call for two squads," Lambeau explained...HUTSON HAS IMPROVED: In talking of Don Hutson, his great pass snatching end, Curly said that the former Alabama star was good when he started with the team in 1935 but that he's improved constantly ever since. "Last season was Hutson's best but I wouldn't be surprised if this year he was as good or better than in 1942 when he broke the league scoring record," the coach added. Hutson scored a touchdown the first time he put his hands on the ball in pro competition and this touchdown, the only score of the game, beat the Chicago Bears early in the 1935 campaign...HIS GREATEST GAME: Lambeau believes Don's greatest feat and his greatest game was the battle in which he scored twice with less than three minutes to play and the Packers trailing the Bears by 10 markers. To score the first six-pointer Don took a pass on his own 20-yard line and outran four Bear tacklers for 80 yards. The Bears fumbled after the following kickoff, and Hutson again took a pass, and, by some clever maneuvering, went 12 yards to make the winning tally. The coach wished to make clear that he backs up the now fast-spreading conviction that this year's play in the pro league won't be inferior since the free substitution rule makes it possible to always keep fresh men in the game. The general public had the original impression that the war's toll on the squads would make for inferior play. Lambeau believes the Packers' 23-21 triumph over the Redskins in an exhibition last Sunday was about the most interesting game he's seen.
LAMBEAU RATES AS DEAN OF PRO COACHES
SEPT 9 (Pittsburgh) - It isn't very often that a fellow spends a quarter of a century at the same old stand, particularly if he happens to be a member of the gallivanting football coaching fraternity, but that's where Earl L. (Curly) Lambeau, coach, founder, vice-president and heart of the Green Bay Packers, proves the exception. Only coach still active in the game today who even comes close to rivaling Lambeau's mark is W.A. (Bill) Alexander, dean of Georgia Tech's Ramblin' Wreck powerhouse college elevens for the past 24 years. As a matter of fact, of all the nationally-known grid mentors in the history of the sport, only Chicago's "Grand Old Man", Amos Alonzo Stagg, who had a record unbroken run of 41 years (from 1892 to 1933) as coach and athletic director at the Midway school, can surpass Lambeau's Green Bay service record. Fielding H. (Hurry-Up) Yost coached Michigan teams for 25 years (from 1901-26), but his coaching tenure was broken when George Little over for a single term in 1924. And Dr. Henry L. Williams, Minnesota headmaster from 1900-21, was another who approached Lambeau's record in the college field...IN CLASS BY HIMSELF: But in the professional game, Lambeau stands in a class by himself. It was just after the close of World War I, in 1919, that Curly returned to his hometown of Green Bay, Wis., after playing football under the immortal Knute Rockne at Notre Dame. He went to work in a packing firm and promptly sold his company on sponsoring a football team, which in no time at all became a Green Bay "civic institution". Two years later, the Packers were a charter member of the NFL, and on their way to putting Green Bay on the national football map. Five times under Lambeau's leadership (1929-30-31-36-39), the Packers won professional honors, and on a sixth occasion, in 1938, they captured the Western Division crown only to lose out in the playoff. Now heading into his "Silver Anniversary" campaign, Lambeau, who is here with the Packers to help the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia "Steagles" open the local football season at Forbes Field Saturday night, hopes to celebrate in fitting style...PACKERS' OUTLOOK PROMISING: He's been in the coaching game too long to make any rash predictions. However, the good looking, smiling Midwesterner who, save for a tell-tale sprinkle of gray in his curly hair, has the enthusiasm and trim, vigorous figure of "one of the boys", confesses that the outlook is decidedly promising. Cecil Isbell, the deluxe passer from Purdue, has retired from the scene, but otherwise the Packers have been able to secure adequate replacements for a dozen or so performers who have entered the service. "You can't pick a fellow like Isbell off the trees," Lambeau conceded a bit unhappily, "but Tony Canadeo has been doing fine so far in Isbell's passing and signal calling berth. Our club looked good in beating the Washington Redskins, 23-21, in Baltimore last Sunday, and I only hope now that we can keep going from here on it. Of course, there's always the Chicago Bears in our division to worry about. They're just as tough as ever." Lambeau, incidentally, has plenty of respect for the combined Pittsburgh-Philadelphia team. "I haven't seen them yet," he stated, "but according to all I have been able to find out, they have a strong club which should be give the boys a lot of trouble in the Eastern division." Don Hutson, declared by many experts to be the greatest pass catcher in the history of the game, and the league's most valuable player for the past two seasons, was in none too good spirits yesterday as Coach Lambeau sent his squad through a spirited workout. The former Alabama all-American end is having "foot" trouble. "The arches in mah feet have been both'ring me," the curly-haired (everyone on the Packer squad seems to have curly locks) Southerner observed. "Ah thinks it's the ha'd ground in Pittsburgh." He further admitted that this will likely be his final season. "Ah wouldn't have played this year if it wasn't that ah have a business in Green Bay and the folks would be disappointed if ah din' help out the team when the war has made it hard to get players," he explained. "This is my ninth year of pro football and ah'm getting pretty weary of it."
LOU BROCK HAS HIS FIRST PACKER WORKOUT
SEPT 9 (Pittsburgh) - Handsome Lou Brock took his first workout with the Green Bay Packers here today after reporting ten pounds underweight Wednesday night. Brock, who looks more like a city slicker than a farm boy, lost poundage doing night and day work on his 900-acre farm at Stafford, Kan. He weighed in at 182 pounds, but expects to pack 190 or 195 for the Chicago Bear game in Green Bay Sept. 26. Brock beamed from head to foot when Coach Curly Lambeau told him that he will play at right halfback, the position he starred at with Purdue and the Packers in 1940 and 1941. A year ago he was switched to fullback to replace Clarke Hinkle and did a right good job. The good looking back will pair with Bob Kahler, Joe Laws and Andy Uram at right halfback, although Uram will see most of his action at left half with Brock at right half. Lambeau expects that his running attack will be more versatile...MAY PLAY SATURDAY: Lou, if he's as tough as Cousin Charley, may work against the Pitt-Phil eleven here on Saturday night. Center Charley reported three days before the Washington game and played most of the contest. Lambeau received more good news today when he picked up the morning papers and discovered that Pete Tinsely, former packers guard, had been given an honorable discharge from the Army. Curly knew Pete had trouble with his football knee, but didn't expect to get him for this season. With Tinsley and Goldenberg back at guards, Lambeau has a stronger line than he ever dreamed of having this year. Wednesday's drill was occupied chiefly with a defense against the Phil-Pitt T formation, which operates along the same lines as the famous Bear setup. Lambeau changed his entire defense for the simple reason that Co-Coaches Greasy Neale and Walt Kiesling scouted the
Ted Fritsch of the Packers being tackled by Redskin players Steve Silvinski, Sammy Baugh and Dick Farman
Saturday eve will be a brief appearance by Lou Brock, the gentleman farmer from Kansas. Lou reported Wednesday in excellent physical condition, and already is delivering long punts, catching passes and running with the ball from the right halfback position. Oddly enough this week's practice is serving a dual purpose. It's giving Lambeau a chance to instruct his boys, especially the newcomers, on the intricate T formation, which will be used by the Steagles and the Bears...BROCK MAY START: Lambeau is sticking pretty well to the lineup that started against Washington, although Charley Brock probably will start at center in place of Bob Flowers. Then there is the possibility that Glen Sorenson may open at guard in front of rugged Sherwood Fries at right guard, Don Hutson and Harry Jacunski at the ends, Baby Ray and Chet Adams the tackles, Larry Craig blocking quarter, Andy Uram right half, Tony Canadeo left half, and Ted Fritsch fullback. Word on the Pitt-Phil team finally leaked out of Philadelphia Thursday night. One of the Steagles' ends is Harold (Tex) HInte, who served a brief spell with the Packers last year, while another former Packer is tackle Leo Disend who played with Green Bay four years ago. The Steagle starting lineup has eight veterans, most unusual of whom is Bill Hewitte, fullback. Bill played end with the Bears six years and the Eagles three years. Other vets include Vic Sear, left tackle; Ed Michaels, left guard; Ray Graves, center; Enio Conti, right guard; Ted Doyle, right tackle; Larry Cabrelli, right end; Leroy Zimmerman, quarterback, who was recently purchased from Washington. A deal for Ben Kish, former Pitt halfback, was announced by the team Thursday night. Kish was obtained from Brooklyn for John Petchell, quarterback.
FIVE HALFBACKS ON GREEN BAY TEAM THIS YEAR ARE VETERANS
SEPT 10 (Green Bay) - Many complimentary things can be said about the Green Bay Packer halfback force. Most important is that five of the six runners are veterans, and the sixth - Irv Comp - is conducting himself much like a seasoned performer. The veterans are Andy Uram, Minnesota; Tony Canadeo, Gonzaga; Bob Kahler, Nebraska; Joe Laws, Iowa, and Lou Brock, Purdue. Comp hails from little St. Benedict's college. Coach Curly Lambeau has them divided evenly - Uram, Canadeo and Comp at left half, and Kahler, Laws and Brock at right. Laws is the "old man" of the bunch, since he is starting his tenth season. Joe has added about eight pounds to his 188 of other years and the Sturgeon bay welder seems to have also gained more speed. Laws is one of the two signal callers, the other being Canadeo...CANADEO FOR PASSING: Grey Ghost Tony is ticketed to do most of the passing, although he may get help from Comp and Uram. Canadeo is five pounds underweight, packing 190 instead of his usual 195. Tony has the toughest job on the club, trying to fill the aerial shoes of Cecil Isbell. Comp has great possibilities as a passer and may see much action. The lad, who weighs 192 pounds and stands 6-2, has speed to burn. Uram, starting his seventh season here, has a chance to star in a new role - passing. A year ago, he had considerable success as a pass receiver and runner. Andy, who passed to All-American end Ray King at Minnesota, weighs 190 pounds and stands 5-11...BROCK AT RIGHT: Brock was back at his home station when he joined the team in Pittsburgh this week. He came to Green Bay from Purdue in 1939 as a right halfback, but was shifted to fullback last season to help offset the loss of Clarke Hinkle. This year Lambeau plans to use him exclusively at right half where the speedster can display his shifty running. Brock goes 198 pounds and is an even six feet tall. Kahler, a former track and grid star at Nebraska, is starting his third year here although he finished out the 1941 card at Long Island. A good pass receiver, Kahler also possesses great speed. He stands 6-3 and weighs 200 pounds, reporting five pounds heavier than a year ago.
SCOUTS WARN THAT BEARS ARE STRONG; PLAY HERE SEPT. 26
SEPT 10 (Pittsburgh) - Get your seats for the Bear-Packer classic in Green Bay Sept. 26 now. The game is going to be a dilly. Packer scouts reporting to Coach Curly Lambeau here claim that the Bears are as strong as ever despite the loss of tackles Joe Stydahar and Lee Artoe. Lambeau had operatives at the Bear-Giant tussle in Buffalo, a tilt in which the Bears won, 42 to 28. Mix the reported Bear strength with the Packers' victory over Washington last Sunday and you have the sweetest grid cocktail ever produced. The teams will "pour" two weeks from Sunday in City stadium...GUARDS TO TACKLES: Anyway, 'tis said that the Bears' tackle problem has been solved by moving two guards to tackle. The new Artoes are Al Hoptowit, No. 2 to Mr. Daany Fortmann at guard last year, and George Musso, who is in the Buckets Goldenberg class - tough and rugged. Other big shots back are Bulldog Turner at center, ends Hampton Pool and John Siegal, backs Bill Osmanski, Sid Luckman, Harry Clark, Ray McLean and Gary Famiglietti. Incidentally, Bronko Nagurski is booked for tackle play but he didn't see action last Sunday. Osmanski, by the way, is taking up where he left off on the eighth play of the Bear-Packer game in Green Bay last year when he suffered a knee injury that kept him benched until the championship game at Washington at the end of the season. Bill, a full-fledged dentist, isn't hampered with the injury this season. Optimistic as he is, Lambeau is trying his best not to go out on that proverbial limb about his Packers. He was ready to do a bit of limb climbing after watching his team whip Washington Sunday, but the big pilot has decided to wait until after the Bear game. Right now, things look rosy for a great year, but don't tell anybody we said so...IN BACKFIELD NOW: Remember Bill (Offside) Hewitt, the former Chicago Bear end who used to raise particular hob with the Green Bay Packers five or so years ago? Hewitt used to get a running start and cross the line of scrimmage just as the opponents' ball was snapped. He'll start his running from the backfield now - as a fullback with the combined Pitt-Phil eleven. What's more, Hewitt will do most of the placekicking and punting. He's said to be 35 years of age...STEAGLES NOW?: The Pittsburgh papers call the combined Pitt-Phil team the Steagles, the "St" coming from the Pittsburgh Steelers and the "eagles" from the Philadelphia Eagles. Officially, though, no name has been given the duo team. In Philadelphia, the club is known as the Eagles. So take your choice...SCOUT IS MISSING: Jack LaVelle, professional scout who has the Green Bay Packers on his list of clients, was believed to be on the ill-fated Pennsylvania Congressional Limited which was wrecked north of Philadelphia Monday night, although a complete list of passengers has not been announced yet. LaVelle sat in the Baltimore press box Sunday and went to Washington with Coach Curly Lambeau Sunday night. Lambeau left Washington late Monday night and LaVelle was to leave Washington for New York at 4 o'clock Monday afternoon on the Congressional...WAR VETERAN PLAYS: Playing against the Packers Sunday will be Max Partin, former Tennessee halfback, who was with the first wave of American soldiers that invaded North Africa. He received a leg injury and was treated in a Southern hospital before being given an honorable discharge...O.K. WITH CURLY: Ted Fritsch, in the excitement of his first touchdowns against Washington at Baltimore Sunday, touched the ball to the ground after each one, a practice frowned upon by the league veterans. But it really doesn't matter to Coach Curly Lambeau - once the touchdowns are scored. "He can do anything with the ball after he scores." Curly said.
ANOTHER PRO SEASON
SEPT 10 (Pittsburgh) - The opening of the professional football season here tomorrow night, with a game between the Green Bay Packers and the merged club of the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia clubs, marks the eleventh season for Pittsburgh in the modern professional football setup. Back in the handset days, around the turn of the century, the town had some of the best pro ball in the country, but nothing compared to the vast ramifications the game flourishes now. The modern pro game here was the outgrowth of Art Rooney's dabbling, both as a player and as a backer, of semi-pro clubs. He had a team then, called the James P. Rooneys, and, made up of local sandlot and college stars and as many ringers as Art could dig up to beat the local rivals, the club did fairly well. Then, in 1933, the late Joe Carr, a baseball man with a flair for promotion, was bolstering his dream of big league professional football, induced Rooney to back a Pittsburgh entry in the league. The initial bite was a basement bargain proposition for Rooney got the franchise for a mere $2,500. Recently the new Boston franchise retailed at $50,000, and, on another occasions, a well upholstered gentleman, anxious to break into the field, put out some $200,000 for the franchise and the players that went with the purchase...HE LIKES IT ANYWAY: Were he a wealthy man, Rooney would ask for nothing more than to support a professional team, for he maintains that the fun coming out of the fighting and bickering among his rivals excels in excitement anything any other sports sphere, at least, could produce. Never having won a championship, and its attendant gold, Rooney has always pictured himself as a waif among such fabulous money makers as Marshall, of Wasington, and Mara of New York, Halas of Chicago, and Lambeau, of the Packers, among others. The local owner somehow jocularly represents himself as a tattered child, with nose pressed against a window pane, looking at the goodies, over which his colleagues haggle about so much. He thinks he and Bert Bell, a partner now, and who owned the Philadelphia franchise in his own right, have been stooges for his pleasant companions among the more wealthy clubs. Rooney likes to run over this phase in the presence of his brother magnates and he made no exception to his general rule as he sat around with Curly Lambeau the other night, and laughed at the elegant position Lambeau occupies among the elect of the league. "There he is," said Art. "Coming to town with such guys like Hutson and Ray and all the rest of them. They're all set to pin our ears back so far we won't be able to find them. Yes, I know, I guess, on account of the crowd, I ought to be saying that we will win, but what's the ruse of the old phoney buildup. The Packers. And Lambeau, there. Why, if we'd beat them, Curly would want the whole league reorganized. That's why it would be nice to push these big fellows around - but we never do and I'm not sure that we ever will."...LAMBEAU'S VIEW: "We have a good team," Lambeau conceded, "but we're not as deep in reserves as we ought to be and we can't expect to be with the war. But it's a pretty good team, although no football man would look for an easy game at any stage in this league. They're too many good players, everywhere. We're lucky that we've come along this good, beating the Washington club, but we're not as good as Art there is making us out to be. We could be beaten here?" "Yeah," asked Rooney, somewhat wearily, denoting he was past the stage of illusionment on that score. Yet, Rooney is proud of one thing. He has managed in the stress of war times to keep his hometown identified in the professional game. It was at his insistence, when his club merged with Philadelphia, that some of the games be played here - at a financial sacrifice. Thus, the Green Bay game would have meant more, in a financial way, had it been played in Philadelphia, but to repay the nucleus of pro fans here who have been faithful over the years, Rooney held out for three games here, two to come after the Green Bay event. Beyond that, the local owner has never lost the same zest for putting on a game that marked his promotion of the old semi-pros, the James P. Rooneys...SEES AN EXPANDED LEAGUE: Lambeau sees the post-war pro game expanding - not into a rival league, as some promoters have envisioned, but a bigger and a more far-flung setup in the present two divisions of the pro league. He would not be surprised if in the future each club would play against each other, in an expanded schedule, and that territorially, the league might stretch to the Pacific coast. Seriously, Rooney would enjoy going broke in the process of outwitting such cagey rivals whose competence he admires so much. He thinks it would be worth a fortune to hear the groaning that would come out of the fact the groaning that would come out of the fact that Pittsburgh managed to beat them out. "That won't make much difference," laughed Rooney, "except that you and Halas and Marshall will gather in more shekels. But if I keep my team - that will be worthwhile, anyway." With the coming of peace, Rooney will have his own Pittsburgh entry again, of course, and as he showed when he startled his rivals by paying $15,000 to Whizzer White for one season's play, he may realize his dream of having a winner in the realm that so fascinates him. "Sure," Rooney concluded, "we have a pretty good team. But the trouble is we have to meet the Packers. Too bad what the war did to those poor fellows. Just watch how riddled they are when they trot out those babies Saturday night. The crowd? I hope it's big, but if it isn't - well that's not the town's fault. If we could give them a winner, Pittsburgh fans would turn out in such a way to make those other towns look like minor leaguers. But you've got to win." For a man who has had a great disregard for the dollar, Rooney, once on the winning path would stand to keep his rivals fairly busy in ever caching up.
STEAGLES' PROBLEM IS BACKFIELD
SEPT 10 (Pittsburgh) - If the new backs come through - That's all Coaches Greasy Neale and Walter Kiesling are hoping for their Steagles, the combination of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, who open their campaign with an exhibition game against the Green Bay Packers at Forbes Field tomorrow night. The reserve strength in the backfield is something the Steagles need almost as much as Hitler needs a friend, and if they get it all will be well, if not - well, who can tell? Here in advance of the squad, Al Ennis, the club's publicity director, gave out the lowdown on the squad last night. He said the line that will face the Packers has experience, power and plenty of football savvy. Ted Doyle, Eberle Schultz, Tony Bova and Harold (Tex) Hinte, of last year's Steelers, and Vic Sears, Enio Conti, Ray Graves and Larry Cabrelli, of the 1942 Eagles, all know their way around a football field. A line composed of these stalwarts does not suffer by comparison with any in the league...UNKNOWN QUANTITY: But the backfield is something of an unknown quantity. Only Roy Zimmerman, Ernie Steele, Bill Hewitt, Joe Hoague and Reds Pollock have had any experience in big league play. Zimmerman, recently obtained from the Washington Redskins, is a passer known ability, while Ernie Steele, sensational rookie halfback of the Eagles last year, may duplicate his startling performances of 1942. Pittsburgh fans are familiar with the ability of Joe Hoague, through his work with the Steelers. Hewitt, with eight years of experience in the league, in four of which he was named all-league end, will be starting in a new role as fullback, a position he has not played since his high school days. Pollock, another veteran, has been lugging the leather well in practice, but he has been away from the game five years and may not hit his stride in his first start...THURBON ON SQUAD: Among the rookie backs who will receive their baptism by fire in league play against the Packers will be Johnny Butler, breakaway star from the University of Tennessee; Bob Thurbon, shifty former Pitt halfback; Al Sherman, lefthanded passer from Brooklyn College; Ted Laux, of St. Joseph's College, Philadelphia; Charley Gauer, of Colgate and Tennessee halfback Max Partinm, wounded war veteran, recently signed. All of these boys have come up to the big time with great collegiate records for gridiron performances. Sherman, 165-pound quarterback, proved his spirit when, in his sophomore year, his team scrimmaged against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Unawed by the reputation of his opponents, Sherman reared back and heaved them far and wide. Eleven times he fired the pigskin and eight times he connected with a receiver and three time the receiver sped for a touchdown. Gauer, a young giant from Colgate, is a line plunger of the bruising type. Partin, known in college as a slippery back, has shown up in practice as one of the fastest man on the squad. These are the youngsters upon whom Kiesling and Neale are pinning their hopes. Every one of them is potentially a great football player - and has college records to prove it.
KISH MAY BOLSTER STEAGLES' DEFENSE
SEPT 10 (Pittsburgh) - An 11th hour move by the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia professional football club in purchasing Ben Kish, former Pitt quarterback, from the Brooklyn Dodgers, today bolstered the Steagles' defense against Don Hutson, one-man aerial blitz, for the opening preseason game with Green Bay. Recognized as a fine defensive back, Kish's presence in the Steagle lineup may go a long way in curtailing the efficiency of the Canadeo-to-Hutson passing act tomorrow night when the Pennsylvania eleven collides with the Packers at Forbes Field...TO PRACTICE TODAY: The deal that made Kish a Steagle was a straight cash transactions, for an undisclosed amount. The ex-Panther had been working out with Brooklyn since receiving an honorable medical discharge from the Army. He was slated to report to the Steagles' Philadelphia training camp to take part in the final morning and evening workouts today. His addition boosts the squad, which will make the trip to this city tonight, to 34. Kish, North Tonawanda, N.Y., product, played quarterback on the 1937-38-39 Panther elevens. He was a good punter and placekicker in addition to his linebackingup and quarterbacking chores. His placekicks for extra points provided the margin of victory in Pitt's 14-13 upset of the Duke Blue Devils in 1939 - lone setback for the Durham boys that year. The part-Indian, known to his Panther mates as "Big Chief", joined the Dodgers in 1941 on graduation from Pitt. He played only one year and then moved into the Army, until his recent discharge. According to advance reports, the Steagles will rise or fall on the ability of a green backfield to develop a good touchdown wallop in a hurry. While the two members of the tentative first-string quartet are pro veterans, Leroy Zimmerman, recently secured from the Washington Redskins, is the only established backfield star. Zimmerman plays in the key quarterback role...STEAGLES BANK ON ROOKIES: The other veteran fullback, Bill Hewitt, former all-league end, is trying a comeback and at the same time doing it the hard way in switching to the backfield. He played occasional 'spot" backfield roles for Michigan and the Chicago Bears in his earlier days, but this will be his first full-time backfield fling. Johnny Butler, former Tennessee ace, at left half, and Jack Hinkle, Syracuse grad at right half, are beginning their first full seasons in the National League. Two years ago, Hinkle played with Tom Harmon and John Kimbrough for the New York Yankees, but the American League collapsed and Hinkle was signed by Philadelphia, although playing only in the final game of the season. Last year he served in the Army Air Corps, but was honorably discharged because of stomach disorders...THURBON MAY START: Two other backs, who may help develop the Steagles' scoring punch, are Bob Thurbon, ex-Pitt Panther, and Al Sherman, slick passer from Brooklyn College. However, like Butler and Hinkle, they have yet to prove that they are of National League stature. Joe Hoague, Steeler-Colgate fullback, might have helped considerably, but the Packer engagement will be his first and last game of the season, as he has been ordered to report for naval training on the 25th. The Steagle line shapes up strong enough to give the crack Packer forward wall a good battle.
FIVE TEAMS IN PRO LEAGUE GIVEN CHANCE FOR HONORS
SEPT 10 (Pittsburgh) - Earl L. (Curly) Lambeau, dean of professional football's coaching fraternity, sees a scramble in the NFL this fall with at least five teams having a chance for first place. The Detroit Lions, he predicts, will fight it out with Green Bay and the Chicago Bears in the western division while the combined Philadelphia-Pittsburgh club or Washington should win the eastern flag. Lambeau, in town with the Packers for an exhibition game with the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh entry tomorrow night, feels that Detroit, a doormat for other league teams last year, may be one of the real surprises of the season. "The Lions," he said, "have strong personnel which includes seven veterans from last year who have been discharged from the Marines, and probably will have Frankie Sinkwich. The Lions haven't lost much and with two fine new coaches in Gus Dorais and Joe Bach they'll be tough." Lambeau, who has made the Packers a civic institution at Green Bay in 25 years and has had five championship teams, comments that "the Chicago Bears, of course, are strong again despite the loss of some manpower." What about his Packers? "I think we've got a good chance," he replied. "With Cecil Isbell, I'd say we were stronger than last year and not feel it.No credit from Tony Canadeo, understand. He did a good job Sunday (when the Packers beat the Redskins 23-21) and had a better percentage of completions and more yardage than Sammy Baugh. The champion Redskins and the Packers are about on a par, Curly believes - but hastens to add that the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh team with "17 veterans as a nucleus will be a definite threat."
DON HUTSON IS LAST WORD IN ENDS; STARTING NINTH SEASON
SEPT 11 (Green Bay) - There is only one gent to discuss when chattering about the Green Bay Packer ends. He is Don Hutson, the greatest offensive end and scorer in the history of professional football. With free substitution this season, Packer fans will see considerably less of Hutson on defense. However, on offense the ace will be carrying the torch as a receiver and decoy. Huston has an all-veteran supporting cast - Dick Evans of Iowa, Harry Jacunski of Fordham and Joel Mason of Western State. There is a possibility that Coach Curly Lambeau may keep two rookies, although the reduced player limit may force him to release them. They include Bob Kircher of Georgetown university and John Wilson, Milwaukee high school star. Hutson is starting his ninth season. Whether he can reach the peak he attained in 1942 is a question that will not be answered until after the Chicago Bears game here Sept. 26. Hutson, for the first time in five years, will be without the excellent throwing of Cecil Isbell. This season Tony Canadeo, Andy Uram and Irv Comp will do the passing. Hutson weighs 178 pounds and stands six feet, one inch tall. Working directly under Hutson is Mason, who passes a pretty fair pair of receiving mitts and a lot of ability on defense. He likes to mix it and will see much more duty than last year. Mason weighs an even 200 pounds and is six feet tall...JACUNSKI IS FAVORED: On the right side of the line, Jacunski seems to have the inside track. A good pass receiver, Jacunski, like Mason, specializes in defensive crashing and offensive blocking. Evans, who last year played with the Chicago Cardinals after a two-year career here, is pushing Jacunski for the starting role. He's developing as a fair pass receiver and a good defensive end. Whether Larry Craig will see much play at end is problematical. Larry, in past years, played defensive end in place of Hutson who moved into the backfield. With free substitution keeping Hutson on the bench when the opponent has the ball, Craig may remain in the backfield.
PACKERS ARE FAVORED TO VANQUISH PITT-PHIL
SEPT 10 (Pittsburgh) - The Green Bay Packers expect to post 21 runs, 48 hits and no errors on the scoreboard during Saturday night's exhibition struggle with the Phil-Pitt Steagles at Forbes Field, home of the baseball Pirates. The Steagles' score should run something like this: Nine runs, 25 hits and eight errors. This is another way of explaining that the Packers are 8-to-5 favorites according the guys who take the bets, and that the Packers expect to make no errors during the two-hour football period. Joe Carr, Steagle publicity expert, is kept busy each day by pro wagerists asking who's going to win. Coach Curly Lambeau, of course, is flustered no end in regard to the role of favorite. "This Phil-Pitt team is strong. It's composed of 22 veterans of two clubs." Now that doesn't sound like optimistic Curly but you Green Bay people take note here and now that Mr. Lambeau is plenty worried...PAPER ON PACKERS: The local papers are blowing the Packers up to the high heavens - a turn of affairs that never did any team any good. The Packer coach showed movies of the Redskin game to his gridders Thursday night, and there were at least 15 assorted errors. The scoring plays were executed perfectly - especially the 60-yard scoring pass from Tony Canadeo to Andy Uram. Incidentally, the 48 hits the Packers expect to get Saturday night represent the number of perfect blocks. The blocking, according to the pictures, was brilliant at times but just the opposite at other moments. Thursday's practice was used to stress offense, including an entirely new set of passing plays. The players worked out a number of intricate plays, one of which was labeled a "hand-to-hand fighter." It seems there are some hand to hand maneuvers in the opponents' backfield while the Bays have the pigskin. Lambeau also is expected to keep his mystery passer under cover Saturday. He probably will be unveiled at the Bear game which opens the National league season. The big surprise
PACKER PLAYERS HAVE SORE FEET FOR TILT WITH PITT-PHIL TONIGHT
SEPT 11 (Pittsburgh) - A sore-footed squad of Green Bay Packers will attempt to make a clean sweep of their two-game eastern exhibition series when they take on the Pitt-Phil Steagles at Forbes Field at 8:30 Eastern War Time tonight. The boys, who beat the world champion Washington Redskins last Sunday in Baltimore, 23-21, will strive for their ninth straight win over the Pittsburgh entry since 1933. In the brief series, the Packers scored 272 points compared to Pittsburgh's 55. Entering the game as an 8-5 favorite, Green Bay will operate under several handicaps. Most of the boys have sore feet from working out on the grassless Mounument Hill training site. Don Hutson, who has considerable trouble with his feet anyway, may see little action. Another handicap is that Coach Curly Lambeau has been unable to obtain use of a field for night practice. The Steagles worked out under the lights at Philadelphia Friday night and moved into the Smoky City this morning...WANTS TO FORGET: Lambeau is trying to forget the last time his gridders played under the lights - one October night in Chicago against the Cardinals. The Packers finally won after Charley Brock stole the ball and ran for the winning touchdown. Also under the lights last year, the Washington Redskins trimmed the Bays in Baltimore. The Bays polished their offense and defense, both of which featured passing, in Friday morning's practice. Chalk talk was scheduled for 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon. Irv Comp, who did a great job on pass defense in the Washington game, broke up every pass tossed his way in practice Friday morning...LOU AT FULLBACK: As added insurance, Lambeau worked Lou Brock, ordinarily right halfback, at fullback. Brock, who played full last year to offset the loss of Clarke Hinkle, may be used if Ted Fritsch's sore feet bothered him, although Tony Falkenstein is in good shape. The third fullback, Don Perkins, will not be in uniform and will act as a spotter for a local radio sportscaster. Perkins injured his leg in the Washington game. Lambeau announced that the new men will see most of the action against the Steagles because the game will be the last chance to test them before the Chicago Bear struggle in Green Bay Sept. 26. The spotlight, in particular, will be on the new guards - Glen Sorenson, Sherwood Fries, Pete Gudauskas and Wallie Gudie. It's a cinch that Lambeau cannot keep all of them once the team gets back to Green Bay because veterans Buckets Goldenberg and Pete Tinsley will have the inside track with their experience...HUTSON TO START: Lambeau announced that he will start Harry Jacunski and Don Hutson at ends, Baby Ray and Chet Adams at tackles, Fries and Bill Kuusisto at guards, Charley Brock at center, Larry Craig at blocking quarter, Andy Uram at right half, Tony Canadeo at left half and Fritsch at full. The Steagles probably will open with Gorham Getchell and Larry Cabrelli at ends, Ted Doyle and Vic Sears at tackles, Ed Michaels and Enio Conti at guards, Ray Graves at center, Leroy Zimmerman at quarterback, Jack Butler at left half, Jack Hinkle at right half, and Bill Hewitt at fullback. Better blocking and perfection on assignments will be the Packers' chief objectives as well as a victory tonight. Besides this, the Packers and Lambeau will have one eye on the big Chicago Bear contest. They'll see something of the Bear style when the Steagles send their men out in motion off the T-formation...SOME LEAVE TONIGHT: Most of the Packers will leave for Green Bay two hours after the game tonight, while the others will return on Sunday night as previously scheduled. Lambeau will go to Akron Sunday to scout the Detroit-New York game. Although a Pittsburgh station will broadcast the game tonight's contest will not be wired to Milwaukee or Green Bay for rebroadcast from those outlets.
TRAINING FIELD IN PITTSBURGH GIVES PACKERS UNIQUE VIEW
SEPT 11 (Pittsburgh) - The Packers are working out in the most unusual training field in the world. The gridiron is located on Monument hill, which is approximately 1,000 feet above the lowest spot in the business section below. The boys can look over their shoulders any time and glance at the entire city, including 450 of the 675 bridges that dot this place. A good misplaced punt would land in the heart of Pittsburgh's business district. The field itself is surrounded by a ten-foot chicken wire fence, and is used chiefly for soccer games and as a training site for the Duquesne university's grid team. It's a good half mile walk up a winding road to the dressing room, and generally the boys need no calisthenics once they reach the top. Coach Curly Lambeau is going easy on pre-practice exercises. He has eliminated the usual breathing exercises because of the dusty air, a decision which may sound funny to you people at home. The long walk up the hill from the Allegheny YMCA, where the boys eat and sleep, is also forcing Lambeau to cut down running...The Packers have dubbed themselves the Green Bay Minstrels, since most of them are pretty well blackened up from the smoke around here. They thought up the name after the train trip through the soft coal districts from Baltimore...Big Baby Ray is having a tough time at the YMCA. The six-foot-six, 280-pound tackle just doesn't fit in his cot-bed which is about five feet, 11 inches long. "The first night wasn't bad because I could sleep with my legs hanging over the end of the bed without bothering with covers. The second night was terrible because it was cold and I had to have the covers over me. My feet still hung over the edge."...In a way, the YMCA was home for Don Hutson. He could listen to the familiar noise of bowling balls and pins slamming together in a nearby bowling alley. His passing mate, Tony Canadeo, cracked, "Yea, Don almost got up in his sleep to check the cash register when he heard 'em bowling."...The 45,000 who watched Washington and Green Bay play in Baltimore was the largest crowd Glen Sorenson ever played before. "We never played before more than 15,000 at Utah State," he said. Incidentally, 10,000 of that crowd included servicemen who were admitted free. Coach Lambeau is mighty pleased with Sorenson, all of which makes this gent quite pleased. One day last summer he wrote this department for a chance to try out with the Packers. His letter was immediately turned over to Lambeau and the Utah guard was signed a week later. Sorenson, by the way, has two fingers missing from his right hand, but the handicap doesn't bother him in the least. At Baltimore he kicked off on par with veteran Chet Adams.
RULING PROLONGS PRO LOOP SEASON A WEEK TO DECEMBER 19
SEPT 11 (Chicago) - The NFL's season was prolonged one week today, setting the championship playoff game back to December 19 as the result of a decision by Elmer Layden, commissioner of the league in ordering the game between the New York Giants and Washington Redskins scheduled for October 3 set back to December 12. The change was necessitated by the Redskins' inability to get Griffith stadium on October 3 and the refusal of the Navy to permit the Redskins and Giants to play in the Municipal stadium in Baltimore, where the Middies meet Cornell on October 3...Four pro league elevens will be in action over the weekend in exhibition games. Tonight at Pittsburgh the Green Bay Packers will meet the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia team in Forbes field. Sunday afternoon at Baltimore the
for two seasons, will be at left halfback...HUTSON IS AN ATTRACTION: While many stars will be wearing the famous Packer regalia, the outstanding attraction will naturally be Don Hutson, the greatest pass receiver the pro league has known. Hutson will be working without Cecil Isbell, but Tony Canadeo, who has taken over the job vacated by the former Purdue star, is playing a bang up game. Hutson has been assigned his usual terminal position in the starting lineup and Canadeo will be at left halfback. Larry Craig, who is an end-back, will be at the quarter, Andy Uram at right half and Ted Fritsch, a 205-pound ball toter from Stevens Point College, who scored two touchdowns against the Redskins, will be at fullback.
STEELERS MEET PACKERS IN GRID EXHIBIT
SEPT 11 (Pittsburgh) - The Pittsburgh-Philadelphia "Steagles", low men on the totem pole in the NFL, open their 1943 campaign tonight in an exhibition tilt with the Green Bay Packers, powerhouse Midwestern entry, at Forbes Field. The kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. Although the Steagles are relegated to a definite darkhorse role in the National loop race this season and shape up as an underdog to the fabulous Packers, the combination of the two Pennsylvania teams is rated a chance of providing the bid surprise in the play-for-pay circuit. While a Pittsburgh or Philadelphia team has yet to decision the Packers (and the Pittsburgh club has lost eight straight engagements with the Wisconsin team), the new combine figures to give the Green Bay gridders a stiff battle...CANADEO REPLACES ISBELL: Even with the loss of Cecil Isbell, the National loop's top ranking passer last year, Coach Curly Lambeau's Wisconsin squad stacks up with the toughest in the pro circuit. Tony Canadeo, Gonzaga back, appears to be developing into an adequate replacement for Isbell, and Don Hutson, the Alabama pass catching whiz, still is on the receiving end of any aerials thrown Green Bay's way. Which, in itself, is sufficient to make any passer look good. Another tosser of more than average ability is Irv Comp, St. Benedict College recruit. And if forward passing isn't sufficient to carry the Packers through, there are Andy Uram, Minnesota halfback, and Ted Fritsch, Stevens Point fullback, to spark the Packers' ground game. There is the suspicion that the Packers boast one of the finest collection of gridders in the pro ranks, sufficient, in fact, to give even the Chicago Bears a run down to the finish. Only up in the forward wall do the Steagles boast anything approaching comparable strength to the Packers. The Steagles' line is expected to give a good account of itself. Only one member of last year's crack Steeler eleven - tackle Ted Doyle of Nebraska - appears in the starting lineup. And only three Steeler veterans - tackle Eberle Schultz, end Tony Bova and fullback Joe Hoague - remain on the squad. The bulk of the Steagle squad is composed of Eagles and new recruits. Chief interest in the latter department is centered on Bob Thurbon, ex-Pitt halfback; Johnny Butler, Tennessee halfback; and Al Wuikits, center on Duquesne University's powerful teams for the past three seasons...VETERANS IN COMEBACKS: Several Steagle performers are attempting comebacks. They include Bill Hewitt, former Chicago Bear all-league end, making a comeback whirl at a new position of fullback; Red Pollack, ex-Bear halfback; and Leo Disend, tackle. Another team member, Max Partin, former Tennessee halfback, is a veteran of the Tunisia campaign, recently given an honorable medical discharge from the Army. It'll be a battle of Greasy Neale's T-formation against the streamlined Notre Dame system as advanced by Coach Lambeau. Neale returns to familiar surroundings in teaming with Walt Kiesling as co-coach of the Steagles.
STEAGLES BATTLE PACKER FOE
SEPT 11 (Pittsburgh) - The lid will be lifted off the local professional football season tonight when the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia Steagles clash with the Green Bay Packers under the lights at Forbes Field. Kickoff is at 8:30. While the Westerners will be engaging in their second exhibition game of the season, having turned in a 23-21 victory over the Washington Redskins, National League champions in Baltimore last Sunday, the Steagles will be on display for the first time. Co-coaches Greasy Neale and Walter Kiesling piloted a squad of 34 players here from Philadelphia, of whom only nine are holdovers from last year's Steelers and Eagles squad...FEW HOLDOVERS: Ted Doyle, Tony Bova, Tex Hinte, Eberle Schultz and Joe Hoague were members of the Steeler team which cam within a half game of winning the Eastern division championship, and Larry Cabrelli, Vic Sears, Enio Conti and Ray Graves saw service with the Eagles. Kiesling and Neale feel they have a line that will compare with the best in the league, but are not sure about the backfield, since only two of the four players to start against the Packers have pro football experience. Jack Hinkle, right halfback, played in the New York Yankees' backfield with Tommy Harmon and Johnny Kimbrough and Bill Hewitt, who will be a fullback, won All-League honors as an end with the Bears and Eagles. Roy Zimmerman, who was rated an excellent passer while at San Jose College, get the call at quarterback, an important spot in the intricate T formation setup, and Johnny Butler, who played a major role in the success of Tennessee's Volunteers
Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins clash. After tonight's game the Packers return to Green Bay to start two weeks of intensive practice for the official opening of the league season Sunday September 26 against the Bears in the city stadium at Green Bay.
