The 1949 Green Bay Packers - 2-10 (5TH - Western Division)
Head Coach: Curly Lambeau
1949 PRE-SEASON RESULTS (2-3)
AUGUST (1-2)
20 G-PHILADELPHIA EAGLES L 0-35 0- 1-0 18,785
24 New York Giants at Syracuse, NY W 14- 7 1- 1-0 20,000
28 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 3- 9 1- 2-0 13,578
SEPTEMBER (1-1)
11 New York Bulldogs at Rock Island, IL W 7- 3 2- 2-0 N/A
18 M-WASHINGTON REDSKINS L 24-35 2- 3-0 12,873
1949 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS
SEPTEMBER (0-1)
25 G-CHICAGO BEARS (0-0-0) L 0-17 0- 1-0 25,571
OCTOBER (2-3)
2 G-LOS ANGELES RAMS (1-0-0) L 7-48 0- 2-0 24,308
7 at New York Bulldogs (0-2-0) W 19- 0 1- 2-0 5,099
16 M-CHICAGO CARDINALS (1-2-0) L 17-39 1- 3-0 18,464
23 at Los Angeles Rams (4-0-0) L 7-35 1- 4-0 37,546
30 M-DETROIT LIONS (1-4-0) W 16-14 2- 4-0 10,855
NOVEMBER (0-4)
6 at Chicago Bears (3-3-0) L 3-24 2- 5-0 47,218
13 G-NEW YORK GIANTS (4-3-0) L 10-30 2- 6-0 20,151
20 M-PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-3-1) L 7-30 2- 7-0 5,483
27 at Chicago Cardinals (4-4-1) L 21-41 2- 8-0 16,787
DECEMBER (0-2)
4 at Washington Redskins (3-6-1) L 0-30 2- 9-0 23,200
11 at Detroit Lions (3-8-0) L 7-21 2-10-0 12,576
G - Green Bay M - Milwaukee
1949 IN REVIEW
With the wolves howling for Curly Lambeau's head, the Packers ran the gauntlet of their worst season in history. Outside of Tony Canadeo, Green Bay fielded a pitiful team which won only two games. In addition, the Packers organization teetered on the brink of bankruptcy, relying on a new sale of stock to replenish the team's treasury. The governing board wanted a larger voice in running the club, while Lambeau still insisted on concentrating power in his own hands. When the coach and governing board reached an impasse over the issue, Lambeau read the handwriting on the wall and resigned on February 1, 1950. Some of the executives heaved a sigh of relief, but former player Buckets Goldenberg summed up the popular opinion - "I don't see how the Packers can last without him. He was the Packers."
THE LAST TEAM BEFORE SEGREGATION
The 1949 Green Bay Packers would be the last squad to field an all-white roster. In the 1950 census, only 17 of the 52,375 residents who called Green Bay home were African-American. According to league records, 13 black players dotted rosters between 1920 and 1933, three of them with the Milwaukee Badgers in 1922 - Fritz Pollard, Duke Slater and Paul Robeson. Curly Lambeau would never sign a black players during his time in Green Bay, or during his short stints with the Cardinals and Redskins. The unwritten rule against signing African-Americans came to an end with the conclusion of World War II, as the NFL Rams and AAFC Browns broke the "barrier" in each league. Bob Mann, in 1950, became the first black player in Packer history. After finishing second in the NFL in 1949 with 66 catches, and first with 1,014 receiving yards, Mann found himself in the doghouse with Detroit owner Edwin Anderson. With the end of the AAFC-NFL war, Anderson cut his payroll, including a cut for Mann from $7,500 to $6,000. Mann refused to sign his contract and was traded to the New York Yanks for QB Bobby Layne. The Yanks cut Mann, claiming he was too short, and he sat unsigned for a vast majority of the season. He finally signed with Green Bay in November 1950, and spent five seasons with the team, becoming a star in 1951 with 50 receptions and eight touchdowns. A serious knee injury in 1954 ended his career, but not his legacy in the history of the Green Bay Packers....FIRST BLACK PLAYER DRAFTED: Tom Johnson was drafted in the sixth round of the 1952 draft and spent one season in Green Bay. In 1954, Veryl Switzer became the first black player drafted in the first round by Green Bay....FIRST BLACK QUARTERBACK: Charley Brackins attempted two passes in the 1955 season, but did not complete either one, and was cut for missing curfew before a game.
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR A G HOW ACQUIRED
Ed Bell 82 G 6- 1 233 Indiana 3 3 28 12
Buddy Burris 33 G 5-11 215 Oklahoma 1 1 26 10 1947 Draft-5th
Tony Canadeo 3 HB 6- 0 190 Gonzaga 8 8 30 12 1941 Draft-9th
Bob Cifers 16 HB 5-11 210 Tennessee 1 4 29 9 1949 FA-Pitt (48)
Irv Comp 51 HB 6- 3 205 St. Benedict 7 7 30 7 1943 Draft-3rd
Ted Cook 48 E 6- 2 195 Alabama 2 3 27 11 1948 FA-Det (1947)
Larry Craig 54 E 6- 0 218 S. Carolina 11 11 33 11 1939 Draft-6th
Ralph Earhart 41 HB 5-10 165 Texas Tech 2 2 26 12 1948 Draft-32nd
Roger Eason 40 G 6- 2 230 Oklahoma 1 5 31 12 1949 FA-Rams (48)
Joe Ethridge 85 T 6- 0 230 SMU 1 1 21 12 1949 Draft-6th
Louis Ferry 18 T 6- 2 233 Villanova 1 1 21 12 1949 Draft-3rd
Bob Flowers 35 C 6- 1 210 Texas Tech 8 8 32 1
Bob Forte 8 HB 6- 0 195 Arkansas 4 4 27 12 1943 Draft-11th
Ted Fritsch 64 FB 5-10 210 Stevens Point 8 8 28 12
Jug Girard 36 HB 5-11 175 Wisconsin 2 2 22 12 1948 Draft-1st
Clyde Goodnight 23 E 6- 1 195 Tulsa 5 5 25 1 1945 Draft-3rd
Roger Harding 31 C 6- 2 215 California 1 5 26 6 1949 FA-NYG (49)
Stan Heath 39 QB 6- 1 190 Nevada-Reno 1 1 22 12 1949 Draft-1st
Jack Jacobs 27 QB 6- 2 190 Oklahoma 3 6 30 12 1947 Trade-Wash
Glenn Johnson 35 T 6- 4 265 Arizona State 1 1 27 8
Bill Kelley 26 E 6- 2 195 Texas Tech 1 1 23 12 1949 Draft-23rd
Jack Kirby 43 HB 5-11 185 USC 1 1 27 6
Kenneth Kranz 42 HB 5-11 187 Milwaukee 1 1 26 7 1949 Draft-21st
Paul Lipscomb 47 T 6- 5 245 Tennessee 5 5 26 12
Nolan Luhn 38 E 6- 3 200 Tulsa 5 5 28 12 1945 Draft-25th
Ed Neal 58 T 6- 4 290 Tulane 5 5 30 12
Urban Odson 63 T 6- 3 250 Minnesota 4 4 30 10 1942 Draft-1st
Larry Olsonoski 46 G 6- 2 215 Minnesota 2 2 24 4 1948 Draft-6th
Ralph Olsen 19 E 6- 4 220 Utah 1 1 25 4 1947 Draft-32nd
Dan Orlich 49 E 6- 5 215 Nevada-Reno 1 1 24 12 1949 Draft-8th
Steve Pritko 23 E 6- 2 215 Villanova 1 7 27 8 1949 FA-NYB (1949)
Jay Rhodemyre 22 C 6- 1 210 Kentucky 2 2 26 12 1948 Draft-7th
Walt Schlinkman 7 FB 5- 9 190 Texas Tech 4 4 27 12 1945 Draft-1st
Ed Smith 21 HB 6- 0 185 Texas-El Paso 2 2 26 2 1948 Draft-3rd
Bob Summerhays 77 FB 6- 1 207 Utah 1 1 22 12 1949 Draft-4th
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR A G HOW ACQUIRED
Damon Tassos 15 G 6- 1 225 Texas A&M 3 5 25 12 1947 FA-Det (1946)
Evan Vogds 79 G 5-10 215 Wisconsin 2 2 26 12
Don Wells 43 E 6- 2 200 Georgia 4 4 27 2 1945 Draft-6th
Dick Wildung 45 G 6- 0 220 Minnesota 4 4 28 12 1943 Draft-1st
NO - Jersey Number POS - Position HGT - Height WGT - Weight YR - Years with Packers PR - Years of Professional Football AGE - Age at Start of Season G - Games Played
1949 PACKERS DRAFT (December 21, 1948)
RND SEL NAME POS COLLEGE
1 5 Stan Heath B Nevada-Reno
2 15 Dan Dworsky C Michigan
3 25 Louis Ferry T Villanova
4 34 Bob Summerhays B Utah
5 43 Glenn Lewis B Texas Tech
6 54 Joe Ethridge T Southern Methodist
7 63 to Los Angeles Rams
8 74 Dan Orlich E Nevada-Reno
9 83 Everett Faunce B Minnesota
10 94 to Los Angeles Rams through Detroit Lions
11 103 Harry Larche T Arkansas State
12 114 Rebel Steiner E Alabama
13 123 Al Mastrangeli C Illinois
14 134 Bobby Williams C Texas Tech
15 143 Ken Cooper G Vanderbilt
16 154 Gene Remenar T West Virginia
17 163 Paul Devine B Heidelberg
18 174 Floyd Lewis G Southern Methodist
19 183 Bobby Folsom E Southern Methodist
20 194 Larry Cooney B Penn State
21 203 Kenneth Kranz B Milwaukee Teachers
22 214 John Kordick B Southern California
23 223 Bill Kelley E Texas Tech
24 234 Jimmy Ford B Tulsa
25 243 Frank Lambright G Arkansas
NOTE - Stan Heath had been drafted in the 1948 draft (25th round) by the Packers.
BOLD - Played for the Packers
PACKERS END DIES OF KIDNEY AILMENT
JAN 2 (Chicago) - Robert W. "Bob" Skoglund, 23, who played end for Notre Dame and the Green Bay Packers, died Saturday. Death of the young athlete, who was seen in action by thousands of college and professional football fans, was attributed to a kidney infection. Skoglund injured a knee in a preseason game against the Washington Redskins. He underwent a knee operation November 24 in Pittsburgh and returned to his home in Chicago December 17. He entered St. Francis Hospital in suburban Evanston last Friday. He began his grid career at Loyola Academy in Chicago. He was on the Notre Dame team in 1944, 1945 and 1946. He was a member of the east squad in the 1945 and 1946 east-west games and played in the Chicago All-Star game in 1947. He spent two seasons with the Packers. Funeral services will be held tomorrow at St. Timothy's Church in Chicago.
SKOGLUND WAS GREATEST AGAINST BEARS; FUNERAL TUESDAY MORNING
JAN 3 (Green Bay) - Bob Skoglund played his greatest game against the Chicago Bears Nov. 9, 1947. The 23-year old Green Bay Packer end, who died at 2 o’clock Saturday morning in a Chicago hospital, left no doubt that cold afternoon in Chicago that he might someday take up where Larry Craig left off. Two Skoglund plays stood out in that game. One was on a kickoff just after the Packers took a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter. Frank Minini received for the Bears on the five and set sail. Skoglund hit him with a flying block and Minini spun completely around in the air. Buddy Gatewood recovered the inevitable fumble and it was quickly turned into a field goal by Ted Fritsch. Then, with the Bears leading 20-10 late in the third quarter, Skoglund messed up a Sid Luckman-George McAfee lateral and recovered on the Bear three-yard line…LAST GAME SEPT. 11: That one game stamped Skoglund as a future Packer star - one
who would play a key defensive role. Skoglund had played both right and left end on defense, spelling Craig and Don Wells. He was a good pass receiver, but, with Clyde Goodnight and Nolan Luhn having a good year, Skoglund remained on defense. Bob was being groomed as an offensive right end last season, but played in only two games. He saw action in the non-league game with New York in Minneapolis and then played in the contest with Washington in Birmingham Sept. 11, which turned out to be the last game of football he ever played. He suffered a knee injury on a kickoff and was never able to get into action. After the Washington game, Skolgund said, “I made an easy tackle but the knee just snapped. Nobody hit me.” Skoglund exercised ever day at Rockwood lodge and for quite a time drove a bicycle around the premises with Jack Mead, another end who was injured on a similar play in the same game…RECOVERED FROM OPERATION: Late in the season, Skoglund went out to catch a few passes after his knee had strengthened, but it was not strong enough. He decided to undergo an operation in Pittsburgh by Dr. F.F. O’Donnell, a bone expert who had done surgery on Terry Brennan and John Panelli, Notre Dame back. Skoglund remained with the squad until after the New York Giant game in Milwaukee Nov. 21 and then left for Pittsburgh with his parents. He underwent the operation Nov. 24 and returned to his home in Chicago Dec. 17. Packer Line Coach Walt Kiesling took Skoglund and his mother to the train in Pittsburgh. Skoglund entered St. Francis hospital in suburban Evanston last Friday afternoon. He had recovered from the operation as he was “up and around” the house. Last Friday, he developed kidney trouble and was removed to the hospital at 2 o’clock that afternoon for a checkup. He died 14 hours later. Dr. Robert M. Jones, a specialist in blood diseases, attributed his death to acute glomerulo nephritis (kidney infection)…PACKERS AT FUNERAL: Funeral services will be held in St. Timothy’s church from the Maloney Funeral home at 10 o’clock Tuesday morning. Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Skoglund, and a brother, Len, Jr., all of 6115 N. Campbell avenue. Pallbearers will be Bob’s teammates at Loyola academy. The Packers will be well represented at the funeral. Among the players will be Ed Bell, Skoglund’s roommate, Tony Canadeo, Ralph Davis, Evan Vogds, Nolan Luhn, Ted Fritsch, Perry Moss, Irv Comp and Trainer Bud Jorgenson. A number of others are expected to attend. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau is trying to get in from his home on the west coast. George Strickler, Packer publicity director, went to Chicago to represent the squad Sunday…STAR IN SCORELESS TIE: Skoglund started his athletic career at Loyola academy where he captained the school eleven in his senior year. He played end at Notre Dame in 1944, 1945 and 1946. He was a star in the scoreless tie between Army and Notre Dame in 1946. Skoglund was a member of the East squad in 1945 and 1946 East-West games and gave the Bears plenty of trouble in the All Star game in 1947. Notre Dame-Star coach Frank Leahy used him as a defensive end for 40 minutes against the Bears. He joined the Packers after the All Star game. Skoglund was born in Chicago July 29, 1925. He’s of Irish and Swedish descent. He received a B.S. degree in commerce at Notre Dame, and served a short time as an ensign in the Navy.
SKOGLUND FIRST PACKER TO SUCCUMB WHILE STILL ACTIVE
JAN 3 (Green Bay) - Bob Skoglund was the first Packer to die of natural causes while still active in the 30-year history of the team. The team did, however, lose one member during World War II. He was Capt. Howard (Smiley) Johnson, guard, who was killed on the ninth day of the Iwo Jima invasion. Skoglund was the third NFL player to succumb since the start of the 1948 season. The others were Ralph Calcagni, Pittsburgh Steeler tackle, who died of pneumonia during the week preceding the Packer-Steeler non-league game here Sept. 5, and Stanley Mauldin, Chicago Cardinal tackle, who died of a cerebral hemorrhage following the Cardinals’ opening game with the Philadelphia Eagles in Chicago Sept. 24.
HEATH SIGNS WITH PACKERS
JAN 4 (Green Bay) - It’s official! Stan Heath, college football’s No. 1 passer in 1948, has signed a Green Bay Packer contract for the 1949 season. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau made the announcement in Los Angeles today. He stated briefly that “Heath mailed in his signed contract from San Diego.” The Nevada quarterback is recuperating there from rib injuries sustained in the Harbor bowl game against Villanova. Lambeau also revealed that the Packers had drafted Heath’s favorite target, Dan Orlich, a giant end who stands six foot, five inches tall and weighs 215 pounds. Orlich is a star of the Nevada basketball team and will not be offered a contract until the cage season ends…ISBELL, WATERFIELD COMBINE: Heath, who had a standout season with Nevada, was Green Bay’s No. 1 draft choice. He’s six feet, one inch tall, weighs 190 pounds, and played a year with Wisconsin before he went to Nevada. He played his high school football in Milwaukee, and will make his home there. Lambeau would not disclose the terms of Heath’s contract. He would say, however, that it was “entirely satisfactory” with the Nevada star. He added: “I think Stand will have a good season with us. He seems to me to be a combination of one of our great passers, Cecil Isbell, and the Los Angeles Rams’ Bob Waterfield.” Lambeau is expected to groom Heath as his first string quarterback next season. The veteran Packer coach was not satisfied with the passing of Indian Jack Jacobs, nor Jack’s understudies, Irv Comp and Perry Moss, last fall…VICTORIES OVER YANKEES: Heath’s entry into the Green Bay fold marked the second year in a row that the Packers had scored a player-grabbing victory over the New York Yankees of the All-America conference. The Yankees had Burleigh Grimes, football and baseball scout, on the trail of Heath for several months. A year ago, Yankee Coach Ray Flaherty went to Marinette to confer with Jig Girard, Wisconsin back, who decided to join the Packers. Heath’s signing is the first major player deal made by the NFL since the 1948 season closed. All-America conference teams had signed a number of players. Heath practically rewrote the record books last season, blasting the marks established by Charlie Conerly, now a New York Giants, at Mississippi in 1947. Stan completed 126 passed out of 222 attempts for 2,005 yards – a new record. He also hit for 22 touchdowns – another mark. He also set season highs by gaining a total of 337 yards against San Jose State, passing for 237 and completing 22 against Tulsa, and pitching five touchdown aerials in the game against Oklahoma City…FOUR DRAFTEES ANNOUNCED: Moreover, Heath was the only player in collegiate football last fall to account for more than 300 yards in three different games. During the entire season, he had only nine passes intercepted. Orlich is the fourth draft choice announced by the Packers, who drafted a total of 25 in Philadelphia recently. The others are Dan Dworsky, Michigan center; Bob Summerhays, Utah back; and Heath.
SKOGLUND RITES HELD IN CHICAGO
JAN 4 (Chicago) - Funeral services were held in St. Timothy’s church here this morning for Bob Skoglund, 23-year old Packer end, who died in an Evanston, Ill., hospital Saturday morning of a kidney infection. Skoglund, who had recently undergone surgery to correct a knee injury suffered in the Packers’ non-league game with Washington at Birmingham, Ala., Sept. 11, died at St. Francis hospital in Evanston 14 hours after entry for treatment of the kidney disturbance. He had previously recovered from the knee operation, which had no effect on his fatal illness, according to Dr. Robert M. Jones, who attributed his death to acute glomerulo nephritis. Packer teammates were honorary pallbearers, including Ted Fritsch, Tony Canadeo, Ralph Davis, Evan Vogds, Nolan Luhn, Ed Bell and George A. Strickler, Packer publicity director, and C.W. Jorgenson, Packer trainer. Many other Packer players also attended the rites. Two of Skoglund’s teammates at Notre Dame, All-American guard Bill Fischer and guard Marty Wendell, and Hugh Devore, St. Bonaventure coach and former head coach at Notre Dame, also were at the funeral. Skoglund, who came to the Packers in 1947, started his athletic career at Loyola academy where he captained the school eleven in his senior year. He played at Notre Dame in 1944, 1945 and 1946, and was a star in the scoreless tie between Army and Notre Dame in 1946. Skoglund was a member of the East squad in 1945 and 1946 East-West games and played against the Bears in the 1947 All-Star game. He joined the Packers after the All-Star contest.
PACKERS PLAGUED BY INJURIES TO ENDS THROUGHOUT 1948 SEASON
JAN 4 (Green Bay) - It is difficult today to unleash a broadside of optimism – as we had planned – on the Packers’ 1949 season. It is difficult because of the death of Bob Skoglund, 23, Packer end in 1947 and 1948. Skoglund’s passing, totally unexpected and the result of a kidney infection, is irony at its worst. It was this same boy and another end, Jack Mead, who were the first victims in an almost unbelievable siege of injuries to Packer ends last season. Both were injured in the non-league game with Washington in Birmingham last Sept. 11. While Skoglund and Mead recuperated in a local hospital, it was whispered among the player that “Mead probably won’t ever play again, but Skoglund should be ready in about six weeks.” Mead retired midway in the season but Skoglund carried on in practice hoping to regain game form. He left the team after the New York game Nov. 21 to submit to an operation on his knee in Pittsburgh. Don Wells underwent a similar operation on his knee after the 1947 season. Well was the only end who was not injured in 1948. Even Larry Craig, the durable famer from Ninety-Six, S.C., was forced to submit to an official visit to the training room – his first in his 10 years as a Packer. The rest of the ends, Nolan Luhn, Clyde Goodnight, Red Wilson, Ted Cook and Ted Cremer, each got their dose of injuries. Skoglund wanted most of all last season to be ready for the Bear game in Chicago – his hometown. He played his greatest games in 1947 against the Bears in Chicago – first as a member of the College All-Stars in August and later as a Packer…Brad Ecklund, Oregon’s great center who was drafted by the Packers Jan. 27, 1947, started his 91st straight football game in the Cotton Bowl against Southern Methodist. The Durable Dane has been playing 11 years – since a freshman in high school and has yet to miss a game…Now comes a report from Madison, that famous hotbed of college football, that Bulldog Turner, Walt Stickel, Fred Davis and Ray Bray of the Bears will retire from pro ball in the near future. Permit us to Ha Ha…The NFL is missing a publicity bet by not selecting a most valuable player. Commissioner Bert Bell said here last August that “you just can’t be fair with any of the athletes.” ‘Tis true, Mr. Bell, but is any “honor” selection – on a team or individual award – fair? It’s impossible to satisfy every fan, anyhow. The MVP selections were discontinued after the 1946 season. Speaking about most valuable players, who would you name as the Packers’ MVP for 1948? In the backfield, we’d select Tony Canadeo and in the line let’s call it a tossup between Larry Craig and Dick Wildung. Just flipped a coin and the MVP was Mr. Craig. Okay, so you don’t agree. That’s democracy, Bub!
PACKERS SIGN FERRY, VILLANOVA STAR TACKLE
JAN 5 (Green Bay) - The guy who gave the business to Nevada Stan Heath in the Harbor bowl game today joined Heath on the Green Bay Packer roster for 1949. He is Louis A. Ferry, 22, captain of the Villanova team which walloped Nevada, 27-7, New Year’s day. Ferry is a tackle and bulwark of Villanova’s powerful line. Ferry, Coach Curly Lambeau revealed, was one of the three boys selected by the Packers in the recent secret draft meeting for NFL teams in Pittsburgh. The only other member of that trio announced was Heath, who signed a contract Tuesday. Ferry is the third 1948 college star signed for 1949 Packer duty. Besides Heath and Ferry, there is Ralph Olsen, giant Utah center-end. Only other draft choices announced were Dan Dworsky, Michigan center, and Bob Summerhays, Utah fullback…HE’S ANOTHER STYDAHAR: The Villanova star stands 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 232 pounds. He tangled with Heath on the play that sent the Milwaukeean to the sidelines in the second quarter and eventually out of the game with several cracked ribs. Heath was back to protect a Nevada punt receiver when Ferry smacked him. Incidentally, the Harbor bowl game was “rated” the roughest of the bowl contests. The tackling and blocking was fierce and several fights broke out. Ferry won four football letters at Villanova. He hails from the coal country – Chester, Pa. Lambeau is particularly high on Ferry. He called him “another Stydahar”. Fans hereabouts need no introduction to Joe Stydahar, the former Bear tackle.
UTAH'S SUMMERHAYS SIGNS WITH PACKERS
JAN 6 (Green Bay) - A 207-pound fullback, who can run wide and catch passes – that’s Bob Summerhays of Utah – was signed today by the Green Bay Packers. First on the Packers’ draft list in the selection ceremony held in Philadelphia after the championship game, Summerhays is the fourth 1948 college star to ink Packer papers for 1949 duty. The others are Stan Heath, quarterback of Nevada; Ralph Olsen, center and end from Utah; and Louis Ferry, Villanova tackle. Other draftees announced but not signed are Dan Dworsky, Michigan center, and Dan Orlich, Nevada pass receiving end. In announcing Summerhays’ signing in Los Angeles, Packer Coach Curly Lambeau revealed that the Utah back was on the want list of every team in the NFL. The Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams both were going to nab him on the first round but the Packers, who finished below both those clubs in the standings, had an earlier chance…MADE ROCKY MOUNTAIN TEAM: Summerhays, who stands six feet, one inch tall, was born March 19, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah and earned three football letters at SLC’s East High. At Utah, he ran off the split T-formation and gained a reputation as an outstanding “wide” runner and pass receiver. He made the Rocky Mountain conference star team. Bill Leiser, sports edior of the San Francisco Chronicle, after watching Summerhays in the East-West game New Year’s day, had this to say: “Summerhays was the most underrated player on both teams. Some people thought Ike Armstrong (Summerhays’ coach at Utah) brought Summerhays along only for a ride but all he did was set up the first West touchdown with his consistent plunging and then caught a pass for 29 yards to set up the second.” Bob led the West in ground gaining. Summerhays ran well on dashes up the middle, which came as quite a surprise to the East coaches. The East team won the game, 14 to 12. Despite his ability as an offensive back, Summerhays, himself, prefers backing up the line. He thinks he’s better in that role…ENTERED WEST POINT: E.L. (Dick) Romney, grid coach at Utah, called Summerhays “the most bruising fullback I’ve seen in 20 years of coaching.” Ernie Smith, who broadcast the East-West game, said “Summerhays was almost unstoppable in the first half.” After prep service, Summerhays entered West Point and was the first string fullback on the Plebe eleven. Coach Earl Blaik said that “if Doc Blanchard hadn’t been playing with us Summerhays would have made All-American.” However, Summerhays, seeing no future under Blanchard – then the talk of the country – decided to get married in spring of 1944. He dropped out of West Point and enrolled at Utah. Summerhays because the father of a daughter New Years’s day. The Summerhays also have a son.
TEXAS TECH END, BACK JOIN PACKERS FOR 1949
JAN 10 (Green Bay) - Packer Coach Curly Lambeau popped into Dallas over the weekend and popped out with two signed contracts. The 1949 prospects are Glenn Lewis, a halfback, and William Kelle, an end. Both are Texas Tech graduates. They are the fifth and sixth players to officially ready themselves for professional football in Green Bay. Lewis was the first fullback selected in the draft. The Packers now have signed four of their first five players drafted. The only missing link is Dan Dworsky, University of Michigan defensive center. Walt Schlinkman, veteran Packer fullback, drove the newcomers from Lubbock, Tex., all the way to Dallas for the conference with Lambeau Sunday. Both played with Ralph Earhart, Packer rookie right halfback, in 1947 and with Schlinkman in 1945. The Packers have another Texas Tech graduate in veteran center Bob Flowers. Lewis played right halfback in the T-formation opposite left halfback Earhart at Texas Tech. The newcomer is considered fast and rugged. He runs the 100 in 10.2, stands 5-11, and weighs 195. He’s 21 years of age. Lewis, a native of Quitaque, Tex., earned four football letters at TT. He was co-captain of the Tech Sun Bowl team in 1947. In 1944, Lewis was a star of the San Diego Naval team. Kelley, also a draftee, packs 200 pounds on a six foot, two inch frame. He’s an all-around end , a good receiver, and an expert on defense. Kelley never played high school football because his native town, Idalou, Tex., didn’t have a prep school big enough to sponsor the sport. However, he won four grid letter at TT besides two in track, two in baseball and two in basketball. Both Kelley and Lewis made the All-Border conference team and both were selected on a number of all-opponent teams…A second meeting of pro football club owners to settle their cold cash war is a distinct probability for Chicago on or about Jan. 20. The three year old All-America conference announced Saturday that its annual business meeting would be held in Chicago, starting Jan. 18. The meeting earlier had been scheduled for New York Feb. 5. National league owners will hold their regular winter meeting in Chicago Jan. 20. Owners of the two leagues had their first meeting at Philadelphia just before Christmas. Little was accomplished at that time but the official announcement added that the way had been cleared for future meetings.
TOPPING TO DISSOLVE N.Y. YANKEES, REPORT SAYS
JAN 10 (New York) - A new peace offensive was reported underway in professional football Tuesday amid talk that Dan Topping is ready to pull his New York Yankees out of the All-America conference. The New York Herald Tribune, quoting an "authoritative source", said it had learned Topping planned to dissolve his football interests. Ted Collins' Boston Yankees, after a series of financial reverses in Boston, obtained permission last month to move his National league franchise to New York. Yankee officials refused to confirm or deny the newspaper report. The withdrawal of Topping, one of the key men in the All-America league, will provide a fresh talking point for peace when directors of the warring major football leagues gather in Chicago later this month. The AAC has rearranged its winter business session to coincide with a meeting of the National league owners. The AAC officials will open their meeting in Chicago January 18, two days before the National league meets. Earlier the All-America league had scheduled its meeting for February in New York. A peace move, initiated by the younger All-America group, fell flat just before Christmas. According to the Herald Tribune, Topping will announced dissolution of the Yankees at the Chicago meeting. The move is planned because of "severe losses at the gate", the paper said.
PAUL BURRIS JOINS PACKERS
JAN 11 (Green Bay) - The first-fledged All-American lineman since Dick Wildung stepped out of Minnesota became a Green Bay Packer today. He is Paul (Buddy) Burris, the University of Oklahoma’s great guard who inked a Packer contract in the presence of Coach Curly Lambeau in Oklahoma City Monday afternoon. Burris made every All-American lineup for 1948 – the Associated Press, United Press, Colliers, Saturday Evening Post, Look and many others. Besides, Burris was the only lineman to receive an “A” rating in Norman Sper’s nationwide All-American selection system based on all-opponent picks. Bill Fischer, Notre Dame’s tremendous guard, received a B-plus rating. A native of Muskogee, Okla., Jack Jacobs’ hometown, Burris is the seventh college player to sign for 1949 action here…PRAISE FROM STEVE OWEN: Burris has been in the national collegiate spotlight for four years. He made the Pic freshman All-America in 1942 at Tulsa university where he played with Nolan Luhn and Clyde Goodnight, present Packer ends. In 1946 and 1947 at Oklahoma, Burris was a frequent A-A election but last fall he dominated one of honor guard slots. After one year at Tulsa, where he played behind Ellis Jones, the gifted one-armed lineman, Burris put in 34 months in the Army Engineers. When he was discharged, Burris found Coach Henry Frnka had left Tulsa to take up Tulane’s coaching job so the young husky switched to Oklahoma. Burris gets praise from all sources. New York Giant Coach Steve Owen, during the 1948 season, said this: “One of the best defensive lineman I’ve ever seen in college football.” Oklahoma Coach Bud Wilkinson, the former Big Nine guard and quarterback from Minnesota, said this: “One of the best guards playing today. Buddy’s well built and strong as he can be. But, above all, he’s a great natural competitor. He has a tremendous desire to go get him. That’s what makes him so outstanding on defense.”…DRAFTED BY DODGERS, TOO: Burris is built near the ground. He stands five feet, 11 inches, but spreads out in an alarming manner, especially through the shoulders and chest. He likes to stay close to 200 pounds though he actually gained 10 pounds during the 1947 season. Lambeau, due in Green Bay this afternoon, said this of Burris: “There’s a boy who can make the starting lineup of any pro football team in the country.” Burris, incidentally, was on the draft list of the Brooklyn Dodgers of the All-America conference. Terms of Burris’ contract with the Packers were not announced but negotiations were settled after a brief conference. Lambeau also conferred with Oklahoma quarterback Jack Mitchell. The Green Bay coach said he was leaving Oklahoma City with Mitchell’s promise to sign with the Packers if he decided to play pro football.; Mitchell says he may enter the coaching ranks.
BACKYARD FEUDS KEEP PRO LEAGUES AT ODDS
JAN 12 (New York) - Settlement of neighborhood rivalries held the key Wednesday to professional football peace. If they can patch up scattered backyard feuds, the NFL and the All-America conference may end their three year old cold cash war when they meet next week at Chicago. The feuding hot spots are New York, Los Angeles and the Washington-Baltimore area. An effort will be made to iron out the New York problem in the next few days. Dan Topping, president of the New York Yankees of the All-America, announced Tuesday that a meeting would be held with representatives of the other Gotham professional teams...COLLINS IN DISCUSSIONS: Sitting in on the discussion, Topping said, will be Ted Collins, owner of the Boston Yanks, who recently gained permission to transfer his franchise; Tim and Jack Mara of the Giants and Horace Stoneham, head of the baseball Giants. The Boston Yanks and Giants are members of the National league, Stoneham rents the Polo Grounds to the Maras. Topping, answering reports that he planned to pull out of football and rent Yankee stadium to Collins, said he is willing to become a landlord if it brings peace between the rival circuits. "Horace (Stoneham) is very strong in urging me to become a landlord," the Yankee president said. "I know he feels, even more than we do, that three New York teams (plus one in Brooklyn) would be the ruination of any league and of pro football." Topping's gesture was interpreted as an important peace move by officials of both conferences. Admiral Jonas Ingram, All-America conference commissioner, said chances of a truce are now "better than 50-50." The All-America directors will meet in Chicago January 18 and the National league moguls will get together two days later. Any settlement probably would call for one circuit composed of two sectional races. This plan was almost adopted at the last peace session in Philadelphia before Christmas, but the rivals could not agree on which teams should be included...AAC WANTS BALTIMORE: The National league is said to favor a one league setup, including a western division made up of Cleveland, San Francisco, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cards, Green Bay and Los Angeles, and an eastern division composed of the New York Giants, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Washington, Detroit and Boston Yankees (in Yankee stadium). Cleveland and San Francisco are All-America conference members. The AAC balked at this, insisting that the Baltimore Colts be included in any new alignment. "We could have settled this in Philadelphia," Topping said, "if it hasn't been for George Marshall." Marshall, owner of the Washington Redskins, is said to have objected to inclusion of Baltimore on grounds it would infringe on his territorial rights. Ben Lindheimer, owner of the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America, is also anxious to stay in football business and thinks the California metropolis can support two clubs. The other is the National league Rams. Some owners - particularly Ray Benningsen of the Chicago Cardinals - declare this would be a financial suicide. If the Baltimore and Los Angeles differences can be settled, a one league compromise may be the answer. Under this revision, there would be seven teams to each of the sections proposed by the National league chieftains, with the Dons added to the west and the Colts to the east.
LOS ANGELES DONS SIGN DAN DWORSKY
JAN 12 (Green Bay) - Dan Dworsky, 210-pound defensive center from the University of Michigan, has signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America conference, the Dons announced today. Dworsky was drafted by the Green Bay Packers.
LAMBEAU TO BE ASKED 'KEY' PACKER QUESTIONS ON WJPG
JAN 14 (Green Bay) - Will the Green Bay Packers change their offense next season? What’s the greatest Packer need for 1949? What about Rockwood lodge for next fall? Those are just a few of the questions sportscaster Earl Gillespie will ask Packer Coach Curly Lambeau over Press-Gazette radio station, WJPG (the 810 spot on your dial) at 12:15 Sunday afternoon. The sports show, incidentally, will be on for the second time since it started last Sunday. It is called “Sports World on Parade”. The entire 15-minute program will be devoted to the Lambeau interview. Lambeau has just returned from a two-week player-signing tour of the west and southwest in which he obtained the signatures of seven players for 1949 action. Gillespie will quiz him on some of the newcomers, including Stan Heath, the nation’s leading passer at Nevada and All-America guard Paul Burris from Oklahoma. Lambeau also will be asked the opinion of the important NFL meeting in Chicago next week. There will also be questions concerning the All-American conference and the expected break-up.
REVEAL COMPLETE PACKER DRAFT LIST
JAN 15 (Green Bay) - Packer Coach Curly Lambeau today revealed Green Bay’s draft list as selected at the “secret” draft meeting in Pittsburgh during the 1948 NFL campaign and in Philadelphia after the championship game last month. The list is composed of 23 players – two less than allowed each club. The Packers had previously traded two selections to other clubs – one in the Ted Cook deal with Detroit and one in the Clyde Johnson transaction with Los Angeles. Five of the 23 players, including nine backs, four guards, four ends, three tackles and three centers, already have been signed and one has agreed to sign after he finishes basketball competition. The five players signed are Lew Ferry, Villanova captain and tackle; Stan Heath, Nevada passing quarterback; Bill Kelley, Texas Tech end; Glenn Lewis, Texas Tech back; and fullback Bob Summerhays of Utah. Dan Orlich, Heath’s chief receiver at Nevada, has agreed to ink his contract as soon as Nevada finished its basketball schedule. Orlich is a gigantic end. He stands 6-5 and weighs 215 pounds. Three of the players were advised by Lambeau to finish out their college careers, although all three are eligible to play pro ball next fall. They are Bob Folson, end from Southern Methodist; Rebel Steiner, Alabama end; and Bob Williams, Texas Tech center. Two other players have been signed for 1949. They are Paul Burris, All-American guard from Oklahoma, and Ralph Olsen, end-center from Utah. Jack Mitchell, Oklahoma quarterback, recently assured Lambeau that he will sign with the Packers in he decided to play professional football. Another name popped up today – Charles Tatom, Texas tackle who was drafted a couple of years ago. Tatom, who stands 6-5 and weighs 210, has promised that he will sign with the Packers after the track season. He runs the 100 in 9.8. Tatom, who played a year at Navy, will be used at end in Green Bay. One member of the list has been signed by an All-American conference team. Dan Dworsky, Michigan center, will play with the Los Angeles Dons. The list includes one small college player – back Ken Kranz of Milwaukee State Teachers. Kranz played against St. Norbert college for three years. He was on the “want” list of the Chicago Bears. The smallest guy on the list is Jim Ford, a scatster from Tulsa. He packs only 158 pounds and stands 5-8.
PACKERS, BEARS, CARDS 'MADE' EVERY YEAR IN NFL HISTORY
JAN 15 (Green Bay) - The boys at the coffee shop have the NFL-AAC business all figured out. It goes like this: (1) The National league, come a week from today, will be composed on one dozen teams, the new additions being Cleveland and San Francisco; and (2) the All-America will pass out of the picture. While the meetings of the two leagues in Chicago next week occupy the spotlight these days, it’s interesting to look back over the National league’s 28 active seasons. For instance, did you know that the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Chicago Cardinals are the only chartered members of the NFL who fielded a team in each of the 28 seasons? Detroit and Cleveland were members that first year, too, but both stepped out for short spans only to return. The membership of the NFL has undergone many changes. A total of 40 different teams played in the National league down through the leagues – the high being 22 in 1926. The loop had 20 cities each in 1923 and 1925. It wasn’t until 1927 that the league reached standard proportions and stayed that way – more or less. The circuit was split into the Western and Eastern divisions in 1933 and since that time the loop operated with 10 squads each year except 1935 (9 teams), 1936 (9) and 1943 (8). The Packers, Bears, Cards and Detroit made up the Western division in 1935-36, while the Eastern sector had New York, Brooklyn, Pittsburgh, Boston and Philadelphia in 1935-36. The small membership, eight, in 1943 was necessitated by the war, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh combining in the Eastern and Cleveland retiring in the Western. In 1944, the Cardinals and Pittsburgh combined in the Western, but Cleveland returned, while Brooklyn filled out the Eastern as the league returned to 10 clubs. The Packers are one of four Wisconsin teams to play. Racine had a team in 1922-24, Kenosha in 1924 and Milwaukee in 1922-26. You’ve probably heard the screams about pro football being unable to operate without a team in New York. The NFL was four years old before New York fielded a team. The NFL has had only four presidents (he’s known as a commissioner, now). Joe F. Carr of Columbus headed the circuit from 1921 until his death on May 20, 1939, and Carl L. Storck of Dayton succeeded him. In 1941, Elmer Layden, Notre Dame coach and athletic director, was named commissioner of professional football for five years, and Storck resigned. Layden resigned on Jan. 11, 1946, and Bert Bell of Philadelphia was named to succeed Layden the same day. Bell received a three-year contract but this was later extended to five. In the coaching field, Curly Lambeau of the Packers and George Halas of the Bears are the only remaining charter members. Lambeau is the only coach who served in every NFL season. The coming campaign will be the NFL’s 29th, and Lambeau’s 31st since the Packers played two seasons before the loop was organized. Halas, whose rivalry with the Packers is the greatest in pro football, coached the Bears 23 years. Ralph Jones coached the club in 1930-32, and Halas served in the Navy in 1942-45.
PRO FOOTBALL PEACE ALMOST A CERTAINTY
JAN 17 (Milwaukee Journal) - The peace that both the NFL and the All-America conference have sought so long may be just around the corner. On Tuesday the All-America conference will open its winter meeting in Chicago, and on Thursday the National league will follow suit, and out of the two meetings a solution, largely on the National league's terms, is almost certain to come. A lot more progress was made at the first meeting of the two in Philadelphia a month ago than was generally revealed. Except for disposition of the Baltimore franchise of the All-America, all major details were agreed upon. The National league agreed to take in Cleveland and San Francisco, one for the eastern division and the other for the western, and agreed to an amalgamation of the Los Angeles Dons and Los Angeles Rams. The Chicago Rockets, Buffalo, New York Yankees and Brooklyn of the All-America, in turn, agreed to steal away into the night. And that left Baltimore. Baltimore insisted it be included in any reorganization. As bed fellows for three unhappy years, both Cleveland and San Francisco publicly supported Baltimore in its insistence to be included, although privately, it is understood, both Arthur McBride of Cleveland and Tony Morabito of San Francisco felt far less strongly about the Colts. George Preston Marshall's insistence that Baltimore be excluded, since inclusion would mean an invasion of his territorial rights, was never really a difficulty that could not be resolved. It was merely Marshall's way of remaining in the headlines which he loves so well. The real difficulty lay in schedule making with Baltimore, the thirteenth spoke in the wheel. Any number of conferences have been since the Philadelphia meeting and further progress made. A solution is almost sure to be had this week. "Peace - it's wonderful."
YANKS GET ECKLUND
JAN 17 (Green Bay) - Brad Ecklund, Oregon’s durable center, has been signed by the New York Yankees of the All-America conference, Dan Topping, club president, announced in New York Saturday night. Ecklund was drafted two years ago by the Green Bay Packers.
PACKERS, YANKEES TIED, 2-2, IN NFL-AAC CHASE FOR PLAYERS
JAN 18 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers and New York Yankees have been carrying quite an offseason feud. The score now stands at 2 players to 2. The whole thing could conceivably be called off this week in Chicago when the All-America conference is scheduled to toss in the sponge. The Packers and Yankees came to grips just a year ago over the services of Earl (Jug) Girard, the Wisconsin back, with the Packers winning after Ray Flaherty, then Yankee, made a last-ditch trip to Marinette, Jug’s hometown. Green Bay made it 2-0 a couple of weeks ago when Coach Curly Lambeau obtained the signature of Stan Heath, Nevada’s passing ace, on the west coast. The Yankees reportedly had had Heath “in the bag” after Burleigh Grimes, Yankee baseball and football scout, conferred in Milwaukee with the boy. A week ago, Yankee Dan Topping announced
the signing of Packer draftee Dan Dworsky, the Michigan defensive center, to make the count, 2-1. And just last Saturday night, the Yankees evened the fight by adding Brad Ecklund, Oregon’s durable center, who started 92 consecutive games including the Cotton bowler against SMU. Lambeau’s comments on Dworsky, giving in a special interview with WJPG-FM sportscaster Earl Gillespie, went like this: “For the money he wanted, we’re not sorry to lose Dworsky; he plays only defensive ball anyway.” Then, without a word of warning, Lambeau added: “Dworsky may be available to us after the Chicago meetings.” Which could mean that Dworsky and Ecklund may be without an employer come Friday or Saturday. It seems obvious that All-America conference clubs are offering bonuses to sign what are commonly known as “if” contracts. The athletes have nothing to lose, most of them figuring that if the AAC folds, they can leap into the NFL. But it seems peculiar that an athlete would sign with an owner (Topping) who has publicly announced that he is willing to toss in the sponge. Peculiar, except for that bonus! Incidentally, disposition of said contract – if they are valid – will be one of the many problems facing the NFL and AAC if final peace is declared…HASH BIN: Mrs. Curly Lambeau, a native of California, decided to join her Packer hubby in Green Bay a couple of days ago. She escaped the unbelievable cold and snow of Southern Cal okay but developed a deep cold a day or so after arriving in Green Bay. And today she left for Chicago – the Windy City…Bud Wilkinson, the Oklahoma coach who flew (whatta man) to Wisconsin on the Badger grid post last week, once turned down an offer to play with the Packers. It was in 1937 after a great career at guard and quarterback at Minnesota. Wilkinson instead went to Syracuse where he served as assistant to Ossie Solem for three years…Lambeau, out east for the championship last month, recalled Bob Snyder’s story about their meeting in Milwaukee two seasons back. Bob, then coaching the Los Angeles Rams, ordered a few changes in blocking assignments and then asked Kenny Washington: “Do you think you can go through their line now?” “Go through their line?” exclaimed Kenny. “Gosh, I can’t even see through it.”
CURLY LAMBEAU SEES FAUNCE OF MINNESOTA
JAN 18 (Minneapolis) - Everett Faunce, Minnesota halfback, conferred in Chicago Wednesday with Coach Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers. Faunce, of Fergus Falls, Minn., was drafted by the Packers of the National league and by the Baltimore Colts of the All-America conference. He has just returned from Honolulu, where he participated in two exhibition games after playing in the east-west game at San Francisco New Year's day.
BALTIMORE PEACE KEY; 'FRISCO THROWS A CURVE
JAN 18 (Chicago) - Just when the pro football olive branch appeared to be withering, an executive of the All-American conference declared Wednesday that "the hope for peace is far from dead." The informant, refusing to be quoted by name, said that Baltimore was still the key to compromise. "The AAC will not go for anything that won't guarantee Baltimore's continuance," he said. "But now there is something hopeful about the picture and developments soon may be interesting. A two league setup with seven teams in each may be the final blueprint." Despite this optimism, another strong issue had formed Wednesday as AAC club owners continued a secret meeting which opened Tuesday. Anthony Morabito of the San Francisco 49ers, a team coveted along with the Cleveland Browns by the NFL, flatly asserted: "San Francisco will not go in the All-America conference if the league's membership drops below eight clubs." Morabito would not elaborate. He may agree to a two league alignment but he will not consent to the AAC operating with only six clubs in 1949. A six team AAC pattern - with the Chicago Rockets and Brooklyn Dodgers out - may have been shaping, but the 49ers owner apparently has tossed in a curve.
PRO LEAGUES STILL SEEKING WAY TO UNITY
JAN 20 (Chicago) - The NFL launched its 29th annual winter business meeting in the Blackstone hotel here today with nothing but "routine" matters on the docket. Injecting the word "routine" in the middle of a cold war between the veteran NFL and the rookie All-America conference may sound like mutiny, but that's what Commissioner Bert Bell called the 1949 session. There will be no repeat performance on the common-problem session between the AAC and NFL in December a month ago unless the NFL gets a telephone call from the AAC sometime today or Friday...SECRET MEETING HELD?: However, the lads carrying typewriters were willing to bet the back-space keys off their respective machines that representatives of the two circuits might already have met somewhere in this cold town one day earlier this week. This meeting, or possibly private meetings, would do nothing more than lay the groundwork for the official bust-up of the All-American and the expansion of the National league to 12 teams. At the moment, there isn't a thing official except this statement by AAC executive committee chairman Ben Lindheimer: "The conference will continue." Curly Lambeau, coach and general manager of the Green Bay Packers, refused to comment on Lindheimer's statement. He merely said, "I don't think this is the time to discuss it." The off-the-record consensus from the National league was "just what we expected". The AAC is doing everything in its power to save face despite the fact that three clubs announced in recent weeks that they would step down if some arrangement could be worked out with the National. These clubs are the Chicago Rockets, New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers...DENIES ROCKET STORY: A report that Lindheimer would transfer his financial help from the Los Angeles Dons to the Rockets was denied emphatically today by Lindheimer, who also pours dough into the Brooklyn Dodgers, lost approximately $300,000 on the Dons last fall alone. Officially, the situation is no different than when the two circuits broke up their unprecedented meeting in December. The AAC is willing to quite if the NFL takes in four clubs - Baltimore, Los Angeles, Cleveland and San Francisco. The NFL wants only San Francisco and Cleveland. One source said that the AAC request was reduced to three teams last night, the cut-off involving Los Angeles in view of Lindheimer's to-Chicago move. However, the NFL won't agree to a 13-club league, which, they say, would leave one team idle on several Sundays during the season. With secret meetings reportedly going on, it is safe to assume that the All-America is having internal trouble which cannot be ironed out without somebody getting hurt. Mickey McBride, the Cleveland owner, is "bound" to the All-America conference as long as it's in existence. The reason for such "binding", of course, is strictly off the record...STUPID NEW YORK SETUP: An almost stupid New York situation would arise if the AAC does carry on. With the Yankees and Brooklyn in operation, New York would have four pro elevens. The Boston Yanks would share the Polo Grounds with the New York Giants. And so it goes - just rumors and a lot of talk. The NFL came out with one concrete announcement today, but it was minor compared to the "war". The owners and coaches adopted the free substitution rules - the same as in force in the colleges. Under the change, a club can substitute as many players as it wishes whenever it wishes. The old rule permitted substitution during time out only and, when time was in, no more than three replacements would go on the field at one time. Lambeau said he was in favor of the new rule. "Now, we can concentrate on two complete offensive and defensive units," he said. The routine business on tap for today included (1) welcoming the new Philadelphia Eagle ownership in the league; (2) reading the 1948 minutes; (3) completing the transfer of the Boston Yanks to New York; and (4) television. Besides, Commissioner Bell is prepared to present a 1949 National league schedule. This has been complicated because of Boston's shift. The schedule now will have to be set up so that Boston and New York, both in the Eastern division, do not meet the same Western division opponents at the Polo Grounds...SIDELIGHTS: Commissioner Bell has talked with officials of the Chicago Tribune Charities, Inc., on plans to extend the contract covering the annual All-Star game. A 10-year pact reportedly will be arranged. Arch Ward, Trib sports editor who started the AAC, is vacationing in Honolulu...Ev Faunce, Minnesota back, conferred with Coach Lambeau Wednesday afternoon, but no contract was signed. Faunce said he wanted to "go back and talk to the Baltimore Colts". The Colts, coaches by former Packer Cecil Isbell, offered Faunce a $1,000 bonus to sign. The Packers, of course, refuse to pay any bonuses. The Colts hadn't announced his signing up to this noon...The champion Philadelphia Eagles are interested in training in Wisconsin next fall in preparation for the college All-Star game...Walt Kiesling stopped in to confer with Lambeau regarding 1949 Packer activities. They'll meet again today. Also attending the National league meetings is A.B. Turnbull, a member of the executive committee of Green Bay Packers, Inc.
FUTURE OF BALTIMORE, BUFFALO HOLDS KEY TO PRO GRID RACE
JAN 20 (Chicago) - The All-America Conference announced Friday it will operate in 1949 as a seven team league, with the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees merging and the Chicago Rockets operating under a new franchise in Chicago...A 12 team league or a 14 team league - which? On this question hinged peace between the rival NFL and All-America conference as the two leagues went into separate sessions again at their annual winter meetings here Friday. Committees of the two leagues met secretly Thursday. They accomplished nothing. In fact, the longed for peace between the two seemed farther away than ever. Cleveland and San Francisco of the All-America league were acceptable to the National league as new members, but Cleveland and San Francisco flatly declared they would not join unless Baltimore and Buffalo were included, too. And there the entire matter of peace was stuck. The National league wants Cleveland and San Francisco alone. Neither side would budge. Addition of Cleveland and San Francisco would create a 12 team league, addition of the two others a 14 team league. In either case, the New York Yankees, Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Rockets would fold, and the Los Angeles Dons would amalgamate with the Los Angeles Rams. Further meetings were schedule Friday, but the outlook for peace in the costly salary war was dark. Meanwhile, National league owners went ahead with regular business matters. They gave Commissioner Bert Bell and Treasurer Dennis Shea new 10 year contracts, increased the guarantee to visiting teams from $15,000 to $20,000, approved rule changes, permitted each team to establish its own policy on television, and cut the player limit from 35 to 32. Action on the transfer of the Boston Yanks franchise to New York was postponed pending arrival of the lease which would permit Ted Collins' team to play in the Polo Grounds, sharing dates with the New York Giants. "We've already approved the transfer of the franchise," one owner said, "but we've got to have the lease available to straighten out a few technicalities." In the rules change, the league voted to test the free substitution rule in 1949, allowing subs to enter the game at any time; approved the optional use of plastic helmets, and approved player benches on the same side of the field instead of opposite sides.
MERGER OF PRO GRID LEAGUES IS RUMORED
JAN 21 (Chicago) - Two exactly contradictory reports came out this afternoon on the cold war between the NFL and its junior rival, the All-America conference. One story, from an unimpeachable source, said that the National league would meet later this afternoon to approve a merger of the two leagues into a single National league of 14 teams and Western and Eastern divisions. This source said that only "a hair" separates the merger. The other story, completely contradictory to the first, was contained in an announcement released to the press that the All-America conference will operate in 1949 as a seven-team league with the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees merging and the Chicago Rockets operating under a new franchise in Chicago...FOUR TEAMS WILL JOIN?: The merger report says that four teams of the All-America conference would join the National league. They are Cleveland and San Francisco, which would be assigned to the Western division, and Buffalo and Baltimore, for the Eastern division. Others teams in the Western division, this report says, would be Green Bay, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams and Detroit. The Eastern half would have the New York Giants, Philadelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh and the transplanted Boston Yanks in New York. According to the All-America announcement, Adm. Jonas Ingram, commissioner of the league, said the Brooklyn and New York teams of the new conference would merge and play in Yankee stadium. This would leave a seven-team circuit. Ingram also said that "a new Chicago franchise has been approved with ample financing and greatly increased player strength, coming principally from the present Brooklyn club." The two stories follow four days of rumors, speculation, pessimism and optimism. We gave you a hint Thursday that "secret undercover" meetings are going on between the two factions. Then, not 15 minutes after the National league opened its 29th annual business session at the Blackstone Thursday, Packer Coach Curly Lambeau and Halas hustled out of the meeting rooms and disappeared into an elevator. They did not return for the morning session but were present when the meetings resumed in the afternoon. Since Lambeau and Halas rarely, if even, engage in player trades, it was assumed that something concerning the other league was cooking. Meanwhile, the AAC announced that it would give an announcement at 4 o'clock from its meeting rooms in the Stevens hotel across the street. Four o'clock arrived and nothing was revealed except that an "important" announcement would be made at 8 o'clock Thursday night...RUMORS START AGAIN: Word started to pop about 6:30 Thursday evening that the two groups were engaged in behind-the-scenes peace talks. This was more or less deduction in view of the fact that all of the owners were not present at the AAC meeting and that certain NFL representatives were missing from time to time. Came 8 o'clock and the AAC was found to be at an informal session - a sort of unofficial get-together. AAC officials had "no comment" but promised something by 10:30. It was immediately assumed that they were awaiting word from NFL go-betweens. The NFL met again at 8:30 and adjourned until 10 o'clock. Again at 10:30 the AAC gathering had disbanded and the sudden disappearance of NFL representatives led us to believe that another "secret" session was on. A new Green Bay angle developed Thursday night when Charley Brock, former Packer captain and nine-year veteran, arrived for a conference with Lambeau. Brock, who retired as a player after the 1947 season to take a post as assistant football coach at Omaha university, may be signed as a Packer assistant coach for the 1949 season. There were five top items of business transacted by the NFL Thursday. The owners (1) tore up the contract of Commissioner Bert Bell, a five-year pact which had three years to run, and substituted a new 10-year contract; (2) gave a similar new contract to Treasurer Dennis J. Shea; (3) reduced the player limit from 35 to 32; (4) increased the guarantee for visiting clubs from $15,000 to $20,000; and (5) permitted each club to solve its own television problems. Bell's contract calls for $30,000 - the same as he signed for when he replaced Elmer Layden in 1945, it was reported. The long-term pact emphasized that the NFL is looking forward to a secure future...ECONOMY MOVE STARTED: The new player limit loomed as an economy move. Three less players, it was estimated, will save each club approximately $20,000 and the league $200,000. Lambeau figures that pro clubs now will carry three center, five guard, five tackles, six ends and 13 backs instead of the usual three center, six guard, six tackles, six ends and 14 backs. The new free substitution rule, passed Wednesday, will make cutting to 32 players much easier, Lambeau said. There was no comment on the television problem concerning Green Bay. Packer games in Green Bay, of course, are not televised but the Milwaukee contests were last season. Pittsburgh and Boston were the only other towns where games are not televised. The Maras in New York may cut it out while Marshall in Washington favors televising his games. Regarding the increase in the guarantee, the visiting club still will have the option of taking a percentage - or whichever is greater...SCHEDULE DIFFICULTIES SEEN: Bell is expected to run into considerable difficulty with the schedule - up for discussion this afternoon. A problem was created because of the transfer of the Boston Yanks to New York, automatically breaking up the rotating system of scheduling four intra-division games for each club. The traditional 12-game schedule (its gives Green Bay six games at home and six on the road) calls for teams in the same division to meet each other in a home and home series each year, with four games added against foes in the opposite sector. Bell's problem is fixing New York's card so that the same four Western division clubs do not visit the Polo Grounds to play the Yanks and New York Giants. The entire schedule matter could be settled simply by the addition of San Francisco and Cleveland. Wait a minute. Let's not start that again.
PACKERS' SUCCESS IS CAUSE OF WONDERMENT TO URBAN GENTRY
JAN 21 (Green Bay) - Amidst all this big city, million dollar talk it is pleasant to realize that the Green Bay Packers are as solid as any team in the NFL. They are "in" and to quote Commissioner Bert Bell again: "There will always be a Green Bay in professional football." There has been no real "get-Green Bay-out" conversation around the NFL lobby. Even the big town scribes, some of whom can and like to snicker and snarl at us "farmers", have come to the conclusion that Green Bay can slug it out with the best metropolitan terms - financially and on the field. It has taken 30 years to prove it. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau was talking with writers about Green Bay in the Blackstone hotel lobby before the opening NFL session Thursday morning. Invariably, the writers wonder: "How can Green Bay do it?" Lambeau held up a folder of papers and remarked: "We've always finished in the first division where it really counts - cash." A call to the meeting ended this discussion but one of Lambeau's points was that a 24,000 crowd at City stadium pronounces a larger money gate than some crowds of 35,000 or 38,000 (and in some cases even higher) in metropolitan communities...PRESS ROOM BANTER: Walt Kiesling, Packer line coach for three seasons whose status for 1949 is still undetermined, took quite a ribbing from his buddies. He arrived Tuesday and found no rooms available at the Blackstone NFL headquarters. The Blackstone people found him a room in the Stevens hotel - All-America conference headquarters - across the street. "They just won't let me forget that the other league is over there; didn't even know they were there." Kies has since moved back to the NFL...The three NFL clubs (Boston, Washington and Cardinals) without head coaches are awaiting developments on the AAC before announcing their choices. If the AAC folds, don't be surprised to see Cecil Isbell, the ex-Packer, to go into Washington. He already has built up a following in nearby Baltimore...George Halas, Jr., confessed that the Bear-Packer game in Chicago last fall (it ended 7-6) was "one of the greatest games I've ever seen." He revealed that he never attends a Cardinal game in Comiskey park when the Bears are on the road. "It's just bad luck," he said...The Packers are dickering with two clubs, Pittsburgh and New York, on trades. Lambeau, Art Rooney or Steve Owen won't mention names but it's no secret that the Giants need a fullback, the Steelers need a fullback, and the Packers might covet linemen. However, player switches likely will be held off until a definite decision is reached on the All-America. If the AAC folds, it's possible 150 players will be up for some sort of grab.
KIESLING IS OUT
JAN 21 (Chicago) - Coach Curly Lambeau announced here today that Line Coach Walt Kiesling will not return to the Packers next year. The Packer coach is continuing conference with Charley Brock, ex-Packer center.
FAUNCE, PACKER DRAFTEE, IS SIGNED BY BALTIMORE OF ALL-AMERICA LEAGUE
JAN 21 (Baltimore) - The Baltimore Colts of the All-America conference have announced the signing of Everett Faunce, former University of Minnesota halfback. Voted the most valuable player on the Minnesota squad last year, Faunce is five feet, 11 inches and weighs 172. He is 22. Signing of Faunce by the Colts comes shortly after he conferred with Coach Curly Lambeau of the Packers in Chicago. Faunce was drafted by the Packers at the end of the 1948 season. He reportedly asked Green Bay for a bonus for signing.
LAMBEAU HAS BELIEF IN PEACE
JAN 22 (Chicago) - "Sooner or later, the top two clubs in the All-America conference will join the NFL." This was the word of Packer Coach Curly Lambeau, a key figure here this week in the "secret" sessions between the 29-year old National league and the infant AAC. The top two clubs, of course, are the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns. Lambeau, who with Chicago Bear owner George Halas, conducted all of the in-between and undercover talks with the AAC, stated Friday night: "Our conferences with AAC club owners were not wasted. We have a friendly attitude toward the AAC and they are harboring no grudges against us. There is a definite possibility that we might get together in the near future." All-American owners involved in the private peace talks were Ben J. Lindheimer, whose money backs the Los Angeles Dons, Chicago Rockets, and Brooklyn Dodgers; Arthur B. McBride, owner of the Cleveland Browns; and Anthony J. Morabito, owner of the San Francisco team. The latest conference was the longest. It started at 10:30 Thursday night and ended at 3 o'clock Friday morning. Lambeau flashed optimism and it appeared that a 14-club National league plus the bust-up of the AAC was in the offing - including Green Bay, Bears, Cardinals, San Francisco, Cleveland, Los Angeles Rams and Detroit in the Western sector, and Buffalo, Baltimore, New York Giants, Ted Collins' old Boston team in New York, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington in the Eastern. The 14-club plan was advanced when it was obvious that Cleveland and San Francisco could not "jump" the AAC without facing a lawsuit from the AAC. Shortly before the NFL convened Friday afternoon, the AAC tossed its last stack of blue chips in this gigantic poker game by announcing that the AAC will operate in 1949 with seven clubs. The Brooklyn franchise was merged with the New York Yankees. The overflow of players will be transferred to the Chicago Rockets, who, in turn, received a "gift" of $300,000 for 1949 operations - presumably from Lindheimer. The NFL representatives, with a few minutes to digest the AAC news, went into a conference Friday afternoon and emerged an hour or so later with no official word other than that the difficult schedule problem has been placed in the hands of Commissioner Bert Bell, who will mail his final card to club representatives within a week or 10 days for approval or possible debate. There were three different proposals between the All-America and National league. No. 1 was expanding the National league by adding San Francisco and Cleveland. This was ruled out because of the legal hatchet held by other clubs in the AAC over the Browns and 49ers. No. 2 was expansion of the National league to 13 clubs by adding San Francisco, Cleveland and Baltimore. This setup presented a money-losing schedule arrangement because one or two clubs would have to be idle on several Sundays during the season. No. 3 was expansion of the NFL to 14 clubs by adding Baltimore, Buffalo, San Francisco and Cleveland with seven teams in each division as listed above. This, too, would cause schedule trouble because each division would have an odd number of teams. One of the points of particular interest to Green Bay was that such a setup would find the Bears playing in Green Bay every other year. In the in-between years, the two teams representing the oldest rivalry in pro football would clash in Chicago. Some effort was made to devise a schedule where the natural rivals in each division could met on a home and home basis but this failed when it became obvious that the four AAC newcomers would be without any rivalry for years. The first reaction to the AAC's seven-club plan in NFL circles was: "It just won't work out." The AAC also proposed to conduct some sort of "Shaughnessy Playoff" after the regular season. The divisional setup had been dissolved. Commissioner Bell stated after the NFL conference: "Best of luck". He was referring to the seven-team All-America. The AAC's decision plus the one item of official business in the National league meeting left Chicago and New York with three clubs each. The NFL voted unanimously to give Ted Collins of Boston a new franchise in the Polo Grounds in New York, home of the football Giants. The Boston team, known as the Yanks, will be renamed. Besides the Giants and Collins' teams, there will be the New York Yankees of the AAC. This presented a schedule difficulty for the NFL which must arrange its card so that the Collinsmen and the Giants are not playing the same western division teams in New York during any one season. It led to speculation as to the number of league games to be played by each NFL club, but no official clarifying statement could be obtained. Along the game front, however, Lambeau revealed that the Packers will play five non-league games next fall. The contests will involve Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Ted Collins' team, New York Giants and Washington. Tentatively, the Packers will play Washington in Milwaukee Sept. 18. Other tentative setups send the Packers against Philadelphia in Minneapolis; against the Giants in Des Moines, Ia.; and Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh. The site for the game with the Collinsmen was not revealed. Both the AAC and NFL are expecting schedule difficulties and both cards may be delayed because the two Los Angeles teams are unable to clean on dates in the Coliseum there. Though most of the NFL people cleared out Friday night a number remained to talk trade and close out unfinished employment business. Lambeau said that he is discussing possible trade with the Giants, Los Angeles, Detroit and Pittsburgh...SIDELIGHTS: Walt Kiesling, Packer line coach, pulled out Friday night for Pittsburgh. He's silent on plans for 1949. Pardon us for adding two and two again (it didn't equal four Thursday) but there's a report around here that George Trafton may not return as line coach of the Los Angeles Rams next fall. George-line coached the Packers in 1944 and then joined the Rams in 1945 as Kiesling stepped into his vacant spot in Green Bay. Now, wouldn't it be a coincidence if Kiesling followed Trafton again - this time in Los Angeles. Big Kies' health isn't the best in the world and maybe that southern California sun would help him. Charley Brock, the former Packer center here for a conference with Lambeau, left for Omaha Friday night. There's no official word from the coach but don't be surprised if Brock is subscribing to the Press-Gazette by a carrier boy before many months elapse. Bo Molenda, the Packer backfield coach in 1947-48, will not return next fall...Charley Johnson, veteran Minneapolis baseball writer, reported that the Miller city will start work on a stadium seating 20,000 for baseball and 32,000 for football this spring. This means that Minneapolis could be a lucrative non-league territory for the Packers - a Minnesota favorite. Over 14,000 turned out for the Packer-Giant game last fall in cramped Nicollet field but 10,000 tickets could have been sold if the seats were available. Johnson said the new stadium may be ready for the Packer-Philadelphia exhibition next fall...Coach and Mrs. Lambeau and A.B. Turnbull, a member of the Packers' executive committee who attended the league meetings with Lambeau, will leave for California Sunday. After a brief rest, Lambeau will take off on another player-signing jaunt.
PACKERS GET DRAFT RIGHTS TO TWO TACKLES FROM NY GIANTS
JAN 24 (Green Bay) - The tackle-shy Packers and the back-shy New York Giants accomplished a four-player trade today, and both parties came away smiling. The Green Bays obtained draft rights to tackles Albert J. (Jack) Bush and Edwards A. Kelley, while the New Yorkers got dealing rights to Jim Ford, the 158-pound back from Tulsa, and the contract of fullback Pat West, who joined the Packers late last season. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau, on his way to California after the NFL meetings in Chicago, said the deal will bolster the Packers at a position where they'll need strength - tackle. The Giants, in turn, need help in the backfield. For the past three years, incidentally, the Giants have been drafting linemen - mostly tackles. Both Packer draftees are hefty. Bush stands six feet, three inches tall and weighs 240 pounds. He was an all-Southern conference tackle at Georgia for the last three years and before that a star at Duke. He received mention on several All-American teams last fall. His home is Jacksonville, Fla. Kelley, who towers 6-4 and packs 230 pounds, hails from the University of Texas. He played tackle in 1948 and 1947 and was a center in 1946. He also has experience as a fullback and blocking back. Kelley is one of the mainstays on Texas' basketball team and will not be signed until the cage season is over. Moving West out of the Packer fold makes way for Bob Summerhays, the talented Utah fullback, who was on the "want" list of four National league clubs, including the Chicago Bears. Holdover Packer fullbacks are Ted Fritsch, Walt Schlinkman and Ed Cody. Lambeau was able to land only three tackles in the recent draft - Lew Ferry of Villanova, Harry Larche of Arkansas State and Gene Remenar of West Virginia. Ferry already has been signed...No decision has been reached on the future of Walt Kiesling, a veteran of 23 years in the National league as a player, head coach and assistant coach, according to word from Lambeau today. Kiesling had served as line coach of the Packers for the last four years and announced in Chicago Friday that he would not return to Green Bay next fall. Lambeau, who conferred with Kiesling, said that "Kies is one of the finest line coaches in the country, but it is my opinion that he should, in the interest of his health, take a year's vacation from football and all other strenuous activities." Walt twice during the past season was forced to miss workouts for a week at a time and on other occasions he insisted on performing his duties when it would have been advisable for him to rest, Lambeau said. Also at the Chicago meeting was Charley Brock, veteran Packer center, who spent 1948 as assistant coach at Omaha university. Lambeau said that, if Brock joins the Packers, it will not be as line coach, but as an assistant coach and player scout.
SHAKEUP OF COACHES IN MAKING AT GREEN BAY
JAN 24 (Milwaukee Journal) - A complete shakeup of Curly Lambeau's staff of assistance coaches at Green Bay seemed in the making Monday. After a weekend of conferences in Chicago, where the National league held its annual meeting earlier in the week, Lambeau made the following announcements: 1. Walt Kiesling, line coach, will probably be relieved because of his health. 2. Charlie Brock, former star center, and now line coach at Omaha university, will be added to the staff as an assistant coach. 3. A new backfield coach will replace Bo Molenda. 4. Don Hutson, end coach, will be relieved of some of his duties because of the pressure of outside business. Except for Charlie Brock, Lambeau did not indicate who might succeed to the open positions. In announcing the probability that Kiesling would not be back, Lambeau emphasized any change, if one is made, will be due only to Kiesling's recent ill health. A veteran of 23 years in the National league as a player, assistant coach and head coach, Kiesling twice last season was forced to give up coaching for a week at a time because of illness and on another occasion insisted on going out on the field to coach when it would have been advisable for him to rest. Lambeau also emphasized that Brock would not be line coach.
PACKERS ASSURED SIX 'HOME' LEAGUE CONTESTS FOR 1949 CARD
JAN 25 (Green Bay) - Under the complicated mass of details that go into arranging the 1949 NFL schedule, this one fact is certain: The Green Bay Packers will play six championship games on Wisconsin soil next season. This was assured by NFL Commissioner Bert Bell during the loop’s 29th annual meetings in Chicago last week and announced today by Packer Coach Curly Lambeau. The division of games between Green Bay and Milwaukee, the opponents and dates will be determined later – when Commissioner Bell completes the loop card which also must be approved by club owners. Under league rules, four of the Packers’ six home foes will be Western division teams – the Bears, Cardinals, Los Angeles and Detroit. The other two opponents, which must come from the Eastern sector, have not been determined…FIVE HOME IN 1946: A year ago, Washington and New York represented the Eastern division while in 1947, Pittsburgh and Washington were the Eastern representatives. Incidentally, this will be the third straight season the Packers will play six home contests. Five were played in 1946 – Pittsburgh, the Bears, Cardinals, Detroit and Los Angeles. The National league again will play a 12-game schedule next fall. Eight of the Packers’ games will involve Western division teams in accordance with the NFL rule making it necessary for each team to play a home-and-home series with clubs within its division. The Packers’ four remaining opponents are selected from Eastern division teams. Last year, the Packers played Boston and Pittsburgh on the road and in 1947 they visited New York and Philadelphia. Commissioner Bell is faced with a tremendous task on the 1949 schedule. One reason is that Ted Collins’ Boston team has been shifted to New York and will play in the Polo Grounds – home of the football Giants. This, of course, assures New York fans of a National league home game every Sunday but it is unlikely that both the Giants and Collinsmen will each get six home games. This would mean 12 Sundays in New York – a stretch of three months…TENTATIVE NON-LOOP TESTS: Park problems also complicate Bell’s job. The two New York teams, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the Bears, Cards and Washington play in baseball parks which would be unavailable in case one of the teams is involved in the World Series. Add to this the fact that each NFL team must play one league game before Oct. 1 and you have an inkling of Mr. Bell’s problem. The Packers may play as many as five non-league contests. Tentative opponents include Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York Giants and Washington. If a fifth game is played, Ted Collins’ team may be the opponent. Tentatively, the Packers will meet Washington in Milwaukee Sept. 18; Philadelphia in Minneapolis; New York Giants in Des Moines; and Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh.
BOB SNYDER NAMED PACKER BACKFIELD COACH
JAN 29 (Green Bay) - Bob Snyder, former head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, who helped install the T-formation at Notre Dame, has been named backfield coach of the Green Bay Packers. Snyder, who will turn 36 years of age a week from Sunday, succeeds Bo Molenda, former Packer and New York Giants fullback, who served as backfield coach here in 1947 and 1948. Molenda’s contract expired after the 1948 season. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau, who revealed that Snyder signed a two-year contract, first tried to get the services of Snyder – as a player – in 1935, when Bob finished three seasons as a halfback for Ohio university. He was recommended by Dr. Clarence Spears, then a Packer scout and Ohio coach. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers got an earlier choice in the draft and selected him…TURNED DOWN COLLEGE JOBS: Snyder recently turned down four full-time college positions – one an assistant’s job at Notre Dame – to take advantage of the Packer offer, Lambeau said. The Packer job will permit him to move from Los Angeles to Toledo where he will operate a business during the offseason. Signing of Snyder makes official the first of several “reported” Packer coaching changes. Charley Brock, former Packer center, conferred with Lambeau in Chicago last week. Also at the NFL meetings, Line Coach Walt Kiesling announced that he didn’t plan to return to Green Bay next fall. Lambeau advised Kiesling to take a year’s vacation for reasons of health. Brock now is an assistant coach at Omaha university. Snyder started his coaching career in 1942 when Frank Leahy asked Bear Coach George Halas to recommend a man to help him install the “T” at Notre Dame. Halas dispatched Snyder. Bob returned to the Bears in 1943. While working at the Thompson Aircraft plant in 1944, Snyder assisted his old friend, Bill Orwig, coach at Toledo Libby High. In 1945, however, Snyder moved back into the National league as Rams’ backfield coach under Adam Walsh. Snyder installed the T-formation and his prize pupil was Bob Waterfield, still ace of Ram quarterbacks. After the 1946 season, Snyder was named head coach, his teams splitting even in 12 games in 1947. Clark Shaughnessy took over the head coaching job shortly after the start of the 1948 season, when Snyder became ill. Snyder assisted Jeff Cravath at the University of Southern California the remainder of last fall. Snyder, in 1947, the youngest head coach in the National league, is considered one of the outstanding teachers of the intricate T-formation, especially the functions of the quarterback. Married and the father of three daughters and one son, Snyder was born in Fremont, O., Feb. 6, 1913. He moved to Toledo where he won 13 letters at Libby High, four each in football, baseball and basketball and one in track. As an all-state back in 1930-31, Snyder was Ohio’s top scorer both seasons and captained both the football and basketball teams…SET NFL KICKING RECORD: At Ohio university he went on to set an amazing ironman record as Ohio’s regular left halfback in 1933-35. During those three years he missed but nine minutes of playing time and was an all-Ohio back in 1934 and 1935. His team also registered victories over Indiana, Illinois and Navy. Following his graduation, he played professional ball in Pittsburgh in 1936 before joining the Rams in 1937. In 1939, the Bears purchased Snyder and the husky back went on to become of the game’s greatest placement kickers. In all, he set three records that still stand. These records include three field goals against the New York Giants in the 1941 championship game; eight extra points in one game, Bears vs. Giants in 1943; and most extra points in championship game, five against Washington in 1940. During his six years in the National league, Snyder missed by two conversions, one that missed the mark in 1938 and one that was blocked in ’41. For the entire season of ’43, he hit 12 out of 12 field goals.
ENJOY WORKING WITH STAN HEATH
JAN 29 (Los Angeles) - Bob Snyder, signed today as backfield coach of the Green Bay Packers, reported that he is looking forward to working with “this lad Stan Heath”. Snyder, whose prize pupil was Los Angeles Ram quarterback Bob Waterfield, said here after signing: “I’ll be glad to get back into the National league; it will be a pleasure working with Curly and I’m going to enjoy working with this lad, Stan Heath.”
EVER HEAR OF BOB FLOWERS? PLAYS CENTER FOR THE PACKERS
FEB 1 (Green Bay) - Tuesday quarterback...Quick now, who is the Packers' center? Jay Rhodemyre, you say? Just what we thought. Sure, Jay is a Packer center and a mighty elegant one but the point of today's QB is that the Packers had a regular center for seven years now but few fans ever gave him a second look. He is Bob Flowers, the Packers' shadow man. Bob came out of Texas Tech in June of 1942 with a degree in animal husbandry and three months later bloomed forth in Green Bay. But Flowers found himself under Charley Brock, the Packers' all-time center, whose ball-thieving heroics and spectacular play left fans wondering why it's necessary to carry more than one center. Flowers quickly developed splinteritis. Anyway, when Bob did get into action, it was, they said, merely to give Charley a rest. When the years began to show on Brock, Flowers had to share the No. 1 replacement role with Buddy Gatewood, the Baylor star who toiled in 1946 and 1947. Then came 1948. Brock retired to take a coaching post at Omaha university and Gatewood quit in favor of business, leaving Flowers in the driver's seat. Coming up were two rookies, Lloyd Baxter and the above-mentioned Rhodemyre. At last, Mr. Flowers would get his chance. Then came the night of Aug. 20 in Chicago and Rhodemyre was voted the most valuable player among the College All Stars against the Cardinals. The next night, between halves of the Packer intra-squad game, Rhodemyre was introduced to the 10,000-plus crowd and the name Flowers reminded you of something you get at your funeral or wedding. And so it went - far into the season. Not a Don Hutson with his feet, Flowers actually had himself a terrific season with his rugged play. Bob, who respects the rules of the game, made more than one opponent wish he would have taken his wife's advice and gone into business. There was that game against the NY Giants in Milwaukee last fall. We spotted Flowers hammering a Giant lineman in the back with his fist - right out in the open. The officials never caught it, fortunately for the Packers, but maybe they closed their eyes to the incident. After the game, we asked Flowers, "what got into you?", and he explained, "that guy was holding me all during the game and I just got fed up on it; he knows how to play the game." Final pass interception statistics for the Packers showed that Bob was "in there" all season. He intercepted four passes, a lot for a center who plays just two yards back of the line or thereabouts. Brock got two and Flowers one in 1947 and all Packer centers went interception-less in 1946, adding significance to Flowers' "big four" last fall. Now that you've heard about Flowers, what number does he wear? No. 22, you say? For goodness sakes, Bub, that's Rhodemyre's number. Flowers wears No. 35.
CHARLEY BROCK SIGNED AS PACKER ASSISTANT
FEB 3 (Green Bay) - Charles J. Brock, the Green Bay Packers all-time center, will return as an assistant coach and scout. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau announced that Brock will devote full time to his duties which include helping with the line and scouting for talent. He will start work March 1. Brock, a former Nebraska All-American, retired from the professional playing ranks after the University of Omaha where college officials today accepted his resignation. Charley is the second coach added to the Packer staff of assistants within a week. Last Saturday Lambeau announced the signing of Bob Snyder, former Los Angeles Ram head coach, to handle the backfield. Signing of two new coaches indicates a general change in the assistant coaching ranks of the Packers. Bo Molenda, backfield assistant for two years, will not return next fall. Walt Kiesling, line coach, is not expected to return in view of Lambeau's recent request that Kies take a year's vacation for reasons of health. However, the Associated Press quoted Kiesling at his home in Pittsburgh today as follows: "I'm still dickering with the Packers. I couldn't go for that rest business. That's just another way of saying they don't want you anymore. I guess I'll give them about another week." Kiesling said he has no other clubs in mind at the moment...FAVORITE FAMILY RETURNS: Don Hutson, the Packers' immortal end who retired as a player after the 1945 season and then signed as an assistant coach, is expected to return again in 1949. Lambeau has repeatedly said that "Don can have a job with the Packers as long as he likes." Hutson, due to the press of business interests, worked with the Packers only on defense the latter part of the 1948 season. Don, however, worked on the sidelines during all of the games. Brock's appointment means that Green Bay will get back a favorite family. The Brocks, including three children, are expected to move here shortly after March 1 or as soon as they can find a home. Charley was a Preble home owner for several years. A spirited player, Brock is expected to give the Packers some of the fire he possessed during his nine seasons here. He was present at the Packers' sparkling 7-6 battle with the Bears in Chicago last fall - the only game he was able to attend. Brock came to the Packers in 1939 after a brilliant career at Nebraska. He played on the 1939 West Shrine team and participated in the College All Star game. During his Packer career, Brock was forced to battle against New York Giants Mel Hein and Bear Bulldog Turner for recognition as an all-league center. In 1945, Brock was selected by three major press associations as the all-National league center while in 1942-43-44 he shared the honor with Turner. Brock, Packer captain in his last four years, was selected as the all-time Packer center in the Press-Gazette's poll in 1946. The greatest prize came from Jug Earpe, previously ranked the "top" of Packer centers. Said Jug: "That boy has everything; he's a standout both on defense and offense." During his pro career, Brock gained a nationwide reputation as a "thief". He has stolen the ball from opposing players no less than 10 times. Against the Cardinals in Chicago in 1942, Brock picked the ball out of fullback John Morrow's hands and ran for the winning touchdown, 17-13. Against the Giants in New York, Brock stole the ball twice and intercepted a pass. Few centers score touchdowns. Yet, Brock counted four in his career - all on interceptions or steals. He intercepted more than 20 passes. Since 1941, when individual receptions were published by the league, Brock intercepted 17. His biggest year was 1942, when he grabbed six - one less than Hutson. Brock intercepted four each in 1943 and 1945.
SAME BRAWN BUT NEW BRAINS IS PACKER OUTLOOK
FEB 3 (Green Bay) - The same brawn with new brains - that's the apparent 1949 outlook for the Green Bay Packers. Not many months ago, while the Packers were floundering around deep in the NFL's standings, head coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau exploded that he'd like to get rid of "10 or 12 players" whom he never named. But as of today, the 1948 roster remains intact. The coaching department is another story. Two new coaches already are on the staff. The latest addition is Charley Brock, who left a line coaching job at the University of Omaha to become an "assistant coach and scout" for Lambeau. Brock was one of the NFL's top centers during his nine playing years as pivot man of the Packer line. A week ago, Bob Snyder, former head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, signed a two-year contract as backfield coach for Green Bay. This is the job held for the past two years by Bo Molenda, who starred for the University of Michigan, the New York Giants and the Packers in his playing days. The Packer office explained merely that "Molenda's contract has expired." No one is entirely sure of the status of veteran line coach Walt Kiesling - including veteran coach Walt Kiesling. Lambeau said two weeks ago he considered Kiesling "one of the finest line coaches in the country," but added, "it's my opinion he should, in the interest of his health, take a year's vacation from football." Said Kiesling at his Pittsburgh home, "I wouldn't go for that 'rest' business. That's just another way of saying they don't want you anymore." He said he was dickering with the Packers, but will start looking around for something else if he doesn't hear something definite soon. "I guess I'll give 'em about another week," Kiesling declared. That leaves Don Hutson, the only other member of Lambeau's coaching staff and a whale of an end in his playing days with the Packers. He has been coaching the ends since he stopped holding down that position himself, but he has outside business interests and may not be back either. That off-season business, you know, takes a lot of a fellow's time.
PACKERS LAUNCH 27TH SEASON TICKET DRIVE
FEB 5 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers, first professional club to conduct an organized season ticket sale, formally opened their 27th annual ducat campaign today. Announcement of the drive followed receipt of word from the NFL Commissioner, Bert Bell, that the schedule he is now preparing to submit to clubs for 1949 will include six home games for the Packers, three in Milwaukee and three in Green Bay. Ticket prices for the 1949 season will remain unchanged. Top prices will be $4.80, including tax, for all home games, with other choice locations at $3.60 and $2.40, all including the federal amusement assessment. Season tickets, in books of three, entitling the holder to the same seat for all the games in Green Bay or in Milwaukee, will be priced at $14.40, $0.80 and $7.20. Packer Ticket Manager Carl Mraz announced that orders for tickets to either Green Bay or Milwaukee games will be received at the Packer ticket office in the Legion building on Walnut street and filled in the order of their receipt. Several hundred applications already have been received, Mraz reported. Most of these early orders were placed at Christmas time and another influx of new business is expected shortly before Valentine's day. Seasons have also been purchased for use as birthday or special anniversary gifts. The actual tickets will be made available shortly after announcement of the six teams playing the Packers in Green Bay and Milwaukee. Bell had recently assured Green Bay of six home games for 1949. Four of the games, under National league rules, will be with the Western division teams - Chicago Bears, Chicago Cardinals, Los Angeles and Detroit. The other two contests will involved Eastern division clubs. The Packers are seeking their third consecutive triple sellout. City stadium was packed for each of three games in 1947 and each three last fall. The crowds ranged from 24,500 to over 25,000. The Bears, Cardinals and Detroit played here in 1947 and the Bears, Detroit and Los Angeles were the stadium opponents last fall. Despite the worst-in-history 1948 season, interest in the Packers for 1949 is running high. Fans are looking for a "new and winning" Packer team next fall and Coach Curly Lambeau has set his sights on just that. The Packers already have signed Stan Heath, the nation's leading passer at Nevada; fullback Bob Summerhays, on the wanted list of three top NFL clubs, of Utah; All-America guard Paul Burris of Oklahoma; and many others. In addition, Lambeau has made two changes in the coaching staff. Bob Snyder, T-formation expert who formerly head coached the Los Angeles Rams, has been added as backfield coach and Charley Brock, all-time Packer center, will return as a coaching assistant and scout...PACKER PACKINGS: Ed Smith, the halfback who used his first season's earnings to buy a farm in Texas, will be reunited with an old West Point classmate in the Packer camp next fall. Smith and Summerhays, rookie fullback from the University of Utah, were members of the same Plebe team at the Academy in 1943...You can't always tell about football. Take the case of Larry Craig and Charlie Brock, a pair of famous Packers. Craig played seven years in the Packer backfield and three at end. In ten seasons in an offensive position, he has scored only one touchdown. Brock, who operated nine seasons at center, scored four touchdowns...Jay Rhodemyre, who reached major league stardom at center in his first season with the Packers last fall, has returned to the University of Kentucky to complete work for a degree in science and engineering.
FIRST PACKER ALUMNI GROUP IS ORGANIZED
FEB 8 (Green Bay) - The first step in the organization of a permanent Green Bay Packer Alumni club was taken at a meeting of 20 former Packers at the Silver Rail Monday night. The group - first of its kind in the 30-year history of the team - accomplished the following business: Selected a three-man nominating committee to pick a slate of officers; set the first Monday of the month as a regular meeting date; established several objectives; and discussed ways and means of cooperating with the "live" Packers. The nominating committee is composed of Lyle Sturgeon, a tackle in the late 1930's; Wuert Englemann, a halfback in the early 1930's; and Joe Laws, the halfback who played with the 1936, 1939 and 1944 championship clubs. The committee will report at the Monday, March 7, meeting. Nearly 40 former Packers - the approximate number living in Green Bay - are expected to attend. All former Packers, regardless of their present residence, are invited. Fee Klaus, the giant center who played from 1920 to 1924, was "overwhelmed" by the first night turnout. Klaus, in the last two weeks, quietly contacted former Packers and set the date for the first session. "At first we thought there were only about 20 former Packers around here but after going over more and more names we discovered there are around 40 in the city alone. There are also many living in Milwaukee and other nearby towns," Klaus said. A good part of the meeting was devoted to a discussion on the aims of the new organization. It was decided that the first and immediate objective is cooperation with the present Packer eleven. Another objective is to bring the team and the public closer together. One former Packer pointed out that "we can even bring ourselves (ex-Packers) closer to the team." The former players want to make it "absolutely clear" that the club is not an antagonistic group, "We are organizing chiefly as a cooperative, a group to promote rather than tear down the Packers," Klaus explained. The group advanced a number of ideas for activities during the season. The suggestions included picking a player of the week; a player of the year; and holding a homecoming for ex-players at the last home game. Possibly, they said, the former players could attend the games in a body and sit in a special section. The club also discussed the possibilities of conducting quarterback meetings during the season. The sessions would be held in the evening and Packer pictures would be shown. The new group will have something of a national scope. Membership cards will be printed and sent to former Packers throughout the country. They will be kept informed on the progress of the club down through the years. All of the former players spoke informally at the meeting. Also attending was George Strickler, Packer publicity director, who briefly reviewed the present club. The attendance included Carl Zoll, Al Petcka, Charles Mathys, Joe Secord, H.J. Bero, Wally Ladrow, Arnie Herber, Chuck Tollefson, G.W. Calhoun, Ken Keuper, Dave Zuidmulder, Tiny Croft, Tim O'Brien, Andy Uram, Al Rose, Ben Starrett, Laws, Englemann, Sturgeon and Klaus.
PACKERS STARTED IN '19; WON TITLES IN '29, '39; WHAT IN '49?
FEB 8 (Green Bay) - Professional football is a grueling sport. The Packers of 1948 included only three members of the 1941 powerhouse which sailed through the regular schedule with only one defeat - halfback Tony Canadeo, tackle Baby Ray and end Larry Craig. The Packers' last championship squad, 1944 vintage, was represented by only five players in 1948 - Irv Comp, Ted Fritsch, Bob Flowers, Ray and Craig. Canadeo was riding tanks over in Europe in 1944. The war wrecked the Packers' 1941 machine, which lost in the first divisional playoff to the Bears. Among the promising rookies (at the time) called into service were ends Ed Frutig, Alex Urban and Bill Johnson, guard Lee McLaughlin, tackle Ernie Pannell and backs Bob Kahler and George Paskvan. On a league basis, only 40 of the 300-plus on the 10 NFL clubs in 1941 competed a year ago. The Bears were tops with 10. The average life of a professional gridder is four to five years. The 1941 season will be something of an "anniversary" year for the Packers. They captured championships in the last two "nine" years - 1939 and 1929. What's more, Curly Lambeau organized the club in a "nine" year - 1919 -0 and went out and won 10 games and lost only one - a disputed 6 to 0 decision to Beloit...Packer tackle Ed Bell, who one day last season received a letter from his girl saying that she off and got married, has finally discovered the right one. She is Elois Schneider of Chicago, and they'll be married in April. Also taking the step this spring is halfback Jug Girard, who will marry a Kaukauna girl...Tackle Urban Odson's home in Raymond, S.D., is bulging at the sides. He had seven additions the other day when fire destroyed his brother's nearby home. Brother Odson has five children and Urban has three...The average attendance at Packer home games in the early 1920's was 1,500 - about 23,500 less than the 1948 City stadium card. Down through the yeas - or before money grew on trees - many college football stars liked the idea of playing professional in a small community like Green Bay. George Sauer, former Packer back and now Navy's head coach, was one of them. George actually passed up Detroit in favor of the homey atmosphere of Green Bay. Despite the financial interest these days, pro prospects consider "other things" in selecting their football headquarters. Nick Kewbawy, Detroit publicity man who scouted several players, came back with the observation: "Two west coast prospects were interested mainly in two things. They wanted to know whether the Lions were corporately or privately owned. They also wanted to know what business advantages were likely if they signed to play for Detroit. They felt corporation-owned franchises promised more stability than personally-owned clubs." There's plenty of logic in those players' thoughts. Three of the clubs in the NFL are corporately-owned - Green Bay, Detroit and Philadelphia. Other clubs and their owners are: Bears, George Halas; Cardinals, Mr. Charles W. Bidwell; Los Angeles, Dan Reeves; Washington, George Marshall; New York, John V. Mara and sons; Pittsburgh, Art Rooney; New York Bulldogs, Ted Collins.
BELL REVEALS NFL STATUS IN PRO GRID WAR
FEB 8 (Philadelphia) - The NFL and All-America conference apparently are no closer than they were three years ago when the AAC entered the professional gridiron field. Bert Bell, commissioner of the 30-year old National circuit, said Monday, "There will be no common draft, no exhibition games and no world series of football between the two leagues." The All-America's answer was another challenge for a title playoff between the two rival pro loops. It came from Benjamin F. Lindheimer of Chicago, owner of the Los Angeles Dons and chairman of the league's executive committee. At a press conference called to give the National league's official version of negotiations between the two factions, Bell said a merger between the two circuits is impossible under present conditions. "The stronger All-America conference teams wanted to come to an agreement with the NFL, but the other teams in the conference organization would not permit this," said the NFL commissioner...PEACE NOT SUBJECT: "They had a binding legal agreement which prohibited such a move without consent of all its members." Bell took the occasion to deny emphatically charges by Jim Beuil of the conference's Buffalo Bills that Tim Mara of the New York Giants and George Marshall of the Washington Redskins had blocked peach between the two leagues. "Peace was not the subject of our meetings," declared Bell, adding: "Only once, at the first meeting in Philadelphia, Dec. 20, was the suggestion made that the All-America conference retain its identity. That suggestion was quickly dropped and thereafter the owners from both leagues discussed how many conference teams could join the NFL." Bell declared that at no time did the NFL leave AAC owners under any delusion that they were interested in only two teams, San Francisco and Cleveland. "I told him we would consider merging the two Los Angeles teams and desired Dan Topping to lease Yankee stadium to the Boston Yanks. I suggested that Breuil attempt to buy in with Ted Collins' Boston franchise." Bell added that Lindheimer said the AAC committee would like to come to Philadelphia and discuss the situation providing the NFL owners would keep an open mind of four conference teams. "I promised no such thing but the AAC representatives came anyway," Bell said. Since then, Collins has transferred his team to New York as the Bulldogs will play at the Polo Grounds - home of the football Giants. In Chicago Lindheimer said: "We were always assured that a majority of the members of the NFL were in favor of working out a mutually agreeable plan in the best interest of major league football. We never have believed that a one-league operation throughout the country is practical not is it fair to the patrons of major league football who make the business and sport possible." Lindheimer added the All-American conference will continue to operate through the years independently of any other football league. "Its members are sufficiently stable financially to insure a sound business operation," he concluded. Bell's argument, that in his belief, there are not 16 cities necessary to make up two leagues, in the country capable of maintaining top-flight pro football teams profitably.
DEVINE 8TH TO JOIN PACKERS
FEB 10 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers filled out an all-freshmen backfield today with the signing of Paul W. (Andy) Devine. A left halfback from Heidelberg college at Tiffin, O., Devine is the eighth newcomer to officially register for 1949 action. Devine, who stands five feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 185 pounds, fits into a rookie backfield trio composed of quarterback Stan Heath of Nevada; right halfback Glenn Lewis of Texas Tech; and fullback Bob Summerhays of Utah. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau, who announced Devine's signing, said Devine's name was on the selection lists of both the Chicago Bears and New York Giants. A power runner with speed, Lambeau figures that Devine will "easily work into our system"...AVERAGED SIX YARDS: The latest signee was selected on all-Ohio state, all-Ohio conference and all-midwest teams after gaining 685 yards in 114 attempts and scoring eight touchdowns last fall. His average for the season was slightly more than six yards per try. In a game against Wooster, Devine scored the winning touchdown and gained 78 yards on 18 tries. Devine played at left halfback in Heidelberg's T-formation and the tailback spot when his club shifted into the single wing. Single, 25, and a native of Marysville, O., Devine has been on the Dean's List - composed of scholastic honor students - in each of his three years at Heidelberg. He majored in botany and physical education. In the Army in 1943, Devine was a specialized training program student at Georgetown. Today's business was the first player signing in more than a month. Last gridder to come to terms was Paul (Buddy) Burris, the All-America guard from Oklahoma, on Jan. 11. The Packers accomplished three other items of business Jan. 11 - a trade with the New York Giants and signing of two assistant coaches...TRADE WITH NEW YORK: The player switch, settled Jan. 24, saw the Packers obtain draft rights to tackle Albert J. (Jack) Bush of Georgia and Edward A. Kelley of Texas for the contract of fullback Pat West, who joined the Pack midway in the 1948 season, and draft rights to Jim Ford, the 158-pound scat back from Tulsa. The two new coaches are Bob Snyder, former head mentor of the Rams, and Charley Brock, the former Packer center and captain. Snyder replaces Bo Molenda as backfield coach. Brock was hired as assistant coach and scout on a year-around basis. He will start work March 1. Still to be hired is a line coach to take the place of Walt Kiesling. Next order of
business will be the naming of Packer opponents in Green Bay and Milwaukee. Bert Bell, NFL Commissioner who announced recently that the Bays will play three loop games at City stadium and three in Milwaukee, is expected to reveal the foes in the near future. The Packers' season ticket drive was officially opened last Saturday and orders for ducats are being taken every day at the ticket office in the Legion building on Walnut street.
CANADEO SNARES 5TH PACKER TURF 'CROWN' IN SIX FULL SEASONS HERE
FEB 17 (Green Bay) - This is getting to be an annual event - writing about Tony Canadeo and his ground gaining exploits. The Grey Ghost of the Green Bay Packers again led the club in chewing off turf yardage in 1948. This feat gives him five ground gaining championships in the six full seasons he served here - the last three in succession. He came out of Gonzaga in 1941, and finished third behind Clarke Hinkle and Cecil Isbell in GG. Then, in 1942, 1943, 1946, 1947 and last season, Mr. Canadeo paced the club with his murderous straight-away slashes. Uncle Sam interfered in 1944-45 but relented on three weekends in 1944, thus permitting Corporal Tony to gain 149 yards in 31 rushes in three starts. He served in the European theater in 1945...SECOND ON ALL-TIME LIST: Canadeo carried the brunt of the ground attack in 1948, topping the No. 2 carrier, fullback Walt Schlinkman, by 148 yards. Tony racked up 589 yards in 123 attempts for an average of 4.8. Oddly enough, Canadeo finished fifth in the league while in 1947, he placed third with 125 yards less. Looking at Isbell and Hinkle for the first time, Canadeo managed to pick off 137 yards in 43 attempts in 1941. Figures for his "leading" years: 1942, 272 yards in 89 attempts; 1943, 489 in 94; 1946, 476 in 122; 1947, 464 in 103; 1948, 589 in 123. Tony's best average was 5.2 yards - in 1943. He averaged 4.5 in 1947. The hard-working halfback now ranks second on the list of all-time Packer ground gainers. His 1948 total boosted his lifetime figure to 2,576 yards in 605 attempts for a smart average of 4.29 yards. Given the two seasons he missed in the service, Canadeo now might well be within striking distance of Hinkle's all-time ground record of 3,860 yards in 1,171 attempts in 10 seasons. As it is, Canadeo needs 1,284 yards to tie Hinkle's mark - which is the present NFL record...TEAM FINISHES FIFTH: Clarke's record, set in 1941, is certain to fall next season. Official statistics released by the National league office today revealed that Steve Van Buren, Philadelphia's great back, has gained 3,578 yards in five years - 102 less than Hinkle's total. Van Buren picked off 945 yards last fall to lead the league again. He established the loop's single season mark in 1947 with 1,008 yards. The Packers ended fifth in ball carrying last fall behind the Cardinals, Bears, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The Cards totaled 2,560 while the Bays gained 1,759. Canadeo and Schlinkman gained 1,030 yards of the Packer total between them. After the Canadeo-Schlinkman punch, the Packers practically fell off the list, falling all the way to the 38th spot where Ted Fritsch comes in with a total of 173 yards.
TOM STIDHAM CHOSEN AS PACKER LINE COACH
FEB 18 (Green Bay) - Tom Stidham, the rough-tough Indian-Irishman from Oklahoma and more recently from Milwaukee, is the new line coach of the Green Bay Packers. Stidham, well known in Wisconsin after five years as head coach at Marquette university, is the third coaching assistant signed in less than a month. Big Tom joins Bob Snyder, the T-formation expert who replaced Bo Molenda as backfield coach, and Charley Brock, former Packer center who was added as a full-time assistant. Head Coach Curly Lambeau, revealing the addition today, said that Stidham has been signed to a two-year contract. Stidham replaces Walt Kiesling, who completed four campaigns, coming here at the start of the 1945 season to replace George Trafton. Lambeau recently suggested that Kiesling take a "year's vacation" from the sport for reasons of health...CONTACT WITH BUSINESS: A native of Checotka, Okla., Stidham has three years of professional grid coaching experience under his belt. After leaving Marquette in 1945, Tom worked as line coach under Red Dawson in Buffalo of the All-America conference and then held the same position under Cecil Isbell, the former Packer passer, at Baltimore in 1947 and 1948. Stidham was offered the Baltimore job again but declined for business reasons. He is the owner of the Wauwautosa Locker company, and the Baltimore post kept him in the east from August to December. The Packer job will permit him to remain in closer contact with his business. Stidham started his playing career in 1924 at Haskell Institute where he toiled as a tackle for three seasons under Dick Hanley. He served as an assistant to Haney in 1927 after which they handled the coaching chores at Northwestern until after the 1934 season, winning the Big Ten title in 1930 and 1931. Stidham moved into the University of Oklahoma under Biff Jones in 1935. He was appointed athletic director and head football coach there in 1937...COACHED JACK JACOBS: In four years at Oklahoma, he compiled an impressive record of 27 victories, eight losses and three ties. His four-year mark in Big Six conference play shows 15 wins, four losses
and one tie, with ranking of second place in 1937; first in 1938 (opponents did not score a point); third in 1939; and second in 1940. During the 1938 and 1939 seasons his team won 18 consecutive regularly-scheduled games. Stidham was the first coach to get Oklahoma into a bowl game and the first to give Oklahoma a Big Six title. In that bowl appearance, a very powerful Tennessee lineup whipped Oklahoma, 17-7. One of Stidham's standouts in the late 1930's was Indian Jack Jacobs, present Packer quarterback, who did all of the team's passing and punting...DRAFT CONSTITUTION: Stidham moved to Marquette in 1941. His first game was a surprising 28-7 victory over Wisconsin. After two good years, the war cut deeply into the supply of top players and Tom finished at Marquette after the 1945 season with 20 victories, 22 losses, and two ties. The new line coach, who will turn 45 next March 27, is one-sixteenth Creek Indian and fifteen-sixteenths Irish, and an ancestor, George W. Stidham, helped to draft the famous Creek constitution back in the late 1860's.
COMMENT HIGH ON NEW PACKER LINE MENTOR
FEB 19 (Green Bay) - Green Bay seems to be humming a tune called "Tom Stidham". Leading the chorus is Victor McCormick, a prominent citizen here and a member of the Marquette university athletic board. McCormick, long-time friend and admirer of Stidham, was pleasantly surprised when he learned of Stidham's appointment as Packer line coach Friday. "The Packers certainly scored a real 10-strike when they signed Tom. He's exceptionally capable," McCormick beamed. Stidham and McCormick became fast friends when Tom took over the Marquette football team in 1941. McCormick has been prominent in Marquette alumni activities since he graduated from that school in 1922 and in 1945 donated a six-acre tract of land as a practice field for athletics near the Hilltop stadium. The field was named in his honor. Just recently, McCormick was named to the MU athletic board. Stidham, whose home is in Whitefish Bay, a suburb of Milwaukee, has a "marked ability to handle men, and he just loves linemen - being a former tackle himself," McCormick said Friday...SHREWD JUDGE OF PLAYERS: The new forward wall mentor, who signed a two year contract replacing Walt Kiesling, "will stand for nothing less than perfection and is a stickler for fundamentals," said McCormick. Well known and well respected in college and professional circles around the country, Stidham is a "shrewd judge of players," McCormick pointed out, saying that the new mentor could be valuable on future player service. Stidham has had some rough times at Marquette - "particularly when he was blessed with 17-year-olds and 4-F's during the war years," McCormick recalled. At that, Tom's team was barely edged out by a powerful Purdue team, 14-13, in 1943. The Marquette wartime schedule included Great Lakes, Iowa Seahawks, Michigan, Purdue and other Big Nine schools which has service student players...THIRD ASSISTANT SIGNED: McCormick wasn't the only Green Bayite to expound on Stidham Friday. Ward Cuff, former New York Giant, Cardinal and Packer and present grid coach at Central Catholic, was enthusiastic. "He'll do the Packers plenty of good," Cuff said. Stidham's appointment, coming as a complete surprise, brought "cheers" from the boys at the coffee shop who somehow everyday feel the pulse of Packer fandom. The general talk went like this: "We've really got a staff now!" Stidham was the third assistant signed in less than a month. Bob Snyder, former Los Angeles Ram's T-formation expert, is the new backfield coach and Charley Brock, all-time Packer center, has been named as a full time assistant and scout. The head coach, Curly Lambeau, will be starting his 31st season at the helm...STIDHAMISMS: The new Packer line coach not only developed Packer quarterback Jack Jacobs at the University of Oklahoma but "Tom knows him well", McCormick recalled. It was Stidham who picked him out of Muskogee, Okla., High for the state school and nursed him into one of the nation's leading passers and punters. After graduating from Checotah, Okla., Stidham drove a freight truck from Checotah to Muskogee for three years and grew so big wrestling bales and sacks that soon he had difficulty squeezing into the cab of the truck. Tom packs about 240 pounds on a six-foot, one-inch frame. Stidham got his college training free. His one-sixteenth Indian strain (the rest is Irish) permitted him to enroll at Haskell Institute where he played tackle on Dick Hanley's great Indian teams of 1924, 1925 and 1926. Ted Carpenter, Marquette publicity chief, writes: "Stidham has a vibrant, soothing bass voice that no one has ever heard raised in anger or profanity. He frequently breaks out into rumbling laughter that, they say, rattles window panes and shakes plaques and pictures on the walls." A University of Oklahoma publicity man writes: "Although deadly serious on the practice field, Tom is jovial and friendly by nature and never loses his temper or his sense of humor. Possessed of a splendid personality, Stidham is the type that the boys cotton to, and they'll play their hearts out for him. He's the type that can inspire a boy to great things."
DILWEG BEING CONSIDERED FOR UNDERSECRETARY OF LABOR
FEB 19 (Green Bay) - LaVern Dilweg, former Eighth district congressman, is being considered for the post of Undersecretary of Labor in Washington, according to information received here and also contained in an Associated Press report from the capital. Attorney Melvin Dewane, a member of the law firm of which Dilweg is a partner in Green Bay, said he had talked to the former Democratic congressman several weeks ago in Washington. At that time, Dewane said, Dilweg told him he was being considered for the appointment as undersecretary. Dilweg, however, indicated he would be reluctant to take the appointment if the pay remained at $12,000 a year, Dewane said. This figure may be boosted to as much as $20,000 if a new salary scale now under consideration goes into effect, Associated Press said. Dilweg, who maintains his legal residence in Green Bay, is a former All-America end at Marquette and played for the Green Bay Packers during several championship years. He served in Congress for one term following his election in November 1942. He was one of the most popular members of the House during his term.
JACOBS 15TH AMONG PRO GRID PASSERS
FEB 21 (Green Bay) - Jack Jacobs of the Green Bay Packers finished the 1948 season in 15th place among individual passers of the circuit, according to official statistics released today. Jacobs completed 82 of 184 attempts for a percentage of 44.6, gaining 848 yards and connecting for five touchdowns. Tommy Thompson of the Philadelphia Eagles took his passing title with 57.3 Other Packer passers turned in the following records: Irv Comp, 16 completions in 49 attempts for 32.6 percentage; Earl (Jug) Girard, 4 completions in 14 attempts for 28.6; Perry Moss, 4 of 17 attempts for 23.5; Tony Canadeo, 2 completions, 8 attempts for 25; and Fred Provo, perfect percentage, one completion in a single try.
INTERCEPTION RECORDS SET BY STANDIFER
FEB 25 (Green Bay) - Dan Sandifer, the Washington Redskins’ outstanding rookie, not only won the interception championship of the NFL, but established new records in number intercepted and in yards returned. The 21-year-old resident of Shreveport, La., snared 13 passes and returned them 258 yards for an average of 19.9. Sandifer replaced Frank Reagan of New York and Frank Seno of Boston, co-champions in 1947. New York supplanted Green Bay as the team champion. The Giants intercepted 39 passes for 561 yards, an average of 14.4 yards per return and intercepted 12.5 percent of all passes thrown against them. The Packers finished second with 29 interceptions for 405 yards, an average of 14.4 yards and an interception percentage of 11.2. Ted Cook, the Packers’ end on offense and halfback on defense, bagged six enemy passes to pace his squad. Bob Forte and Irv Comp snared five apiece while Bob Flowers got four. Final scoring figures, also released by the NFL office, show Pat Harder, the Chicago Cardinals’ great fullback, repeating as high counter. He registered 110 points – eight more than a year ago. He registered six touchdowns running, 53 extra point (a new league record) and seven field goals out of 17 attempts. Harder, who did not miss a PAT all season, scored in each of his team’s 12 loop encounters and on three occasions made 15 points in a game, twice against Los Angeles and once against New York.
HUTSON, HINKLE, FRITSCH ONLY PACKER POINT PACERS SINCE '35
MAR 1 (Green Bay) - It seems rather unusual that only three individuals – Don Hutson, Ted Fritsch and Clarke Hinkle – won the Packers’ leading scorer “championship” in the last 14 years. This fact was discovered the other day as we hunted for a different point-making slant designed to take the emphasis off the Packers’ late and lamented worst season in history. The tee-off year for our game of Goal Crossing in 1935 – the season Hutson opened the eyes of the Chicago Bears, 7-0, with one of his catches and runs right off the bat. In the last 14 season, Hutson paced the Packers nine years out of 11 he played, Hinkle led twice and Fritsch won the title the last three years. The deeds of Fritsch and Hinkle are
minor, indeed, compared to the exploits of the Sticky-Fingered Man. Donald led the league in scoring in six seasons – five in succession. His biggest blast was in 1942 when he banged home 17 touchdowns and counted 138 points – both records that will stand for many a year. Hutson might have led the loop in 1935 and 1936, too, but Dutch Clark, the immortal dropkicker from Detroit, managed to edge out the Alabama whiz both seasons. Fullback Hinkle – never a terrific scorer but always the terrific yardage gainer – had his big seasons in 1937 and 1938, when he gained 57 and 58 points, respectively. His 1938 performance was tops in the league while in 1937 the Hink finished second to Automatic Jack Manders of the Bears. The season of 1946 – Hutson’s first on the sidelines – saw fullback Fritsch count an even 100 points to pace the league. Teddy then dropped to eighth in 1947 and 38th in 1948 as his Western division fullback rival, the Cardinals’ Pat Harder, walked off with loop honors. Fritsch’s 29 points last fall may have been an all-time low for the Packers, but, then, the team’s total of 154 was the second lowest since 1932 (152). The 1946 Packers registered 148 points. The Packers’ all-time scoring list shows Hutson, Hinkle and Fritsch in the one, two, three spots, respectively. Fritsch pushed Verne Lewellen into the No. 4 slot. Hutson has 825, Hinkle 390, Fritsch 321 and Lewellen 292. The only present Packer in the three-figure class is Tony Canadeo, the hard running halfback, whose 24 markers last fall left him with 102. Tony now ranks eighth in the all-time scoring and is one of nine players who scored 100 points or more. Besides the five mentioned, this group includes Hank Bruder 100; Curly Lambeau 109; Joe Laws 132; and Johnny Blood 224. A total of 117 different players counted one or more points in the Packers’ 30-year history. Newcomers to the list are Ralph Earhart, the speedster at right halfback who counted 18 points, and fullback Ken Roskie, who added six. Roskie later was traded to Detroit.
BROCK STARTS WORK AS PACKER AIDE
MAR 5 (Green Bay) - Charley Brock, new Green Bay Packer assistant coach, arrived in Green Bay Friday from Omaha to start his full-time duties. Brock, former all-time Packer center, recently resigned his position as line coach at Omaha university to take the Packer post. Charley, a taxpayer here during his playing days, will return his family to Green Bay in the near future.
KIESLING JOINS STEELERS' STAFF
MAR 7 (Pittsburgh) - Walt Kiesling has made a speedy recovery. When Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau released Kiesling from the Green Bay Packer coaching staff several weeks ago, the Packer office said it was for reasons of health and suggested Walt ought to take off for a year or so and rest up. But the 45-year-old Kiesling apparently decided he felt all right. He signed Monday as an assistant coach to Johnny Micholesen of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kiesling has spent 23 seasons as a player or coach in the National league. He was head coach of the Steelers from 1939 to 1942 and was co-coach when the Steelers combined with the Philadelphia Eagles for the 1943 season. After staying as co-coach of the Steelers-Chicago Cardinals combination in 1944, Kiesling moved to Green Bay as line coach the following year.
PACKERS SIGN FORMER WISCONSIN HALFBACK
MAR 8 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers announced today the signing of William Schroeder, former University of Wisconsin halfback from Sheboygan. Schroeder played two years with the El Toro Marines during the war and later was with the Chicago Rockets for two seasons. He is a brother of Dick Schroeder, infielder with the Sheboygan Indians of the Wisconsin State Baseball League.
KLAUS FIRST PREXY OF PACKER ALUMNI GROUP
MAR 8 (Green Bay) - A center, guard and halfback – former capacity, that is – were elected the first officers of the newly-organized Green Bay Packer Alumni club at the organization’s second meeting at the Silver Rail Monday night. The new president is Fee Klaus, the giant center who played from 1920 to 1924. Vice-president is Carl Zoll, a guard from 1919 to 1922. Dave Zuidmulder, halfback in 1929-30, is the secretary-treasurer. A board of directors will be selected in the near future. The group – first of its kind in the 30-year history of the team – spent most of the meeting discussing purposes and objectives. About 15 of the 35 former Packers in attendance gave brief talks or offered suggestions. The immediate aim, decided at the first meeting a month ago, is cooperation with the present Packers. However, the membership decided that this aim should not in any way reduce the amount of constructive criticism. The club feels that it is not an antagonistic group. Three definite purposes were put into the minutes, but the club appointed a committee to draw a definite set of bylaws which will be passed or rejected at the next meeting April 4. The committee is composed of Verne Lewellen, Wuert Englemann and Mike Bucchianeri…OFFER RECRUITING HELP: Purpose No. 1 is to assist any Packer player who desires to locate permanently in Green Bay. This would include helping players to find part or full-time jobs. Another purpose is to offer the Packers assistance in recruiting players. This would be done through the Packers’ vast alumni throughout the country. It was pointed out that scores of former Packers are coaching college teams. One name mentioned was Rex Enright, South Carolina coach and a Packer fullback in the mid-1920’s. Purpose No. 3 concerned the holding of quarterback meetings during the Packer season. Although details will be worked out later, it was decided to hold the sessions open to the public. The club decided to meet the first Monday of every month. The first few meetings will be spent in completing organization and establishing rules and regulations. George Strickler, publicity director of the Packers, told of the contents of a letter from Packer Coach Curly Lambeau in a brief talk. Lambeau wrote: “I was very much interested to read about the Packer alumni club. It is an excellent idea. Such an organization will be a fine asset to Green Bay and professional football.”…MEETING BRIEFS: Two former Packers still affiliated with the team attended – Charley Brock and Don Hutson. Just under 40 former Packers attended. It is estimated that there are around 50 ex-Bays living in the city and immediate vicinity. Most of the former players agree that “we’re closer to the present team after these two meetings.” Klaus, who got the Alumni bug and called the first meeting spoke thusly, after being elected president: “I’ll try do to the best I can; that’s all a horse can do and I’m as big as a horse.” On the recommendation of Boob Darling, former Packer center, the present Packers “are to be commended for selecting their excellent assistant coaching staff.” It was written into the minutes.
PACKERS SIGN SHEBOYGAN BACK
MAR 9 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers luck with their one and only ex-Chicago Hornet has been exceptionally good. The Bay pro football forces signed Evan (Red) Vogds, a guard, just about 300 days ago when Red refused to return to the Chicagoans. Vogds went on to gain an offensive starting berth here last fall. Today, Coach Curly Lambeau drew another ex-Hornet (ex-Rocket, that is) – one William (Bill) Schroeder, a right halfback from nearby Sheboygan. Schroeder’s situation is slightly different. Bill was inactive in a football way last fall simply because he disliked playing with the Chicago Soldier Field eleven. The former University of Wisconsin player worked for the Rockets in 1946 and 1947…TURNS 25 APRIL 11: The newcomer, despite two years of pro experience and three years of service ball, expects to make a clean comeback with the Packers, and, if youth counts, Bill has a good chance. He will turn 25 next April 11. Schroeder starred for Sheboygan Central in the Fox River Valley conference, which acquainted him with the grass at City stadium – home of the Packers. He played three seasons at Central, doing all of the passing and punting and most of the running. Later, he played with the El Toro Marines at Santa Ana, Calif., and the West Coast Service All-Stars. Schroeder played at Wisconsin in 1943. Schroeder never gained any 72-point headlines with the Rockets, but neither did Vogds. Listed in Schroeders’ Packer questionnaire is his greatest thrill – “Intercepting a pass and returning it 34 yards for a touchdown against the New York Yankees.” As a sideline in 1945, Schroeder did a stint with the Sheboygan Redskins’ basketball team. Bill’s brother, Dick, played with the Sheboygan Indians in the Wisconsin State Baseball league last summer and next year will work for the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Class C Johnston, Pa., team…LAST PLAYER SIGNED FEB. 11: Schroeder’s signing is the first Packer player transaction since Feb. 11, when the pen-pushing performance of Paul W. (Andy) Device was announced. Devine played lest halfback at Heidelberg college at Tiffin, O. The Sheboygan ace is the ninth newcomer under contract. No veterans have been signed yet.
PACKER-BEAR GAME WILL REMAIN IN GREEN BAY: LAMBEAU
MAR 14 (Green Bay) - The Packer-Bear game will remain in Green Bay. This was the word today from Packer Coach Curly Lambeau following publication of a story in a Chicago newspaper which stated that the Bear-Packer game will be moved to Milwaukee. Reached in Hollywood, Calif., where he was in conference with A.B. Turnbull, a member of the Packer executive committee, Lambeau said emphatically: "The Packers have never entertained the thought of taking the Bear game out of Green Bay." He then explained that "Halas (George, Bear owner) has been trying to shift the game to Milwaukee."...NO NAMES MENTIONED: The Packer coach said he knew nothing about the Chicago newspaper story which also stated that four of the Packers' six home games will be played in Milwaukee. Lambeau called that statement "entirely false." Incidentally, the article gave no names and the story was
not attributed to any source of information or bylined. Lambeau stated that "only one man can change the Bear-Packer game to Milwaukee and he is the league commissioner - Bert Bell." In the past, it has been up to the Packer corporation to decide the site for its home games - unless there was a controversy. "In case of controversy," Lambeau said, "Bell would step in and settle it." Reached this morning at the league headquarters in Philadelphia, Bell stated flatly: "I wouldn't know anything about moving the game from Green Bay to Milwaukee." Bell pointed out that he assigns the teams and dates only. "The division of opponents between Green Bay and Milwaukee is strictly a local situation," Bell explained. The commissioner said that he informed the Packers of their six home opponents and dates Friday but has not yet received any confirmation yet. Lambeau said he received this schedule from Bell this morning. He explained that the schedule “merely listed our home opponents and no mention whatsoever was made of actually placing the various opponents in Green Bay or Milwaukee. That is up to us.”…NEWS TO HALAS, JR.: Actually, the commissioner assigns only the Eastern division opponents playing on the Packers’ home card. The Western division foes remain the same each year in that the Packers play a home and home series with the Bears, Cardinals, Los Angeles and Detroit annually. The Bear office in Chicago expressed complete surprise. George (Mugsie) Halas, Jr., said: “It’s news to me.” So did Frank Korch, publicity director. Both spoke in absence of Owner-Coach George Halas, who is vacationing in Phoenix. Halas was to leave today for a player-scouting tour of the south and southwest, and could not be reached. Frank J. Jonet, secretary-treasurer of the Packers, was the first Packer official reached this morning. He said, “This is the first I’ve heard of it.” Packer President Emil R. Fischer is vacationing in Florida. George Strickler, Packer publicity director, is in Missouri on his way to the west coast…ADDITIONAL 10,000 FANS: The Chicago story said that “the transfer has been made to accommodate an additional 10,000 spectators over the 25,000 capacity at City stadium in Green Bay.” The article pointed out that the Packers’ 1949 schedule will call for two at home and four in Milwaukee. It stated further: “Additional revenue obviously is the reason behind moving the game to a more spacious park, increased operating expenses, including sky-rocketing of player salaries, have made City stadium’s seating inadequate in comparison to the other big league gridiron arenas which accommodate from 50,000 to 100,000. While hundreds of Chicago fans annually have moved to Green Bay in holiday mood for the big game in the last quarter of the century, many more will make the trip to Milwaukee, which is 116 rail miles south of Green Bay and that much closer to Chicago. In past years, the Packers have transferred their home games with the Chicago Cardinals to Milwaukee.
DAN ORLICH, END FROM NEVADA, IS SIGNED BY PACKERS
MAR 14 (Green Bay) - Dan Orlich, a Kavanaugh with muscles, is the 10th college football star of 1948 to officially join the Green Bay Packers. The elongated end from Nevada, who stands six feet, five inches tall and weighs 225 pounds, signed his contract in the presence of Coach Curly Lambeau on the west coast over the weekend. Orlich, the tallest wing in the NFL, has agreed to Packer terms after the bowl games last Jan. 1, but withheld signing so he could finish his basketball centering at Nevada. The newcomer is the third rookie end added thus far. He joins Ralph Olsen of Utah and Bill Kelley of Texas Tech. The signing of Orlich is another step in sharpening the Packers’ passing attack for next fall. Lambeau’s first move to forget the 1948 aerial headache was snatching Stan Heath, Nevada’s great pitcher and T-quarterback who led the nation in nearly every phase of throwing the football. Next came the signatures of Olsen and Kelley, both highly rated as receivers, although Olsen has also had considerable experience as a defensive center…DOUBLE SWITCH-HITTER: Orlich, drafted by the New York Yankees in the All-America conference, is a double switch-hitter. He not only plays both offensive and defensive end but can play both right or left end. At Nevada last fall, opponents did not know which end Orlich could play until the team came out of the huddle. Heath, of course, knows Orlich well and is particularly high on him. Heath alternated his passes between Orlich and Scott Beasley in establishing his records. Clyde Goodnight, veteran Packer left end, scouted Heath and Orlich the week after he was injured in the Bear game last fall and reported that Dan has the makings of a great end. Goodnight said Orlich is well coordinated for his size and is particularly rugged on defense. His toughness on defense is indicated by the fact that he blocked several punts last season – not an easy job for an end. Orlich reminded many observers of Ken Kavanaugh, lanky Bear end. The Nevada ace, however, carries twenty-five pounds of muscle more than Ken and goes an inch taller. Orlich, 24, makes his home in Chisholm, Minn., and both his parents were born in Yugoslavia. He entered Northwestern in 1942 and didn’t get much notice because of his age, 16. As a Second Lieutenant in the Marines, Orlich attended Penn State and played a season of football. After the war he enrolled at Nevada and won four letters in football, three in basketball and one in track…LEADING BASKETBALL PLAYER: Orlich is one of the leading basketball players in the west. His free throw percentage ranks fifth in the nation. One of Nevada’s prized cage victories was a 56-55 decision over Stewart-Chevrolet of San Francisco – the only club to beat the powerful Phillips Oilers. Orlich got 22 points against the SF quintet. The Packers now have signed two of the four ends picked in the last draft – Orlich and Kelley. Bob Folsom of Southern Methodist has been advised to play another college season, while the fourth, Rebel Steiner of Alabama, still is on the want list.
BEARS, RAMS, GIANTS TO PLAY PACKERS IN GREEN BAY IN '49
MAR 15 (Green Bay) - The Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants will battle the Green Bay Packers in NFL contests at City stadium next fall. The Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers will provide the Packers' league opposition in Milwaukee. There were the welcome announcements today from Packer Coach Curly Lambeau, who added that "no dates can be revealed at this time - orders from Commissioner Bert Bell." Official announcement of the Packers' home opponents completely exploded publication of a story in a Chicago newspaper Monday morning that the Bear-Packer game will be moved to Milwaukee. Lambeau issued the first "kill" Monday afternoon with this statement: "The Packer-Bear game will remain in Green Bay." Today's news put teeth in his quote. The dates of the Packers' home contests seem only incidentally today. The announcement automatically assures Green Bay of an even split in the six league battles...BELL TO SET DATES: Lambeau said Bell will set the exact dates of the games in the near future. The league commissioner, as in the past, sets the dates and opponents for NFL clubs while the teams pick their own sites. The City stadium card looks attractive. Besides the magnetic power of the Bears, who will be playing the Packers for the 62nd time since 1921, the stadium program will highlight such gents as Bob Waterfield, the Rams' all-time quarterback, and Chuckin' Chuck Conerly, New York's great passer and future Sammy Baugh. All three opponents present a formidable problem for the Packers. The Bears, 45-7 victors over the Packers here last fall, need no explanation. The Rams, beaten 16-0 by Green Bay here last fall, walloped our boys, 24-10, at Los Angeles later. The Giants, who cuffed the Packers, 49-3, in Milwaukee last fall, were rated late last season as the team to beat in the Eastern division in 1949. New York will be making its third successive trip to Green Bay territory - second for league action. The Giants played at City stadium in a non-looper in 1947 and last fall cavorted at Milwaukee. The other Eastern division foe, Pittsburgh, didn't make the Green Bay trip last fall, but the Packers had the displeasure of visiting Steelertown (38-7). The Steelers last played in these parts in 1947. They handed the Packers a bitter pill, 18-17, virtually knocking the Bays out championship consideration...NON-LEAGUE GAMES SET: The Cardinals will be making their second straight stab in Milwaukee. Playing as defending champions last fall, the Cards downed the Packers, 17-7, before a 34,000-plus crowd. The Detroit Lions' appearance in Milwaukee will mark Bo McMillin's debut there. He lost in Green Bay last fall, 33-21. The six homes games are half of the Packers' 1949 league card since Commissioner Bell had promised Green Bay 12 contests during the league meetings in Chicago last January. Three or four non-league tussles probably will be played. Lambeau revealed today that one definitely will involve the Packers and Washington Redskins in Milwaukee. Tentative plans are being made for a game with Philadelphia in Minneapolis. The champion Eagles will train in northern Minnesota.
STIDHAM ONLY FOURTH FULL-TIME LINE COACH IN PACKER HISTORY
MAR 22 (Green Bay) - Professional football has undergone many changes - the rules, player and even coaches. Let's discuss the coaches - they who feel the full weight of Clancy's boom after each defeat. The Packers, besides being the No. 1 sports novelty in our country, are unusual in that one man, Curly Lambeau, has coached the club from the word go. Lambeau's tenure is a well known fact, so let's get into another phase of the master-minding field - line coaching. When Tom Stidham, the former Marquette chief, was announced as Packer line coach for 1949 the other day, he became only the fourth full-time forward wall mentor in the 30-year history of the Bays. Stidham succeeded big Walt Kiesling, who came here in 1945 after George Trafton worked in 1944. Trafton took over after Red Smith departed. Smith, actually, was the first full-timers, the present Chicago Cub and New York football Giant representative starting in 1936. Before Red, Cal Hubbard, Mike Michalske and Jug Earpe assisted for short spells. Until 1936, Lambeau handled the coaching virtually alone although he designated a player or two to conduct various phases of practice when he was occupied elsewhere on the field. Modern professional football now has grown into an intricate piece of competitive machinery, with gears especially oiled for offense. The gigantic search for championships, big gates, etc., has made each position a spot for a specialist. Thus, pro teams have put in new instructional techniques, requiring more assistants. One team in the All-America conference, for instance, has a coach for each position. The Chicago Bears carry six mentors - George Halas, Luke Johnsos, Hunk Anderson, Paddy Driscoll, Gene Ronzani and George Wilson. At the moment, the Packers have four - Lambeau, Stidham, Backfield Coach Bob Snyder and Assistant Coach Charley Brock. The exact status of Hutson, end coach and defensive assisant since he retired as a player, is not known but Lambeau has often said: "Don can have a job with the Packers as long as he wishes." The Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Cardinals, 1948 finalists, each carried four mentors although Charley Ewart, Greasy Neale's backfield assistant in Philly, was in the front office most of the time. Though the game has progressed to a point where points are cheap, we're wondering - on the basis of the success of the Cards and Eagles - just how many coaches are necessary. There are a number of different examples in the NFL. The Bears have discovered considerable success with a raft of mentors, while the Packers, who rank second only to the Bears in championships, never have been coach-happy. Take your pick!
OPERATE ON ARM OF JACK JACOBS
MAR 22 (Santa Monica, CA) - Indian Jack Jacobs, whose pitching arm wouldn't work right for the Green Bay Packers last season, had that arm operated on yesterday. Bone chips were removed in the elbow. Coach Curly Lambeau, also spending the winter here, expressed hope that the operation would restore the arm's efficiency. Jacobs had his appendix removed right after the end of the grid season last December.
HUTSON IN SUIT AGAINST HOTEL
MAR 23 (Marquette, MI) - Don Hutson, Alabama All-American who went on to become the greatest offensive end in NFL history, claims an accident stopped him. Hutson, the Green Bay Packers' mainstay for years, filed a $100,000 suit against the owners and operators of the Northland hotel, contending that he cut his hand while bathing at the hotel in February 1946. Filed in Marquette county court, the declaration states that the injury, allegedly suffered when the handle of the shower fixture broke, "made it necessary for him to give up his career as a professional football players." The suit also claimed it was "impossible for him to perform his duty" for the Don Hutson Packer Playdium. The corporation, of which he is president, operates a Green Bay bowling establishment. The action declared Hutson had been unable to use his hand for several months and had incurred medical and hospital expenses for treatment of the injury. The declaration said Hutson was "an outstanding professional football player, earning a salary of $18,000 a year as a player with the Packers" and that, because of the injury "was no longer able to catch passes or handle the football as effectively and efficiently as he did in the past." The suit is filed against the Kawbawgam Hotel company, owners of the Northland, and Mrs. Beatrice C. Deglman, hotel operator.
CHARLEY BROCK EXPLAINS JOB WITH PACKERS
MAR 24 (Green Bay) - Charley Brock, the thief who is allowed to walk at large on the streets of Green Bay, made his first public appearance since becoming a Packer coach at a meeting of the Optimist club Wednesday noon. The former Packer center, who made a habit of stealing the ball from opposing carriers during his nine playing years, explained, among other things, his exact capacity with the Green Bay organization. Brock said that he was hired as an "assistant coach and scout on a full-time basis", thus correcting an impression that Brock was line coach. The entire staff is composed of Head Coach Curly Lambeau; Line Coach Tom Stidham; Backfield Coach Bob Snyder and Brock. Don Hutson is expected to return next fall on a part-time basis as he worked in 1948. The assistant coaching staff represents a big change from last fall when Walt Kiesling served as line coach and Bo Molenda worked as a backfield coach. Brock said he expects to go on the road in the near future on a six-weeks' scouting assignment. He will do no long-time scouting during the playing season...NEW PACKER TEAM: Charley, who served as line coach at Omaha university in his first away-from-Green Bay season since 1939, commented briefly on the Packers' 1948 season - the worst in the history of the team. "I saw only the 7-6 game with the Bears and naturally I was unable to understand how the Packers lost so many of their other games," he pointed out. The Packer aide spoke highly of the new material signed thus far and expressed the opinion that "the new boys will go a long way in giving Green Bay a new Packer team next fall." Brock, a taxpayer here for nearly five years, returned his family from Omaha last week. And, he added, "we're all very happy to be back. We've made many friends and the people of Green Bay have been good to us."...LUNCHEON BITS: Brock won't be a newcomer to Stidham. Charley, as an All-American center at Nebraska, played against Tom's Oklahoma team in the mid-1920's. Unofficially, the new Packer aides will be introduced to the fans of Green Bay during the first week in April. Lambeau is also due in from the west coast about that time. Snyder will be making his first official appearance as a coach here. When he coached the Los Angeles Rams, the game was played in Milwaukee. Clark Shaughnessy handled LA when illness quieted Snyder shortly after the start of the 1948 season...Optimists wondered if Baby Ray would return for his 11th season next fall. Charley couldn't answer that one...Brock's Omaha team, head coached by former Detroit Lion Lloyd Cardwell, had a 5-4 record last fall. It's interesting to note that Omaha is one of a few really-pure football teams in the nation. No "favors" of any kind are granted Omaha athletes and considerable ado is made of this fact in all of Omaha's sports publicity and game programs. At any rate, it was a strange spot for a couple of former pros to work.
BO MOLENDA ADDED TO HORNETS' STAFF
MAR 24 (Chicago) - Ray Flaherty, coach of the Chicago Hornets of the All-America Football Conference Thursday completed his coaching staff by signing Bo Molenda as backfield coach. A veteran of professional football since the days of Red Grange's New York Yankees in 1927, Molenda has seen action both as a player and assistant coach for the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers. During the war, he coached the powerful San Diego Naval Training Station team. In intercollegiate football, Molenda was an outstanding fullback at the University of Michigan.
BACKGROUND ON DON HUTSON'S SUIT OFFERS NEW SLANT ON CASE
MAR 25 (Green Bay) - The background of the $100,000 suit filed by Don Hutson against the owners and operators of the Northland hotel in Marquette, Mich., offers a new slant on the case. Frank P. Cornelisen, attorney for the all-time Packer pass receiver, has presented three points which alter impressions that resulted when the suit was made public Wednesday. The first concerns the date of the accident. The declaration filed in the Marquette county circuit court contains this sentence: "Plaintiff further says that on or about Feb, 20, 1946, he became a paying guest of the said Northland hotel and was given a room therein." First publicity on the case said "February of 1947". The erroneous use of the year 1947 left Hutson open to undue criticism in view of the facts that he played his last season in 1945 and that his suit claims the injury forced him to give up his career as a professional football player. In other words, Cornelisen said, Hutson - had he escaped injury - could have played in 1946 and possibly longer. Cornelisen's point No. 2 was the suit was opened only after lengthy negotiations (since the spring of 1946) with the hotel's insurance company had failed. Michigan has a three-year Statute of Limitation which mans that the claim for damages would have been outlawed if the case was not started before Feb. 20 of 1949. The papers actually were filed on or about Feb. 15, 1949, and are dated Feb. 19, 1949. Point No. 3 is that Hutson was unaware of the amount of money asked in the suit. This amount was set by Attorney George C. Quinnell of Marquette, acting with Cornelisen, who filed the declaration in the Michigan county. Actually, Hutson did not know of the amount until he read the first newspaper accounts. Briefly, here are some of the main points quoted from the declaration: "In turning the handle of the faucet, in his hotel room, the porcelain broke, permitting parts of the porcelain and steel underneath to enter his hand. In removing his hand from the broken parts, the back of his hand struck the wall, causing further injury to his hand. Hutson was unable to use his right hand for a period of several months, and, as a result of the injury, he has sustained a teno synovitis (inflammation) of the middle finger, which injury is permanent. Hutson, at the time, was an outstanding offensive star in professional football, earning a salary of $18,000 a year. As a result of said accident, he was no longer able to catch passes or handle the football as effectively and efficiently as he did in the past, which made it necessary to give up his career as a professional football player. At said time, Hutson also was president of the Don Hutson Packer Playdium, a Wisconsin corporation which operates 20 bowling alleys. As president of said corporation, it was the duty of the plaintiff to promote interest in bowling, which required him to participate in tournaments, match games and exhibitions. This accident made it impossible for the plaintiff to perform his duty in this respect for over a year. The injury, being permanent, has seriously affected the plaintiff's ability to perform his duty for Don Hutson Packer Playdium."
LAMBEAU, STAFF TO ATTEND PACKER ALUMNI MEET
MAR 29 (Green Bay) - The first Packer, Curly Lambeau, will be present when the newly-organized Green Bay Packer Alumni club holds its third meeting at the Silver Rail Monday night. Lambeau announced his plans today in a wire from the west coast to Fee Klaus, president of the club. The Packer coach said he will be accompanied by the new Bay coaching staff - Line Coach Tom Stidham, Backfield Coach Bob Snyder and Charley Brock, assistant coach and scout. This will be the new coaches' first appearance in Green Bay as a group. Brock played here for nine years and spent the 1948 season as line coach at Omaha university. Snyder played here several times as a member of the Chicago Bears, but, in 1947 as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, the two team played in Milwaukee. Stidham has visited here several times. Also expected to attend is Don Hutson, the immortal pass receiver, whose status for 1949 has not been announced yet. Hutson served as end and defensive coach in 1946-47-48. He played his last season in 1945. Other business at the meeting will be presentation of a set of bylaws which have been drawn up by Verne Lewellen, Wuert Englemann and Mike Bucchianeri. Former Packers will discuss the bylaws and then pass or reject them. The club, which will meet the first Monday of every month, elected officers at the March meeting. Besides Klaus, who played center from 1920 to 1924, Carl Zoll, a guard from 1919 to 1922, was named vice-president and Dave Zuidmulder, halfback in 1929 and 1930, was named secretary-treasurer. A board of directors will be selected later...Word from California today was that the operation on quarterback Jack Jacobs' arm was a complete success. It wasn't necessary to put the customary cast on his arm. Physicians said Jacobs had a growth between two bones in his high elbow which caused the bones to come together, thereby exerting pressure on the nerve and resulting in pain every time he threw a pass last season. Jacobs has taken employment at the Hollywood Palladium - one of the largest bowling establishments in the country.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CONTROLS BIG GUNS IN DUEL WITH ALL-AMERICA
MAR 29 (Green Bay) - Little or nothing has been said recently on the cold war between the NFL and the All-America conference. At least, nothing serious since the opposing factions (1) got out of their respective fox holes in Chicago last January (2) touched bayonets in a friendly, but secretive, manner and (3) charged back to the safety of their dollar-lined holes. The nation's scribes and fans, who seem to be the only public judges in the progress of this bloodless battle, have little method of determining which side has the most casualties - sometimes a barometer in deciding battles. But, since the whole thing hinges on the signing of players who, it appears, are requisites in the actual carrying out of game, let's look over the player-signing phase of the two belligerents. There seems to be no question that the staunch National league is unleashing both barrels in the P-S branch of operations and, consequently, has the situation well in hand. The National league is out to control the big guns - the top college stars, figuring that the noise therefrom will (1) attract the most customers (2) force the AAC into further and complete belief that the NFL is only interested in Cleveland and San Francisco, and, in general, (3) make the AAC Shaughnesy experts holler Uncle Bert. Our own Green Bay Packers already signified their intentions of backing the NFL's big gun plan by nosing out the New York Yankees in a chase for the signature of Stan Heath, the No. 1 "name" star in college football last year by virtue of his ability to establish collegiate passing records. What's more, the Packers landed one of the leading collegiate linemen - Paul (Buddy) Burris, Oklahoma guard who landed on just about everybody's All-America teams. It's a certainty that Heath and Burris were tempted with AAC dollars, but the junior loop offers little security. The story seems to have circulated among the colleges that, for instance, a signature on a Cleveland Brown contract doesn't necessarily mean that the athlete will play with the Browns. He may be farmed out to the Chicago Hornets or Buffalo Bills as the conference's matchmakers so desire. Other NFL clubs have joined the Packers in cornering the big-game talent. Philadelphia bagged Chuck Bednarik and Clyde Scott; the Cardinals signed Bill Fischer, Notre Dame great guard ranked on a par with Burris; the New York Bulldogs added Johnny Rauch, Georgia passing quarterback; the Los Angeles Rams are on the verge of signing Norm Van Brocklin, Oregon's passing whiz - to name a few. The NFL cornered the field in 1948, too, the juiciest bits being Johnny Lujack and Bobby Layne, now with the Bears. Others include Chuck Conerly, Giants; Tony Minisi, Giants; Bill Swiacki, Giants; Ray Evans, Pittsburgh; and Harry Gilmer, Washington. Two stars grabbed by the AAC in 1948 didn't create any sort of sensation - Bob Chappius of Michigan and Ziggy Czarobski of Notre Dame. Of the 1948 NFL heroes named, Lujack, Layne, Conerly, Swiacki and Evans definitely had "it". Gilmer has yet to prove himself because of preseason injuries which put him in the spectator class for the league season. With this player advantage, it seems that the National league holds the upper hand in the first round of skirmishing following the recent peace talks.
LAMBEAU BACK; PLANS MEETING OF COACHES FOR MONDAY
APR 2 (Green Bay) - Packer Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau was back at his desk in the Northern building today to begin preparations for the 1949 NFL season after returning from his winter home in California Friday night. The veteran Packer coach, who is beginning his 31st year as Green Bay mentor, was accompanied here by George A. Strickler, the club's publicity director. Lambeau announced that work for the '49 season will be launched with an all-day meeting with Packer assistant coaches, Bob Snyder, Tom Stidham, Charley Brock and Don Hutson at the Hotel Northland Monday.
NORTH-SOUTH PREP GAME MAY GO TO GREEN BAY
APR 3 (Green Bay) - City stadium, home of the Green Bay Packers, became a likely site Monday for the Wisconsin north-south interscholastic all-star game. Coach Curly Lambeau of the Packers said that unless there was some hitch in the Packers' preseason plans, the stadium would be made available for the high school classic, which heretofore has been played at Madison. "We have no objection to the High School Coaches' association using the stadium provided the game does not conflict with Packer activities," Lambeau said. "At present there is no indication of a conflict, although our preseason schedule still is in a tentative stage." Lambeau said that he expected to be in a position to give high school officials a definite word within the next 10 days. No date has been set for the north-south game, pending settlement of the Packers' exhibition schedule.
PACKER COACHES HUDDLE OVER 1949 GRID STRATEGY AT MEETING
APR 4 (Green Bay) - Packer business was brought up to date with the arrival of Coach Curly Lambeau here over the weekend. After cleaning off a letter-littered desk, Lambeau gave out with the following dope: (1) That the first meeting of the new assistant coaching staff will be held at the Northland Hotel today and possibly for several more days this week. (2) That City stadium, home grounds of the Packers, will be made available for the annual North-South High school football game - if the Packer schedule permits. (3) That the Bear-Packer game will open the Packers' league competition at City stadium next fall. (4) That contracts to 1948 Packers will be mailed out this week. (5) That newly-appointed assistant coach, Charley Brock, will coach the backs on defense. Reading from top to bottom or from one to five, let's detail the various announcements. Today's meeting of the coaching staff is designed to acquaint the new coaches with the Packers' plan of attack for 1949, Lambeau pointed out. Two of the coaches, Don Hutson and Brock, are familiar with the system. Backfield Coach Bob Snyder saw the Packer attack when he served as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams in 1947 and part of 1948. Line Coach Tom Stidham held the same position with the Baltimore Colts the last two seasons, and, of course, is unfamiliar with Packer plans. The Packer attack is based on the "T", the difference from the normal or straight "T" being a wingback who is the right half. Snyder, a former Chicago Bear back, is considered an expert on the "T". Tonight, the Packer coaches will be guests at a meeting of the Green Bay Packer Alumni club at 8 o'clock. They will be introduced and Lambeau is expected to give a brief talk. The club also will complete organization at the meeting. Regarding No. 2, Lambeau explained that, unless there is some hitch in the Packers' preseason plans, the stadium will be made available for the high school contest, which previously had been played at Madison. At present, there is no indication of a conflict, although the preseason schedule still is in a tentative stage, Lambeau said. He said he hoped to be able to give high school officials definite word within the next 10 days. The Wisconsin High School Coaches association hoped to play the 1948 game here but the date conflicted with that of the Packers' All Star (intra-squad) game. Discussing the Bear-Packer series, Lambeau repeated his statement of several weeks ago that the Bear-Packer game will remain in Green Bay. "In fact," he added, "the game will open the league schedule here." Previously, the time of the contest had not been announced, but, in the past, the traditional battle opened league festivities at City stadium. Still to be announced are the dates for the Packers' home games. The Bays will play the Bears, Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants at the stadium next fall and the Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers in Milwaukee. Announcement No. 4 explains itself. Lambeau did not reveal who, if any, of the 1948 players would not receive contracts. The 1948 season, easily the worst in the Packers' history, saw many veterans skid badly. Most of them probably will be given another chance next fall. In naming Brock as coach of the backs on defense, Lambeau took particular note of a weak spot last year. As a center for nine seasons here, closing out in 1947, Brock was one of the NFL's leading pass interceptors and ball stealers. Lambeau hopes Brock can install some of his skill into Packer defenders - not to mention some of the Brock fire and fight that characterized his play here.
PACKERS OFFICIALLY 'SHAKE HANDS' WITH NEW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AT MEETING
APR 5 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers, a 31-year old organization dealing in professional football, officially shook hands with the Green Bay Packer Alumni association - barely 31 days old - at the infant group's monthly meeting at the Silver Rail Monday night. It was a simple ceremony involving the vote of the association and a brief talk by Packer Coach Curly Lambeau. The association's part in the official "shake" is contained in the bylaws prepared by a committee composed of Chairman Verne Lewellen, Joe Laws and Mike Bucchianeri. Here is Article 2 of the association's bylaws as read by Lewellen and passed by the group: "The purpose of this organization shall be to aid and assist the Green Bay Packers, Inc., in their endeavors to bring to Green Bay professional football of the highest caliber, and to this end, to promote morale and fighting spirit in the team personnel; by bringing to the attention of the Packer management outstanding football players, and assist the Packer management in contacting and contracting such players; to promote and assist in developing community spirit by sponsoring or assisting in holding of pep rallies, Monday quarterback clubs, providing speakers for or the showing of Packer football game pictures to civic and other organizations in Green Bay and surrounding areas; and by any other endeavors that will bring about our avowed purpose." The Packers' part came in this quote from Lambeau's speech: "We stand ready to give you (the association) every bit of cooperation possible. I'm sure organization of the association and carrying out your objectives is a wonderful idea and will be a great benefit to the cause of the team." That was the meat of the business meeting. In other action, the association voted to open the membership to former Packer living throughout the country. Out of town members will be asked to pay dues of $2 annually - enough to cover mailing costs...CONGRATULATIONS FROM MAYOR: The group elected Lewellen, Laws and Bucchianeri to the executive committee and Ben Starrett, sergeant-at-arms. Other officers, elected the March meeting, are Fee Klaus, president, who was in charge of the meeting; Carl Zoll, vice-president; and Dave Zuidmulder, secretary-treasurer. A wire of congratulations from Mayor Dominic Olejniczak was read by Prexy Klaus. The mayor commended the former Packers for their "fine organization". The association went on record in favoring the playing of the North-South High school football game in Green Bay. A letter explaining the game, signed by Al Reed, football coach at East High, Frosty Ferzecca, football coach at West High, and Lee Delforge, business manager at West, was read. Also placed in the minutes was a motion by Boob Darling, former Packer center, commending the Packers for "their excellent choice of assistant coaches". Actually, the association has other than former Packers as members. Article 7 of the laws reads that "membership in this organization shall be limited to former Packer football players, officers and former officers of the Green Bay Packers, Inc." Among the members in the latter group who attended the meeting Monday night were Lee Joannes, former Packer president and presently a director, and George C. Calhoun, former secretary-treasurer who now serves as a director...LAMBEAU RECEIVES A GIFT: After the business session, Lambeau spoke briefly and introduced the new coaches - Line Coach Tom Stidham, Backfield Coach Bob Snyder and Assistant Coach Charley Brock. Lambeau said, "I've got a great deal of respect for the new assistants and the results of our first meeting today were successful. We're sure we'll have something to offer the public next fall." Regarding Don Hutson, the immortal pass receiver who served as assistant coach the last three seasons, Lambeau said, "Don will always be connected with the Packers." Lambeau explained that business interests may keep Don away from the coaching field some of the time but his connection with the team will remain. Short talks were given by Stidham, Snyder and Brock. All three expressed a delight at coming to Green Bay. Just before the meeting closed, President Klaus presented Lambeau with a gift on behalf of the association. It was a bear trap.
PACKERS ADD KRANZ, SCALLA TO ROSTER
APR 10 (Green Bay) - Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau reported Saturday the addition of two names to the roster of the Green Bay Packers. The new players are Ken Kranz, a 25 year old halfback from Milwaukee State Teachers college, and Howard Scalla, 21, a six-foot, six-inch 280-pound tackle from Compton college, Calif. The additions make a total of 12 new men signed for the coming NFL season by the Packers.
TOLLEFSON SUIT COMING UP SOON
APR 12 (Green Bay) - Charles Tollefson's lawsuit against Green Bay Packers, Inc., will go on trial in circuit court some time after May 13, it was announced when the April term calendar was called Monday. Attorney Jerry Clifford, counsel for the club, has been ill, and will not try any jury cases earlier than that date, it was explained. Tollefson, former Packer guard, is suing for $2,700 he claims due on back wages for the 1946 season. His contract, he contends, provided "minimum $3,600 for season." He claims he played in three games, was paid $900, and dismissed. Clifford, in his answer, alleges that Tollefson in 1946 did not put out a brand of football up to Packer standards, and that Coach Curly Lambeau followed customary practice in paying him for the games played and dismissing him. There is another point involved in the case which may prove of even more general importance. That is the ruling by Circuit Judge E.M. Duquaine that the arbitration clause in players' contracts is illegal in Wisconsin, and probably in other states operating under common law, unless there is some other statute to the contrary. The clause reads: "In case of a dispute between the player and the club, the same shall be referred to the commissioner of the NFL, and his decision shall be accepted by all parties is final." "Private persons cannot, by a contract to arbitrate, oust the jurisdiction of the legally constituted courts," Judge Duquaine held in a decision overruling Clifford's plea in abatement. The club's attorney had asked dismissal of the suit, on the ground that the arbitration clause of the contract had not been complied with. Tollefson contends that he attempted to have his claim arbitrated, but that he was unable to secure instructions on the procedure to be followed, or any action on the claim itself. Attorney Charles T. Hanaway represents him.
ETHRIDGE, SMU STAR, 13TH TO JOIN PACKER
APR 12 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers had a full rookie team - plus two replacements - on the books today. Latest to consent to the rigors of professional football is Joe Paul Ethridge, a six-foot, 230-pound guard or tackle from Southern Methodist university, whose signed contract was received in the mails this morning. Ethridge, 21 and single, was named the outstanding lineman in the Jan. 1 Cotton Bowl game which saw SMU, featuring Doak Walker and Joe Paul, defeat Oregon, 24 to 21. The 13th rookie to agree to Packer figures, Ethridge played four seasons at SMU, and won recognition as one of the better guards in the southwest. He ranks along with Paul (Buddy) Burris, the Oklahoma guard recently signed by the Packers. Ethridge was named an all-southwest guard in 1947 and 1948 and also received votes at tackle. Pittsburgh and Baylor both named him on their all-opponent teams. Ethridge won't be a stranger here. He played with Packer end Gene Wilson at SMU in 1945-46, and with Packer center Lloyd Baxter in 1946-47. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau says, "Joe is the closest thing to Burris I've seen yet. He was high on our draft list. Ethridge has always show a lot of fire and comes highly rated as a team player."...NINE ON DRAFT LIST: Of the 13 rookies signed thus far, nine were on the draft list - a fact that pleases Lambeau no end. Burriss is also a draft choice but was selected several years ago. Other rookies are Howard Scalla, 280-pound from Compton college; halfback Bill Schroeder of Wisconsin; and Ralph Olsen, center-end, from Utah. As in the last two years, Lambeau is hand-picking future Packers with an eye for bolstering known weak spots or doubtful positions. Considerable attention is being given the linebacking area, for instance. The two Utah boys, Summerhays and Olsen, are considered expert as tacklers behind the line. So is Ethridge who backed up the line on many occasions for SMU. Ethridge is the Jay Rhodemyre type on defense...HEATH VS. JACOBS: The two ends signed thus far, Orlich and Kelley, furnish offensive and defensive possibilities. Orlich, though a good receiver, played aplenty on defense at school while Kelley specializes in catching passes. Orlich, incidentally, will be the tallest wing in the National league - 6-foot-5. The offensive backfield news in the early rookie crop, of course, is Stan Heath, the talented Nevada thrower who led the nation in pitching last season. Heath likely will receive plenty of competition from quarterback Jack Jacobs, who recently underwent an operation on his right arm, thus removing misery that plagued him all of last season...The board of directors of Green Bay Packers, Inc., will hold a meeting at the Beaumont hotel at 6 o'clock Wednesday evening.
RAMS HOLD KEY TO HIRSCH 'GO'
APR 13 (Green Bay) - The Los Angeles Rams held the key today to the Green Bay Packers' chances of getting Elroy (Crazy Legs) Hirsch for 1949 action. The case of the former University of Wisconsin and Chicago Hornet blossomed forth last Friday when Packer Coach Curly Lambeau announced that Hirsch "is interested in playing with Green Bay." The mentor added that he made a tentative deal with the Rams to obtain the services of Hirsch. Where do the Rams enter the picture? Shortly after Hirsch closed his collegiate career and while he was in the Marines, Hirsch was drafted by both the Rams (then in Cleveland) and Hornets (then the Rockets). Elroy decided on Chicago since it was close to his home state and possibly future business ventures. Hirsch inked a three-year pact with the Hornets, the contract ending with the close of that team's 1948 season...FOOD BROKER IN MILWAUKEE: Now, since Hirsch wants to enter the NFL, his draft rights naturally revert back to the Rams. Also, since Hirsch expressed an opinion that he'd like to join the Packers, said Packers are vitally interested. Hirsch is a food broker in Milwaukee and makes Green Bay regularly on business trips. He was up here Tuesday to talk with Red Owl store people and this morning had an appointment with Joannes Brothers representatives. Thus, Hirsch has indicated a desire to remain in Wisconsin. The Rams entered the public prints for the first time regarding Hirsch this morning, with a dispatch from Los Angeles via the Associated Press. Dan Reeves, Rams' owner, said he "certainly could use" Hirsch and would "like to sign him immediately." He added: "If Hirsch wants to play with us and is physically able, we'll sign him up. Our assistant coach, George Trafton, saw him in Chicago in January and at that time Hirsch said he wanted to play with us."...PERMISSION FROM REEVES: Reeves said Hirsch suffered a severe concussion in a game last year and that the Rams would want to check the doctors' reports thoroughly. Lambeau, in compliance with National league rules, said he had permission from Reeves to talk to Hirsch about when and where he wanted to play. Lambeau held a conference with Hirsch in Milwaukee Friday afternoon and the matter of playing with the Packers was discussed. Neither Lambeau nor Hirsch commented...PACKER DUST: The board of directors of Green Bay Packers, Inc., will meet at the Beaumont hotel at 6 o'clock this evening...Stan Heath, Packer quarterback, is handing out cigars today. A hefty eight pound, 11 ounce boy was born to the Heaths at Columbia hospital in Milwaukee Tuesday night.
SET DATES FOR PACKERS' HOME LEAGUE GAMES
APR 14 (Green Bay) - Dates of the Packer home games in Green Bay and Milwaukee were announced today. The league season will open here with the traditional game with the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 25. The Packers will wind up their schedule on the road on Dec. 11. The Los Angeles Rams come to Green Bay the next Sunday, Oct. 2, and then the team is on the road for a week. Starting the series in Milwaukee, the Chicago Cardinals meet the Bays in State Fair park Sunday, Oct. 16, and after another week on the road, Detroit comes to Milwaukee on Oct. 30. The final game in Green Bay is Sunday, Nov. 13, against the New York Giants. And the
following week the Packers wind up their home season in Milwaukee against Pittsburgh, Nov. 20. They then have three weeks on the road to finish out the schedule. There are no open weeks. Several exhibition games are being lined up before the start of the league season Sept. 25, and announcement of these dates are expected shortly. Under league rules, the Packers are not allowed to release dates of out-of-town games. The date for one of the road games was revealed with announcement of the Detroit Lions' home schedule. The Packers are scheduled to close the season there Dec. 11. Other teams are expected to announce their home lead cards in the next few days. The Packers will be on the road Oct. 9 and 23; Nov. 6 and 27; and Dec. 4 and 11. Announcement of these dates was the principal news to come out Wednesday evening at a meeting of the board of directors of Green Bay Packers, Inc., at the Beaumont hotel. According to President Emil R. Fischer, most of the session was devoted to a discussion of the club's financial status. Fischer said that the Packers had suffered a deficit from last year's operations. While it was small in comparison to the losses of most other pro clubs last year, it was a sizeable one for the Packers, considering that under the Green Bay setup there is no "angel" to take the loss and write it off his taxes, Fischer said...MONEY FROM TICKET SALES: The loss happily could be covered by reserves set up in past seasons, the Packer president went on to say. He said that the executive board has taken a number of vigorous steps in order to eliminate the possibility of a loss again during the coming season, and that the operating budget was being pared down considerably to come within what may well be decreased revenues during 1949.
HIRSCH SAYS HE'LL PLAY PRO FOOTBALL ONLY WITH PACKERS
APR 15 (Milwaukee) - Elroy (Crazy Legs) Hirsch, former University of Wisconsin football star, said today he had decided to reenter professional football this fall only if he could play with the Green Bay Packers. Hirsch, who operates a wholesale food business here, said that he felt he could not neglect his business by playing pro ball in another section of the country. The former Badger star has held several preliminary discussions with Coach Curly Lambeau of the Packers, but, at the present time, the draft rights on him are held by the Los Angeles Rams. Hirsch, in addition, is also involved under a reserve clause with the Chicago Hornets in the All-America conference where he formerly played.
PACKERS INVADE NY, LA EARLY IN SEASON; DETROIT JOURNEY LAST
APR 16 (Green Bay) - It appears that the Green Bay Packer schedule of NFL games, at home and on the road, is now complete. Most unusual is that the Packers will make two of their longest jumps early in the season - to New York for a mix with the transplanted Boston Bulldogs Oct. 9 and to Los Angeles Oct. 23 Ordinarily, the trip west comes late in the campaign. The other long jaunt sends the Packers to Washington Dec. 4. Of some concern to Packer officials is closing the campaign in Detroit on Oct. 11. The Lions have had trouble luring customers into Briggs stadium late in the season, although the Lions of the last three years were mired in the Western division cellar well before the windup. It may be interesting to note that the Packers closed Detroit's home card in four other years - 1939, 1940, 1945 and 1947. The attendance was "bad" only in 1947 when the paid was announced at 14,055. The '39 contest drew 30,699, a total of 26,019 turned out in 1940, and the 1945 contest totaled 23,468. The Lions had what could be considered "good" teams in 1939-40-45 which seems to be the cure for any headache the Packers may be developing on the invasion next December. Speaking about the 1945 campaign, the Packers were licked in that finale, 14-3, after literally murdering the same Detroiters in Milwaukee, 57-21. Don Hutson kicked the field goal for the only Packer points in that nightcap, but the immortal receiver registered 31 markers, 24 in one quarter, in that opener. Damon Tassos, present Packer guard who played with the 1945 Lions, always likes to recall that season. "Yep, we were the second team in Detroit history to beat the Bears twice in one season; the only other time it had been done was in 1938," he said. Tassos came to Green Bay in a trade for Merv Pregulman after the 1946 season. In view of the Packers' 3-9 record, the 1949 schedule looms as a batch of well-placed rocks and boulders - no matter how you juggle the opponents. Assuming that the Bears, Cards and Los Angeles Rams on successive Sundays (Sept. 25 and Oct. 2) and then after a "breather" with the Bulldogs in NY (are you kiddin') they tangle with the Cards and Rams on consecutive Sabbaths (Oct. 16 and Oct. 23). After Detroit, they bump into the Bears and New York on successive Sundays (Nov. 6 and Nov. 13). Kindly consult the schedule above for further obstacles. Missing from the Packer schedule for the second straight year is a league game with Coach Greasy Neale's Philadelphia Eagles, presently reigning as league champions. The Packers had expected to meet the Eagles next fall but Commissioner Bert Bell was unable to complete a satisfactory card with a Packer-Eagle game. Green Bay last battled Philadelphia there in 1947 and absorbed a 28-14 defeat. Since 1933, the Packers and Eagles played only 10 league games. The Packers won 'em all except that '47 session. Whatsa matter, Greasy, are you scared?
PACK WIDE AWAKE IN NABBING 280-POUND SLEEPER - MR. SCALLA
APR 19 (Green Bay) - Howie Scalla, the 280-pound tackle our Packers signed the other day, is something of a sleeper. The six-foot, seven-inch (minus half an inch) giant could someday be an all-time all-professional tackle or he could soak up Rockwood lodge sunshine for two or three weeks and then return to his native California. Howie was signed sight unseen, so to speak. He hails from Compton Junior College near Los Angeles. Junior colleges seldom make the calling cards of professional football teams. JC players are generally young and few make the grade. Despite his size, Scalla slipped through NFL strainers until the Packers got a tip. It seems QB Jack Jacobs got wind of the young giant while working at the Hollywood Palladium. That, in itself, wasn't earth quaking, but the fact that Mr. Scalla's name is (was) in the top secret file of the Los Angeles Dons made Sir Howard a sizeable target. Just who discovered the Don's T-S file is not known, but Curly Lambeau and Jacobs have been spending a lot of time out that way. Scalla is just a kid, having just reached voting age. The big guy (some say he's still growing) is reportedly strong, active and mean. If he possesses an ugly enough disposition (on the field, that is) you can bet that Line Coach Tom Stidham will blast the required pro fundamentals into his head. Speaking about tackles, it appears that the Packers will be in need of said experts. The Packers carried six tackles and one guard-tackle, Don Deeks, through their last game in 1948 - Paul Lipscomb, Baby Ray, Dick Wildung, Ed Bell, Urban Odson and Sam Kekeris. Wildung was hampered considerably by a back injury while Lipscomb ran hot and cold. Lipscomb got the thumb twice for alleged fighting and that didn't help his efficiency in later games
last fall. Both Dick and Paul are expected to provide double murder next season. Chief replacement is Ed Bell, the hard working Chicagoan, who bounces between left and right tackle and occasionally takes a crack at guard. The future of Ray, Odson, Deeks and Kekeris is uncertain. Ray may not return for what could be his 12th season and it appears that the Vanderbilt giant, one of the leading all-time Packer tackles, has earned a rest. Kekeris and Deeks, both physically capable, showed little in the way of spirit and fire. Odson, who earned All-American honors at Minnesota along with Wildung, has talked of retiring the last two years. The family man from Raymond, S.D., at the moment, is studying his contract for 1949. Only other signed tackle unmentioned is Lew Ferry, former Villanova captain. Ferry, unlike Scalla, came under the glare of Packer scouts most of his senior year and should make the grade. Ferry played terrific ball against Nevada in the Harbor bowl game last Jan. 1 and the big gent was responsible for putting Packer quarterback Stan Heath out of business (fractured ribs) before the half that afternoon.
KEUPER SEEKING $625 BACK PAY
APR 21 (Green Bay) - Suit for $625 back pay allegedly due was filed today against Green Bay Packers, Inc., by Kenneth E. Keuper, 1481 Eliza street, former Packer. Keuper, according to Charles T. Hanaway, his attorney, alleges in his complaint that he signed a contract early in 1948 to play 12 games with the Packers for a salary of $5,000. He performed in the first five games, he states, and claims he thus earned $2,084.84. He received $1,459.84 and has $625 coming, he states. Although he has made repeated demands, and although the Packer corporation has made repeated promises to pay, payment has not been made, Keuper charges. He demands $625, plus interest and costs. Keuper is now with the New York Giants, which took over his contract. Hanaway declared that Keuper's claim has been approved by Bert Bell, NFL commissioner...CAME TO PACKERS IN '45: Keuper came to the Packers in 1945. after playing at the University of Georgia. He played at blocking quarterback the first two seasons here and then was switched to right halfback when Coach Curly Lambeau changed his backfield system. Just before the 1948 season, Keuper was placed on waivers, which were recalled when several clubs sought his services. He practiced with the club during the week and on Sundays assisted former line coach Walt Kiesling in diagnosing Packer games from the press box. Midway in the season, Keuper was sent to the New York team, finishing the year with that club. He still is the property of the Giants. This is the second suit filed against the Packer corporation by Hanaway. Charles Tollefson's suit for $2,700, allegedly due on his 1946 contract, is scheduled for trial at the present term of circuit court.
BULLDOGS SET PACKER TILT UNDER NY ARCS
APR 23 (Green Bay) - The Packers' 1949 championship schedule was completed today with the assignment of their game against Ted Collins' Bulldogs in New York's Polo Grounds to Friday night, Oct. 7. The game originally had been announced for Sunday afternoon, Oct. 9. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau said the Bulldog game will be the only night and midweek contest to be played by Green Bay next fall. The Bulldogs, playing as the Yanks in Boston last year, furnished the Packers with their only Friday night league test in 1948. The two clubs opened the season in Boston Sept. 17, with the Packers posting a 31-0 victory. The 1949 Packer-Bulldog fight is Green Bay's third league encounter. It follows successive games with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams
at City stadium, Sept. 25 and Oct. 2, respectively. After the Bulldog clash, the Packers visit Milwaukee to meet the Cardinals and then skip out to Los Angeles to engage the Rams. The last of five games in October, the 30th, sends Detroit against the Packers in Milwaukee. That traditional Bear-Packer game in Chicago is next, Nov. 6, after which the New York Giants invade City stadium. The scene shifts to Milwaukee Nov. 20 for a game with Pittsburgh and then back to Chicago where the Bays face the Cardinals. The Packer program closes Dec. 4 at Washington and Dec. 11 at Detroit. It's possible the Packers will play a 13th league game - the playoff set for Dec. 18 in the home park of the Western division champion. One non-league game has been set - the Packer-Washington contest at State Fair park in Milwaukee on Sunday, Sept. 18. All of the Packer home games (Green Bay and Milwaukee) will start at 2 o'clock.
JACOBS-MCMILLIN WEDDING DISCLOSED
APR 26 (Green Bay) - Jack Jacobs, the Green Bay Packers' star quarterback, and Mary McMillin, Wisconsin Women's golf champ three times, were married secretly January 7, it was revealed today. The bride's parents, Dr. and Mrs. M.T. McMillin of Green Bay, made the announcement. They said they were not told about it themselves until Monday. They said the two stars, who had been dating for more than two years, were united in a secret ceremony at the home of one of Jacobs' sisters in Muskogee, Okla. The parents said they were at a loss to explain why the couple wanted to keep the marriage secret.
PACKERS TO PLAY PITTSBURGH AUG. 28 FOR NON-LEAGUER; 14 TILTS SET
APR 27 (Green Bay) - The Packers had 14 engagements on the calendar today with announcement from Pittsburgh that the Green Bay team and the Steelers will tangle in a non-league contest at Forbes Field Sunday afternoon, Aug. 28. Only other non-looper announced "four sure" thus far was the Washington-Green Bay affair in Milwaukee Sunday, Sept. 18. The Packers will meet both the Steelers and Washington in league games later in the season. They'll tackle Pittsburgh in Milwaukee Nov. 20 and Washington there Dec. 4. It's possible the Packers will play two more non-championship contests. Last winter, the Packers and Philadelphia Eagles discussed plans for a game at a new athletic plant in Minneapolis but both clubs have since been informed that the stadium will not be ready. The game may be played at a different site. Under league rules, National league clubs are not permitted to play teams within their own division in non-league competition. Thus, the Packers must schedule non-league opponents from the Eastern division lineup. Last year, the Packers played the New York Giants in Minneapolis; Pittsburgh at City stadium, and Washington at Birmingham, Ala., in non-league contests, winning all three. Green Bay also played an intra-squad game. Marinette is interested in playing host to a Packer intra-squad game and its Junior Chamber of Commerce already has invited the Packers to play such a contest there.
LIONS ASK WAIVERS ON JIM GILLETTE
APR 28 (Detroit) - The Detroit Lions today asked waivers on halfback Jim Gillette. The 31-year-old former University of Virginia star came to the Detroit club of the NFL last year. He had previously played for the Los Angeles Rams, Boston Yanks and Green Bay Packers.
HIRSCH SEEKING HORNET RELEASE
MAY 10 (Chicago) - Elroy (Crazy Legs) Hirsch, fleet Wisconsin halfback, wants to play football with the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Hirsch conferred with Coach Ray Flaherty of the Chicago Hornets yesterday about getting a release from that club so he can join the Green Bay roster. But Flaherty said, "We hope Hirsch will be with us next year and think it can be worked out." Hirsch had said if he continues in professional football, it will be only with the Packers because he wants to be near his wholesale food business in Milwaukee. He has played for the past three years with the Chicago Rockets of the All-America Conference. The team now is known as the Hornets.
CHARLIE TATOM, TEXAS TACKLE, JOINS PACKERS
MAY 17 (Green Bay) - College football's fastest tackle will play end for the Green Bay Packers this fall. He is William (Charlie) Tatom, a six-foot-5 1/2 inch, 215-pound bundle of speed from the University of Texas. Star of
Texas' unbeaten 440-yard relay team and a member of the Longhorns' world record holding 880-yard quartet, Tatom is regarded as one of the more important NFL acquisitions for 1949. The 14th rookie signed by the Packers thus far, Tatom was rated "the world's fastest tackle" by college football writers throughout the country. But, as Tatom writes, "who needs a fast tackle." This is by way of emphasizing that the 21-year old Texan wants to play end. Coach Curly Lambeau, announcing the signing of Tatom, said: "Tatom shapes up as a prize major league prospect. His two years at defensive tackle indicates he is rugged enough to play defensive end in this league and there won't be a faster or taller end on a team." Despite his size Tatom consistently runs the 100 under 10 seconds. His best time was 9.7. His tremendous speed plus better than average receiving ability rates the Dallas High school product as potentially the best end prospect to come into the major league since Don Hutson. After setting a state interscholastic broad jump record of 22 feet, 10 3/4 inches at Woodrow Wilson High, Tatom enrolled at Texas in 1944 where he earned two varsity letters at end. In 1946, as a Naval trainee, he made a varsity letter at end on the United States Naval Academy eleven at Annapolis. Upon his return to Texas in 1947, he was switched to tackle, where he has been used chiefly on defense. Against Texas A & M in 1947, Tatom made the tackle on six of the seven kickoffs. His downfield coverage on punts and kickoffs was regarded as the margin of victory in Texas' upset over Oklahoma's Sugar Bowl champions last fall. Tatom, a mechanical engineering student, gave up track after three meets this spring due to the press of school work. He plans on enrolling at the University of Wisconsin after the 1949 Packer season for his final semester of study. Tatom is the fourth end signed thus far for next fall. He joins Dan Orlich of Nevada, Bill Kelley
of Texas Tech, and Ralph Olsen of Utah who also can toil at center. The four wings average just about six feet, four inches and 216 pounds. Orlich stands 6-5 and weighs 225; Olsen 6-4, 225; and Kelley, 6-2, 200...TUESDAY QUARTERBACK: One of the first football teams to fly back in the early days of commercial aviation, the Packers will make most of their trips by air again next fall...Two Packer veterans are keeping in
1949 Newmans Department Store Green Bay Packers Promotional Booklet. The first of its kind we have ever seen, this heavy paper stock booklet was issued in 1949 to promote Newmans department store in Green Bay. Measuring at 5x7", it consists of 12 pages, while the majority is focused on Curly Lambeau's 1949 Packers squad. See more of the booklet below. (SOURCE: Heritage Auctions)
shape playing baseball - fullback Ted Fritsch with Manitowoc in the Northern State league and halfback Bob Forte with Falk corporation in the Milwaukee Industrial league. Forte is a second sacker while Fritsch, originally an outfielder, may be called in to take over first base...Paul Burris has gone to work in the oil fields at Odessa, Tex., to toughen up for his pro debut next fall...The Packers have five former University of Wisconsin stars: guards Evan Vogs and Ralph Davis and backs Bill Schroeder, Jug Girard and Stan Heath, who gained recognition, however, at Nevada.
GOODNIGHT, OLSONOSKI INK PACKER PACTS
MAY 24 (Green Bay) - Clyde Goodnight and Larry Olsonoski today became the first of the Packer veterans to signify their intentions of performing for Green Bay in 1949. Addition of end Clyde and guard Larry to the official list gave the Packers a stack of 16 contracts in the vault for next fall. Fourteen of the papers are signed by rookies. Goodnight will be playing his fifth year here and Olsonoski his second. Clyde is now attending the medical school at the University of Tennessee. Olsonoski is completing work on his degree at Minnesota. Olsonoski's signing automatically "kills" reports that he was in line for an assistant coaching job at the University of Missouri. He had been assisting Coach Bernie Bierman with the Minnesota team this spring. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau, announcing the receipt of contracts today, said that he expects to have most of the veterans' contracts in by June 1. In addition, Lambeau plans to have the Packers' non-league card completed by that time. Games have been set with Pittsburgh there Aug. 2 and Washington in Milwaukee Sept. 18. Other games are pending with the New York Bulldogs and Philadelphia Eagles. In his four years of service here, Goodnight caught 89 passes for 1,632 yards and 13 touchdowns. Every seventh reception went for a touchdown...PLAYED IN 39 GAMES: Goodnight played in 39 games out of a possible 48 since joining the club in 1945. He missed four in 1948, including the last three, after suffering a painful back injury in the spectacular Bear game in Chicago. Clyde got a knee injury early in the game but remained on offense throughout. Don Huston was still rewriting the record books when Goodnight arrived from Tulsa university. In his first year, Clyde caught only seven passes for 283 yards but three went for touchdowns. He caught one for 75 yards and a TD against Cleveland; one for 67 yards and a TD against the Bears; and one for 48 yards and a TD against Detroit. Taking over left end by himself after the retirement of Hutson, Goodnight caught 16 for 308 yards and one touchdown in 1946. Clyde had his best season in 1947, catching 38 passes for 593 yards and six touchdowns. During the '48 program, the Packers' lowest in history, Goodnight scored three times via the air out of 28 receptions for 448 yards. A brother of Owen Goodnight, who played with the old Cleveland Rams and Chicago Bears, Clyde is single and a native of Holland, Tex. Goodnight, one of the younger veterans, turned 25 last March 3. Olsonoski had some hot and cold Sundays last fall, but showed enough promise to warrant return in 1949. The native of Lancaster, Minn., gained All-American and All-Big Nine recognition as a Gopher, winning three letters in football and two in track. Larry will turn 24 years of age next Sept. 10...TUESDAY QUARTERBACK: The Packer office is a busy place. Lambeau is spending considerable time working on the non-league schedule and contacting players. Mimeographed copies of 1949 offensive assignments are being prepared and set for mailing to players returning. Assistant Coach Charley Brock recently returned from a scouting and goodwill tour of the Big Nine conference schools and other midwest college. The Packers' 1949 season is only 68 days removed from its official start. Practice will open at Rockwood lodge, Monday, Aug. 1, but the players will start arriving all of the previous week. The Packer head coach was accompanied here from the West coast by Mrs. Lambeau. They expect to remain several weeks.
CODY, COMP RETURN TO PACKERS
MAY 26 (Green Bay) - Irv Comp, 30, and Ed Cody, 26, today became the third and fourth veteran Green Bay Packers to return for the 1949 season. Signing of the two backs, announced by Coach Curly Lambeau, gives the Packers 18 players under contract, including 14 rookies and veterans Clyde Goodnight and Larry Olsonoski. Quarterback Comp and fullback Cody, comparatively inactive last fall, are expecting a battle royal for regular toil next fall. Comp will tangle with Jack Jacobs, Perry Moss and Stan Heath while Cody will pit his quick starts against Walt Schlinkman, Ted Fritsch and Bill Summerhays. Heath and Summerhays are rookies. Lambeau reported that Cody will be used more frequently next fall than last year when Ed operated as a third stringer behind Fritsch and Schlinkman. The coach said that new plays and expansion of the offense will provide more opportunities for Cody. Cody ran the ball only 26 times last fall and gained 58 yards for a 2.2 average. Ed kicked 11 extra points out of 13 attempts, one miss resulting in a 7-6 loss to the Bears at Chicago. Starting his third season here, Cody played in 10 games in each of the 1947 and 1948 seasons. His lifetime average is 3.9 yards on 321 yards gained in 82 attempts. He averaged 4.7 on 263 yards in 57 tries in 1947. Cody had his best day for the Packers against Detroit in City stadium in 1947, scoring two touchdowns and gained nearly 100 yards...COMP IN SEVENTH SEASON: The former Purdue fullback is working at his home in New Britain, Conn. Comp, engaged in the construction business in Milwaukee, is returning for his seventh season. He arrived here in 1943 after stardom at St. Benedict's college and had his best season in 1944 when he combined as a passer with receiver Don Hutson to win the championship. In his six year career, Comp attempted 519 passes and completed 213 for 3,253 yards and 28 touchdowns. Comp always has been one of the Packers' better running passers. In 225 carries, Comp gained 502 yards for an average of 1.9. However, before 1947, yards lost on passing were deducted from his ground yardage. Roughly, his average on the soil would have been closer to four yards. Also a good defensive player, Comp grabbed 31 enemy aerials and returned them 459 yards. In 1948, the Packers' worst season in history, Comp played in 11 games. He threw 49 passes and completed 16 for 325 yards and one touchdown. He intercepted five himself while playing on defense...PACKER PACKINGS: Bob Snyder's appointment at a Toledo, O., hospital for abdominal surgery was cancelled this week when final X-ray examinations revealed the Green Bay Packer assistant coach had recovered completely from the stomach disorder which led to his resignation as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams at the start of last season. Bill Kelley, one of the three new ends signed by the Packers, began his athletic career at Becton (Tex.) Rural school as a track star in 98-cent Sears-Roebuck shoes and 50-cent J.C. Penney trunks. His Packer uniform will cost approximately $150. Lou Ferry, the 245 pound Villanova tackle signed by the Packers, prefers weight lifting as a conditioner. Two former West Point players will be on the Packers' roster next fall. Halfback Ed Smith of Texas Mines and Bob Summerhays, rookie fullback from Utah. They were Plebe teammates at the academy in 1943. The Packers' new 16 m.m. motion picture is ready for distribution to civic clubs, schools and organized groups. Bookings can be made through the Packer offices in Green Bay and in Milwaukee (Pfister hotel). The picture is distributed free of charge.
JACK JACOBS BACK FOR THIRD YEAR WITH PACK
MAY 27 (Green Bay) - Jack Jacobs was a little puzzled one night last fall in Boston. It was about an hour before the Packers' NFL opener with the Boston Yanks, and the Bays were busy dressing in the visiting club's sanctum under Fenway. Jacobs was experiencing something new in his professional career. He was hurt. That right flipper of his seemed dead. He had the elbow snuggled in tape to keep it stiff, but there was always that pain. A couple of "pills" helped deaden the twinges somewhat. The key man in the Packers' attack never let on, and when the chips were counted after the game any notion that "Jake" had a sore arm were quickly discounted because he completed nine out of 18 tosses (one for a touchdown) as the Packers won with ease, 31-0. The season roared on and the Packers, including Jacobs, left much to be desired as they absorbed nine defeats in 12 starts. Jacob's arms weakened to such a point that he developed a sidearm pitch in an effort to relieve the pressure but no soap. To top it off, Jacobs suffered two attacks of appendicitis and many times cut his meals to almost nothing in an effort to reduce his blood count and thus be ready for action on Sundays...CORRECTS PHYSICAL TROUBLES: That, in brief, explains the Jacobs story in 1948, and it's easy to see how Jacobs' injury, to a great degree, affected the Packers' play - particularly their offense. Jacobs had corrected his two physical troubles of 1948. He had his appendix removed immediately after last season and during the winter he underwent surgery for removal of bone chips in his right elbow at Los Angeles. The surgeon remarked after performing the operation: "I can't see how he was able to use his arm at all last fall." Today, Jacobs is a new man, and, incidentally, a 1949 Packer. His contract was received by Coach Curly Lambeau this morning. Lambeau is expecting great things from Jacobs next fall. The quarterback, himself, is looking forward to his best season. The veteran quarterback will be competing with rookie Stan Heath for the passing slot. Heath, the nation's leading passer at the University of Nevada last fall, is one of 14 rookies under Packer contract. Also fighting for QB work will be veterans Irv Comp, who signed Thursday, and Perry Moss, still unsigned...JACK, MARY TO MUSKOGEE: Jacobs and his new wife, the former Mary McMillin of Green Bay, expect to leave the west coast about June 1 for Muskogee, Okla., Jacobs' home. They'll arrive in Green Bay in mid-summer. Packer practice starts Aug. 1. Jacobs arrived in Green Bay in the summer of 1947, virtually a rookie despite three seasons of professional play. He was obtained from Washington in a trade for halfback Bob Nussbaumer. Jack had played two seasons with the Cleveland Rams (now Los Angeles) and one with Washington - each under the shadow of an outstanding passer. Jacobs broke in with Cleveland in 1942 when Parker Hall was on his way to becoming the league's most valuable player. At that, Jack pitched 93 times and completed 43 for 640 yards and six touchdowns. He split the punting duties with Hall, booting 33 for a 42.3-yard average...UNDER SAMMY BAUGH: After serving as a commissioned officer in the Army Air corps in 1943 and '44, Jacobs returned to Cleveland and in '45 to find Bob Waterfield setting the league on fire. The next season Cleveland traded Jack to Washington where he found himself in the shadow of the peerless Sammy Baugh. Anxious for work, Jacobs played both halfback spots, fullback and occasionally at quarterback. Jacobs put in his first "full" year with the Packers in 1947 - the season Green Bay lost four games, and the championship, by nine points. He pitched 242 passes and completed 108 for 1,615 yards and 16 touchdowns, finishing fourth in the league. Besides, he won the league's punting championship, booting 37 for a 42.7 average. Last season saw Jacobs throw 184 passes and complete 82 for 898 yards.
PACKERS SIGN FORTE, LUHN; 21 PLAYERS SET
MAY 31 (Green Bay) - The Packers reached what could be the halfway mark in player-contract business today with the signing of two veterans - end Nolan Luhn and halfback Bob Forte. Addition of the pair gives the Packers a total of 21 players signed and sealed for 1949 delivery. Fourteen of them are rookies. Coach Curly Lambeau will start practice at Rockwood lodge Aug. 1 with about 41 players. The 1949 squad is handpicked with an eye toward the new lower player limit - 32, against 35 a year ago. The present roster includes five ends, two tackles, three guards, one center and 10 backs. Both Luhn and Forte, owners of southern drawls, are Wisconsinites. Luhn and his wife live about two miles south of Rockwood lodge on the Sturgeon Bay road, and the lanky end is in the refrigeration business here. Besides, Nolan spends considerable time taking care of five chinchillas he has in pens at his home...BASEBALL IN LOUISIANA: Forte married a Milwaukee girl a year ago and took up residence there. At that moment the Fortes are at Waterproof, La., where Mrs. Forte is recuperating from an illness and Bob is playing baseball four days a week to get in condition for the Bay season. Luhn, a native of Kenney, Tex., recently underwent a tonsillectomy - an operation that could make a new man out of him. Luhn was bothered most of last season with sore throats and he never was able to put on weight. He was "down" about 15 pounds when the season ended. In four seasons here, Luhn caught 85 passes for 1,356 yards and 12 touchdowns. Below par in 1948, Luhn caught 17 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns - one for the only score against the Bears in that classic 7-6 struggle in Chicago. Luhn had his best year in '47,
leading the Packers with 42 receptions for 696 yards and seven touchdowns. Against Washington in Milwaukee, he caught nine for 140 yards and two touchdowns and against Philadelphia he nailed eight for 135 yards and one TD...ALL-LEAGUE DEFENSIVE TEAM: The statistics show little on Forte, who delights mostly on defense. The rugged Italian rarely sees action on offense, although his running helped the squad considerably in 1946 - his first year here. After the 1947 season, Forte was selected at a defensive backfield position on a number of special two-team (offense and defense) all-league lineups. Forte is particularly tough on backing up the line. Against Los Angles there in 1947, Forte punished opposing ball carriers so hard that they actually ran most of their plays around the opposite end.
BABE WEBB FILES $60,000 SUIT AGAINST PACKERS
JUN 1 (Fort Worth, TX) - Charles (Babe) Webb has filed a $60,000 damage in district court here against the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. The former New Mexico A and M player, now coach at Keller High school here, says he signed in 1944 to play with Green Bay at $200 per game but that they refused either to let him play or release him from his contract. Webb said the Packers also did not pay him. Webb contended in the suit filed yesterday that he has had to take jobs that pay less because he still is under contract to Green Bay.
NO OFFICIAL COMMENT FROM PACK ON WEBB
JUN 2 (Green Bay) - With Packer president Emil R. Fischer and Coach Curly Lambeau both out of the city, there was no official comment today from the Packer organization on the $60,000 damage suit filed by former Packer halfback Charles (Babe) Webb in the Fort Worth, Tex., district court Tuesday. The onetime New Mexico A & M player, now coach at Keller High school in Fort Worth, said he signed in 1944 to play with Green Bay for $200 a game but that they refused either to let him play or release him from the contract. Webb said he had to take jobs that paid less because he still is under contract with Green Bay. However, a search of the Press-Gazette filed in 1944 show this paragraph in the Packer story of Aug. 28: "Coach Curly Lambeau announced that halfback Babe Webb returned to his home in Texas. The former New Mexico and Hawaiian Polar Bear players told the Packer coach that he has not felt well and that he had not regained his strength after an attack of malaria while in the Army. His departure leaves the squad with three left halfbacks, including Dale McKay who will join the team in Chicago on Thursday for the trip east."...RECORDS IN LEAGUE OFFICE: He was recommended by Red McQueen, sports editor of the Honolulu Advertiser. He had been playing with the Polar Bears, a semipro team. According to records in the NFL office in Philadelphia, he accepted terms via cablegram on June 24, 1943 to play with the Packers. On July 29, 1943, Webb signed a Packer contract, the league office said, but on Sept. 14, 1943, the player was placed on the reserve list because he was unable to book transportation from Hawaii because of travel restrictions due to the war. The records showed that Webb was restored to the active list Jan. 17, 1944, and on Apr 1, 1944 he signed again. He was suspended officially in the league office Sept. 13, 1944 due to ill health, shortly before the league season started.
HIRSCH CLAIMS HORNETS BROKE HIS CONTRACT
JUN 3 (Green Bay) - Elroy (Crazy Legs) Hirsch today was quoted by the Associated Press as saying that he has approached the Green Bay Packers because he believes that the Chicago Hornets of the All-America conference breached his contract. Hirsch, former Wisconsin star back and a standout in the All-American conference, said that failure of the Hornet management to pay him a bonus as agreed for dropping outside activity last season nullified the contract and left him free to deal with another club. (The Packer office here has no comment on Hirsch's statement.) He said he wanted to catch on with the Packers because he has a food brokerage business in Wisconsin and can't take the time from it to play football in Chicago or anywhere outside of Wisconsin. Hirsch explained that under his deal with the Chicago Rockets, who later became the Hornets, he was to receive a bonus for dropping radio broadcasting work during the season. The bonus, he said, was to be paid with his salary. The salary, he said, was payable twice monthly during the football season. He said he did not
receive the bonus with his salary he was to receive a bonus for dropping radio broadcasting work during the season. The bonus, he said, was to be paid with his salary. The salary, he said, was payable twice monthly during the football season. He said he did not receive the bonus with his salary or by the end of the year. At Chicago, James C. Thompson, principal stockholder in the Hornets, said last night that R.E. (Slim) Garn, former president of the Rockets, had sent the bonus check by registered mail within the past few weeks. He said that it had been returned by the post office marked "refused". Hirsch said that while he was out of the city in connection with his business a post office department registered mail slip was received and that he had not had the opportunity to pick up the letter, but that he had not refused it. He said that in any case, the bonus was not paid with his salary. A Chicago attorney, John P. Sullivan, told him that this constituted a breach of contract, Hirsch said...RAMS HAVE RIGHTS: "Frankly," Hirsch said, "I want to connect with the Packers because I can't play football in Chicago and still attend to my business. I've got too much of an investment to let anything interfere with the business. For the same reason, I can't play with Los Angeles, either." The Los Angeles Rams had original draft rights to Hirsch in the NFL and have first rights to him if he plays in that league.
TOLLEFSON TRIAL SET FOR TUESDAY
JUN 4 (Green Bay) - Charles Tollefson's $2,7009 lawsuit against Green Bay Packers, Inc., is scheduled to go on trial in circuit court here Tuesday, according to notice given the parties by Circuit Judge E.M. Duquaine. Tollefson is suing for the balance of what he claims was a $3,600 minimum guarantee on his 1946 contract. He contends that he was paid $900 for playing in three games, and then discharged. He filed the suit March 1, 1947. On March 22, the Packer corporation filed a plea in abatement, asking dismissal of the suit on the ground that the contract provided for arbitration of any such differences. A clause in the contract specified that a dispute should be submitted to the commissioner of the NFL, and that his decision should be final. On Dec. 26, 1947, Tollefson moved for summary judgment, claiming that in nine months he had been unable to secure a satisfaction of his claim from the commissioner's office, or any information as to procedure by which a hearing could be secured...ARBITRATION CLAUSE INVALID: In a decision filed Feb. 16, 1946, Judge Duquaine overruled the Packer corporation's plea for dismissal of the case, and held that the arbitration clause in the contract was invalid. "Private persons cannot, by a contract to arbitrate, oust the jurisdiction of the legally constituted courts," he ruled. The only exception, he pointed out, would be a labor dispute under the state labor act, and the present dispute does not come within that classification, he declared. The case will be a jury trial, although it is probable that questions of law also will be raised for decision by the court. Tollefson's attorney is Charles T. Hanaway, and Attorney Jerry Clifford will represent the Packer corporation.
THE CASE OF 'CRAZY LEGS'
JUN 6 (Green Bay) - Mr. Hirsch, now a resident of Milwaukee, would be received with open arms by any football team in the country and placed in the backfield from whence he does his stuff. Mr. Hirsch came by the curious and humorous nickname of "Crazy Legs" honestly. The fact is that he seems to run in more than one direction at the same time. Perhaps he has more than two eyes or his optics pick up approaching tacklers on a field-wide perimeter. But now Mr. Hirsch faces a job like that of the boy who wants to crack a butternut with his teeth. It is a tough job. The Chicago Hornets, successors of the Chicago Rockets, say that, whereas and wherefore, the party of the first part and the party of the second part are bound up in a certain contract and that the contract must not be breached, as ordinary contracts may be breached, because the services to be rendered by Mr. Hirsch does not see either in Chicago. Mr. Hirsch says that if he cannot play with the Packers, he will drop out of football. That would be a distinct loss to the game. There are a lot of weaving, dodging and high speed men in the backfields of the country but we have never seen one before whose legs went in such befooling ways but both toward the goal line, until onlookers found themselves in frequent quarrels as to whether the gentleman was running southeast or southwest or just south although all agreed that he didn't have rubber legs. We wish Mr. Hirsch success in solving his differences but we must remind him that when a fellow has capacity in a certain line a little different that other fellows he must expect to be tagged occasionally with disadvantages that may appear to be very unfair.
BELL, KEKERIS SIGN PACKER PACTS
JUN 7 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers matched their two rookie tackles with a pair of veteran T's today with receipt of signed contracts from Ed Bell and Jim Kekeris. Bell and Kekeris join rookies Howie Scalla of Compton Junior college and Lew Ferry, former Villanova captain, giving the Packers a total of 23 players set for 1949 action. The four tackles will carry a total of 1,020 pounds, or an average of 233. Scalla and Ferry, signed earlier this spring, pack 512 pounds, Howie being the giant with his 280. Return of Bell assures Packer coach Curly Lambeau of one of the few handymen in major league football. The Chicago boy, who starred at Indiana, plays either guard or tackle and can fill in at center if necessary. Last year, Ed spelled both Paul Lipscomb and Dick Wildung at tackle and saw plenty of action at guard. Bell recently completed work on his master's degree in physical education at Indiana. Ed will turn 28 next Sept. 20. Kekeris, former fullback at the University of Missouri, came to Green Bay late in the 1948 season in a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles for center Szymanski. He had considerable leg trouble but played well on defense. During the winter, Kekeris underwent a leg operation which should clear up the injury by fall.
TOLLEFSON SUIT AGAINST PACK IS DISMISSED
JUN 8 (Green Bay) - Charles Tollefson's $2,700 suit against Green Bay Packers, Inc., was dismissed in circuit court Tuesday afternoon on the motion of the defense. Attorney Charles Hanaway, representing Tollefson, said he planned an appeal to the Supreme Court. Tollefson was released in October 1946, after two league and three exhibition games. He was paid $900; $100 each for the exhibition games, $300 each for the league games. His suit was based in a clause written into his contract by ink: "Minimum $3,600 for season". He claimed this applied regardless of the number of games played. In its motion for dismissal, the defense argued that this minimum applied only if he completed the season, and that it did not supplant other provisions of the contract permitting his release on 48 hours' notice. The court upheld this view and granted the motion. The plaintiff was the only witness only testified. He completed his direct examination before the noon recess. After completion of his cross examination in the afternoon, the plaintiff rested its case. The defense motion followed. Attorney Jerry Clifford, representing the Packers, cross-examined Tollefson on several occasions in which he allegedly failed to carry out his assignment in games, resulting in costly losses to the team. Tollefson replied that he had played to the best of his ability, and that whether he had carried out his assignments was a "matter of opinion". The case was started before a jury of six men and six women, but granting of the dismissal automatically took the case out of the hands of the jurors. Judge E.M. Duquaine announced that there will be no more jury trials until 10 o'clock next Monday morning.
PACKERS SIGN TAVENER, CENTER
JUN 14 (Green Bay) - A rookie football player - amateur as far as the pros are concerned - with experience against the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams today signed a contract with the Packers. He is John Tavener, former University of Indiana signal calling center, who stacks 230 pounds on his six-foot, one-inch frame. Signing of Tavener brings to 24 the number of Packers inked for 1949 action. Tavener, who has an auto business plus a farm in Johnstown, O., was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in 1943 but decided against continuing in football. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau snapped Tavener up when the Cardinals released him in the process of cleaning out their reserve list recently. The former Marine was called for action in three College All Star games, although he actually played in only two. In 1944, he performed for 58 minutes against the Bears in a 24-21 losing cause. He scored one touchdown by recovering a Bear fumble in the end zone. In the same game, Tavener was barely nosed out in the vote for the most valuable player by Glenn Dobbs. Tavener was selected for the 1945 All Star game which played the Packers, but the Hoosier star fractured his arm in practice. In 1946, All Star fixture Tavener played most of the game against the Los Angeles Rams. Also in 1944, Tavener called signals and captained the North team in the North-South game and then performed for the East in the East-West Shrine game...PLAYED WITH ED BELL: Twice, Tavener was chosen an all-conference center at Indiana which was coached at the time by Bo McMillin, now Detroit Lions' mentor. He teamed up with Ed Bell, present Packer guard, in leading Indiana to its first Big Nine championship in '43. The same season, Tavener was named on 17 leading All-America teams, including the AP and UP. Married and the father of two children, Tavener was president of his freshman class at Indiana.
LIPSCOMB RETURNS FOR FIFTH PACKER SEASON
JUN 15 (Green Bay) - Paul F. (Lippy) Lipscomb, the Irish giant who started 42 out of the Packers' last 45 NFL games, officially opened his fifth season as a Green Bay pro footballite today. The 245-pound tackle is the 10th veteran to sign for 1949 activity, Packer Coach Curly Lambeau revealed. The pack of contracts also includes the signatures of 14 simon-pure rookies and one newcomer to the National league. The oddster is halfback Bill Schroeder of Wisconsin, who did a stint with the Chicago Rockets. Lipscomb, now working on his master's degree in physical education at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee, joins four other tackles - veterans Ed Bell and Jim Kekeris and rookies Lew Ferry of Villanova and Howard Scalla of Compton college. Big Paul, better known as Lippy, arrived in Green Bay in August of 1945 and became a first stringer from the word go. He started every league game in 1945 and 1946 - 21 in all - and then started the first two in 1947 before missing the Chicago Cardinal here. Herman Rohrig, a halfback, was listed as a right tackle that day as the Packers received, but Lipcomb was in the first play from scrimmage. Lipscomb started the next eight games in 1947 and missed starting the last game of the season against Detroit there. Lipscomb missed opening his third game in four years against the Bears in Chicago last fall as guard Larry Olsonoski worked in his spot at the kickoff. After that kickoff, Lipscomb went to work against tackle Fred Davis, the wrestler who once grunted and groaned against Primo Carera here three years ago. As it turned out, Lipscomb's work went unrewarded because he was banished for slugging. It developed that Davis had mashed Lippy's face on four different occasions and it wasn't until after the fourth blow that Lipscomb let loose himself. The official saw Paul's slug and promptly ushered him off the premises. Lipscomb is looking forward to his greatest season next fall - which invades two dates with Mr. Davis. Lippy met the new Packer line coach, Tom Stidham, here early this spring and left town with renewed optimism. By the same token, Stidham is anxious to see what "the big guy can do". Stidham was impressed by what he saw of Lipscomb in movies of past Packer games. Lipscomb turned 26 years of age last Jan. 13. Married and the father of two children, Paul came here after a brilliant career at Tennessee. He was an all-Southeastern tackle in 1942 and played in the Sugar Bowl in '43.
349 S. WASHINGTON STREET IS NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR PACKERS
JUN 18 (Green Bay) - Looking for a Packer season ticket? Don't go to the usual place - the ducat office in the Legion building on Walnut street. The office has been moved to the new Packer headquarters at 349 S. Washington street across from the Milwaukee Road depot. Carl Mraz, Packer ticket director, announced today that the office was opened for business this morning. Aide Earl Falk will be on hand every day in the week to sell season tickets. The new headquarters also will house the office of Packer Coach Curly Lambeau now located in the Northern building. Formal opening will be held next week.
DICK WILDUNG RETURNS FOR FOURTH PACKER YEAR; 26 UNDER CONTRACT
JUN 28 (Green Bay) - Dick Wildung, the insurance broker from Minneapolis, looked over his insurance policy the other day, felt of his back, and decided to sign his 1949 Packer contract. The inked papers were received at the Packers' new headquarters at 349 S. Washington street today, thus making Wildung the 11th veteran to agree to 1949 terms. The Packers now have 26 players on the preferred list. Signing of Wildung fills the Packers' first string tackle positions. Paul F. (Lippy) Lipscomb officially rejoined the club last June 15. Lipscomb toils at right tackle while Wildung, who served nearly two full seasons at guard, works at left tackle. Regarded by many as the top college tackle of the last 10 years, Minnesota Wildung is considered one of the leading linemen in the NFL. The former Gopher established himself as another Mike Michalske shortly after he arrived here in 1946. Despite his brilliance at tackle at Minnesota, Wildung remained at guard until midway in 1947 when he virtually begged for a chance to play tackle during the Detroit game here. The big guy, who stacks 200 pounds on a six-foot frame, became a star immediately in his "new" position. The climax came during the Packer-Cardinal game in Chicago - a crucial contest which would have blasted Cardinal title hopes and kept Green Bay in the running...GREATEST GAME AT TACKLE: For 55 minutes, Wildung repeatedly smashed Cardinal passer Paul Christman to the ground as the Packers charged to a 20-7 lead. Then, in the waning minutes, the Cardinals came to life as Wildung, practically out on his feet, was forced to take a couple of "blows". The Cards scored twice and won 21-20. Despite the bitter defeat, Packer Coach Curly Lambeau said after the game, "Dick played the greatest game at tackle I've ever seen." The scribes out east like to repeat a story about Wildung in the final game of the 1947 season against the Eagles. Dick was giving Steve Van Buren, the Eagles' great back, a terrific going over. In fact, Van Buren didn't gain an inch over Wildung all day. Late in the game, Wildung, after smacking Van Buren down for the umpteenth time, told Steve: "If you don't run your plays the other way, I'm going to have to murder you right out in front of all these people." Wildung suffered his first injury in his pro life and one of the few in his grid career early in the 1948 season, thus weakening the left side of the Bay wall. He pulled a muscle in his back in the Cardinal game in Milwaukee but never reported the hurt until later in the week. He played terrific ball the next Sunday as the Packers downed Los Angeles here, 16-0, making seemingly impossible tackles on both sides of the line. The injury recurred at various times during the season, cutting down his efficiency...ALL-AMERICAN IN 1941-42: Wildung, who will turn 28 years of age Aug. 16, was an All-American at Minnesota in 1941-42, captaining the Gophers in his senior year. He captained the College All-Stars in 1943 and co-captained the East Shrine team the same year. During the war, Wildung served as a lieutenant (jg) in a Naval PT boat squadron. Wildung is married and the father of two children, Richard J. and Marrille. They plan to live in Green Bay during the season.
JIM GOODMAN, TED COOK JOIN 1949 PACKERS
JUN 29 (Green Bay) - The Packers' situation at tackle was pretty well in hand today with signing of James Sartorius Goodman, a 265-pound German-English native of Baltimore. Goodman, who played football on a collegiate basis at the University of Maryland, is the seventh tackle and the 15th rookie signed thus far by the Packers for delivery next Aug. 1 when practice starts at Rockwood lodge. And for good measure today, Packer Coach Curly Lambeau announced the signing of Ted Cook, veteran end who came to Green Bay a year ago wth Frank Szymanski from Detroit in a trade for draftees Bob Rennebohm and Howard Brown. The Alabama end, 28th Packer under contract, will be playing his third season in the NFL. Lambeau selected Goodman in the 1946 draft, but the six-foot, five-inch gridder wasn't eligible for professional football until last June when his class was graduated. Goodman played the 1941 season at Wake Forest but started a 44-month stretch in the Navy in 1942. He enrolled at Maryland in 1946 and finished his career last fall...BEST PRO TACKLE PROSPECT: Probably the best recommendation came from Clark Shaughnessy, Goodman's coach at Maryland in 1946 and present mentor of the Los Angeles Rams. He called Goodman "the best professional tackle prospect I've ever seen." Goodman signed with Green Bay after considerable wooing by Buffalo of the All-American conference. The Baltimore Colts were also interested in him - via a deal with Buffalo - in view of the fact that his home is in Baltimore. Father of two children, Goodman is now working for his master's degree at Maryland. He started his football at Mount St. Joseph High in 1947. The husky also played basketball and competed in track, once tossing a discus 144 feet, 10 inches. During the war, Goodman took part in the Okinawa and Tuwara campaigns. He was attending an officer candidate school at Cornell university when the war ended. Goodman could be the last of the tackles signed for next fall. Baby Ray, the Vanderbilt ace who played his 11th Packer season last fall, doesn't plan to return while Urban Odson, former Minnesota star, may retire. The latest newcomer joins tackle rookies Howard Scalla of Compton Junior college and Lew Ferry of Villanova and veterans Dick Wildung, Paul Lipscomb, Ed Bell and Jim Kekeris...EXPECTS GREAT SEASON: Wildung's contract arrived at the Packers' new office, 359 S. Washington street, Monday while Lipscomb had signed several weeks earlier, thus the Packers of their first string tackles. Wildung is back for his fourth season and Lipscomb his fifth. Lambeau expects Lipscomb to have his greatest season next fall. Incidentally, Lipscomb played only one year at Tennessee and most of his grid knowledge was acquired with the Packers. Wildung is fully recovered from a back injury and Dick is looking forward to a great season. Kekeris, who turned in some good games on defense after arriving late last year in a trade with Philadelphia for Frank Szymanski, should be more valuable next fall. Bell is the No. 1 replacement. The Chicagoan can play either tackle or guard. Ferry, who captained Villanova last fall, is one of the better tackles out east and is expected to make the squad. Scalla, a 285-pounder, is determined to make the Packers despite lack of big-time competition in college.
PACKER NOTES
JUL 7 (Racine Journal-Times) - The Green Bay Packers this year have streamlined their operation and one of the important phases of the administrative revision is the making of tickets more accessible. As of now season tickets for the Packers' games at State Fair Park next fall can be bought over the counter at the ticket office in the lobby of the Hotel Pfister in Milwaukee. All tickets for the Milwaukee games will be handled in these over the counter sales and for the convenience of fans the office will be kept open each Thursday evening until 9 o'clock. Tickets for the game with Washington at Milwaukee September 11 also are on sale at the Milwaukee office. That's the game in which Stan Heath will make his hometown pro football debut.
LAMBEAU RETURNING TONIGHT; LAUNCHES 31ST YEAR AUG. 1
JUL 16 (Green Bay) - Ready to begin his 31st season at the Packer helm, Head Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau was due to arrive in Green Bay tonight from Chicago, where he stopped over last night en route here from his California home. Monday, the Packer mentor will start making final plans for launching 1949 practice for Green Bay's NFL entry at Rockwood lodge Aug. 1.
PACKERS, NY AT SYRACUSE ON AUG. 24
JUL 18 (Green Bay) - The Packers will play the New York Giants in a non-league football game at Syracuse, N.Y., Wednesday night, Aug. 24, it was announced today by Lionel Grossman, chairman of the Syracuse cerebral palsy clinic committee of Syracuse. Proceeds from the game will benefit the clinic. Syracuse university has donated its field for the game. The Packer office is here is awaiting contracts for the game. The contest is the third non-league affair for the Packers. On Aug. 28, they will invade Pittsburgh and on Sept. 18 they play the Washington Redskins in Milwaukee. The Packers will remain in the east for the games at Syracuse and Pittsburgh, to present plans announced by Coach Curly Lambeau. The Packers are seeking one or two more non-league contests. Negotiations for a non-league battle with the Philadelphia Eagles are continuing and the contest may be played at City stadium Aug. 20. Originally, the Packer-Eagle test had been scheduled for Minneapolis but the Packer management has been unable to secure a satisfactory field there. Lambeau was to confer today with Al Reed, manager of the North-South high school football game. The contest is scheduled at City stadium Aug. 20.
CHAMPION PHILADELPHIA EAGLES PLAY PACKERS HERE AUG. 20
JUL 19 (Green Bay) - Steve Van Buren & Company, politely referred to in the NFL as the world champion Philadelphia Eagles, will tackle the Green Bay Packers in a non-league contest at City stadium on the night of Saturday, Aug. 20. The encounter, announced today by Packer Coach Curly Lambeau, is the Packers’ fourth non-wheel effort signed thus far and by all means the juiciest. The Eagle-Packer tussle marks the start of a crowded August pre-championship campaign, three of the battles, two at night, being cornered in nine days. After the Eagle tussle, the Packers invade Syracuse, N.Y., to test the wicked New York Giants Wednesday night, Aug. 24. They’ll remain in the east, moving over to Pittsburgh for a Sunday, Aug. 28 date with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The fourth non-lopper sends the Packers against Washington’s Redskins in Milwaukee Sunday, Sept. 18. It’s a good bet the Packers will play one other non-league test – something to fill the gap between Aug. 28 and Sept. 18. The Packers launch their 12-game championship schedule against their traditional rivals, the Chicago Bears, at City stadium Sept. 25…HINKLE PICKS UP O’BRIEN: The big blow-off at City stadium Aug. 20 marks the first invasion here of the new Philadelphia Eagles. The old Eagles, then coached and owned by Bert Bell, present National league commissioner, played the Packers in a league test at City stadium 10 seasons ago and left the premises with a 23-7 licking. That was the day Clarke Hinkle, the great Packer fullback, tired himself picking tiny Davey O’Brien off the turf. The last Packer-Eagle non-league affair was played in Milwaukee to start the 1948 season – the Packers’ first Don Hutson-less year since 1934. The Eagles salvaged that game by a 7-6 score. Since 1946, the Packers and Eagles tangled twice on a league basis. After losing the first two league tests in ’46, the Packers moved east to upset the Eagles, 19-7. The 1947 season finale in Philadelphia saw the Packers drop a 28-14 verdict, the Eagles’ first victory over Green Bay in 10 games since 1933…WON TITLE IN SNOWSTORM: The 1947 Eagles made history out east in winning the Eastern division championship for Coach Greasy Neale, who patterned his team’s T-formation after the Bears’ system of the same letter. The powerful Chicago Cardinals, however, took the championship by defeating the Eagles in the playoff, 28-21, on the frozen turf of Comiskey park. The Eagles, who didn’t meet Green Bay in 1948 on league terms and won’t this season, took the Eastern title again last fall but turned the tide in the playoff, beating the Cardinals, 7-0, in a snowstorm. The Eagles are led by halfback Van Buren, who crashes like a fullback; quarterback Tommy Thompson; end Pete Pihos; tackles Vic Sears and Al Wistert; guard John Patton; and center Vic Lindskog. Among the newcomers are Chuck Bednarik, Penn’s all-American, and Frank Tripucka, the Notre Dame quarterback…PACKER PACKINGS: Coach Lambeau has a list of 14 unsigned veterans but “they’ll be all ready to come the first of August when practice starts”. Among the veterans not returning are halfback Fred Provo, tackle Don Deeks and guard Damon Tassos. Guard Ed Neal dropped in unexpectedly Monday for a contract talk with Lambeau. Neal is attending the Shrine convention in Chicago. Neal is looking forward to a “great season”. He reported that he recently sent two horned frogs, playthings in Texas, to Packer fullback Ted Fritsch at Manitowoc. “Teddy never even opened ‘em up; he gave ‘em to a zoo,” Neal laughed. Due soon for a contract session is halfback Ralph Earhart, who is driving up from Texas. Also a frequent visitor at the Packer office is quarterback Jack Jacobs, who, at the moment, is watching his wife, the former Miss Mary McMillin, compete in the state golf meet at Madison.
PACKERS LINE UP INTRASQUAD TILT FOR SEPTEMBER 3
JUL 20 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers announced today that they would play an intrasquad game at Marinette the night of September 3. Head Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau said the Packers had signed a contract with Ed Poquette, representing the Marinette Junior Chamber of Commerce which will sponsor the game.
PACKERS SIGN ED SMITH, STAR ROOKIE OF 1948
JUL 20 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers announced today the receipt of a signed 1949 contract from halfback Oscar (Ed) Smith, a Wilcox, Ariz., rancher. Smith, a Packer rookie last year, led the Green Bay team in kickoff returns. He played fullback at Texas Mines in his college days, but Packer Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau switched him to right half and expects to use him at the same post this fall.
MILLIONAIRE OFFERS PLAN TO END PRO GRID WAR
JUL 21 (New York) - Fabulous Texas oil millionaire Glenn H. McCarthy of Houston came up Thursday with another proposal to bring the All-America conference and the NFL together - and as usual the conference accepted and the NFL said "thumbs down". McCarthy offered to underwrite a championship charity game which he said could net between $600,000 and $700,000 if played in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. "Scrappy Kessing, the conference commissioner, has accepted wholeheartedly," McCarthy said, "but Commissioner Bert Bell of the NFL has come back with a proposal to play an intraleague game." Similar proposals in the past have been rejected by the NFL. McCarthy said he would make the admission rate $10 plus tax and distribute the proceeds to the National Kids Day Foundation, the Damon Runyon Cancer Fund and the Shrine crippled children's hospitals. He offered to guarantee $75,000 plus expenses to the winner of the game, $50,000 and expenses to the loser and $100,000 to charity. McCarthy, a Houston hotel owner who has made millions in oil, said he wanted to sponsor the game "because it's natural". "This might be the right answer to the rivalry between the two big professional football leagues," he declared. "At least it wouldn't hurt anyone to try out my plan." McCarthy said he thought Los Angeles would be the best site for the game, which should be played before New Year's day so as not to conflict with any of the college bowl games.
PACKERS OPEN DRILLS WEEK FROM MONDAY
JUL 21 (Milwaukee Journal) - The tough job of taking a loser, a bad loser, and turning it into a winner begins for Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers a week from Monday, when some 45 or 46 boys, most of them veterans of the debacle of '48, report at Rockwood Lodge. The experience will be a new one for the smiling Belgian, one of the towering figures in professional football, for never in his 30 years - this will be his thirty-first - has any team of his gone so completely to pieces as last year's and apparently left so little with which to begin again. It finished lower in the standings that any other Packer eleven, won fewer games and in the New York game right here, the nadir of the season, absorbed the most humiliating licking in all Packer history (49-3). Of the 45 or 46 men who will greet Lambeau, about 30 took a part in the great floundering act of last year. The rest will be new men upon whom no little will depend for any recovery the team makes. Lambeau himself, truly in character again as he always is in July and August, is confident - that is, he is confident if a couple of big "ifs" can be removed. "IF we can get a center or two, and some deals are pending right now. IF we can get Elroy Hirsch from the Los Angeles Rams. IF those boys who know where they fell down last year can keep their new attitude, we'll be all right," he said here the other day. "We'll be more than all right. We'll give 'em all a battle. The next week or 10 days will tell." No little of Lambeau's enthusiasm, allowing for the "ifs", of course, stems from his reorganized coaching staff which this year will have Tom Stidham, former head coach at Oklahoma and Marquette, as line coach, Bob Snyder, former head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, as backfield coach; and Charlie Brock, one of the greatest centers in the history of the National league, as an all-around assistant. Brock is an addition. Stidham succeeded Walt Kiesling and Snyder succeeded Bo Molenda. The truth is, it is undoubtedly the best balanced staff of assistants ever to work with the Belgian - one of the best, in fact, if not the best in the league. The problem at center is clearly the big one, for as this is written, the squad has only two pivot men, the aging but always willing Bob Flowers and rookie Ralph Olsen of Utah. Jay Rhodemyre of Kentucky, most valuable man in the college all-star game a year ago and No. 1 center a year ago when not injured, has steadfastly refused to sign, saying he is through with pro football and turning a deaf ear to all of Lambeau's best blandishments. At the moment Don Hutson is in Lexington, Ky., to make one more assault. Meanwhile, since the problem is so acute, Lambeau has started to dicker with just about every other club in the league seeking a deal by which he may get a center. On several of the deals, the iron is hot, but how it will be when he pulls it out remains to be seen. The Hirsch deal is "on again" one day, "off again" the next. One day the Packers apparently have him and the next they haven't as the Rams, with original draft rights on him and with an attitude which refuses to let the Packers strengthen themselves, keep boosting the ante. The Packers could well use a breakaway runner like Hirsch, and Hirsch himself, since the Chicago Hornets broke his contract, would like to play with Green Bay. But there, thanks to the Rams, the deal is stuck. Of the new attitude of the boys, Lambeau is more confident: "They know where they fell down last year," he said, "and they mean to make up for it unless I miss my guess. Jack Jacobs above all, I feel, is going to have one of his best years. He is married now, and he has had an operation on both his arm and his appendix, both of which bothered him so much last season. Along with Stan Heath, Nolan Luhn and some of the others, he has been working out for a couple of weeks, and, honestly, he has looked great. The new men offer some promise, although only a few of them have glittering college reputations. Stan Heath of Nevada at quarterback, Lou Ferry of Villanova at tackle, Buddy Burris of Oklahoma and Jim Ethridge of Southern Methodist at guards, Olsen at center, Glen Lewis of Texas Tech at halfback, Bob Summerhays of Utah at fullback and Chuck Tatom of Texas and Dan Orlich of Nevada at ends especially promise to make the grade. Heath has looked good passing in the informal workouts so far, although he clearly needs work in handling the ball under center. He left Saturday for the College All-Stars camp at Evanston. Some 12 or 13 boys remain to be signed, but except for Rhodemyre, Lambeau expects no trouble.
PACKERS ADD ROOKIE SMU GUARD; 14 VETS UNSIGNED; DRILL MONEY
JUL 25 (Green Bay) - The Packers launched "the week before" today with signing of a rookie guard - Mr. Floyd Neal Lewis, something of an underweight individual at a mere 205 pounds. Lewis, the 31st player under contract and the 17th rookie, is a college native of Southern Methodist university and his appearance at the opening of practice at Rockwood lodge next Monday will give the Packers SMU's two first string tackles of 1948, the newcomer joining teammate Joe Etheridge. Lewis is a little guy as guards go. He packs his poundage on a 5-foot, 10 1/2-inch frame. Other signed guards, rookie Paul Burris and veteran Larry Olsonoski, are in the 215-pound class while Ed Neal, the big black smithy, outweighs 'em all at 290. One of the two unsigned guards, Ralph Davis, matches Lewis' size, the ex-Wisconsinite standing 5-11 and weighing 205. The other, Evan Vogds, goes 215 and stands 5-10. Lewis, 25, specializes in speed and spirit. His SMU coach, Matty Bell, recommends him highly to Packer Coach Curly Lambeau and the newcomer was signed on Bell's "say so". Lewis and Etheridge, also a speedster, gave SMU a terrific offensive blocking combination last season. Both Lewis and Etheridge, incidentally, played tackle off and on. Lewis was co-captain last fall...VETERANS STILL UNSIGNED: Lewis, a native of Norphlet, Ark., and presently a resident of Dallas, entered SMU in 1942 and then entered the Marine corps. He served three years in the South Pacific as a private first class, taking part in the Bougainville and Iwo Jima campaigns. Plenty of contract action is expected this week in the office of Coach Lambeau - 349 S. Washington street. Lambeau expects to start practice with about 45 players - more or less. However, 14 veterans are still unsigned. This group includes Don Wells, Larry Craig and Red Wilson, ends; guards Davis and Vogds; tackle Urban Odson and centers Bob Flowers and Jay Rhodemyre; and backs Tony Canadeo, Ralph Earhart, Perry Moss, Ted Fritsch, Jug Girard and Walt Schlinkman. Of the vet group, Craig is expected back for his 11th season. Larry rarely signed until the opening day, although his 1948 contract was in the mail sometime in July. Earhart and Schlinkman are expected in this week. Not returning next fall are tackle Baby Ray, who finished 11 years of service last December; tackle Donald Deeks; guard Damon Tassos, and halfback Fred Provo...HEATH TO ALL STAR GAME: Four players worked out every day last week - tackle Paul Lipscomb, guard Neal, end Nolan Luhn and Stan
Heath, quarterback. The new quarterback left over the weekend to start practice with the College All Stars who meet the Eagles in Chicago Aug. 12. Incidentally, Luhn spent considerable time catching Heath's passes. Watching from the sidelines, Neal and Lipscomb came away delighted with Heath's pitching ability. Luhn, too, "looks far and away better than he did in 1948," Neal expounded. Nolan finished fourth in pass receiving in the league in 1947, snaring 42 for 696 yards and seven touchdowns.
SON OF PACKER ROOKIE TREATED FOR LYE BURNS
JUL 26 (Green Bay) - Robert Summerhays, Jr., 2-year-old son of the Green Bay Packers rookie fullback, was resting easy Wednesday in St. Vincent's hospital where he was taken Tuesday for the treatment of lye burns on his back and abdomen. His condition was described as not critical. The child found the lye in a furnished residence which the Summerhays took over Monday upon their arrivals from Salt Lake City, where Summerhays, Sr., starred on the University of Utah eleven.
HIRSCH SIGNS WITH RAMS
JUL 26 (Redlands, CA) - Elroy (Crazy Legs) Hirsch, ex-Wisconsin and Michigan star halfback, will play football this year for the Los Angeles Rams. The National League club, which had NFL draft rights to the rangy 190-pounder from Wausau, Wis., announced the signing yesterday. Hirsch played three seasons with the Chicago Rockets in the All-America conference. Most of last season he was benched because of injuries. Coach Clark Shaughnessy said he plans to work Hirsch at halfback while the team is training here. However, long before the deal went through, the Green Bay Packers said they'd try to obtain Hirsch from the Rams if Los Angeles signed him.
VOGDS, DAVIS RETURN TO PACKERS
JUL 27 (Green Bay) - Two more veterans entered the Packer fold for 1949 today with the signing of guards Evan (Red) Vogds and Ralph Davis - both University of Wisconsin products. Their signature reduced the staggering total of unsigned veterans (holy smokes, practice starts next Monday) to 11. The Packers now have 34 players under contract - have vets and the other half first year men. Of the unsigned group, only end Don Wells and center Jay Rhodemyre are in the question mark class. Reportedly, they are undecided about playing. Backs Ralph Earhart and Walt Schlinkman are on their way up from Texas for a conference with Packer Coach Curly Lambeau. Addition of Vogds and Davis leaves the guard slot pretty well set since none of the unsigned linemen are guards. Other veteran guards ready for duty are 290-pound Ed Neal and Minnesota Larry Olsonoski, returning for his second year. Rookie guards are the two Southern Methodist first stringers, Floyd N. Lewis and Joe Ethridge, and the Oklahoma All-American Paul (Buddy) Burris, now in training with the College All Stars...PLAYED AT FONDY HIGH: Teammates at Wisconsin in the early '40s, Davis and Vogds are returning for their third and second years, respectively. Davis is one of the smallest guards in the league, packing 205 pounds on a 5-foot, 11-inch frame. A member of the 1946 College All Stars, Vogds played a couple of seasons with the old Chicago Rockets before tiring of the situation there. He sought employment with the Packers before the 1948 season and did a great job in his first year against National league competition. Vogd was known in Green Bay football circles before his Wisconsin and pro career. He played for Fond du Lac High school against East and West for three seasons. Red stacks 215 pounds on a 5-11 frame. Constant buddies, Davis and Vogds both served in the Navy during the war. Davis is 27 and Vogds 26. Lambeau revealed today that the officials on-the-field practice at Rockwood lodge will start at 2 o'clock next Monday afternoon. The first gathering will take place in the lodge at 10 o'clock Monday morning at which time the new coaches will be introduced and assignments handed out. The meeting also will give the veterans an opportunity to meet the newcomers...HIRSCH TO LOS ANGELES: The Packers learned today that Elroy (Crazy Legs) Hirsch, ex-Wisconsin and Michigan star halfback, will play football this year for the Los Angeles Rams. The National league club, which had NFL draft rights to the rangy 190-pounder from Wausau, Wis., announced the signing yesterday at Redlands, Cal. Hirsch played three seasons with the Chicago Rockets in the All-America conference. Most of last season he was benched because of injuries. Coach Clark Shaughnessy said he plans to work Hirsch at halfback while the team is training here. However, long before the deal went through, Hirsch said he wanted to play with the Packers.
PACKERS MEET NY BULLDOGS AT ROCK ISLAND
JUL 27 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers and the New York Bulldogs of the NFL will meet in a preseason clash in public schools stadium here Sunday afternoon, Sept. 11. The negotiations were completed today under auspices of the Moline Optimist's club. The stadium seats 14,000, a capacity frequently reached in high school games. The game will make the first appearance of two NFL teams in the Quad Cities since the foldup of the Rock Island Independents at the end of the 1925 season. Announcement of this contest completes the Packers' six-game 1949 non-league schedule. The other games will find the world champion Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Aug. 20; the Packers facing the New York Giants at Syracuse, N.Y., Aug. 24; the Packers at Pittsburgh Aug. 28; and the Packers taking on Washington's Redskins at Milwaukee Sept. 18. The other preseason tilt will be the Packer intra-squad game at Marinette, Sept. 3.
DON WELLS 35TH PACKER SIGNED
JUL 29 (Green Bay) - There seems to be a lot of talk, about spirit and fight in the Packer family these days - a healthy sign, indeed. The coach, Curly Lambeau, beamed with some gutty talk today when he announced that Don Wells, veteran right end who likes to mix it, signed a contract for his fourth Packer season. "Wells is one of the better defensive ends in the circuit and one good reason for his success is that he has a world of guts; he never stops fighting on that field," Lambeau expounded. Wells, a University of Georgia grad, is the 35th player signed and sealed for 1949 activity. His signing leaves an even 10 veterans outside the fold. Bob Flowers' contract is in the mails and he's due to leave Texas by plane sometime Sunday. Urban Odson lost his contract while moving in Minnesota and will ink a new document when arrives Saturday or Sunday. Coach Lambeau is expected to have talks with Ted Fritsch and Walt Schlinkman today. Ralph Earhart is reportedly on his way from Texas. Larry Craig, generally a late signer, is expected to ink his contract at the last minute again...TOM STIDHAM DUE TODAY: The No. 1 question mark is Jay Rhodemyre, the Kentucky great who turned in a terrific freshman season last fall. Rhodemyre is toying with the retirement idea. Getting back to Wells, it can be reported that his business has been strictly defense for the last two years. He caught two passes for 74 yards back in 1946, but since has played only on the defense - working across from the peerless Craig. In 1947, Wells came up with a bad knee but played every game after remaining virtually idle during the weekly practice periods. In the winter of 1947-48, he underwent an operation on his knee and the trouble was corrected. Wells, like all the other linemen, are anxious to get to work under their new wall mentor, the honorable Thomas
Q. Stidham of Milwaukee, who has replaced Walt Kiesling, presently an assistant at Pittsburgh. Stidham was due in today and he'll waste no time meeting his charges. Bob Synder, new backfield coach, came in the other day. Wells is the sixth end signed, including veterans Nolan Luhn, Clyde Goodnight and Ted Cook and rookies Charley Tatom of Texas, Bill Kelley of Texas Tech and Dan Orlich of Utah. All are here except Orlich, who is due tomorrow. Incidentally, the new wings, Tatom and Kelley, are showing a world of fire in informal practice.
BOB FLOWERS SIGNS FOR EIGHTH PACKER SEASON
JUL 30 (Green Bay) - The Packers got a lift where they needed it the most – at center – today with the signing of veteran Bob Flowers, the Texas Tech roughhouse. Flowers may be the only veteran pivot on the 1949 edition unless Jay Rhodemyre, the Kentucky ace who broke in last fall, changes his mind this week. Only other center signed is Ralph Olsen, the giant Utah rookie who packs 220 pounds on six-foot, four-inch frame. Coach Curly Lambeau revealed today that the Packers are trying to make a deal with two different clubs for a center. The Packers generally carry three centers. Last fall, the position was handled by Flowers, Rhodemyre and Lloyd Baxter, South Methodist gridder. Baxter, after a fast start in the training season, did an about face and wasn’t invited to return in 1949…THREE 8-YEAR VETERANS: Rhodemyre is getting started in his work as a refrigeration engineer in Kentucky and is reluctant to return to professional football. Lambeau has been in touch with the promising center and there may be a development over the weekend. Flowers is one of three eight-year veterans. The Texas Tech giant who weighs 210 and stands 6-1, joined the Packers back in 1942 when Charley Brock, present Packer assistant coach, was in his prime. The other eight-year players are backs Tony Canadeo and Ted Fritsch, both unsigned. Flowers long has been rated one of the “roughest” guys in professional football – an asset to any club. The veteran showed a world of guts last fall in Pittsburgh when he played the entire game with a painfully injured leg. What’s more, he intercepted a pass and returned it for a sizeable gain. A native of Big Springs, Tex., Bob gained his reputation as a blocking back at Texas Tech. He quickly mastered the offensive line duties and backed up the line on defense…PRACTICE STARTS MONDAY: Flowers is the 19th veteran to agree to terms. Others still unsigned besides Canadeo, Rhodemyre and Fritsch are Larry Craig, Urban Odson, Red Wilson, Ralph Earhart, Perry Moss and Walt Schlinkman. Most of the Packers are due to arrive in Green Bay today or Sunday in preparation for the opening meeting Monday morning and the first practice that afternoon at Rockwood lodge. Arriving Friday were veteran tackles Jim Kekeris and Olsen. Lambeau conferred with Line Coach Tom Stidham, Backfield Coach Bob Snyder and Assistant Coaches Brock and Don Hutson Friday on plans for the first week. Stidham plans to live at the lodge while Snyder will remain there until he can find living quarters in the city for his family.
PACKER SPIRIT IS HIGH FOR OPENING MONDAY
JUL 31 (Milwaukee Journal) - The long grind into December, through five exhibition games and 12 league contests, begins for the Green Bay Packers at Rockwood Lodge, their home base 15 miles from Green Bay, Monday morning - and the incentive to do a job has seldom, perhaps, been stronger. The incentive, a particular incentive in this case, stems from what happened in last year's grind in which the Packers, long a power in the NFL, were completely deflated, losing nine of their 12 league games, which had never happened before, and suffering in their string of defeats, the very worst defeat in their history (New York 49, Packers 3). As they go into the new season, they carry with an unprecedented string of seven straight league defeats. The incentive to atone for all this can, and undoubtedly will, mean a lot as the season goes along, but whether it will be enough to compensate for what appear to be some deficiencies in personnel remains to be seen. The effervescent Curly Lambeau, beginning his 31st year at the helm, refuses to accept the apparent shortcomings as bad, or at least as insurmountable, but they certainly exist. Camp will open with only two men at center - the always willing but aging Bob Flowers and rookie Ralph Olsen of Utah. Jay Rhodemyre, last year's No. 1 center when not injured, has steadfastly refused to be swayed by Lambeau's blandishments to return. Lambeau has not given up hope, but meanwhile he must open camp without him. At the halfbacks, only Tony Canadeo, Ralph Earhart, Bob Forte, Jug Girard and Ed Smith have had any experience - and Canadeo remains to be signed. It is not a particularly bright prospect in a league which has such thunderbolts at the halfbacks as Steve Van Buren, Charlie Trippi, Elmer Angsman, Fred Enke, Ray Evans, Johnny Clement, Dan Sandifer, George Gulyanics and Bill Dudley, just to mention a few. And at the tackle, quarterback and fullback, while first string strength is adequate, new men must come through to provide the replacements - and who can tell of the new men, whatever their college promise, until
they have gone through actual pro fire. All in all, aside from the incentive, the outlook is not the brightest the Packers have ever had. The problem at center is particularly pressing even Lambeau admits this. In desperation, if a couple of deals pending fall through, big Ed Neal, who has played at guard most of his career, may be converted, at least into an offensive center. Elroy Hirsch's decision to play with the Rams, after he first said he would play nowhere except in Green Bay because of his business in this state, made Lambeau wince. Hirsch of the seven league boots could well have been one of the backfield mainstays, for none of the new men, Paul Devine of Heidelberg, Ken Kranz of Milwaukee State Teachers, Glen Lewis of Texas Tech or Bill Schroeder of Wisconsin appears to have his class except, perhaps, Lewis, who may turn out to be a "sleeper". The load on the old men will be heavy. The reserve strength at tackles, quarterback and fullback must come strictly from new men - and on them Lambeau is high. Lou Ferry of Villanova, Jim Goodwin of Maryland and Howie Scalla of Compton at the tackles represent some 780 pounds; Stan Heath, in two weeks of informal work at quarterback before he joined the College All-Stars, satisfied everyone about his passing skill although he had much to learn under center; and Bob Summerhays of Utah at fullback appears to have everything to stick. Overall, though, until these men have actually proved themselves, there must be some doubt. While several men must still be signed, only Rhodemyre will probably offer any great trouble. The rest of them, and this includes Ted Fritsch and Larry Craig, in addition to Canadeo, will undoubtedly straighten out what little differences remain. Saturday all was in readiness for the start. The beds at Rockwood Lodge had new, clean sheets, the deep freeze had hundreds of pounds of beef, and the coaches had several days of preliminary discussions behind them. Tom Stidham, who succeeded Walt Kiesling as line coach; Bob Snyder, who followed in Bo Molenda's shoes as backfield coach, and Charlie Brock, a new assistant, went over the season's plans with Lambeau both Friday and Saturday. A squad meeting of the 45 or 46 expected to report will be held Monday morning at 10 o'clock. The first practice will be held Monday afternoon. And the first exhibition of five in the season's long grind will be played with the Philadelphia Eagles in Green Bay the night of August 20. The last of the exhibitions was closed last week, a game with the New York Bulldogs at Davenport, Iowa, September 11.
PACKERS LAUNCH 31ST SEASON WITH MEETING
AUG 1 (Green Bay) - Green Bay’s Packers – the world’s No. 1 sports wonder – officially launched their 31st season today. More than 40 athletes, entrusted with the task of keeping little Green Bay on a professional par with New York, Chicago and other metropolitan cities, were present at Rockwood lodge this morning as the dean of NFL coaches, Curly Lambeau, presented his 31st annual “kickoff” talk. The first formal practice session started this afternoon at 2 o’clock – a precedent breaking time since all previous field inaugurations were held in the morning. Lambeau’s first meeting with the players and coaching staff, including Line Coach Tom Stidham, Backfield Coach Bob Snyder and Assistants Don Hutson and Charley Brock, was a secret affair. Though the session details are off the record, the general theme centered around optimism, spirit and revenge…REVENGE PROGRAM CUT OUT: Lambeau, one of football’s greatest optimists who launched the Packers back in 1919 and then led them to six world championships, entered the 1949 season today with a new spirit designed to make millions of Packer fans throughout the country forget the team’s worst season in history – the 1948 squad which won only three and lost nine. The Packers have their revenge program cut out, beating the clubs who were instrumental in ruining the previous season – namely, the Chicago Bears twice, the Chicago Cardinals twice, Los Angeles once, Washington one, Pittsburgh once and Detroit once. The Packers opened festivities this morning with eight players unsigned. Only Jay Rhodemyre is considered in the “serious” class since he’s still making up his mind whether to play or remain in the refrigeration engineering business. Tony Canadeo wasn’t present at the meeting this morning, though he was expected to work out this afternoon. Among others not present were Bob Flowers and Red Wilson, both held up by bad flying weather out of Texas, Larry Craig, College All-Stars Stan Heath and Paul Burris, Ralph Earhart and a last-minute signee, Frank Williams, a rookie fullback from Utah State. Farmer Craig will report Thursday after his cattle sale is finished. Earhart is late because of illness in his family. He’s due Thursday. Jug Girard attended the meeting today. The halfback will report officially Wednesday morning after finishing play with the Bluejays Tuesday night…JACOBS BACK IN FORM: Fifteen players took part in an informal workout Sunday at Rockwood lodge. The oldtimers were particularly lifted by the return of quarterback and passer Jack Jacobs to his 1947 form. “Jake” has been pitching off his ear and with power. Jacobs is expected to spearhead the Packer offense with valuable aid from rookie Stan Heath presently in training with the College All-Stars. Don Wells, the veteran defensive right end, is favoring his right knee. Four months ago, Don injured his knee while serving as a beach guard in Florida and underwent an operation on the knee – on his own. Lew Ferry, the new tackle from Villanova, looked good moving around the premises Sunday, and the youngster may give veterans Dick Wildung and Paul Lipscomb valuable assistance. Jim Goodman, the rookie tackle from Maryland, came in overweight at 280 pounds but expects to cut down to 265 soon. He hasn’t been feeling well the last month…VOGDS PASSING OUT CIGARS: One of the healthiest conditions at the camp is the enthusiasm of the players today the two new coaches – Stidham and Snyder. Both made a big hit with the players Sunday and the linemen didn’t waste any time in huddling with Stidham. A spirited line may be the key to the Packers’ chances this year. Stidham was relieved to hear that the injury suffered by rookie guard Paul Burris of Oklahoma was not serious. Newspaper reports from Chicago said that Burris suffered a serious chest injury. Heath called from Chicago to notify the coaches that “Paul is okay”. Incidentally, Heath was conked on the head playing defense, but he, too, is okay. One of the Packer guards, Evan (Red) Vogds, was due to pass out the cigars today. His wife gave birth to a daughter over the weekend. She was the Vogds’ first.
PACKER GAMES TO BE TELEVISED
AUG 1 (Milwaukee) - Twelve major league football games to be played in Wisconsin will be televised by WTMJ-TV, the Milwaukee Journal said today. The games include all five University of Wisconsin home games, three Marquette home games and the four NFL games which the Green Bay Packers have scheduled at Milwaukee’s State Fair park. First telecast of the season will be Wisconsin’s opener against Marquette at Camp Randall Sept. 24.
SCHLINKMAN SIGNS; NEAL WORKS AT CENTER AS PACKER KICK OFF
AUG 2 (Green Bay) - The Packers’ traditional opening day is now history, but the pains are lingering on. About 40 athletes, 99 percent of whom are packing soft winter muscles, sweated and puffed under a hot sun for nearly two hours Monday afternoon and then limped into the dressing rooms to prepare themselves for the unexpected muscle soreness. The huskies lost an estimated 300 pounds and more was due off during the first morning workout scheduled today. Further practice was booked for this afternoon. Six familiar faces were missing yesterday - those belonging to center Jay Rhodemyre, end Larry Craig, back Ralph Earhart, center Bob Flowers, back Tony Canadeo, back Perry Moss and end Red Wilson. Craig and Earhart are due in Thursday,
while Flowers and Wilson are expected today. Two of the sweatsters, fullbacks Ted Fritsch and Walt Schlinkman, were still unsigned Monday, although they took part in practice. Schlinkman signed his contract early in the evening and Coach Lambeau and Fritsch were due to confer today...WILLING PIVOT PUPIL: Moss, former University of Illinois quarterback who broke in with the Packers last fall, has been made a free agent. The whereabouts of Canadeo shapes up as something of a mystery. Rohdemyre plans to enter the refrigeration field after receiving his degree at the University of Kentucky next Monday, although he has a date with Packer Coach Curly Lambeau at the College All-Star game in Chicago Aug. 12. Rhodemyre will be awarded a trophy for being selected the most valuable player in the 1948 All Star game. With a shortage of centers looming, the Packers have found a willing pivot pupil in giant Ed Neal, the 290-pound guard. All three coaching aides, Tom Stidham, Charley Brock and Bob Snyder, worked with Neal at the offensive center post Monday after the regular drill. A powerful cuss, Neal found it easier to pass the ball back on punts with one hand, although Stidham advised him that he could get more accuracy with both. Passing to the quarterback on routine plays in the Packer system, however, is generally done with one hand. Brock put in a half hour showing Neal the proper use of the elbows, etc. No one was hurt. Only other centers in camp are Ralph Olsen, the rookie from Utah, and John Tavener from Indiana. Olsen, a big blonde carrying 220 pounds on his six-foot, four-inch frame, looks a lot like Bud Svendsen, former Packer pivot...ST. NORBERT BACK PASSING: Lambeau, starting his 31st year as head Packer coach, viewed the proceedings in a supervisory capacity, stopping off at the various groups of linemen and backs. Stidham and Brock handled the wall performers and Snyder drove the backs through the offensive formation which is changed somewhat from last year. Considerable time was spent in passing, with every member of the squad except the passers receiving. Throwing were Jack Jacobs, Jug Girard, Irv Comp, Bill Schroeder and Bud Hickey, former St. Norbert college back. Jacobs, back in his 1947 style, got off some nifty tosses. Among the receivers, Bill Kelley, the rookie from Texas Tech, and veteran Nolan Luhn looked in the best condition. Luhn and Kelly, however, had been working for the past few days. End Don Wells is favoring his right knee, while Ted Cook displayed little fatigue from the long layoff. After a half hour of running plays on the dummies, the squad held its first punting drill with Girard, Jacobs, Ted Fritsch and rookie Frank Williams of Utah State doing the kicking. The linemen ran down under the punts and the rest of the backs caught 'em. Girard, in excellent physical condition from a summer of basebtall, got off some long boots. However, Jud looked a bit underweight and he'll probably put on five or 10 pounds in a week or so. Two of the three new ends, Charley Tatom and Dan Orlich, were at the left wing spot during the signal drill. The other, Kelley, worked with Wells and Luhn at right end. Cook, who played considerable backfield defense last year, and Goodnight were at left end on offense. The breakdown of the new halfbacks was made, with Paul Devine of Heidelberg, Schroeder and Hickey at left and Glenn Lewis of Texas Tech and Ken Kranz of Milwaukee Teachers at right. Earhart has been shifted to left half. With Girard officially reporting and Canadeo expected soon, the Packers will have six left halfbacks. Returning to right half are Bob Forte, who works mostly on defense, and Ed Smith, the southpaw sophomore from Texas Mines. Bob Summerhays, rookie from Utah who came up with a pulled muscle, and Williams are the rookie fullbacks. They'll compete with veterans Ed Cody, Schlinkman and Fritsch. The quarterback spot now is handled by Jacobs and Irv Comp, back for his seventh season. The QB position will be strengthened with the arrival of Stan Heath, the Nevada rookie, now in training with Packer guard Paul Burris on the College All Star team..."FAT MAN'S" TABLE: The giant linemen, of course, are faced with the largest weight reducing program for the simple reason that they are the biggest guys on the team. Plans have been started for a "fat man's" table and the correct diet will help them reduce easier. Stidham discovered that Urban Odson, the big tackle from Minnesota, was moving around "pretty good". Odson, who weighed in at 260, said that he expects to pare down to about 250. Wildung, Urban's All-America mate at Minnesota before the war, feels in fine shape and Dick had little trouble adjusting himself to the calisthenics. Incidentally, Brock, most active of the coaches (although Snyder may give him an argument before the season is over), handled the calisthenics. Charley handled himself like a player, leading one of the 200 sideliners to report: "What are they worrying about center for; Charley looks mighty active."...NEW ASSISTANT TRAINER: The Packers had a new face in the training department - Robert W. (Bob) Brown who will serve as assistant to Trainer Bud Jorgenson, starting his 26th year with the team. Brown hails from Cleveland, and received most of his training in the air corps where he held the grade of captain. He was physical education officer at Scott field and handled football, basketball and track teams. Shortly before and after graduating from Baldwin-Wallace college, Brown was trainer for various semi-pro clubs in Ohio.
FLOWERS SHOWS UP TO BOLSTER PACKERS
AUG 2 (Green Bay) - Offenses will be the chief activity in the Green Bay Packer camp between now and the opening of the season against the Chicago Bears September 25, Coach Curly Lambeau indicated Wednesday as he sent 38 men through two more long practice sessions. Work on the attack was speeded up with the arrival of Bob Flowers, the only experienced center immediately available. Flowers arrived Tuesday in time to join the afternoon workout, after having been delayed en route from Texas. Secret drills are in prospect for next week when Lambeau and his new assistants, Bob Snyder, Tom Stidham and Charlie Brock, get down to the business of introducing some of the more intricate parts of the new Packer offense. Although it is difficult to evaluate rookies until they have been tested under fire, Lambeau indicated that he was well satisfied with several of the newcomers. Jim Goodman of the University of Maryland has been impressive as a tackle prospect, and Lew Ferry, the Villanova stevedore, so far has measured up to all advance notices. Dan Orlich, towering end, who was one of Stan Heath's receivers at Nevada last fall, and Bob Summerhays, fullback candidate from the University of Utah, also were commended. Other backs who have showed to an advantage in early drills are Ken Kranz, Milwaukee State Teachers, and Glenn Lewis, Texas Tech. Tony Canadeo continued to be a man of mystery in the Packer ranks, failing for the second day to put in an appearance without explanation. The veteran left halfback signed a two year contract last fall.
RALPH EARHART REPORTS, AND HE'S A DADDY NOW
AUG 3 (Green Bay) - Ralph Earhart, 165 pound Texas sprinter, made the jump from Houston to left halfback in the Green Bay Packer lineup Wednesday, arriving in camp in time to participate in the first protracted passing practice of the year. Earhart had been detained at home by "illness" in the family. The "illness" turned out to be a boy, 7 pounds 5 ounces, named Bruce. The passing drill followed the arrival of Jug Girard, who completed his baseball for the year in the Oshkosh-Green Bay series Tuesday night. Coach Curly Lambeau previously had held passing to a minimum, with Jack Jacobs the only known passer in camp. In the long drill, however, it was discovered that William Schroeder of Sheboygan, a former University of Wisconsin halfback, had more than ordinary pitching talents. Schroeder had been signed as a blocker and ball carrier. After Wednesday's performance, however, he will be given a thorough test as a passer and may even be shifted to another position, presumably left halfback. Damon Tassos, veteran guard who earlier had decided to remain in San Antonio, asked permission Wednesday to report. The former Texas A&M all-American, who came to the Packers from Detroit two years ago, was ordered to catch the first plane.
BATTLE LOOMS FOR END POSITIONS ON PACKERS
AUG 3 (Green Bay) - The main battle for employment on the 1949 Packers likely will center around the ends. At the latest count, the Green Bay Packers had nine wings - five at the side made famous by Don Hutson and four at right. The group includes six veterans and three rookies. The simon-pures are William R. (Wild Bill) Kelley of Texas Tech, Dan Orlich of Nevada and Charley Tatom, the speed merchant from Texas. Veterans on the roster are Clyde Goodnight, Ted Cook, Nolan Luhn, Don Wells, Larry Craig and Red Wilson. Craig and Wilson are due in today or Friday to sign their official papers. During the first two days of practice, 23-year old Kelley has shown considerable skill as a pass receiver. On Tuesday, in particular, he took the shorts and longs off the arms of quarterbacks Jack Jacobs and Irv Comp with equal ability. From early appearances, Coach Curly Lambeau may have grabbed a "sleeper" in Kelley. The newcomer never got much of a play for his receiving at TT, but the Texas school never had any great shakes as passers during Kelley's stay...NEVER PLAYED PREP BALL: Kelley, who packs 195 pounds on a six-foot, two-inch frame, never played high school football. He was an expert at basketball and won a scholarship to Texas Tech for his cage ability. As Kelley put it, "a succession of good breaks helped me along in football at college." Kelley is working at right end with Luhn, Wells and Wilson. With Wells and Wilson due for defensive work, Luhn and Kelly probably will handle the important ground gaining. Luhn, by the way, is showing considerable improvement over 1948 when he gained 285 yards in 17 receptions against a fourth place finish in the league in 1947 with 42 receptions for 696 yards. Left end may present an interesting struggle. This group is composed of Goodnight, Tatom, Orlich, Cook and the peerless Craig. Tatom, who played tackle at Texas (he weighs 209 and stands 6-5 1/2), may see a lot of action as a defensive end although his terrific speed (9.7 for the 100) may help him along to a pass receiving job. Craig, of course, toils chiefly on defense. So does Cook who works in the backfield. Orlich, a rugged looking gent with a 215-pound, six-foot, five-inch frame, did some linebacking at Nevada and at the moment is working at offensive end. Little defensive work has been done yet, however...JIM KEKERIS RETIRES: The Packers lost a tackle Tuesday when veteran Jim Kekeris decided to retire from the game. The 275-pound specimen from Missouri said that his knee "just didn't respond as I had expected." Kekeris underwent an operation on the injured knee last winter. Left halfback Tony Canadeo still was among the missing today as the Packers held their third session. Reporting officially today was another halfback, Jug Girard, who finished his summer with the Bluejays last night. Girard has been working out. The Tuesday practice saw Paul Lipscomb, Urban Odson and Jim Goodman, 265-pound Maryland university rookie, at right tackle. The left tackles were Dick Wildung, Ed Bell, Lew Ferry and Howard Scalla. Ferry, who possesses one of those Mr. America builds, stacks 233 pounds and Scalla around 300...BOB FLOWERS REPORTS: At right guard, rookie Floyd Lewis from Southern Methodist, a watch charmer at 205 pounds, is working with veterans Ralph Davis and Larry Olsonoski. Veteran Red Vogds, the new father, and rookie Joe Ethridge from Southern Methodist, are at left guard. The lefts and rights of the linemen may be changed considerably before the first contact, but the above lineup was spotted as the players went through signal drills Tuesday. Giant Ed Neal, until 1949 a guard, continued to work at center with rookies Ralph Olsen and John Tavener. Veteran center Bob Flowers reported Tuesday afternoon and wasted no time getting into uniform...PACKER PACKINGS: Watching Tuesday's practice with a gleam in his eye with former Packer tackle Tiny Croft, at the moment a free agent in the business of pro football. Croft worked out with the Chicago Bears last season and did some scouting but never played in any games...The centers and quarterbacks got an extra dose of work Tuesday afternoon, the two groups reporting a half hour earlier. "Too many fumbles," Lambeau said...The Packers' traditional rival, Chicago Bears, who play here Sept. 25, started their 30th season at St. Joseph's college in Rensselaer, Ind., today. The Bears have 28 holdover players, 19 first year men and one National league veteran acquired in a trade. Jack Dugger, former Ohio State tackle, joined the Bears in a deal with the Detroit Lions.
EAGLES 'COMING ALONG': NEALE
AUG 3 (Grand Rapids, MI) - The Philadelphia Eagles are a long way from being ready to play but are "coming along". Greasy Neale, head coach, said last night after a practice session that amounted to an amphibious campaign. The Eagles, preparing for the College All Stars in Chicago Aug. 12 and the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay Aug. 20, held a scrimmage workout in ankle-deep rainwater on the Grand Rapids High school field. Neale appeared satisfied with the workout, despite the miserable footing. "I think the boys are beginning to get the hang of things," said Neale. "I can notice improvements with each workout." From now in, the squad is slated for two practice sessions daily, alternated between mornings, afternoons and nights under the lights on the local drill ground. Wednesday morning and afternoon, the squad went back to work on their own offense, such as pass patterns, new and old plays, catching punts, etc. Tonight and again on Friday as well as on Monday and Tuesday of next week, the Eagles also will drill under the lights.
TONY CANADEO STILL OUT; TASSOS DECIDES TO JOIN PACKERS FOR '49
AUG 4 (Green Bay) - The time has come to wonder about Tony Canadeo, the Packer left halfback. The Grey Ghost hasn't reported to Rockwood lodge yet and, if our calculations are correct, he's missed three full days of practice plus this morning's workout. What happens this afternoon could change the entire picture because the sports pages become history along about 1 o'clock - an hour before practice. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau reported that Tony signed a two-year contract before the 1948 season. Also, a copy of plays for the 1949 program has been sent to Tony. Canadeo, himself, is quiet on the entire situation. In other words, there's "just no comment". Meanwhile, Canadeo's left half position is being worked over by five individuals - Ralph Earhart, a right half a year ago; Earl (Jug) Girard, the recent convert from baseball; Bill Schroeder, the former Wisconsin back who had pro experience in the other league; and rookies Paul Devine of Heidelberg and Bud Hickey of St. Norbert college...WELCOME MAT FOR CRAIG: Earhart, still unsigned, reported Wednesday but had a good excuse for being a tardy - the birth of a son, Bruce. Earhart as well as fullback Ted Fritsch are expected to confer with Lambeau today for their belated signing. Lambeau also revealed today that Damon Tassos, the veteran Texas Tech guard who did a stretch at Detroit, has changed his mind about retiring from football. He'll arrive from his home in San Antonio, Tex., today or Friday. Tassos owns a couple of restaurants in his hometown and the press of business, including construction of another new eatery, almost put him out of football. Damon will also sign when he arrives. The welcome mate has been put out for the honorable Mr. Craig of Ninety Six, S.C. The sterling defensive end has completed his cattle sale and placed the hay in position for the winter. He's expected to arrive tonight. Craig, too, will sign on arrival. There was a familiar face in the workout Wednesday morning - Tiny Croft, former tackle. Tiny, who drilled with the Bears last fall but never played, wants to see how his legs respond. If all is well, Croft may ink a contract. The morning practice was closed with a spirited foot race between members of the various positions. Some of the results were surprising although some of the faster boys are bothered with blisters...LEFT HALFBACKS PASSING: The centers were paced by John Tavener, Indiana, followed by Ed Neal. Fritsch surprised in the fullback chase by racing home in front of Ed Cody, Frank Williams and Walt Schlinkman in that order. Joe Ethridge of Southern Methodist topped the guards, followed by Evan Vogds. Ed Bell and Dick Wildung ran one-two among the tackles. A couple of rookies paced the ends - Wild Bill Kelley and Charley Tatom. Glenn Lewis of Texas Tech paced the halfbacks with Ed Smith, Bob Forte, Jack Jacobs and Irv Comp finishing in a dead heat for second. The afternoon drill, it was reported, featured passing by the left halfbacks while the quarters, Irv Comp and Jack Jacobs, rested their wings. Girard's heaving appeared to be better than at any time last season. But the surprise of the drill was the work of Schroeder. The Sheboygan back's ability to pass was unknown and his showing indicated that the Packers' aerial game would be well rounded.
TONY REPORTS; PACKER LINE WORKS WITH PADS
AUG 5 (Green Bay) - Things were back to normal at Rockwood lodge today; Tony Canadeo was in camp. The Packer left halfback, who missed the four days of practice, reportedly was unhappy about salary terms this week but Coach Curly Lambeau cleared that up with this statement this morning: "Tony had had serious illness in his family and he couldn't report earlier." Canadeo had been in Chicago where his mother is ill. The Packers' leading ground gainer for the last three years signed a two-year contract before the 1948 season. The hard-running Canadeo added more life to the spirited practice session - not to mention more noise in the dressing and training rooms. Only the other day Trainer Bud Jorgenson mentioned "it's certainly quiet around here without Canadeo." The Packers resumed workouts this morning with two unsignees - fullback Teddy Fritsch and halfback Ralph Earhart. Fritsch has had several conferences with Lambeau but no contract announcements were forthcoming. Earhart reported two days late due to the birth of his first son...GIRARD TRIES QUARTERBACK: Fritsch has been working hard this week and the big guy apparently has speeded up. He led the fullbacks in a race the other day and Walt Schlinkman, Ed Cody and Frank Williams aren't exactly snails. Fritsch is working with Jug Girard, Cody, Williams and Jack Jacobs in the placekicking department. Jacobs has been practicing short field goals and extra points while the other three are concentrating on the long boots. Jacobs always has a notion he could handle placekicks and Lambeau is giving him a chance this year. During the intra-squad game here in 1947, Jacobs kicked a 17-yard field goal - much to the surprise of everybody. Something new was inserted yesterday morning when Girard, a slick passer, went to quarterback for a couple of plays. Jug always did have a fine arm and Lambeau said later that he may see some action at quarterback. At the moment, Girard is listed as a left halfback. Line Coach Tom Stidham was all smiles yesterday as the linemen chased off the field after a two-hour drill - with pads. He called the practice "successful"...GET FEEL OF HARNESSES: The workout was designed to give the big linemen an opportunity to get the feel of "those harnesses", Tom said, adding that "it's been a long time since they've had 'em on last." The linemen butted against each other and occasionally took it out on the padded dummies. The entire squad was to wear pads Saturday for the first time. All of which makes you think of that first scrimmage. It probably will be held one day next week. The squad will be just about complete with the arrival of end Larry Craig and guard Damon Tassos sometime tonight. Earlier, Tassos had decided to retire from pro football but changed his mind Wednesday. He's coming up from San Antonio. There's no official word on end Red Wilson who was recently married in Texas. Red has been sent a contract for this season. Several of the players reported that Wilson recently purchased a tavern.
PACKERS WORK DEFENSE; 'BEST' SOUGHT FOR JOB
AUG 6 (Green Bay) - The Packers turned to defense for the first time this season at Rockwood lodge Friday. The entire squad listened to plans for the 1949 defensive program and then proceeded to the gridiron to put the blackboard maneuvers into actual operation. There’ll be added importance to defense this year because of the NFL’s new free substitution rule which permits, for one thing, sending into action an entire team when the ball changes hands. This means that National league clubs likely will employ separate platoons for offense and defense. However, with the player limit reduced from 35 to 32 for 1949, it’s a safe bet that most teams will employ various linemen on both offense and defense. Regardless of the possibilities, nearly all of the Packers got a crack at playing the defensive slots – particularly the backers-up and “deeper” positions. Coach Curly Lambeau is determined to find the best men for the defensive duties with the emphasis on an airtight screen against enemy air attacks. Bob Summerhays and Ralph Olsen, fullback and center, respectively, both saw plenty of action. They gained something of a reputation for their defensive work at the University of Utah. Toiling in the same spot vacated by little Red Wilson were Glenn Lewis, speedy right halfback from Texas Tech; end Bill Kelley of Texas Tech; and Ken Kranz, halfback from Milwaukee Teachers. This trio, however, also worked in other backfield defensive positions at times. Wilson, incidentally, reportedly has decided to retire from the game in view of the fact that he recently (1) married and (2) purchased a tavern in Texas…RELIEF FOR JACOBS: Quarterback Jack Jacobs, one of the more versatile players in the league in view of his ability to play defense, filled in occasionally in the drill against passes. Jacobs displayed bear-cat antics on defense in 1947 and a year ago Lambeau hoped to give him help at quarterback so that he could be used more on defense. However, the additional quarterback help never developed. The situation is different this season, with relief for Jacobs in the form of Irv Comp, Jug Girard and Stan Health, the Nevada passing ace quarterback, who will join the club after the All Star game Aug. 12. The first week of practice ended this morning with a stiff workout in which all of the players wore pads – some for the first time. The drill featured a bit of “bumping” among the linemen and a long signal drill. Tougher sessions – with pads – are due next week. There will be no drill Sunday but the players will be on hand in the morning for the Packers’ annual Picture day. News agencies, including the Press-Gazette, will take pictures for use throughout the season…SCALLA DELAYS PRO DEBUT: During the opening week three players left the squad – tackles Jim Kekeris and Howard Scalla and back Bud Hickey. Kekeris, a veteran, quit the second day when his knee gave way. Jim underwent an operation last winter. Scalla, who arrived here weighing 312 pounds, was unable to lose weight and decided to delay his pro debut another year. The youngster, with only two years of college (Compton Junior) under his belt, could not be weighed because the scale will take no more than 300 pounds. Hickey, former St. Norbert back, was here on a tryout basis. Besides Wilson, two other Packers are expected in camp this weekend – end Larry Craig and guard Damon Tassos. Craig was held up this week by a cattle sale on his farm at Ninety Six, S.C., while Tassos changed his mind about retiring along about the middle the week. Nothing has been heard from Jay Rhodemyre, former center, but Lambeau will meet with him in Chicago before the All Star game. Rhodemyre will be in Chicago to receive a trophy for being selected the most valuable player during the 1948 Star game.
PACKERS TO TRY GIRARD IN QUARTERBACK'S ROLE
AUG 7 (Green Bay) - Jug Girard, who played all of his college football at the University of Wisconsin and his one season of professional football here at left halfback, was switched to quarterback Saturday in an experiment to give veteran Jack Jacobs another understudy. The demands will be new on Girard especially in such things as faking and ball handling under center but backfield coach Bob Snyder believes he can convert him. Stan Heath, college passing champion last year, will round out the corps of quarterbacks. Heath, now in the camp of the College All-Stars in Chicago, will join the squad a week hence. At the same time that Girard was switched, the Packers announced that Irv Comp, veteran substitute quarterback, left the camp to return to Milwaukee. He gave no explanation and the Packers were completely in the dark as to his intentions. The first rough work of the season was held Saturday morning and the squad came out of it in good shape. Tony Canadeo, veteran left halfback, who reported to camp Friday, took things easy. Only absentees Saturday morning, aside from Comp, were Larry Craig and Ollie Wilson, veteran ends, and Heath and Paul Burris, who are in Chicago with the All-Stars, Burris has been called one of the outstanding guards in the history of All-Star squads.
CRAIG HAS 1ST PACKER WORKOUT
AUG 8 (Green Bay) - The Packers had a busy Sunday, but played no football. They grunted and groaned, Hollywood style, for five cameramen who took approximately 500 views during the annual Picture day ceremony at Rockwood lodge Sabbath morning. Two Press-Gazette photographers, Emery Kroenig and Arnold Christensen, snapped nearly 100 pictures along, some of which are shown elsewhere on this page. The remainder will be used to pictorialize Packer doings during the season. In some cases, the cameramen were sprier than the athletes – with good reason. The Bays put in their first live tackling session Saturday morning and most of them had stiff muscles Sunday. It was one of those no-holds barred applications, and the bruisers reported a liking for the stuff they tasted – red meat. The coaching staff pronounced the first week a success in that the pleasant surprises outweighed the disappointments. Another stiff workout is on tap for this morning and the first scrimmage probably will be held later on in the week. The scrimmage, as usual, will go a long way toward separating the men from the boys and the coaches are anxiously awaiting the session with crossed fingers, with the hope that some of the promising men don’t turn out to be boys. Incidentally, the coaches are also keeping their fingers crossed on the matter of injuries. Thus far nothing serious has been reported. Left half jug Girard continued to work at quarterback with Jack Jacobs today. A natural athlete, Girard had little trouble accustoming himself to the position. Girard, who was switched to quarterback last Wednesday to give Comp and Jacobs a lift with the passing load, already is an accomplished passer. Quarterback Irv Comp returned to Rockwood lodge this morning after his mysterious disappearance over the weekend. Comp left for his home in Milwaukee without saying a word to anybody. He reported for practice this morning…CROFT IN PICTURE LINE: Though there has been official word other than that he is trying out, tackle Tiny Croft went through the picture line Sunday sporting his old number – 75. Tiny played with the Packers five seasons before retiring in 1948. However, he drilled with the Chicago Bears last fall and did some scouting for them. That famous man from Ninety Six, S.C., Larry Craig reported at Rockwood lodge Sunday morning and was in practice clothes today for the first time. Craig’s arrival was delayed by a cattle sale on his farm. Larry was disposing of 500 head of Kansas cattle he purchased early last spring. The end corps is completed with the presence of Craig and an unofficial report that Red Wilson will not play this season. The other wings are veterans Ted Fritsh, Clyde Goodnight, Nolan Luhn and Don Wells and rookies Bill Kelley, Dan Orlich and Charley Tatom…PACKER PACKINGS: The nation’s college and professional football season opens this week with the playing of the College All Star-Philadelphia game in Chicago Friday night. The game will be a preview of more important things to come – the Packer-Eagle non-championship game at City stadium a week from next Saturday night (Aug. 20). Heath and guard Paul Burris, the two Packers in the Star lineup, will report here next Saturday. Both will be ready for the Packer-Eagle test…Dan Orlich, new Packer end, was happy to get No. 49, keeping him in step with the years. Last year at Nevada he wore 48 and the year before he sported 47…Bill Kelley, another new Packer end, will have the unique pleasure of playing in the first live professional football game he ever saw when he toils against Philly Aug. 20. The only time he ever saw a professional game was in the movies of the Eagle-Cardinal game of 1948. His coach at Texas Tech used it for instructional purposes. At least, Bill has something of a line on the 1948 Eagles. The Packers didn’t play ‘em last fall…Nearly 200 persons stood in the hot sun to watch the Packers cavort for the cameramen Sunday…A number of the Packers are looking for furnished apartments. If you’ve got one or two or three to space, call the Packer office, Adams 334.
PACKER COACHES SCOUT EAGLES FOR CONTEST HERE ON AUG. 20
AUG 9 (Green Bay) - The Packers held their first scrimmage today. Don’t get excited, however, ‘cause we can’t tell you what happened until Wednesday. No secret! Just couldn’t make the deadline. Today’s gospel has to do with near-future Packer events, the climax of which will be the non-championship football contest with the Philadelphia Eagles at City stadium Saturday night, Aug. 20. First event will be the Green Bay Alumni association’s first showing at Rockwood lodge tonight. The association members will meet the Packers and hold a business meeting at which plans will be discussed for the Quarterback club. Next event is set for 5:30 Wednesday evening when Margaret O’Brien, the famous movie youngster, will officially become mascot of the 1949 Packers. Margaret and her mother will be guests at a private dinner with the players and coaches after which the young actress will be presented with a scroll. The next big event, of course, is the Eagle collision – the first argument between the two teams since Dec. 14, 1947, when Greasy Neale’s exponents posted a 28 to 14 victory. That win ended a long famine. The Eagles had dropped 10 consecutive NFL starts to Green Bay since 1933 when the Bays opened with 35-9 and 10-0 edges. The clubs didn’t play on a league basis in 1948 and won’t next fall. However, the classic at City stadium should offer something of a comparison between the new Packers and the Eagles, who presently hold the rank of World Champions by virtue of their snowbound 7-0 victory over the Chicago Cardinals in the championship tussle last December. The Eagles, who have just about completed training at Grand Rapids, Minn., for their appearance in the College All Star game in Chicago Friday night, will have an advantage over the Packers in that they will have had 60 minutes of combat under their belts. Green Bay, with 19 rookies seeking all-season employment, will have no more than two scrimmages as teeth sharpeners…COACHES TO SCOUT EAGLES: The Eagle game marks the start of a busy 10 days for the Packers. On August 23, the Packers take off from Austin Straubel field for Syracuse where they’ll meet the New York Giants on the night of Aug. 24. They’ll fly to Pittsburgh the next day and prepare for a session with the Steelers Aug. 28. They’ll leave shortly after the game and arrive in Green Bay at 7 o’clock that night. Incidentally, the Packers will start intensive preparations for the Eagles game Saturday. Packer Head coach Curly Lambeau and Aides Tom Stidham, Bob Snyder and Charley Brock will turn scout in Chicago Friday night. Returning with the mentoring staff will be quarterback Stan Heath and guard Paul Burris, members of the All Stars. Barring injuries in the All Star game, the Eagles will enter the Packer game in No. 1 condition. Big guns in the Eagle backfield are Steve Van Buren, the powerful ground gainer, and Tommy Thompson, the quarterback who sparks the team’s ground attack. The game will be something of an eye opener for the Eagles, most of whom never played in Green Bay. The team battled in a non-league game in Milwaukee in 1946, with the Eagles winning, 7-6…Despite the heat Monday the Packers held two long sessions Monday morning and afternoon. The plan was to get everybody loosened up for today’s live scrimmage. Lambeau announced last night that tackle Urban Odson, fullback Ted Fritsch and end Larry Craig have signed their 1949 contracts. Details of halfback Tony Canadeo’s two-year contract also were straightened out. All four had been practicing with the team. Back at camp and apparently happy is quarterback Irv Comp, who reported Monday morning after disappearing mysteriously Friday night. Comp is working with Jack Jacobs and Jug Girard under the center.
A RAIN STORM, CHANCE BROUGHT TURNBULL, PACKERS TOGETHER
AUG 10 (Green Bay) - The announcement yesterday that A.B. Turnbull had resigned from the board of directors and the executive committee of the Green Bay Packers caused many who are in close touch with the team to turn back in memory to that day 27 years ago when he first became interested. Mr. Turnbull is on vacation on a ranch high in the mountains of Oregon and so not available for comment. However, the history of the Packers has been written in various forms by many popular writers. Many who have investigated the record agree that the rise of the Packers from a purely local team to an institution of national reputation began with Mr. Turnbull’s interest. Strangely enough, it was the fact that the Packers had reached the very depths of despair that attracted his interest. It was a driving rainstorm midway in the 1922 season that brought the executives of the club into consultation in the office of the Press-Gazette. Gathered for this dreary conference were Coach Curly Lambeau, G.W. Calhoun, Joseph Ordens and Nathan Abrams. It is reported that they were considering calling the game off, and it must be admitted that some felt that the end of pro football in Green Bay was near at hand…1,300 FANS IN STANDS: Mr. Turnbull, general manager of the Press-Gazette, chanced to visit the office of the newspaper that Sunday morning and the troubled quartet eagerly called him into the huddle. He heard the story. The Duluth Eskimos were in Green Bay ready to play and must be paid their guarantee whether the game went on or not. He advised them to play the game, if they wanted to put pro football over in Green Bay, and thus established the policy of playing rain or shine which the Packers have followed ever since. There were only 1,300 hardy fans in the stands, but the Packers had won more than a ball game that day. They had won the attention and active interest of Mr. Turnbull and no one will deny that that has been one of their greatest assets during the past 27 years. George W. Calhoun, former sports editor of the Press-Gazette, who has been sort of a Boswell of the Packers since their beginning in 1919, has told the above story in a history of the club published in the Packer program of September 29, 1946. After relating this incident in the history of the club, he continued: “But that day marked the turning point in the history of the Packers. Before the 1923 season opened the Packer corporation had been formed to give Lambeau and the Packers sound financial backing. Turnbull was named president and associated with him in the football project were Dr. W.W. Kelly, L.H. Joannes and a number of other leading citizens. Turnbull continued as president through the 1927 season. Ray Evrard was executive in 1928, Dr. Kelly in 1929, and Joannes took over in 1930.” (E.R. Fischer was named to succeed Joannes as president in 1947.) “The Packer coach now was able to turn his attention to the football field while others handled the finances. Gradually, he added a key player here, another there, until the Packers were set to make their bid for the professional football championship.” Mr. Turnbull is an enthusiastic supporter of all athletic undertakings as witness his interest in the organization of the Oneida Golf and Riding Club and the development of the Bluejay baseball team. However, the Packers offered something of wide benefit to the city and he recognized the value of the nationwide publicity the team brings to the city each year. He was always ready to give his time and effort to the problems connected with the success of the club. Those close to him feel that he will never lose interest in the Packers.
CARDINALS COMING! TO SCOUT EAGLE CONTEST
AUG 10 (Green Bay) - Take if from the Chicago Cards, the Green Bay Packer-Philadelphia Eagle game at City stadium, Aug. 20, will be an important contest. The Cardinals, for instance, will be represented by only the coaching staff during the Eagles’ tiff with the College All Stars in Chicago Friday night. But the entire squad – 60 some players and coaches – will invade Green Bay for the Eagle-Packer engagement. The Cardinals figure the Eagles will get a much stiffer test from the Packers than from the All Stars. The Cards’ announced mission in Green Bay is to scout the Eagles, but you can bet your favorite putter that they’ll take special note of the 1949 version of the Packers. The Cards are optimistic enough to believe that they’ll be in the playoff for the third straight year against the Eagles next December, but they’re also wise enough to know that they will have to whip the Bays during the league season. Meanwhile, the Packer office went ahead with plans to “push” the Eagle contest. The game will be boomed from one end of the state to the other via press and radio. The Packer ticket office, at 349 S. Washington street, has the Eagle game tickets and fans may now purchase them from across the counter. Seats are priced at $3.60, $2.40 and $1.20…The Packers sharpened their claws for the Eagles’ visit with their first scrimmage of the season at Rockwood lodge Monday morning. The intra-squad battling wasn’t a complete success, but neither was it a distinct disappointment. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau looked over the scrimmage with the following: “We saw enough fine individual performances which lead us to believe that we have the possibility of a good ball club. However, play execution in general lacked the necessary teamwork to make the maneuvers work against league opponents.” Just about everybody but end Larry Craig and guard Damon Tassos, both late arrivals, saw action on defense. The spirited show was held under a blazing sun and lasted from 9:45 until 11:20 with five minutes out for the “half”…The coaching staff, plus the 200 or 300 fans along the sidelines, keep a special eye out for the new Packers. A number of them showed possibilities. Shortly after the “game” started, Bill Schroeder, new halfback who did a stint at Wisconsin and with the El Toro Marines, intercepted a pass and raced for a
touchdown. Later in the scrimmage, he got a whack in the face but was asking for more after quick sideline treatment by Trainer Bud Jorgenson. Lew Ferry, fresh out of Villanova, looked steady and rough at left tackles under Dick Wildung. Bob Summerhays, the rookie fullback, raised a lot of hob in a backer-up position and as a pass protector. In fact, Summerhays and Clyde Goodnight, veteran pass receiving end who looked good with Buddy Luhn on defense, got into a minor scuffle. The terrific heat left a good share of the players with short tempers. Glenn E. Lewis, the Texas Tech halfback, displayed a lot of speed – especially on a 30-yard scamper around left end. Lewis looks tiny though the program data will read 5-11, 190. Another Lewis, guard Floyd of Southern Methodist, did well at a backer-up spot…The two new ends, Charley Tatom from Texas and Billy Kelley from Texas Tech, made several nice catches though the decoying on aerial maneuvers was not up to par. Tatom, a tackle in college, worked at defensive end and looked good. The important quarterbacking was shared by Jack Jacobs, Irv Comp and Jug Girard. Jacobs got off some good pitches to Tatom, one for 30 yards, while Girard and Jacobs hit Kelley and Luhn consistently. Girard got his first big chance with the imaginary three minutes to go in the game and moved his team about 35 yards, alternating the runs from the left to right nicely and tossing in a few passes. The Packer fullbacks went on a scoring spree, Walt Schlinkman sizzling off the right side for about three scores. Summerhays hit pay dirt once on the same run with Evan Vogds, veteran guard, sporting an injured shoulder, tossing a couple of nice blocks. Halfback Tony Canadeo and fullbacks Ted Fritsch and Frank Williams made good gains. Guard Ed Neal toiled a spell at offensive center although the bulk of the work was handled by veteran Bob Flowers. Playing the slot on defense, Neal gave new centers John Tavener and Ralph Olsen a rough time, bumping them into the quarterback. Incidentally, Tiny Croft, a tackle, played in Neal’s favorite defensive position part of the game…PACKER PACKINGS: Ralph Earhart, the Texas Tech flyweight, looked especially happy and effective during the drill. He had just signed his contract…Watching the workout with Don Hutson was Bear Bryant, football coach at the University of Kentucky and teammate of Hutson at Alabama. Bryant drove to Chicago with Lambeau Tuesday afternoon. Lambeau, by the way, has a date with Jay Rhodemyre, the Packer center, who is undecided about playing pro football this fall. Jay will be at the Star game to receive the most valuable trophy for his work in the 1948 classic. Rhodemyre played varsity ball at Kentucky under Bryant. It’s possible that Lambeau may have a chat with Jack Mitchell, the Packer draftee from Oklahoma who will quarterback the All Stars…Jim Goodman, new Packer tackle, pulled a fumble out of the air during one play and advanced several yards.
750-MEMBER LIMIT IN QUARTERBACK CLUB
AUG 10 (Green Bay) - Membership of the new Green Bay Men’s Quarterback club was set at 750 at a meeting of the sponsoring Green Bay Packer Alumni association at Rockwood lodge Tuesday night. The association, meeting with members of the 1949 Packer squad for the first time, announced that meetings will be held at the Vocational School auditorium. The first gathering is set for the Thursday (Sept. 29) after the Bear-Packer game here Sept. 25. The membership of the new organization fits the seating capacity of the auditorium – approximately 750. Fee Klaus, president of the Alumni association, announced that a total of 356 fans already have enrolled in the QB club. This figure does not include, however, approximately40 Alumni members. Actually, there are about 350 memberships left for the general public…MEET THURSDAY NIGHTS: Klaus advised fans “not to wait until the last minute to join.” They may enroll by sending $1 (the membership fee) to Green Bay Packer Alumni association, Post Office Box 225, Green Bay. In return, fans will receive membership cards entitling them to admission to the 10 or 11 meetings. Sessions will be held on Thursday nights during the football season. At each meeting, movies of the Packers’ previous game will be shown and members of the Packer coaching staff and several players will be on hand to comment. The association is also planning a special meeting before the Bear game. The 1949 Packers, including Line Coach Tom Stidham, Backfield Coach Bob Snyder and Assistant Coach Charley Brock, spent considerable time “gassing” with the oldtimers before the meeting. Head Coach Curly Lambeau was unable to attend since he had a date with Packer center Jay Rhodemyre. A highlight of the meeting was the reading of the association’s purpose by Verne Lewellen, a member of the Packers’ triple championship teams. It was well received by the players. Here’s the association’s Article 2, entitled “Purpose”:…PLAYERS GIVE TALKS: “The purpose of this organization shall be to aid and assist the Green Bay Packers, Inc., in their endeavors to bring to Green Bay professional football of the highest caliber, and to this end, to promote morale and fighting spirit in the team personnel; by bringing to the attention of the Packer management, outstanding football players; to promote and assist in developing community spirit by sponsoring or assist in the holding of pep rallies, quarterback clubs, providing for speakers or the showing of Packer football game pictures to civic and other organizations in Green Bay and surrounding areas, and by any other endeavors that will bring about out avowed purpose.” Packers Dick Wildung, Bob Forte, Ted Fritsch and Nolan Luhn gave short talks on behalf of the players who were introduced individually by Brock. Attending his first Alumni meeting was Joe Carey, a member of the Packer team from 1921 through 1923.
PACKERS GET LUCK OF THE IRISH FOR YEAR; O'BRIEN MADE MASCOT
AUG 11 (Green Bay) - The luck of the Irish is now with the Packers – as of last night, for a whole year. That’s what it said on the scroll presented to young Margaret O’Brien at a Rockwood lodge “family dinner” last night. The 12-year old Hollywood miss, who arrived in Green Bay yesterday, was introduced to the cub as their mascot for the ’49 season. After the coaching staff, players, Margaret and her mother, Emil R. Fischer, Packers president, Publicity Director George Strickler, Mr. and Mrs. George Burridge and Earl Murphy enjoyed a sizzling steak feast, Fischer rose to introduce the honored guest. Margaret, in her very brief talk, told the Packers she had been a fan of theirs for about three years – “ever since they told me the Packers were the biggest and best team and were playing for the littlest city.” “I have been very surprised today,” she remarked. “The city is much bigger than I thought; the Packers…well, I am not frightened.” She continued that Gary Cooper could play with the team, “if he was good enough.” “Please let me promise you something,” she concluded. “With O’Brien for mascot, we’ll be champs this year!” After the scroll was presented to the young Irish lass, Strickler read portions of the certificate to the club members. “I hope you notice,” he stressed, “that this contract is for one year only.” That remark brought chuckles from the assembled Packers, many of whom have just signed their legal documents for this year’s season. “We hope,” he remarked, “that Margaret will be able to woo the good Lady Luck back to the Packers for the 1949 season.” Margaret was then introduced formally to each member of the team. She met all the formidable pillars of strength without flinching, but she did emit a small gasp when she saw huge Ed Neal. According to her, the dinner, Green Bay, the people and especially the Packers, are all “wonderful”. And she “really hopes” she can bring them “all the good luck in the world.”
CRAIG 'HITS' 1ST TIME; PREPARE FOR EAGLE TILT
AUG 11 (Green Bay) - The old man of the Packer squad (say that with a smile, bub) is anxious to bump heads. He is Larry G. Craig, that excellent defensive end, whose arrival at Rockwood lodge was delayed one week due to a cattle sale on his farm in Ninety Six, S.C. Craig, who reported last Sunday morning for his 11th season, stayed out of the first scrimmage Tuesday morning. That set pretty well with the silent locomotive but yesterday was another day. Line Coach Tom Stidham, Backfield Coach Bob Snyder and Assistant Charley Brock – in charge of the Packers squad in the absence of Coach Curly Lambeau who is in Chicago for some important player (Rhodemyre and Mitchell) business – had to virtually tie Craig to a tree to keep him out of the controlled scrimmage. Larry broke loose once and got in a couple of plays, promptly joining with the possible future Mr. Craig – a certain Don Wells of Georgia – in embarrassing the passing offense. Stidham had to get a new rope and tie Craig to a larger tree…MOTHERS SOME OVERWEIGHTS: Craig said he felt good. The 215-pound wing, one of a few men to catch the Bears’ George McAfee from behind when GM was in his prime, was bothered for the first time in his career last fall with a knee injury. In fact, the hurt necessitated Larry’s first visit to the training room. Trainer Bud Jorgenson had never touched Craig’s magic muscles until ’48. After yesterday’s workout Stidham assigned Craig to “mother” a few cracks in the controlled contact work. The entire group ran up and down the practice field. Yesterday’s workout was similar to scrimmage except that the whistle was blown and play stopped as soon as the ball carrier
or pass receiver was stopped. Purpose of the session, which was repeated today, was to iron out the mistakes discovered in the all-out scrimmage Tuesday. Special attention was shown to pass patterns and pass protection. Close line play on inside stuff and downfield blocking on the outside runs were also given particular attention. The workout was run on a split second time schedule…FERRY TO EASTERN ALL STARS: The injured list has the names of nine players though all of them took part in the workout – another way of saying the hurts are not serious. Here they are: Bob Forte, charley horse; Don Wells, neck and back kink; Dick Wildung, back; Urban Odson, back and groin; Charley Tatom, heel; Red Vogds, back; Joe Etheridge, hamstring pull; Tavener, thumb; Summerhays, cut mouth. The Packers will lose rookie tackle Lew Ferry of Villanova for three non-league games. He has been selection on the Eastern All Stars who will meet the New York Giants in the Herald-Tribune’s annual fresh air fund contest in New York the second week in September. The Packers have a date Friday night to hear the College All Star-Philadelphia Eagle game from Chicago. The game will be scouted by the entire Packer coaching staff while the players will gather bits of information from the broadcast on the lodge’s new radio-phonograph set. Immediately after the All Star game, preparations will start for the Packer-Eagle contest at City stadium, Saturday night, Aug. 20.
EYE 20,000 CROWD FOR EAGLE TILT; CANADEO BREAKS WRIST
AUG 12 (Green Bay) - Green Bay’s Minute Men have started another fire! Their major concern is the attendance at the non-league football battle between the World Champion Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers at City stadium Saturday night, Aug. 20 – a week from tomorrow night. The Minute Men, a representative group of civic and sports-minded Green Bay citizens, gathered at the Beaumont hotel Thursday for the purpose of seeing what could be done about filling City stadium or at least drawing 20,000 fans. Briefly, the MM started “operations” two days before the Bear-Packer game in Chicago last fall with terrific success. Their purpose was to rally the townspeople behind the Packers and vice versa. Over 2,000 fans turned out to give the Packers a sendoff and the Packers retaliated with a terrific display of spirit and blood in losing 7-6. The fans didn’t forget and they turned out, 5,000 strong, to welcome the players home. The No. 2 project promises to be more difficult and definitely something new for the MM committee, which is not a ticket selling group. The Packers, for years, have had success as a drawing card on the road, but National league opponents are sometimes reluctant to play non-championship games in Green Bay because of the danger of a small gate. Thus, league teams will keep a special eye on the attendance figure for the Packer-Bear encounter. With this in mind, the Minute Men are vitally interested in blasting the contest to all corners of Wisconsin. The Packer-Eagle game easily ranks as the greatest football “opening” Green Bay ever had for the simple reason that the Eagles are World Champions. This contest will be their first test against National league opposition and a definite barometer as to both team’s chances in the loop race…CARDINALS TO SCOUT GAME: Is it an important game? The Chicago Cardinals – the Eagles’ opponents in the 1947-48 championship contests – will drive up from their training camp in Beaver Dame, 50 strong, to scout. To push the contest, the Minute Men are urging merchants to use special advertising; contacting resorts in Northeastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula; and sending out special bulletins to stores and factories. A number of other promotions will be worked out. The group also will work with the Green Bay Packer Alumni association…While the Minute Men were going into action, the Packers experienced a shot of bad luck. Veteran left halfback Tony Canadeo sustained a fracture of his right wrist during a controlled scrimmage session Thursday morning. Canadeo was carrying the ball and his hand doubled up under him when he hit the turf after being tackled. Dr. H.S. Atkinson, Packer physician, said that Canadeo’s wrist will be kept in a cast from five to six weeks. However, Tony can continue his daily workouts and thus will be ready to go when the cast is removed about the time of the Bear game, Sept. 25. Ironically enough, this is Canadeo’s second early-season injury in two years. He suffered a shoulder injury during a scrimmage in 1947 and was sidelined for about three weeks of the non-league season. Tony went on to gain 464 yards during the league campaign and finish third behind Steve Van Buren and Johnny Clement…SCHLINKMAN AT RIGHT HALF: Loss of Canadeo from rugged practices leaves the Packers with three left halfbacks – all newcomers to the position here. Ralph Earhart, who played right half as a sophomore last fall, was switched to left at the start of this season and likely will carry the brunt of the load. The others are newcomers Paul Devine of Heidelberg and Bill Schroeder of Wisconsin. Earl (Jug) Girard, listed as a left halfback, has been working at quarterback the last three weeks. The Packer offense looked a bit smoother Thursday as the backs and linemen coordinated their duties. One definite surprise saw fullback Walt Schlinkman, a terrifically fast starter, working at right half with considerable success. Backfield coach Bob Snyder pointed out later that Schlinkman volunteered to play the position when three of the four right halfbacks were unable to cut loose because of minor ailments. Taking it easy were veteran Bob Forte and rookie Ken Kranz while Ed Smith worked part time and rookie Glenn Lewis full time.
CANADEO - PACKER LEFT HALFBACK BREAKS HIS WRIST IN THURSDAY'S PRACTICE
AUG 12 (Green Bay) - The first tough blow of the season descended on the Green Bay Packers Thursday. Tony Canadeo, veteran left halfback, suffered a fractured right wrist in practice and will probably be lost to the club so far as any action in a game is concerned for five weeks at least. Canadeo, the only left halfback on the squad with more than a year's experience, fell while carrying the ball and landed heavily on his hand trying to break the fall. Dr. H.H. Atkinson, team physician, said the wrist would have to be kept in a cast for five weeks. Canadeo will be able to work out with the squad in some types of work, but will not be able to participate in scrimmage or passing drills. The Packers will not open the league season until they meet the Bears here September 25. Canadeo should be ready by that time, but they have exhibitions with the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Bulldogs and Washington Redskins that the little halfback will have to miss. Canadeo suffered his injury rather strangely, while Coach Curly Lambeau was in Chicago trying to swing a deal for another back to support Canadeo. Some sort of deal now becomes imperative, with only Ralph Earhart and Bill Schroeder available unless shifts are made. The Packers held only one drill Friday, in the morning, after which the coaches joined Lambeau in Chicago for the All-Star game Friday night.
RHODEMYRE STILL UNDECIDED ABOUT PRO BALL
AUG 13 (Green Bay) – The Packers started thinking Philadelphia Eagles today. Most of them found it difficult to keep from doing anything else last night as they listened to radio accounts of the Eagles’ landslide over the College All Stars. The Packers will meet the same Eagles at City stadium a week from tonight. The game will be the first of five non-championship contests against National league opposition. The Packer coaching staff arrived from Chicago at 8:10 this morning and made immediate tracks for Rockwood lodge. A rugged practice, with a touch of scrimmage, was held. Coach Curly Lambeau reported that Jay Rhodemyre, outstanding Packer center as a rookie last year, is having a difficult time making up his mind about playing this fall. Rhodemyre’s father suffered a heart attack six weeks ago and more recently a stroke. The big pivoter feels that he should remain home as long as possible. He returned to Kentucky after the game. Lambeau revealed, however, that “Jay is not out by a long shot.” Green Bay fans were buzzing last night that Rhodemyre would return. During a halftime ceremony in which Rhodemyre received a trophy for being the most valuable player in the 1948 Star game, Kentucky Coach Bear Bryant wished Jay “the best of luck at Green Bay” this fall in making the presentation. The Packer coach also talked with Oklahoma quarterback Jack Mitchell, a Green Bay draftee, but he made no comment. Guard Paul Burris and quarterback Stan Heath, the Packer rookies named to the all Stars, were to report to Green Bay this afternoon. Lambeau scouted the Eagles with Line Coach Tom Stidham, Backfield Coach Bob Snyder and Assistant Charley Brock.
27 NON-LEAGUE PRO GAMES SET
AUG 13 (Green Bay) - Member clubs of the NFL will participate in 27 non-championship games prior to the regular opening of the season on Sept. 22, Bert Bell, commissioner of the league, has announced. The list of games exceeds by nine the number played in 1948, and is the largest number in the 30-year history of the league. Contests will be played in 15 states. The non-championship series will conclude on Sept. 18 when games will be played in St. Paul, Pittston, Pa. and Milwaukee. Twenty of the games will be sponsored by newspapers or other organizations in charitable work, most with teenage boys and girls. For the past few years NFL teams have raised over a half million dollars annually for charity in its non-championship games. The Packers are involved in five non-looper. They’ll meet Philadelphia in Green Bay Saturday night, Aug. 20; the New York Giants in Syracuse, August 24; Pittsburgh there, Aug. 28; the New York Bulldogs in Rock Island, Ill., September 11; and the Washington Redskins in Milwaukee Sept. 18. The Packers also have an intra-squad game scheduled at Marinette Sept. 3.
PACKERS DRILL AGAINST EAGLES' 8-MAN LINE
AUG 15 (Green Bay) - The Packer lineup for 1949 was complete today – and then it wasn’t. The two All Stars, guard Paul Burris and quarterback Stan Heath, were in camp but there was a familiar face missing, Mr. Larry Craig, the veteran defensive end. Heath and Burris took their first look at the Packers Sunday morning and got their first tough session this morning, although the Oklahoma guard is bothered with a chest injury. Heath was injured earlier in All Star practice but he’s fit and
ready now. Craig, a stand-pat at blocking quarterback and later at defensive left end for 10 years, disappeared over the weekend and the last word was that he was headed home. There was no particular reason other than that he reportedly had an important business matter to handle. Larry participated in a brief scrimmage Friday morning and said his knee, injured midway in the 1948 campaign, “felt good”. It was the first time Craig had been injured in his professional career…SNYDER WORKS WITH HEATH: Rookie Dan Orlich, a six foot five inch former Nevada end, was assigned Craig’s duties at defensive left end. Clyde Goodnight, normally an offensive left end, may toil a bit in that slot on defense, too. Backfield Coach Bob Snyder wasted no time working with Heath. The Nevada passer put in about an hour learning the Packer system, including the handoff and the pivot. Heath will be fighting for the QB job with Jack Jacobs, Irv Comp and Jug Girard. The first drill against Philadelphia’s famed eight-man line was held Saturday morning. The Eagles’ invasion of City stadium Saturday night will afford fans hereabouts their first look at the eight-man setup. No other team ever used it at City stadium. Over the weekend, Snyder played the Eagles’ quarterback, Tommy Thompson, on several plays. Assistant Coach Charley Brock handled the centering. Girard handled the Thompson duties for a spell Saturday morning and completed several passes…THE WRIST WORKS OUT: Fullback Teddy Fritsch was knocked out for a couple of minutes during the rough stuff Saturday. On a running play, he blocked Orlich and at the same time tackle Dick Wildung crashed in. Wildung’s thigh pad smacked against the top of Fritsch’s helmet. Trainer Bud Jorgenson said Teddy’s neck would be stiff for several days. Left halfback Tony Canadeo, who fractured his wrist Friday, was back at work Saturday. His spirit prompted most of the boys to yell, “you didn’t need that arm anyway.” The wrist is in a heavy cast. Several times Tony caught punts with one hand. He took part in calisthenics…From Grand Rapids, Minn., the word is that the Eagles have forgotten how good (38-0) they were against the Stars and go to work preparing for the battle with the Packers Saturday night. Coach Greasy Neale has already warned the Eagles against overconfidence. On the train ride Saturday night from Chicago to Duluth, Neale told of the Packers’ vaunted strength and that it would take everything the Eagles could muster to win. Meanwhile, the masters of the College All Stars arrived back at the training base. After detraining in Duluth, 76 miles away, Sunday morning and then eating breakfast, the party departed in nine limousines for Grand Rapids. At a town called Warba, some 20 miles out of Grand Rapids, the caravan picked up a police escort and a few miles further, some 200 townspeople from this place joined the parade in their cards. A 12-piece clown band provided the music. The parade was carried through the main stem and then doubled back to the agriculture school, the team’s base of operations. There, Harvey Hammergren, executive secretary of the local Chamber of Commerce, made the official welcoming speech. Coach Neale and players Pete Pihos, Al Wistert, Bosh Pritchard and Tommy Thompson replied for the Eagles.
HEATH AND BURRIS REPORT TO PACKER CAMP
AUG 15 (Green Bay) - Curly Lambeau's Green Bay Packer squad was completed Sunday with the arrival of Buddy Burris, three time all-American guard from Oklahoma, and Stan Heath, collegiate passing champion at Nevada in 1948. Heath, a former Wisconsin boy, and Burris were members of the Chicago All-Star squad, which fell apart before the Philadelphia Eagles in Chicago Friday night. Heath immediately was sent to a remote corner of the practice field with a center and Tony Canadeo, who cracked a bone in his wrist Thursday. There he went through a long session of ball handling under the direction of backfield coach Bob Snyder. Burris, who suffered a chest injury early in the all-star practice, but who played more than half the game against the Eagles, said he was still bothered by the bruise. He does not expect it to keep him out of Green Bay's first game here Saturday night. The Packers will meet the Eagles Saturday night. The Packers, progressing rapidly under the direction of Lambeau and his new assistants, spent Sunday morning working on kickoff and punt returns and concentrated on defense in two drills Monday. Larry Craig, veteran end, who was called home Friday because of a business matter on his farm in South Carolina, is expected Wednesday. In Craig's absence, Dan Orlich, 6 foot 5 inch rookie from Nevada, handled the assignments at left end.
CRAIG MAY QUIT THIS YEAR
AUG 16 (Green Bay) - Whether the Green Bay Packers will have Larry Craig for the game with the Philadelphia Eagles here Saturday night was a question Tuesday when it was learned that the veteran end had returned to his home in Ninety Six, S.C., to have doctors in the east pass on the condition of his knee. Craig injured the knee a year ago. Whether the Packers will have him at all this season was even a question, for unless the doctors tell him he can play with reasonable assurance that the knee will not bother him, he will probably give up the game. Craig's decision to go east to his own doctors came as a surprise to Coach Curly Lambeau. Craig had reported only a few days before. This was to be his 11th season with the club.
PACKERS 'EYE' THOMPSON; RALLY SET FRIDAY
AUG 16 (Green Bay) - The Packers took a bead today on the Philadelphia Eagles' famed quarterback, Tommy Thompson, while the Packers' organized boosters - the Green Bay Packer Alumni association, the Men's Quarterback club and the Minute Men - came out with plans for a pregame rally at City stadium Friday night. The entire business will come to a focus when the Packers engage the world champion Eagles, 38-0 victors over the College All Stars last Friday night, in a non-championship football battle at City stadium Saturday night. Meanwhile, Packer Ticket Director Carl Mraz revealed today that the ticket office at 349 S. Washington street will be open every night this week until 9 o'clock to accommodate the fans. Thompson, the National league's leading passer last fall, is getting special attention in the Packer training camp at Rockwood lodge. All the quarterbacks are playing Tommy's role - not to mention Backfield Coach Bob Snyder. Coach Curly Lambeau, after watching the Eagles rumble over the All Stars, is convinced that the Packers' best defense will be their offense. So, the man who passes to Pete Pihos and magics the ball to Steve Van Buren and Bosh Pritchard must be stopped - first. There is something of a story to Thompson...COULD BE A SUPERMAN: The 196-pound quarterback, who observed his 31st birthday yesterday, was hit in the head with a stone some 25 years ago. The injury developed a blood clot in the back of his left eye, leading to blindness in that eye a couple of years later. Thompson has been consulting with eye specialists in the States and even Europe for years but no method of dissolving the clot has been found. National league observers have often wondered what sort of superman Thompson would be with normal eyesight. Despite the handicap, Tulsa Tommy had led the Eagles offensively, reaching his peak in the snow-bound championship game against the Chicago Cardinals last December. Besides passing, he carried the ball 11 times for 50 yards in the ankle-deep snow. In winning the air title last fall, Thompson threw 246 passes and completed 141 for 1,965 yards and 25 touchdowns. His percentage of completions was 57.3...The pregame rally is designed to show Green Bay and Northeastern Wisconsin fans how a Packer practice is conducted. The event at City stadium will start at 8:30 and the public is invited free of charge. Fee Klaus, president of the Alumni association, said today that the plans will be completed for the rally at a meeting tonight. Tentative plans call for a motor parade of the 750 Quarterback club members from Vocational school at 8 o'clock Friday night, with police and fire escorts. An informal ceremony will be held at the stadium, including introduction of the coaches and players without interfering with the practice. Coach Lambeau said today that all practice sessions at Rockwood lodge this week will be held in secret. The drill at the stadium is planned to acquaint the players with light conditions and any "tricks" planned for the Eagles will undoubtedly be kept in the bag. A good share of the rally drill will be devoted to kicking, passing and loosening up in general...The Packers held their last fulltime scrimmage before the Eagle game at Rockwood lodge this morning. Dan Orlich, rookie end from Nevada, was working in the spot vacated by veteran Larry Craig, who left for his home in South Carolina over the weekend. The word now is that Craig left so he could consult a specialist about knee trouble. Previously, the report was that Larry had business trouble to straighten out. At any rate, Larry left without saying a word while the coaches were in Chicago for the All Star game. Jay Rhodemyre, the sophomore center who did so well as a rookie last fall, is expected in camp Wednesday or Thursday. Ed Neal, for years a guard, has been working at center since practice started and there's a good chance that he may remain there.
SPIRIT KEY WORD IN PACKERS' 1949 PLANS; KIWANIANS HEAR
AUG 16 (Green Bay) - Spirit is the key word in the Packers' 1949 plans. It has been noticeable in the Packer training camp at Rockwood lodge since Aug. 1, when practice started and, what's more, the townspeople are juggling the same mighty word. Packer Coach Curly Lambeau, an old hand at the business of spirit, gave out with some fire talk at the Kiwanis club's annual father-son luncheon at the Northland hotel Monday noon. No, he didn't promise a championship. But he did promise a fighting, spirited 1949 team. Compared to last year, the 1949 feeling at Rockwood lodge is stratospheric. The Packers are sold on the new coaching assistants - Tom Stidham, Bob Snyder and Charley Brock. Don Hutson, also a member of the Packer staff, pointed out for the Kiwanians that "Lambeau has the most efficient staff he's ever had; with men like Tom, Bob and Charley, the spirit will remain high." Lambeau cited a number of "spirit" cases and added, "we've had overall material below the caliber of other teams and still won the championship because of spirit and personal sacrifice." He mentioned Beattie Feathers, Steve Van Buren, Buckets Goldenberg, Hutson, Brock and many others who became great because they never gave up. Lambeau spent considerable time reviewing the 1949 squad. Briefly here are some of his comments: "End Bill Kelley, rookie end from Texas Tech, was a complete surprise because we had no idea he could catch passes. Charley Tatom, a tackle at Texas, should make the grade as a defensive end. Tackle Tiny Croft has that "I'll show you' attitude after being away for a year. Tackle Jim Goodman may do us some good if he takes off some weight. Guard Paul Burris, who played in the All Star game Friday night, wanted to scrimmage with the Packers Saturday morning. With his 290-pound bulk, center Ed Neal, formerly a guard, is giving the quarterback a comfortable feeling. Quarterback Stan Heath won't be ready for a couple of games. We'll not reach our peak of our efficiency until Sept. 25. Fullback Bob Summerhays is showing up well as a linebacker. Frank Williams, the new fullback, is surprising with his running and kicking. Another surprise is halfback Bill Schroeder of Sheboygan, who gained most of his grid experience in the Marines. Right halfback Glenn Lewis of Texas Tech looks like a find. He has speed and ability as a breakaway runner and can play Red Wilson's spot on defense. Another surprise is Ken Kranz, the Milwaukee State Teachers back. Kranz pulled a muscle early in practice by it coming back strong."
PACKERS FACE STAR-STUDDED PROBLEM IN CHAMPION EAGLES
AUG 17 (Green Bay) - The Packers, in their opening effort to shake off the memory of 1948, have a star-studded problem on their hands - the Philadelphia Eagles. The world champion Eagles, who walloped the daylights out of the College All Stars, 38-0, last Friday night, will attempt to do the same with the Packers at City stadium Saturday night. The NFL's 1949 record book is proof of the Eagles' brilliancy. As a team, the 1948 Eagles posted nine victories, including one over the Bears, two defeats and one tie for the Eastern title. Then, they tripped the Chicago Cardinals, 7-0, for the world's title in that now-famous snow classic of last Dec. 19. Individually, the Eagles won championships in four of the five important offensive departments - ball carrying, passing, field goals and punting - and finished second in the fifth, pass receiving. The ball carrying title, of course, went to Steve Van Buren, the fullbackish left halfback. Steve picked up 945 yards in 201 attempts and scored 10 touchdowns, despite the fact that he missed one game. Steve now holds three NFL records and is only 103 yards away from a fourth. He has records for yards gained, one season (1,008), attempts one season (217) and touchdowns one season (18). Steve has gained 3,758 yards in five seasons and needs only 103 yards to beat the all-time career mark of 3,860, set by Green Bay's Clarke Hinkle in 10 seasons. The passing champ is Tommy Thompson, throwing 24 passes and completing 141 for 1,965 yards and 25 touchdowns. Thompson finished fast last year to edge out Jim Hardy of the Los Angeles Rams. The field goal champ is John (Cliff) Patton, a guard, who registered on eight out of 12 attempts. Besides, Patton converted 60 consecutive points after touchdowns in a two-year period, including 50 straight in 1948. The record is 72. He finished third in scoring last year with 74 points. The punting champ is Joe Muha, the fullback Joe averaged 47.2 yards on 57 kicks, and his longest was a quick kick that sailed 82 against New York. His average was the best in the league since 1941 when Sammy Baugh averaged 48.7. With the Eagles' offense in mind, the Packers switched to defense today at Rockwood lodge. A long offensive scrimmage marked Tuesday's practice. Working with the Packers today was Eugene (Bud) Canada, an end from the University of Arkansas who was in the starting lineup for the College All Stars last week. Canada, whose signing was revealed by Coach Curly Lambeau, is something of a sleeper. He was invited at the last minute to try out for the All Stars by Head Coach Bud Wilkinson.
He was placed on the fifth or sixth team and gradually worked himself into a starting berth. Bud played four years at Arkansas. The newcomer, who stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds, will play at right end. On defense, Canada will work in the spot vacated by Red Wilson. Lambeau said Bud likely will get another crack at the Eagles Saturday night. Expected in camp today or tomorrow is Jay Rhodemyre, the University of Kentucky center, who broke in with the Packers last fall. No word has been heard from end Larry Craig, who left camp over the weekend. He is undergoing treatment for a knee ailment at his home in South Carolina. The Packers put out the "glad eye" today for Bob Cifers, star halfback for the Pittsburgh Steelers who was placed on waivers Tuesday afternoon. The Detroit Lions, however, will get first crack at Cifers since they finished lower in the standings than the Packers last year. The word from the Steelers' camp at Cambridge Springs, Pa., was that Cifers was too be placed on waivers because he was late for a 10 o'clock bed check. Steeler President Art Rooney was disappointed bitterly at Cifer's departure, but he backed Coach Johnny Michelosen to the limit. An ex-Tennessee university star, Cifers came to the Steelers in 1947 in a trade with the Lions. There are a few name players on the Steeler roster this season and Cifers had a chance to become a star. That became evident before Cifers hit camp. Ray Evans, ex-Kansas halfback, quit pro ball after a year of action, and Johnny Clement failed to show. Clement is now trying out with the Chicago Hornets. Cifers finished fourth among Eastern division ground gainers with 361 yards in 112 attempts.
SETS PLANS FOR RALLY AT STADIUM FRIDAY NIGHT
AUG 17 (Green Bay) - Plans for the public pep rally at City stadium Friday night were completed at a meeting of representatives of the Green Bay Packer Alumni association, the Men's Quarterback club and the Minute Men Tuesday night. The program will revolve around a regulation Packer practice although it will not interfere with the drill. It will be the team's last practice before the Packer-Eagles game at the stadium Saturday night. The workout will start at 8:30 but the stadium gates will be opened at 8 o'clock - the starting time of the program. Fee Klaus, president of the Alumni association, will open the rally with a brief talk over the public address system. Jug Earp, chairman of the association's program committee which is conducting the Quarterback club, will follow a brief speech. The half-hour program will be spiced with band music, introduction of the North-South football players and coaches and a number of other wrinkles. At 8:30, George Strickler, Packer publicity director, will take the "mike" and call out the various Packers as they perform on the field - something of a "live" description. The rally will be heralded around town by sound trucks earlier in the evening. The public is invited free of charge. Fans also may purchase tickets for the Packer-Eagle game at the stadium...MEET THURSDAY NIGHT: Plans for the weekly meetings of the Quarterback club were discussed. The club has filled its quota of 750 members - the same as the seating capacity of Vocational school where the sessions will be held on Thursday nights during the football season. The club revealed that an "overflow" of 75 to 100 Quarterback club members has been received. Their names will be placed on a waiting list and they'll be added as members drop out. Members will be automatically dropped if they miss two successive meetings.
CANADA, ARKANSAS END, IS SIGNED BY PACKERS
AUG 17 (Green Bay) - Eugene Canada, a red headed end from the University of Arkansas who started the Chicago All-Star game for the collegians last week, signed a Green Bay Packer contract Wednesday. Canada, who is 5 feet 11 and 180 pounds, was invited to the all-star camp at the request of Coach Bud Wilkinson. He started on the sixth team at Evanston and worked his way up through the squad to a starting assignment in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a free agent. Although he will have had only three days of work with the Packers, he will be given another chance to face the Eagles Saturday when the Packers open their exhibition schedule against the Eagles in City stadium here. The signing of Canada made it possible for Curly Lambeau to switch rookie Bill Kelley to defensive right end, where the former Texas Tech sprinter has looked even more impressive than he did in the defensive halfback spot.
MITCHELL - OKLAHOMA STAR OUTSMARTED HIMSELF WITH CURLY LAMBEAU
AUG 18 (Milwaukee Journal) - Jack Mitchell of Oklahoma, it seems, outsmarted himself. He turned down several good offers from the Green Bay Packers early last week in hope of getting a better one after his performance in the all-star game. Result? The Packers have lost interest in him. Not only did he play an ordinary game, along with just about everybody else on his side, but he came out of the one sided battle with a dislocated shoulder. The Packers drafted him two years ago...In his last two years at the University of Nevada, Dan Orlich, big rookie end, was issued jersey numbers corresponding to the year. Thus in 1947 he wore No. 37 and in 1948, No. 48. And what do you suppose happened when he got his number with the Packers? You're right. He was issued No. 49...For seven years the Packers have led the National league in coming out of the huddle and getting underway. Last year they averaged 19.2 seconds. Now the coaches in practice are hurrying them up some more to improve even on this...'LIKE CLARK HINKLE': Charlie Tatum, the big Texas end whose blocking has brought smiles to the coaches, may enroll at the University of Wisconsin next February to complete the one semester of work he needs for a degree in mechanical engineering...Curly Lambeau took one look at backfield coach Bob Snyder's boxer the first time he saw him and remarked: "He looks like Clark Hinkle the day before the Bear game." The dog must have heard it, for the next day at scrimmage he insisted on taking a position backing up the line and refused to be chased away. Scrimmage finally had to be stopped while Snyder led him away...The Philadelphia Eagles are 10 point favorites over the Packers in Saturday night's game...John Tavener, Indiana's all-American center in 1944, hasn't looked bad in his attempt to win a place with the Packers in a comeback. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cardinals three years ago, he was cut loose by them after injuries, then drifted around with several clubs in the All-America conference, and finally gave up the game. He could be part of the answer to the pressing problem at center... A LUCKY BREAK: Curly Lambeau liked the idea of getting some Irish luck from Margaret O'Brien the other day - and the next day Tony Canadeo broke a bone in his wrist. However, it may have been a lucky break at that. Canadeo has been able to work out with the club regularly and participate in everything except scrimmage. The cast on his wrist will be taken off in a couple of weeks...Lou Ferry, 235 pounds of rookie tackle, and good rookie tackle, who interrupted his work with the Packers last week to join the eastern college all-stars for their charity game in New York September 1, will rejoin the Packers for a day in Syracuse Wednesday and play against the Giants in the exhibition there that night.
EAGLES READY SCOTT, BEDNARIK AND TRIPUCKA TILT WITH PACKERS HERE
AUG 18 (Green Bay) - "You can run like Van Buren but, for heaven's sake, don't carry the ball like he does." The speaker was Philadelphia Eagle Coach Greasy Neale and the listener was Clyde (Smackover) Scott, the talented right halfback who played at the University of Arkansas. Scott, one of three All-Americans who will cavort against the Packers at City stadium Saturday night, was handed to Steve Van Buren for purposes of training when Smackover arrived in the Eagles' camp at Grand Rapids, Minn., over the weekend after duty against Philly in the College All Star game. Steve has a bad habit - carrying the ball like a loaf of bread, and Neale wants to make sure Scott doesn't get any bakery ideas at City stadium. Van Buren is one of a few players in professional football who can "bread" the ball and get away with it. At times, Van Buren carries the ball like he is offering opponents a bite of it. He never hugs it tight to his ribs...SCOTT NEALE'S FAVORITE: The teller of the above tale was Eddie S. Hogan, diplomat for the Eagles. Mr. Hogan, who put the Eagles' publicity into the three cent stamp class after years of campaigning, had a lot of other things on his mind. For instance: Scott is Neale's favorite. Besides his running, Scott is developing into a pass receiver. The other day he caught pitches over his shoulder and around the shoe tops. Center Chuck Bednarik of Penn, rated on just about every All-American last year, is working with the 34-year old veteran pivot, Vic Lindskog, who is ranked the top offensive center in the business. Neale told Chuck: "I want you to take Vic's instructions in the right way because we value him highly." Answered Chuck: "Okay, coach, I'll work with him." Bednarik is known as The Clutch, though he dislikes the tag. A Penn reporter plastered the name on him when he grabbed Columbia Lou Kusserow by the collar by five successive plays last fall. Lindskog is full versed on the T-formation. He has one of the leading libraries on the subject in the east. The third All-American, Notre Dame quarterback Frank Tripucka, is learning the ropes from Tommy Thompson, the veteran
QB who will carry most of the load against the Packers...COMPOSED "KITTY LOU": The Eagles are an odd collection of versatile individuals. Bosh Pritchard, the right halfback, is a professional crooner and songwriter. He composed "Kitty Lou", after his wide and the song will go on wax soon. Then there's Alex Wojciechowicz, the veteran center who once was with Detroit. Alex knits dresses for his four daughters and makes hooked rugs. Alex, incidentally, was to be through with pro football when he joined the Eagles. But a Dr. Dan Leventhal of Chicago performed a weird operation on his shoulder without cutting a muscle. He removed 17 joint myce. Alex now in his 11th year. The there's Thompson. Tommy and his wife hold the Philadelphia Country club golf championships. He broke the course record near the training camp in Grand Rapids, with a 34. He's also a fisherman, hauling a 29-pound muskie out of a lake that pronounced fish-less by oldtimers near Grand Rapids. Despite all their varied interests, Neale has been able to compose quite a football team. The world's championship in 1948 and a 38-0 victory over the All Stars are proof...The Packer picture was on the secret side as the players went through their last stiff session this morning. The Bays will taper off this afternoon and Friday night with light workouts. The Friday night session, a passing, punting and loosening up exercise, will be held at City stadium and will open to the public. The Green Bay Packer Alumni association, the Quarterback club and the Minute Men will hold a rally in connection with the practice. The rally will start at 8 o'clock with music and appropriate ceremonies, and the practice is set for 8:30. Tickets for the Eagle game will be on sale at City stadium and at the ticket office at 349 S. Washington street Friday night. The ticket office, incidentally, also will be open tonight. Expected in camp today is Jay Rhodemyre, the sophomore center who had a great year as a rookie in 1948. Jay earlier was undecided about playing this fall. He's driving up from Kentucky with his wife and child.
160-POUND EARHART TOO TOUGH
AUG 18 (Green Bay) - The Packers were practicing their protective setup for the punters the other day. The idea was to keep the punter from being slaughtered before he got the boot away. It was all rough stuff. As the punting team lined up waiting for the snap, Coach Curly Lambeau did a polite swoon and promptly yelled: "Wait a minute! Earhart, you're too tough; we're saving you for tougher things." The smiling Lambeau led the 160-pound Ralph away lest the mighty punt protector be eaten alive by one of those hungry tackles or ends. Earhart, who gained 140 yards in 30 attempts as a rookie right half last year, no doubt will spend a good deal of his time at his new position, left halfback, this season with the emphasis on running. With Canadeo out of action for five or six weeks, little Earhart may carry the bulk of the LH load. Between Canadeo and Earhart, the Bays have two types of firecrackers. Tony runs straight ahead with a fullback's power, while Ralph tricks would-be tacklers with sharp cuts and blazing speed. In short, Tony runs over' em and Earhart goes around and sometimes under. Battling with C and E are newcomers Bill Schroeder and Paul Devine and Jug Girard, who is spending three-fourths of his time at quarterback...Packer Line Coach Tom Stidham is feeling mighty low these days. The other say Stidham pulled a muscle in his back and he can hardly move. It makes Tom mad! Said he: "Cant' coach these boys like I'd like to." Tom works on the field but he's got to move awfully slow. His objective now is to make the Eagle game.
PACKERS BEAR DOWN IN DRILL FOR EAGLES
AUG 18 (Green Bay) - Two long workouts on defense were held by the Green Bay Packers Wednesday as they bore down in their preparations for the first game of the season here Saturday night against the Eagles, NFL champions. The game will start at 8:30 o'clock. Plenty of tickets are still available. Time was spent on defense against both the running of Steve Van Buren, Bosh Pritchard and Russ Craft and the passing of Tommy Thompson, whose short, sharp aerials gave the College All-Stars such an unhappy time of it in Chicago last week. Coach Curly Lambeau expressed himself as fairly well satisfied. Between workouts he conferred with Jay Rhodemyre, center, who drove up from Ashland, Ky., with his family to make a decision on his return to football. Business offers and family objections have kept the former University of Kentucky all-American from signing his second Packer contract. Rookies got much of the attention in the workouts, become acquainted with the strategies with which Lambeau has made life miserable for T formation coaches in recent seasons. Eugene Canada, Arkansas end picked up off the all-star squad, played as a defensive halfback, and Lambeau intimated he would be used there Saturday night. The workout revealed a spirited fight at guard, where four veterans and three rookies are competing for starting assignments. Coaches expressed particular satisfaction with Floyd Lewis and Joe Ethridge. Lewis and Ethridge were co-captains at Southern Methodist last fall. Evan Vogds, a veteran, also stood out though handicapped by bruises. Other guards in the seven cornered fight are Damon Tassos, Ralph Davis, Larry Olsonoski, and big Ed Neal, all veterans, and Buddy Burris. Neal is being groomed to play guard only on defense. He will operate at center on offense. Burris, like Vogds, has been scrimmaging under a handicap. He suffered a chest injury in the Chicago All-Star game.
'NEW' PACKER FOOTBALL TEAM TO FACE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
AUG 19 (Green Bay) - Green Bay and Northeastern Wisconsin football fans will see a new Packer football team at City stadium Saturday night. There are two reasons. First. of course, is that the 1949 aggregation has already done a complete about-face in spirit, blood and thunder as compared to 1948 when the squad finished with a 3-9 record in NFL action. The second reason may surprise you. Eighteen of the 44 players seeking positions are new men here and an additional seven are second-year players. The remaining 19 are veterans with service ranging from three to eight years. The new Packers couldn't get a batter baptism - the world champion Philadelphia Eagles who introduced the College All Stars to professional football to the tune of 38-0 in Chicago a week ago tonight. The first-year Packers are likely to get plenty of chances to prove themselves. Eleven of the newcomers play in the line - ends Dan Orlich, Charley Tatom, Bill Kelley and Bud Canada; tackles Lew Ferry and Jim Goodman; guards Buddy Burris, Joe Etheridge and Floyd Lewis; and centers John Tavener and Ralph Olsen. Rookie backs are Frank Williams and Bob Summerhays at full; Bill Schroeder, Paul Devine, Glenn Lewis and Ken Kranz at the halves; and Stan Heath at quarterback. Of the new group, only Heath likely will be used sparingly Saturday night. He was a member of the College All Stars and has plenty of catching-up to do. Burris, also an All Star, played considerably against the Eagles and
Margaret O'Brien - In the 1940s, child film star Margaret O'Brien visited the Green Bay Packers at Rockwood Lodge. Miss O'Brien won an Academy Award for her role as Tootie in the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis. The Packer player standing next to Miss O'Brien is Ted Fristch. (Photo Credit - Neville Public Museum)
This four-page contract allowed for WTMJ to continue broadcasting Packers games and is dated to 1949. The radio station was been the voice of Packers football since 1929. (Source: Heritage Auctions)
mastered the Packer line assignments quickly. Ferry, a tackle from Villanova, won't see action because he's now in training with the Eastern College All Stars who meet the New York Giants Sept. 1. Let's go through the
various Packer positions: LEFT END - On defense, this position is inexperienced with the absence of peerless Larry Craig, whose injured knee may force him to retire for keeps. A couple of promising rookies, Dan Orlich of Nevada and Charley Tatom of Texas, and veterans Clyde Goodnight and Ted Cook are working at the position. Goodnight likely will handle the offensive duties with some assistance from the rookies. Cook spends most of his time on backfield defense...RIGHT END: Two veterans, Don Wells and Nolan Luhn, are the leading candidates on defense and offense, respectively. Wild Bill Kelley of Texas Tech is getting attention in both departments since he has known skill as a receiver and willingness on defense. The other rookie is Bud Canada of Arkansas who may work on defense at RE or in the backfield spot vacated by Red Wilson...LEFT TACKLE: Veteran Dick Wildung, the rough and ready Minnesota product, leads the LT group. Gradually overcoming a back ailment, Wildung should have a great season. Backing up Dick are veterans Ed Bell and Tiny Croft and rookie Lew Ferry. Bell is a steady campaigner and can play in most any position in the line. Croft is out to make good after a year's absence. Ferry looks promising...RIGHT TACKLE: Two veterans, Paul Lipscomb and Urban Odson, are the mainstays in this spot. Lipscomb is showing a lot of new fire while Odson looks like a new man. Big Urban could have his best season here. The only rookie is Jim Goodman, a giant with good coordination from Maryland. Goodman is having trouble reducing from 270 or so to 245...LEFT GUARD: There's quite a dog fight for duty at this spot between rookie Paul (Buddy) Burris of Oklahoma and Joe Etheridge of SMU and veteran Evan (Red) Vogds. Back for his second season, Vogds is as sharp as ever and likely will pace the position. Both Burris and Etheridge are sparkling and await their opening task against Philadelphia with enthusiasm...RIGHT GUARD: Three veterans, Larry Olsonoski, Damon Tassos and Ralph Davis, and rookie Lloyd Lewis of SMU are fighting for regular duty at this spot. Lewis has been working well opposite Etheridge. Despite his late arrival, Tassos is coming along fast and holds an edge on the other two veterans. Olsonoski is back for his second year and Davis for his third...CENTER: This is interesting. Veteran centers back are Bob Flowers, an eight-year man, and Jay Rhodemyre, the rugged sophomore, who arrived here Thursday. With Rhodemyre on the doubtful list Aug. 1, guard Ed Neal has been switched to center with remarkable results. Neal's 290-pound frame makes the quarterbacks feel like they're operating behind a wall. One of the real veterans of the team, Flowers is pacing the pivot squad. There are two rookies, John Tavener of Indiana and Ralph Olsen of Utah. Both are in the promising class...QUARTERBACK: Jack Jacobs, feeling like a new man after an appendectomy and an operation on his arm last winter, leads the QB section. Jacobs can pitch like he did in 1947, and he hasn't lost any of his devil-may-care drive on defense. Ranking behind Jack is Earl (Jug) Girard, who is catching on quickly to the intricate duties of the quarterback. Girard, an excellent passer, also works at left half. The other two QB's are Stan Heath, the rookie from Nevada, and veteran Irv Comp. Heath, chiefly a passer at Nevada, is spending a good deal of his time learning the intricate handoffs and body fakes on running plays...LEFT HALFBACK: With Tony Canadeo sidelined for five to six weeks with a broken wrist, little Ralph Earhart likely will handle the bulk of the work at this spot. Earhart broke in as a right half last year but LH is more familiar, Ralph having played it at Texas Tech. Another LH you'll probably hear plenty of is Bill Schroeder, a drive from Sheboygan who learned most of his football in the Marines. One rookie is in the LH field - Paul Devine of Heidelberg...RIGHT HALFBACK: Bone-crushing Bob Forte and Ed Smith, a sophomore, pace this position although Forte likely will play mostly on defense. Smith is running hard but is getting stiff opposition from a couple of promising rookies, Glenn Lewis of Texas Tech and Kenneth Kranz of Milwaukee State Teachers...FULLBACK: Five individuals are laboring for work in this spot. The three leading gents are Ed Cody, Ted Fritsch and Walt Schlinkman, all veterans. There are two rookies, Bob Summerhays of Utah and Frank Williams of Utah State. Summerhays isn't a speed demon on offense but he has displayed exceptional quality as a backer-up. Bob, in this defensive spot, has been giving some of the veterans a
rough time. The bullet-like Schlink and sneaky-running Cody have been running well. Fritsch, once the scourge of the league, is determined to regain that rank...PRO NOTES: The Eagles will arrive here on the North Western at 12:20 Saturday afternoon and leave at 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon on the same line. A large number of vacationers are expected down from the north country. There will be plenty of tickets available. Two Packers at Rockwood lodge won't play Saturday night - Tony Canadeo, the left halfback out with a fractured wrist, and center Jay Rhodemyre, who arrived Thursday. Johnny Blood, one-time Packer vagabond halfback, will serve in some capacity on the St. John's (St. Paul) university football coaching staff. He represented St. John at the All Star game in Chicago last week. Blood, who is taking a physical education course at the University of Minnesota this summer, will do graduate work at St. John this fall.
ANSWER TO PACKER YEAR MAY BE HAD SATURDAY
AUG 19 (Green Bay) - The first answer to what the Packers may or may not have this football season will be had here Saturday night when Curly Lambeau unveils his team for the first time in a nonchampionship game with the Philadelphia Eagles. The kickoff is scheduled for 8 o'clock. 10,000 tickets, in all price ranges, will go on sale at 5 p.m. Speculation has been wide on what the season may hold for Green Bay after last year's disappointments. The more optimistic point to the reorganized coaching staff, the revived spirit and the addition of such men as Lou Ferry, Wild Bill Kelley, Paul Burris, Stan Heath, Charlie Tatum, Bill Schroeder and Bob Summerhays as things that cannot fail to help the team. The more pessimistic point to the absence of any proven break away runner and the lack of depth at
several positions particularly center. Jay Rhodemyre, last year's center, was still in Green Bay Friday but remained unsigned. The Eagles, defending champions in the National league, will probably provide as tough a test as the Packers will have all year. The team is well advanced, certainly farther than Green Bay, and it has a proven personnel of first water stars, including such men as Steve Van Buren, Tommy Thompson, Russ Craft, Bosh Pritchard, Pete Pihos, Vic Sears, Al Wistert, Jack Farrante, Vic Lindskog, Frank Kilroy, Mario Gianelli, Alex Wojciechowicz and Joe Muha. Lone worry of Coach Greasy Neale was the possibility that he might not be able to rouse the team after the letdown which naturally followed the overwhelming victory over the College All-Stars a week ago. The Eagles ruled 10 point favorites.
PACKERS SIGN 1948 CENTER
AUG 20 (Green Bay) - There was good news in the camp of the Green Bay Packers Saturday. Jay Rhodemyre, veteran center, signed his contract after being undecided whether to continue his pro career this season or go into business. A Kentucky graduate and the most valuable man in last year's All-Star game. He joined the club at once although he will not get into Saturday night's game with the Philadelphia Eagles here. A rousing sendoff was given the Packers at a rally at City stadium Friday night. More than 5,000 fans participated in the show preceding a final light drill under the lights. The Eagles, 38-0 victors over the college all-stars a week ago, arrived here Saturday morning from their camp at Grand Rapids, Mich. Far advanced in their preparations, they ruled 10 point favorites. Saturday night's game will open a heavy week of action for Green Bay. Wednesday night the Packers will meet the New York Giants in Syracuse and a week from Sunday the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh.
PACKERS, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES MEET AT CITY STADIUM TONIGHT
AUG 20 (Green Bay) - The optimism surrounding the 1949 Green Bay Packers will be placed squarely on the block when the Wisconsin football forces tangle with the world champion Philadelphia Eagles at City stadium tonight. Kickoff is set for 8 o'clock. Perfect weather, with temperatures around 50 degrees, is predicted for a crowd in excess of 15,000. The Eagles, fresh from a 38-0 victory over a sharp College All Star team, ranks as a big favorite and that makes the Packers a rather low underdog. Both teams are desperate for victory. The Eagles, coached by slippery Greasy Neale and paced by the game's greatest ball carrier - Steve Van Buren - must win to keep up their reputation as champions - especially in the All-American conference infested east. A victory for Green Bay, coached for the 31st straight year by Curly Lambeau, or even a close encounter would be a great influence on future Packer events. It would help to erase the terrible memory of 1948 when the Bays finished with a 3-9 record in the NFL - their worst season in history. A spirited showing against the Eagles could drive the Bays on to greater achievements. The Philadelphia crew will carry an advantage tonight for two simple reasons. First, the Eagles are champions with their 1948 roster intact. Second, the Eagles have had two weeks more practice than the Packers plus the fact that they've already got a regulation game under the belts...TRY NEW RECEIVERS: The Packer attack likely will revolved around Jack Jacobs, a new quarterback after an appendectomy and an operation on his aching arm last winter. Backing him up will be Jug Girard, the Marinette flash who started the season at left half and then gobbled up the quarterback duties in nothing flat. Any secrets on the Packers have for success on the ground are wrapped up in the mighty Eagle forward wall which may include eight men depending on the snap of Coach Neale's fingers. Carrying the brunt for Green Bay may be fullbacks Ted Fritsch, Walt Schlinkman and Ed Cody; left halfbacks Ralph Earhart and Bill Schroeder; and right halfbacks Ed Smith and Glenn Lewis. Always a passing team, the Packers will give their new receivers - Billy Kelley, Charley Tatom and Dan Orlich - plenty of chances, although veterans Nolan Luhn and Clyde Goodnight will be especially ready. The Eagle powerhouse, of course, is paced by the skilled Van Buren at left halfback, Bosh Pritchard will be at right half, league punting champion Joe Muha at fullback, and league passing champion Tommy Thompson at quarterback. Three All-American rookies, center Chuck Bednarik of Penn, halfback Clyde (Smackover) Scott of Arkansas and quarterback Frank Tripucka of Notre Dame, are expected to work aplenty - particularly Bednarik and Scott. The Packer attack will be weakened by the loss of Tony Canadeo, who fractured his wrist a week ago and will be out for five more weeks. Also out of action are Jay Rhodemyre, the sophomore center who arrived Thursday and signed his contract Friday, and rookie tackle Lew Ferry, who is now training with the Eastern All Stars. Rookie quarterback Stan Heath may be used sparingly since he has worked only since last Monday after competing with the College All Stars...SPLIT "T", 8-MAN LINE: The big Packer line under its new coach, Tom Stidham, will get its severest test. Packing the group will be the veteran tackles, Dick Wildung and Paul Lipscomb, veteran guards Red Vogds and Damon Tassos, and center Bob Flowers. Urban Odson, the giant tackle who is showing great form, returning Tiny Croft, big Ed Neal at center, and a host of others will be counted on to paste the Eagle forwards. Neal may get his first crack under fire at center. Among the Packer newcomers, keep an eye on guards Paul Burris, Joe Etheridge and Floyd Lewis; ends Orlich, Tatom and Kelley; fullback Bob Summerhays; backs Ken Kranz, Glenn Lewis and Bill Schroeder. The Eagles, incidentally, may operate with the split-T formation. The only difference from the straight T is that the linemen are spaced farther apart. They generally play "tight" in the straight T. A number of NFL teams used the system against the Packers. A novelty, however, will be the Eagles' eight-man line. The champions used it with great results a year ago and their only real misery with the setup came in the championship game of 1947 when Elmer Angsman and Charley Trippi pinched through for three long touchdown runs. The All Stars couldn't budget the eight-maner in Chicago last week.
5,000 CHEER PACKERS IN PRACTICE AT PUBLIC PEP RALLY
AUG 20 (Green Bay) - More than 5,000 persons turned out for the public pep rally for Green Bay's 1949 Packers at City stadium Friday night. The big group actually took part in history. It was the first time a pep session had ever been held for a professional team and the occasion served unofficially as the first meeting of the Green Bay Men's Quarterback club, which, in turn, is the first "professional" organization of its kind in the country. Likewise, the sponsor - the Green Bay Packer Alumni association - is the first organized group of its kind anywhere in professional football. Last night's event was sponsored by the association and the Minute Men, a group of civic-minded Green Bay citizens, with the cooperation of Green Bay Packers, Inc. The main attraction, of course, was the Packer practice. The big squad of 44 players, including newly-signed Jay Rhodemyre who arrived here Thursday, went through a regular pregame practice, including calisthenics led by Assistant Coach Charley Brock. The fans got a good look at the passers and receivers, the ball carriers and the linemen in action. As they cavorted about, George Strickler of the Packer staff pointed out - via the public address system - the various players...FANS OFFICIALLY WELCOMED: The evening started with selections by the Oneida Indian band, after which Fee Klaus, president of the Alumni association, officially welcomed the fans on behalf of the Alumni group and the Quarterback club. Klaus announced that Jug Earp, the Packers' first all-time center, has been appointed chief quarterback for all club meetings. The big crowd, including possibly 400 of the 750 club members, let loose with a big cheer for their "leader". That opened the way for Earp, who stepped to the mike and reviewed the history of the club and future events. The club will hold its first meeting the Thursday after the Bear game at Vocational school. He revealed that members will receive their club cards by the middle of next week by mail from Secretary Dave Zuidmulder. The club has 750 members at the moment, and more than 350 additional requests had to be turned down. Also on the speaking program were Jerry Atkinson, chairman of the Minute Men, and Bernard (Boob) Darling of the Alumni association. Atkinson expressed confidence that the "fans' spirit here tonight will help our Packers against the Eagles Saturday night." Darling introduced a host of Alumni members. Pointed out on the field by Strickler were Coach Curly Lambeau, starting his 31st year as Packer mentor, and the new staff - Line Coach Tom Stidham, Backfield Coach Bob Snyder and Brock. Among the players were Tony Canadeo, the veteran left halfback who fractured his wrist. Canadeo wasn't bothered, however, as he caught several passes and punts with his good arm.
WON'T 'LOAD' EITHER DIVISION IN NAF - BELL
DEC 12 (Philadelphia) - Strength in the new National-American Football League will be divided equally among the two divisions, Commissioner Bert Bell said Monday. "We won't load either division," he said. "The standout teams definitely will not be in the same division." The commissioner said makeup of the National and American divisions will not be determined until the league's first meeting January 19. "Each team will receive equal consideration," Bell said. "And it will take a vote of 11 of the 13 teams to set up the divisions." Bell lifted slightly the secrecy about the makeup of the divisions. The Baltimore Colts will be the 13th team in the setup with six clubs in the American and six in the National. The six teams in each division will play other clubs in its division twice, accounting for 10 games. One inter-division game with a "traditional rival" will bring the total to 11, and each of the other 12 teams will play the Colts once. One team will be idle each Sunday. The two entries from Chicago and New York will be in different division and will play each other in the "traditional rival". Bell said also that under the new league setup, exhibition games against teams in one's division will not be permitted. At the same time Bell scotched rumors that the league would be expanded to 16 teams for the 1950 season. "It would take unanimous consent of the owners to add a new team," Bell said. Bell said he doesn't "anticipate any difficulty" as a result of a statement by Cleveland coach Paul Brown. Brown, who says his contract with owner Arthur (Mickey) McBride, gives him the final say on the club's football policy, asserted: "Unless we get what we need in personnel to fill our gaps plus a place in the division with the better clubs, then we'll not be interested in the new league and we'll be out of business." McBride said later, however: "I'm still in football and will go along and see what we can do. That's definite."
GREEN BAY 'COUNTY SEAT' OF GRID SECTOR KEUPER CALLS LAMBEAU FOOTBALL OUTMODED
DEC 13 (Manitowoc) - Ken Keuper, former Green Bay Packer halfback, who retired from pro football afterplaying the 1948 season with the New York Giants, charged here that the type of game coached by Curly Lambeau is "outmoded by four or five years." Keuper, an official this season in the Wisconsin State Football League, made his remarks concerning the Packer grid decline while speaking at the local Elks banquet honoring the Manitowoc Braves football team. "After playing three years for the Packers I was traded to the New York Giants," the former Georgia backfield star recalled, "and came west with the Giants to play against my old Green Bay teammates in Milwaukee last season. Playing as linebacker on defense, I naturally expected that Lambeau would be smart enough to change his offensive signals against us, rather than use the same ones with which I was thoroughly familiar with," Keuper continued. "But, no, there came the Packers up to the line with the quarterback calling the same signals that had been used for the past four years - and perhaps longer. Naturally I was able to tip off the Giants on most of the Green Bay plays, giving us a great advantage." Keuper also charged that the Lambeau forward pass game is "behind the times", and pointed out that Green Bay only sends two or three receivers downfield on pass plays while the Bears and other clubs send down four or five. Commenting on the recent pro merger, Keuper said that the move will be of great benefit - to the clubowners. As to the players themselves, Keuper said he feels that the merger will result in reduced salaries which he claims will be of little incentive for college stars to enter the pro gram. "The pros have got to make good money during the five months they play because when the season is over there just aren't the jobs available for men who can devote only part of the year to them," he said. Asked what he thought the merger might do to the Packers, Keuper said, jokingly: "Well, they finished eighth this year. Next year they'll be 13th."
CANADEO PASSES BATTLE, NEARS HINKLE IN YARDS RACE
DEC 13 (Green Bay) - Tony Canadeo's feat of gaining 1,040 yards with a last-place team easily stamps him as one of the all-time backs of professional football. On the basis of records kept since 1932, the NFL books list Clarke Hinkle, Steve Van Buren and Cliff Battles. Canadeo's name will go into the 1950 records - ahead of Battles. A year from now, the pulverizing Bay halfback should pass the great Packer fullback, Hinkle. That will leave Mr. Van Buren, the Philadelphia Eagles' terrific back, first and Mr. Canadeo second. Canadeo now has gained a total of 3,616 yards in eight seasons or 78 games. He is only 244 yards behind the immortal Hinkle, who ripped off 3.860 yards in 112 games in ten season. The difference is in the averages. Canadeo's all-time percentage is 4.45 and Hinkle's 3.2. The Italian flash, who makes his home in Green Bay, this season passed Battles, star Boston and Washington carrier. Battles gained 3,542 yards in 846 attempts, averaging 4.62 yards in six seasons...PLAYS WITH TITLE TEAMS: Van Buren, with five or six more more seasons to go, should easily establish "greater" all-time records next fall. Steve cracked Hinkle's mark of 3,860 yards early this season and now has a total of 4,904 yards. Van Buren's big advantage over Canadeo, especially the past three seasons, is the mere fact that he's running behind a championship line - one of the greatest in the history of the league. The Eagles won the Eastern title in 1947, the league title in 1948 and are favored to repeat next Sunday. In gaining 1,040 yards, Canadeo became the first Packer ball carrier in history to better the four-figure mark. The total practically doubled his 1948 mark of 589 yards. Another all-time high for a Packer was the 208 carries. Hinkle's best season effort was 552 yards in 1937 - a figure beaten twice by Tony. During the 1949 campaign, Canadeo gained over 100 years in five different games. His bests were 122-yard efforts against the Los Angeles Rams there on Oct. 23 and against the Cardinals in Chicago Nov. 28. The total against the Cardinals, which included a 54-yard run - the longest of his career - was made on a soppy field... FUN WITH BEARS, TOO: Other 100-yard drives included 117 against Detroit in Milwaukee Oct. 30; 116 against Pittsburgh in Milwaukee Nov. 21; and an even 100 against the Bulldogs in New York Oct. 7. Canadeo had some fun with the Bears, too. He averaged 8.3 yards per try in the 17-0 opener here in gaining 92 yards in only 11 trips. In the nightcap at Chicago, Tony picked up 98 on 22 trips for a 4.5 average. Tony went under 50 yards in only two games. Against the Rams here Oct. 2 when everything went wrong, Canadeo was limited to 43 yards in 12 trips. Out in Washington a week ago last Sunday, Canadeo was held to 29 yards in 15 trips. Canadeo averaged an even five yards during 1949. His introduction to football was hardly conducive to ball carrying. At Steinmetz High in Chicago, Canadeo never carried the ball. He was a blocking back. He finally wound up at Gonzaga with a teammate who happened to be a "great" runner...FAMOUS FOR LONG RUNS: At Gonzaga, Canadeo became famous for his long runs and the writers promptly called him the Grey Ghost of Gonzaga because of his prematurely grey hair. He made the Associated Press Little All-America. With "big brother" Savvy at St. Norbert college, Tony heard plenty about the Packers. When Packer Coach Curly Lambeau drafted the Grey Ghost, the Canadeo boys were together again and the Packers had themselves a star. In the early days, Canadeo played left and right halfback. He missed the last three games of the 1941 season with a broken hand but got into the divisional playoff with the Bears. With the emphasis on passing, Canadeo rarely carried the ball more than 10 times in the first three years. The Army grabbed him in 1944, but he managed to get enough furloughs to play three games. Canadeo spent the 1945 season riding tanks in the European theater...PACK BACK ON GROUND: With Don Hutson gone, the Packers returned to the ground starting in 1946 and Canadeo carried the ball 122 times - 28 more than his 94 trips in 1943. In 1946, Canadeo picked up 476 yards. He added 464 in 103 trips in 1947 as the club switched over to a version of the T-formation. The 1948 season, worse for the team until this year, saw Tony gain 589 yards in 123 tries. Tony got off to a tough start this season. He fractured his right wrist in a scrimmage before the first non-league game. Though he missed the first four non-loopers, Canadeo took part in all of the workouts. He got the "feel" of competition against Washington - the fifth non-loop foe, and came out ready for the league campaign.
TONY MAKES UP ALL-PRO TEAM
DEC 13 (New York) - Youth must have its fling, but not, apparently, in the NFL. Venerable greybeards dominated the United Press league all-star team announced today by the staff writers from around the circuit. Tom Fears, the pass-snagging Los Angeles Ram, made the team in his second year of competition. From there on the club graduates from end Pete Pihos of Philadelphia and tackle Dick Huffman of Los Angeles, with three years each, up to tackle Vic Sears of the Eagles with nine bone-crushing years in the business. The toughest position for the selectors to fill was quarterback. There were three great ones in the NFL this season - Bob Waterfield of the Rams, Tommy Thompson of the Eagles and Johnny Lujack of the Bears. Waterfield was chosen by one point over Thompson for the first team, and Thompson in turn was chosen by one point over Lujack
for the second team. It was a tough decision to make, but not one without expert backing. Coach Steve Owen of the New York Giants said, "I personally would lean to Waterfield because he can placekick, is better than Thompson on defense and handles the ball better from the T." The rest of the backfield was easy - on the first team it is composed of halfbacks Steve Van Buren and Tony Canaedo of Green Bay and fullback Pat Harder of the Chicago Cardinals; on the second team Gene Roberts of the New York Giants and Elmer Angsman of the Cards are the halfbacks and Dick Hoerner of Los Angeles the fullback. The No. 1 line puts Pihos and Fears at ends, Sears and Huffman at tackle, Ray Bray of the Bears and Garrard Ramsey of the Cards at guards and Fred Naumetz at center. The second line is made up of Ed Sprinkle and Jim Keane, both of the Bears, at ends; George Connor of the Bears and Dick Wildung of the Packers at tackles; Frank Kilroy of the Eagles and Cliff Patton of the Eagles at guards; and Vince Banonis of the Cards at center.
TEAMS TO VOTE ON MAKEUP OF NAFL SECTORS
DEC 13 (Philadelphia) - Strength in the new NAFL will be divided equally among the two divisions, Bert Bell, commissioner, said last night. "We won't load either division," he said. "The standout teams definitely will not be in the same division." The commissioner said makeup of the National and American divisions will not be determined until the league's first meeting Jan. 19. "Each team will receive equal consideration," Bell said. "And it will take a vote by 11 of the 13 teams to set up the divisions." Bell lifted slightly the secrecy about the makeup of the divisions. The Baltimore Colts will be the 13th team in the setup with six clubs in the American and six in the National. To which division the Colts will be assigned is to be determined later...BEARS, CARDS SEPARATED: The six teams in each division will play other clubs in its division twice, accounting for ten games. One inter-division game with "a traditional rival" will bring the total to 11, and each of the other 12 teams will play the Colts twice. One team will be idle each Sunday. The two entries from Chicago and New York will be in different divisions and will play each other in the "traditional rival" contest. Other traditional rivals still are to be determined. Bell said also that under the new league setup, exhibition games against teams in one's division will not be permitted. Bell said also that under the new league setup, exhibition games against teams in one's' division will not be permitted. At the same time Bell scotched that the league would be expanded to 16 teams for the 1950 season. "It would take unanimous consent of the owners to add a new team," Bell said. Bell said he doesn't "anticipate any difficulty" as a result of a statement by Cleveland Coach Paul Brown. Brown, who says his contract with owner Arthur (Mickey) McBride gives him the final say on the club's football personnel, asserted: "Unless we get what we need in personnel to fill our gaps plus a place in the division with the better clubs, then we'll not be interested in the new league and we'll be out of business." McBride said, later, however: "I'm still in football, and will go along and see what we can do. That's definite."
CANADEO GETTING 'ALL' TUMBLE HE DESERVES
DEC 13 (Milwaukee Sentinel-Lloyd Larson) - It's wonderful to see Tony Canadeo getting the all-pro recognition he so richly deserves. The Gray Ghost of Gonzaga has provided one of the few rays of sunshine in the generally overcast football sky over Green Bay the last few years. This great crowd pleaser's thrilling deeds are the more remarkable when you consider his size and years of service in the toughest and roughest physical contact business imaginable. He's small as pros go. And he's been in the league for seven seasons - a long, long time as time is measured in the postgraduate circuit. From the start, in fact, this must have been Canadeo's No.1 asset, for he attracted so little attention on the basis of his surface qualities as a high school player in Chicago that collegiate scouts did the direct opposite of beating a path to his door. Each and every one who stayed away missed out on a man who ultimately would have made any college or university team in the nation...MADE IT VIA A PACKAGE DEAL: Canadeo finally wound up at Gonzaga in the Pacific northwest - quite by accident as the folks out Spokan, Wash., way like to relate. Mike Pecarovich, then Gonzaga's head man, was depending on a Chicago friend to send him a certain hot quarterback prospect out of the Windy City. The friend informed Mike the quarterback would go west on only one condition: Gonzaga would have to take his pal, who wasn't any great shakes but with whom the quarterback had entered into one of those "we'll go to college together or not at all" pacts. With the gun in his back, the coach sailed for the package deal and proceeded to forget all about the "excess baggage" the moment the boys reported for freshmen football. One day the frosh coach was giving the kid from Chicago a great buildup. "You mean the quarterback?" asked Pecarovich. "No, the other guy - the one who came along for the ride," replied the freshman boss. The "other guy" was Canadeo, who went from there to help make history at Gonzaga and ultimately hold his own with the best. Yea, Tony!
BUFFALO FANS START CAMPAIGN TO KEEP PRO GRID FRANCHISE
DEC 13 (Buffalo) - Three groups of pro football fans united here Monday and made plans to raise $500,000 in an effort to keep a professional football franchise here. Arthur Rich, secretary-treasurer of the new organization, said 100,000 shares would be offered at $5 each, starting at a rally in Memorial auditorium Tuesday evening. Rich said if enough money were available, the club would take it to officials of the new National-American league and request that Buffalo be entered. The Bills, formerly in the All-America conference, were not included in the new setup. Meanwhile, Pete J. Crotty, Democratic president of the City Council and George M. Raikin, Republican councilman-at-large, said they would introduce a joint resolution pledging the legislative body's "fullest cooperation". Crotty also sent a telegram to Bert Bell, commissioner of the merged leagues in Philadelphia. It read: "City of Buffalo alarmed over loss of professional football in this area. Leading citizens in all walks of life presently organizing finances to keep Buffalo Bills franchise here. Please let me know by return wire whether financial guarantee is required to retain franchise and what prospects are for retention if finances are raised."