Green Bay Packers (2-1) 24, Chicago Bears (1-2) 0
Sunday October 1st 1961 (at Green Bay)
GAME RECAP (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE)
(GREEN BAY) - The Packers shut out the Bears! That hasn't been written for 26 years but it's the real word today on the heels of the Packers' historic 24 to 0 victory over the Bears before 38,669 fans in City Stadium Sunday afternoon. Green Bay twice took the ball away from Chicago on fourth down plays deep in Packerland in the first half and then slammed the door shut in the process of carrying out the Bays' first blanking of the Bears since 1935. That was the year the Pack whipped the Bears 7-0 in Green Bay, with Arnie Herber and Don Hutson completing an 80-yard touchdown play at the start of the game. Yesterday's triumph lifted the defending champion Packers into a four-way tie with the Lions, 49ers and Colts in first place in the Western Division - each with 2-1 decisions. The Packers next face the Colts in City Stadium, while the Lions host the Bears and the 49ers go home to battle the Rams (1-2). Green Bay's defense, tops in the league today with only 27 points allowed in three games, was the hero Sunday. Besides stopping up the Bears, the defensemen set the stage for two touchdowns with pass interceptions and a defender, one Willie Wood, set up the other with a run-for-your-life punt return. Here's how it happened: John Symank intercepted an Ed Brown pass late in the first period and returned 41 yards. Three plays later, Bart Starr passed to Boyd Dowler 15 yards for a 7-0 lead. Midway in the third period, Wood made a gutty run up the briar patch for 22 yards to the Bear 42. Three plays later, Jim Taylor crashed over from the three. It was 17-0. On the second play of the fourth quarter, Dan Currie intercepted a Bill Wade pass on the Bear 46. Six plays later, Starr passed to Ron Kramer for 17 yards and a touchdown to set the final count. The other three points? Paul Hornung booted a 37-yard field goal early in the second quarter. It was set up on Taylor's 53-yard run. Thus, the Packers scored in every quarter. The Packers, who intercepted four passes (2 by Currie and one each by Hank Gremminger and Symank) made two big defensive plays in the first half - both on fourth down. The Bears had a fourth down one situation the first time they had the ball but on the payoff play Currie nailed Brown for a 13-yard loss trying to pass. Near the end of the half Currie intercepted Brown's fourth down pass. Brown had three stolen; Wade one. The Bears got across the 50 just twice in the second half, both times late in the fourth quarter. They reached the 33 when Gremminger made his interception and as the game ended the Bears were on the Packer 44. The Bays defensed Chicago down to 273 yards, including 149 yard passing on 13 completions in 29 attempts. The Bears never put more than two first downs together and finished with 16 first downs. The game was fairly close statistically, with the Bays getting 309 yards and 18 first downs. Starr completed 13 out of 23 throws for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He had two intercepted. Green Bay went after the Bears' strength (defense against rushing) and ripped off a hardy 198 yards, including 130 in 19 attempts by Taylor. The Bays averaged an even 6 yards per rush. The Bears had allowed an average of 2.7 in the first two games. Taylor's 53-yard run was the longest in his Packer career while Kramer's TD was his first as a pro. This didn't look like the Pack's third shutout since Vince Lombardi took over the Bays when the game started. The Bears hurled Starr for losses totaling 14 yards on the first two plays of the game, forcing Max McGee to punt from deep in his end zone. Moments later, the Bears, getting good protection on Larry Morris' runback of McGee's 42-yard punt, all but score. Runs by Bill Brown and Willie Galimore and a pass to Morris gave the Bears a first down on the Packer six. Galimore lost a yard by E. Brown made six to the one on a keeper. Bill Quinlan stopped W. Brown for no gain and then Currie busted through and nailed E. Brown for a 13-yard trying to pass on fourth down. The Packers stayed on the ground and moved 24 yards in three socks by Taylor and Hornung to the Bays' 39. The attack stalled and Dowler punted. The Bears shackled themselves with two penalties but still reached their own 44 before Symank stole E. Brown's pass from Mike Ditka and returned 41 yards to the Bear. 15. After Hornung made three and Bill George threw Starr for a six-yard loss, Starr and Dowler worked a picture play for a TD, Dowler taking Starr's shot in front of J.C. Caroline for the TD. Hornung's kick made it 7-0 with 25 seconds left in the first quarter. Jess Whittenton broke up a long E. Brown pass and the Bears took off again from their own 17. On first down, Taylor broke out of Caroline's arms at right end and wheeled 53 yards down the west sidelines to the Bear 30. Starr passed to Dowler for 5 and Taylor ran twice to the 19. Fortunato caught Bart for an 11-yard loss and Hornung finally was forced to try a field goal. It was a good try from the 37 and the Pack led 10-0 at 4:28 of the period. The Bears started to mover on the ground, making two first downs, when Dave Hanner, the medical miracle (he had an appendectomy 10 days ago) replaced Ron Kostelnik at defense tackle. The Bears were forced to punt but got the ball right back when Starr's pass toward Kramer was intercepted by Harlon Hill. The Bears again put together two first downs and reached the Bay 16 on first down when Currie pulled down Brown's fourth down pass to Morris and returned 38 yards to the Bear 45. Wade made his first appearance at the start of the second half and the Bears settled for two yards on the first series. Ed Brown punted 26 yards and moments later Dowler got off a 50-yard beaut that was downed on the 7. Ed Brown was forced to punt in a hurry but the Bays were called for roughing the
kicker and the Bears had a first down on the 16. On a third down and four play, Morris was stopped by Quinlan for a one-yard gain and Ed brown punted again. Wood took the ball on the 37 in a group of Bears and sizzled straight down the middle to the Bear 42 where he got a finger in the eye. The Packers scored in three nifty plays. Hornung, with Taylor faking into the line, moved 25 yards off the left side to the 17. Starr then rolled out to his left and hit Max McGee for a 14-yard gain to the three from where Taylor cracked over for the TD. Hornung made the point at 8:23.
ANOTHER TD MOVE
Just before the third period ended the Bays put on another TD move from the Packer 44. Taylor and Hornung picked up 24 yards on the first four plays to the 32 and Kramer made a diving catch of a Starr pass for 11 yards to the 21. Taylor and Hornung each added nine but on third down and one Starr fumbled and Roger LeClerc recovered on the 13. The Bears started to move but on the second play of the fourth period Dan Currie grabbed a Wade pass in front of Morris on the Bear 46. Taylor opened with an 11-yard run. The Bears were nicked 15 yards for roughing Starr after which Bart was belted twice after incompletions. On third down, Starr hurled a 17-yard TD strike to Kramer, who took the ball on the five and ambled in. Hornung made the 24th point at 1:30 of the fourth period. After an exchange of punts, Brown made 33 yards on two passes to Ditka but on this third try Gremminger intercepted on the four and returned 13 yards to the 17. The Packers then controlled the ball for 13 yards, including four Starr passes to Dowler and McGee, and nine runs by Taylor and Tom Moore. It was second and nine on the Bear 11 when Fortunato intercepted Starr's pass a yard in the end zone and returned 16 yards. The game ended four plays later with the Bears at midfield.
CHICAGO - 0 0 0 0 - 0
GREEN BAY - 7 3 7 7 - 24
CHICAGO GREEN BAY
First Downs 16 18
Rushing-Yards-TD 33-124-0 33-198-1
Att-Comp-Yd-TD-Int 29-13-149-0-4 23-13-111-2-2
Sack Yards Lost 2-18 3-28
Total Yards 255 281
Fumbles-lost 2-0 2-1
Turnovers 4 3
Yards penalized 5-57 4-20
SCORING
1st - GB - Boyd Dowler, 18-yard pass from Bart Starr (Paul Hornung kick) GREEN BAY 7-0
2nd - GB - Hornung, 37-yard field goal GREEN BAY 10-0
3rd - GB - Jim Taylor, 3-yard run (Hornung kick) GREEN BAY 17-0
4th - GB - Ron Kramer, 17-yard pass from Starr (Hornung kick) GREEN BAY 24-0
RUSHING
GREEN BAY - Jim Taylor 19-130 1 TD, Paul Hornung 9-59, Tom Moore 3-12, Bart Starr 2-(-3)
CHICAGO - Willie Gallimore 10-55, Johnny Morris 6-21, Rick Casares 6-21, Bill Brown 5-15, Ed Brown 3-8, Billy Wade 2-4
PASSING
GREEN BAY - Bart Starr 23-13-111 2 TD 2 INT
CHICAGO - Ed Brown 22-10-123 3 INT, Billy Wade 7-3-26 1 INT
RECEIVING
GREEN BAY - Boyd Dowler 4-41 1 TD, Max McGee 3-36, Jim Taylor 3-(1), Ron Kramer 2-28 1 TD, Paul Hornung 1-7
CHICAGO - Johnny Morris 7-65, Mike Ditka 3-47, Bo Farrington 2-31, Rick Casares 1-6
THREE KEY PLAYS HURT: HALAS; PACK 'ADJUSTED'
OCT 2 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - A somewhat crestfallen George Halas, long unused to such adversity, had just watched the Packers shut out his once mighty Bears for the first time in 26 years - and he couldn't hide the pain. Despite this shocking indignity, the Bruins' timeless owner-coach was not at a loss for words. Struggling into his topcoat in the cheerless and almost deserted Chicago dressing room at rapid-emptying City Stadium Sunday, George imparted, "There were three key plays this afternoon. The first came when we failed to score from the one-yard line in the first quarter," Halas declared, snapping the brim of his fedora to emphasize the point. "Also when we failed to score in the second quarter, with fourth down and two on the Packer 15-yard line. And third, when the officials ruled against us on Wood's fumble following his punt return in the third quarter. It was our ball, I don't car what anybody says," the 66-year old pro football pillar insisted, with some heat. "It was continuous action and, remember, the score at this time is still 10-0." All of these considerations aside, George thought "we played a pretty good first half - except we didn't get many points." Which prompted the inevitable question: Why hadn't the hungry Chicagoan gone for field goals on those fourth down situations? "We didn't feel we could afford to go for field goals," Halas responded without hesitation. "We knew we had to score some touchdowns to win." Had he been dismayed by quarterback Ed Brown's calls in these critical situations? "I never second guess my quarterbacks," he declared...During the week, Halas had promised the Packers "some surprises." Surprise he did, but by so doing, played into the home forces' hands, Vince Lombardi intimated in his cryptic analysis. "They protected against our passing today," he said, "so we had to change our tactics. They threw us a brand new defense at us, so we made some adjustments between halves." "Apparently," Vince added, "they were trying to stop our passing game. I can't say what he (Halas) thought, but that's the impression I got." This was a surprise, Lombardi admitted, because the Bears had gone in to the game with the NFL's No. 1 defense against rushing, a department in which the Packers have excelled since the artistic arrival of Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung, etc. Equally as significant as the Bear boomerang were "those four interceptions," Vince agreed. "They were very important." The Packers' early first quarter goal line stand also was a "big thing," Lombardi said, "although it was too early to be a psychological factor in the outcome of the game." This led someone to interpose, "You were giving them a good rush today." Whereupon Vince chuckled and asserted, "They were giving us a good rush, too," an observation borne out in the statistics, which show quarterback Bart Starr was hurled for a total loss of 28 yards attempting to pass. Significantly, all of these losses occurred in the first half. Why had Max McGee been called upon to replace
incumbent Boyd Dowler in punting from the end zone in the first quarter? "Max punts a little quicker," was Lombardi's logical reply. Did he rate this year's team better than the 1960 Western Division champions? "I never make comparisons," Vince shot back. "I know one thing, though. Winning is a lot harder this year than it was last." He fended off another question, "What's wrong with the Bears?" by advising, "Ask George Halas, not me." The Baltimore Colts, it was suggested, were next. Still savoring that shutout of the Bears, Vince noted with a grin, "That's next week." Pausing for a deep drag on his cigarette, he gazed ceiling-ward and appended, "This is going to be some league this year."...BROWN STUDY: Paul Bixler, Paul Brown's premier private eye, was on hand to diagram the Packers, who invade Cleveland two weeks hence. Impressed with what he saw, Bixler declared, "Those Green Bays don't make many mistakes, do they?"...HOMECOMING: Bobby Dillon, who became one of the greatest defensive halfbacks in NFL history during an eight-year Packer career, watched Sunday's proceedings from the bench with obvious pleasure. It was the first "live" Packer game he has seen since retiring at the close of the 1959 season. Now assistant sales manager of a decorative plastics concern with headquarters in his native Temple, Tex., Bobby admitted he was combining pleasure with a business tip. Revealing that he had declined "four offers to coach in both pro leagues," Dillon added, "I won't say I won't coach some day, but not right now. There's not very much security in it."...WINNING WAYS: The Packers' recent upsurge is continually luring magazine writers and photographers to do "The Green Bay Story," with emphasis on Vince Lombardi's role in this spectacular renaissance. Sunday's imbroglio was no exception. On hand were Tom Cohane, sport editor of Look, here to capture Lombardi's coaching formula for an Oct. 10 issue; New York's Jim Breslin, who is readying a story on Paul Hornung for True magazine; and Dick Rickaby, Saturday Evening Post photographer, here to "shoot" Paul Hornung for an imminent SEP profile piece. Cohane, incidentally, was publicity director at Fordham University during the days when Lombardi was winning his first football game as one of the Rams' famed "Seven Blocks of Granite."...COINCIDENCE?: There may not have been malice aforethought, but after playing the Packer song as the Bays loped into the stadium for their pregame warmup, the Packer Lumberjack band prophetically swung into, "It's the Wrong Time and the Wrong Place," as the Bears appeared...EARLY START: Susie Van, five-year-old niece of Packer Band majorette Mary Jane Van Duyse, made her twirling debut with a flourish. Susie is the daughter of the Fritz Vans. The Reedsburg High School Band also entertained with distinction between halves.
DAN CURRIE, TAYLOR SET PRO 'RECORDS'
OCT 2 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Swashbuckling Dan Currie, the NFL's answer to Rock Hudson, set a personal record in Sunday's rout of the Bears. Dapper Dan, a major hero in this pleasant project, intercepted two Bear passes, one of them triggering the Packers' final touchdown. This was one more interception than the handsome Michigan State alumnus had managed on one occasion in six previous seasons - three with the Spartans and three in Packer silks. "Yep, this is the most I've ever had," Dan admitted. "I consider myself pretty lucky to get two. In fact, you have to consider yourself pretty lucky when you get one." This last moved him to observe, "Our whole defensive secondary is a pretty alert group - three interceptions last week, four today. That's quite a few in this league." Distributing bouquets to other leaders of the resistance, Dapper insisted, "You have to give credit for my success today to the defensive line for rushing that passer. He's got to dump the ball. That's why the Colt linebackers had so many interceptions - because of the rush the line put on the passer. Our guys sure did a helluva job of it today," Currie added. "Even if they didn't get the passer, they still put a lot of pressure on him." Those two interceptions weren't Currie's only contributions to the Packer cause. With the Bears on the Green Bay one-yard line early in the first quarter, Currie hurled Bruin quarterback Ed Brown for a 14-yard loss to end the threat. Another standout, bruising Jim Taylor, chuckled over the knowledge his 53-yard second quarter ramble was a personal pro record. "Big record-breaker," he said with a grin. Next door neighbor Jerry Kramer quipped, "He wouldn't have run that far if there had been somebody in front of him to run over." On a more serious note, Taylor admitted he had been "back to full strength" for the first time since acquiring an awesome collection of contusions in the Detroit game Sept. 17. Down the line, Willie Wood said, "It was a case of sink or swim." He had reference to his third quarter runback of a punt, initiated while under heavy siege. "I was afraid to take a chance of fair catching it with the ball so close to me so I decided to take my chances." What transpired as one of the most spectacular sorties of the afternoon. "What helped me," Willie said, "was that first guy. They slowed up when they saw him hit me and that gave me more running room." Dave Hanner, who had seen his first action since undergoing an appendectomy a scant 10 days earlier, admitted he "felt good but a little weak. I'm 12 or 13 pounds lighter than I was in the Detroit game so I was a little weak," Hawg said, adding, "I didn't play too much."
PACKER DEFENSE LEADS LEAGUE IN POINTS ALLOWED - ONLY 9 PER GAME
OCT 3 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers beat the 49rs 30 to 10 in City Stadium a week ago Sunday. One week later, these two clubs scored a total of 73 points and shut out their opponents. The 49ers murdered the Lions 49 to 0 and the Packers beat the Bears 24 to 0. It appears that the 49ers were so unhappy about losing to Green Bay that they took it out on the Lions. And the Packers were so happy about beating the 49ers that they rocked the Bears. The Packers and 49ers rank one-two today in the league on defense against what really counts - points. The Bays allowed an average of only 9 points in each of the first three games; the 49ers gave up 11. We'll leave the 49ers to the San Francisco scribes at this point and proceed with the Packers: The Bays' defense deserves the tip of the 10-gallon hat this particular Tuesday and, frankly, we don't know where to start first. It can be recalled that Coach Vince Lombardi, when he arrived here back in the cold winter of 1959, announced that "we must have a good defense to help morale." His first step was to hire two fine defensive coaches, Phil Bengtson and Norb Hecker, and then trade offense star Bill Howton for a top-notch defensive
end by the name of Bill Quinlan (plus Lew Carpenter). Today, it seems that Lombardi has the defense he started to mold. And it's pleasantly interesting to note that one of the big guns in blanking the Bears was the aforementioned Mr. Quinlan. Big Bill made the one big play that eventually spelled "shut out." The Bears had third and one to go for a touchdown early in the game. QB Ed Brown sent fullback Bill Brown off his left side but Quinlan pulled him down for no gain. The Bays' defensive line played a balanced game, as it were, what with each position getting four tackles - Quinlan and Willie Davis at the ends; right tackle Hank Jordan; and the left tackle people, Ron Kostelnik with three and Dave Hanner one. Incidentally, Hanner, fresh from an appendectomy, was given a big round of applause when he entered the game in the second quarter. Linebackers Bill Forester, Dan Currie and Ray Nitschke leaped in and out of the defensive line and kept the Bears off balance. The big gunner was Currie, who intercepted two passes aimed at the Bears' favorite receiver, Johnny Morris. The secondary (Jess Whittenton, Willie Wood, John Symank, Hank Gremminger) came up with about 16 tackles, an average of four apiece, and intercepted two passes. Symank and Gremminger each grabbed a Bear pass. The Packers' four interceptions were all made on the left side of the Packers' defense, which means that the Bears' righthanded passers, Ed Brown and Bill Wade, were throwing mostly to their right. Later in the game, Tom Bettis made his first appearance at linebacker since last year and came up with two tackles. He was put on the active list earlier this week. Incidentally, Lee Folkins, the rookie end, and Ken Iman, No. 2 guard-center, each got a couple of tackles with the platoons.
BART STARR CAME OUT WITH VICTORY, STITCHES
OCT 3 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Bart Starr never saw stars at City Stadium Sunday. But it's a wonder - the way the Bears were bumping him around. "That's all in the game," Starr explained later, holding not the least little grudge toward the Bears, who seemed to take great delight in giving him that extra crack. Starr came out with what he went in for - a victory, though he didn't bargain for the stitches in his mouth. The Packer quarterback gave a good example of cussedness with the score a close 17-0 early in the fourth quarter. The Bays had a first down on the Bears 35 shortly after Dan Currie intercepted Bill Wade's pass. Jim Taylor made three yards off left tackle to the 32. On second down, Starr's pass was low to Boyd Dowler. The Bears were called for roughing Passer Starr and that gave the Bays a first down on the 17. Starr admitted he was a bit surprised the Bears were penalized after they crashed in on him. That didn't make the visitors hesitate. On the next down, Doug Atkins flattened Starr after his pass went out of bounds on the left side. Starr next tried a short shot to Taylor, but it was off Jim's fingertips. Just after throwing, Larry Morris belted Starr. So Starr had been knocked sprawling three times on three straight plays. It's third and 10, Maybe, man, we should let Muscles Taylor run with it because sure thing the Bears are coming in again. But there's just one play to call in Starr's book and that's a pass. Bart went back, took a step to his left, and fired a strike straight up the alley to R. Kramer for a touchdown.
Nobody put a hand on Bart. The Bears were zeroed in on Bart - right from the start. Starr tried a screen pass to Taylor on the opening play and they caught Jim for a three-yard loss. The next play Starr glided back but Bill George shot the gap and nailed Bart for an 11-yard loss. Two plays later the Bays punted. Now let's take up the action just before the end of the half. The Bays were on the Bear 15 thanks to John Symank's interception and runback. Starr had a second and seven situation and, socko, that George came in like a shot and nailed Bart for a jarring six-yard loss. The next down Starr hit Boyd Dowler with a touchdown pass for a 7-0 loss. That TD pass, which was Starr's third completion of the game, was a real shock to the Bears' defense because the visitors had held the Bays to a minus 2 yards on the first two completions. While the Packers didn't put on any long sustained drives, Starr managed to crack the Bear defenses for a sudden-death touchdown in the third quarter, moving 42 yards in just three plays. All of the plays were on the left side of center Jim Ringo. On Play 1, Paul Hornung fired outside left tackle, while Taylor faked into the line, and wheeled 25 yards to the 17. On Play 2, Starr rolled out to his left and hit McGee who had gone straight downfield and then veered to his left near the sidelines to take a 4-yard pass to the three. On Play 3, Taylor cracked outside left tackle for the TD. That made it 17-0 and the Bears were out of it.
MOORE PASSES HORNUNG IN NFL POINT RACE
OCT 4 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Lenny Moore has passed Paul Hornung in the NFL scoring race. The Colts' flanking end couldn't have done it at a better time because these one-two scorers meet when the Packers tackle the Baltimores at City Stadium Sunday. Moore produced the season's top individual performance by scoring 24 points on four touchdowns in the Colts' 34 to 33 victory over the Vikings last Sunday. This gave Lenny 42 marks in three games against Hornung's 31. Moore caught 72, 17 and 23-yard touchdown passes and scored No. 4 on a four-yard slant through the line. The three TD catches and the four TDs in one game broke all-time Colt records. While Moore and Hornung are engaged in a so-called point race, this is really an unimportant department of Sunday's big clash. Both scorers would gladly trade their point totals for a victory. It's two against one in the point tabulation. The Colts' kicking guard, Steve Myhra, ranks fourth with 26 points. Myhra has already won two games for the Colts with his booting. He nailed down a 52-yarder on the last play of the game Sunday vs. Minnesota. In the opener, his 39-yard boot was the difference in a 27-24 win over the Rams. Moore has compiled his total on seven touchdowns. Hornung booted six field goals in eight attempts, scored one TD and made seven conversions. Rushingwise. our Jim Taylor closed the gap behind Jim Brown of the Browns. The fabled Brown picked up 98 yards vs. Dallas last Sunday and now has 291. Taylor reeled off 130 yards against the Bears and now has 278 - just 13 behind the league's four-time rushing king. The Colts this season brought forth one of the great rushers of all-time and the 12-year veteran is leading the Colts in rushing. That would be Joe Perry, who made his mark with the 49ers and then was traded to Baltimore. Perry has moved 172 yards in 35 carries - seventh in the league. The Packers and Colts are look-alikes in pass catching. Each has a "high" receiver - Max McGee of the Pack with 13 catches and Moore with 12. Moore turned five of those catches into TDs. McGee has one. Other receivers are stacked up well behind them. Ron Kramer caught seven, Boyd Dowler and Taylor six each, and Hornung five. Moore has three catches with six each behind - Johnny Orr, Raymond Berry and Perry. Thus, both clubs have maintained a certain aerial balance. However, it must be quickly explained that the great Berry caught his six in last Sunday's game - his 1961 debut delayed to knee surgery. Berry didn't start last Sunday but was used as a troubleshooter. He could play the same role here Sunday but this would be a perfect spot to start him. Passingwise, it's interesting to note that quarterback John Unitas and Bart Starr have each attempted 65 passes - an average of 21-plus per game. Starr has completed 38 for a 58.5 percentage while Unitas completed 33 for 50.8. Each passer had five intercepted. The Packers have two individual leaders - John Symank and Willie Wood. Getting one interception a game, Symank now is tied with five others for first place in interceptions, with three apiece. Wood paces the punt return leaders with his average of 20.8. Boyd Dowler is in a contending position among the punter - fourth with his average of 42.8. Yale Lary leads with 48.9.
TAKE PRESSURE OFF UNITAS? PACK CAN'T SIDE WITH YOUNG
OCT 5 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Take the heat off Colt quarterback John Unitas? That's what the Packers will want to put on said John Unitas when the two clubs meet in City Stadium Sunday afternoon. The Packers beat Baltimore here last year by pressure-cooking Unitas into running among other things. Buddy Young, the former Illinois great who played his pro football with the Colts, has turned his knowledge of football into radio and newspaper writing. Young wrote thusly: "Something is going to have to be done to give John Unitas, the man I consider the greatest pressure quarterback in football, a chance to breathe a little. By this I mean they are going to have the heat off Unitas by going to more rollouts and what is known in the game as a 'play pass.' The play pass is a maneuver that looks like it's going to be a quick opener into the line, but it's merely a fake. The quarterback bluffs the handoff, keeps the ball and then drops back to throw. The Colts can't continue to let the four up-front rushers, plus the linebackers, keep teeing off. The play pass will disconcert them, so to speak. I imagine that Coach Weeb Ewbank and Unitas have something like this in mind for use against the Minnesota Vikings this week." We don't know how many passes were used against the Vikings last Sunday, but the Colts didn't win 34-33 until the last second of the game when Steve Myhra kicked a 52-yard field goal. That game did serve a warning to the Packers. The Colts scored their highest total of the 1961 league season - 34 points, even though Unitas was out for about a quarter. The former Packer, Lamar McHan, relieved the injured Unitas and hurled a TD pass. Unitas has lost 34 yards attempting to pass, which averaged out to about 11 in each of the first three games. The Colts lost an average of 17 yards per game passing last year. Thus, Unitas' average isn't necessarily high. General John has thrown 33 completions in 65 attempts for 521 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. McHan has completed two out of eight for 22 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. It's interesting to note that the Colts gained an even 500 yards passing compared to the Packers' 396 thus far. The Pack's figure is the second worst in the league; the Colts' fourth worst. Off the Packers' figures, we can't help but feel Green Bay is a vastly underrated passing team - which is just jake in the Dept. of Enemy Thinking. But Bart Starr is completing passes at a 57 percent clip and aerials have figured in five of the seven touchdowns the Packers have scored thus far. The Colts' aerial game, of course, was handicapped considerably by the loss of the great Raymond Berry in the first two games. He returned on a part-time basis last Sunday and nailed six of Unitas' throws. The Colts' air stock went up immediately. Berry could return on a full-time basis next Sunday. And that means the Colts' aerial game will be its old self once again, with or without the play pass...Folks are still asking about the 49ers' rousing 49 to 0 victory over the Lions - in Detroit, at that. "We just had a total breakdown on defense," said Lion linebacker Joe Schmidt. "Those rotating quarterbacks drove us crazy. Usually you can watch a quarterback and get a line on how his thinking is developing. But as soon as we got set Sunday in came another one to do something else."...The fans booed Unitas in Baltimore last Sunday and George Shaw, Unitas' former teammate now with the Vikings, was amazed. He told Baltimore scribe John Steadman: "Maybe I shouldn't say this, but it's on my mind. I just can't conceive of people with memories so short that they want to boo John Unitas. He won two championships for Baltimore and is the greatest quarterback alive. If all those people who boo him were as perfect in their jobs as they want Unitas to be on every play, then they all would be presidents of their companies."
PYLE SEEKS TO STOP JORDAN FROM RUNNING OVER UNITAS
OCT 5 (Baltimore Sun) - Any football game is a series of individual battles and frequently the loss of one of these man-against-man struggles can mean the loss of the game. One of the most important of these dogfights for both the Colts and Packers Sunday in Green Bay will pit Baltimore's offensive guard Palmer Pyle against Henry Jordan, defensive tackle of the Packers...PYLE AT NEW POSITION: On paper it looms as an unequal contest. Jordan, a University of Virginia graduate, has established himself in five years of pro ball as one of the premier tackles. He gained all pro recognition last season. Meanwhile, Pyle, of Michigan State, is actually a rookie at his position. It is true he was on the squad last year, but he saw most of his action on Colt specialty teams. The lack of experience can hurt Pyle and the Colt chances, but the Colt coaches feel Palmer can make up for his shortcomings with aggressiveness. Palmer is studious and physically girding himself for this encounter. He knows that his ability to stop Jordan, one of the top tackles in pro ball at rushing the passer, can mean touchdowns for the Colts...STUDIES FILMS: Having never played against Jordan, Pyle has been studying the films of Hank's methods. Last year, Art Spinney, now retired, did a good job against the quick, strong Jordan. Spinney or no one else has blanked Jordan and Pyle isn't likely to do it either. But, if Pyle can just stop him enough times from rushing John Unitas, then the Colt chances will be given a boost. Palmer's physical preparedness for the encounter is just as intense as his mental drills. He has called on the services of Billy Ray Smith, Colt defensive tackle, to show him how to "dam the Jordan."...SMITH IMITATES JORDAN: Smith, a newcomer at tackle, has all the moves and quicknesses of Jordan. Billy Ray may be Henry's equal as a pass rusher, and he is turning loose all his talents to make Pyle a better protector for the passer. Standing around and offering advice to Pyle while he and Smith played "slam 'em down" yesterday was coach John Sandusky, a better than average offensive tackle with the Cleveland Browns several years ago. If Pyle can "cross the Jordan," then the Colts have a good chance to gain the Promised Land against the Packers...Dave Hanner, Green Bay's other defensive tackle, will start against the Colts. Hanner, a recent appendectomy patient, played last week against the Chicago Bears just two weeks after the operation...According to scout Don McCafferty, the
Green Bay stadium field is much improved over last year. Coach Vince Lombardi, Green Bay coach, had the entire field dug up last winter and a new bottom and surface put in.
BALTIMORE'S DEFENSE GOOD - 'ON THE LINE'
OCT 6 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - "Our defense is good - on the line." "If Raymond Berry doesn't start, he may be put in to give the club a lift." "Lennie Moore has been great this year." These are excerpts from the gospel of Harry Hulmes, a tennis player from Baltimore who (1) works as publicity chief of the Colts and (2) is visiting in our town this week. Hulmes' remarks are directed, of course, at Sunday's Packer-Colt football game at City Stadium....40-PLUS YARD AVERAGE: The visiting big-city slicker waxed enthusiastically about the Colts' defense and then, after swallowing a scoop of chocolate ice cream (we're all in training, you know) politely added: "on the line." He quickly noted that the Colts' defensive linemen threw enemy passers for losses totaling 138 yards in the first three games - an average of 40-plus yards a game. "We alternate six guys on the defensive line and they're always fresh. Ordell Braase and Gino Marchetti start at the ends and Art Donovan and Billy Ray Smith open at tackles. Backing them are Jim Colvin, a second year man, and Joe Lewis, who came in the trade for Big Daddy. Colvin, Donovan and Lewis play about equal time. Gino has been very good, so has Braase." And what about Raymond Berry, the league's defending pass catching champion. Berry had a knee operation and played for the first time vs. the Vikings last Sunday. "Berry didn't start against Minnesota," Hulmes warmed up, "in case Weeb (Coach Ewbank) wanted to withhold him entirely from the game if he could. When Berry entered the game, he was timid at first - like somebody sticking their toe into the lake to see how cold it was. The first pass he caught from Unitas somebody wrapped himself right around Berry's leg in making the tackle. You could hear a pin drop in the stadium; everybody was wondering about his knee. When he leaped up, there was a big cheer. Berry entered the game late in the first quarter. Berry could start against Green Bay but he may be saved for an opportune time." Hulmes, touching on John Unitas and Moore, continued: "Moore has never been greater; he's bigger and faster. In our games last Sunday, Unitas was incomplete on his first five passes. On his sixth, he and Moore completed a 72-yard touchdown pass." The fleet Moore, known as Spats because he had his ankle tape
over the upper part of his low-cut shoes, leads the Colts and the league in scoring with 42 points and pass catching with 12 for 197 yards and five touchdowns. He ranks second in rushing with 126 yards. The Colts' rushing leader is Joe Perry, the former 49er star who went East in a trade. "He's our 195-pound fullback, but he's a wonder. He'll be 35 in January, but he's as fast and strong as ever. He gained 106 yards in the first game and the heat got him in the (second) Detroit game," Hulmes added. He moved 66 yards vs. Minnesota...ORR NOTED NEWCOMER: Perry is one of the Colts' two noted newcomers. The other would be Johnny Orr, the former Steeler who was one of the key figures in the Daddy Lipscomb trade. Orr has averaged nearly 20 yards on each of his six receptions, stretching them out to 119 yards. Hulmes naturally made no predictions for his team. But the visitor speaks with careful assurance. Packer Coach Vince Lombardi, tapering off a week of intensive practices today, regards the Colts as "a top football team. As long as they have the type of players like Unitas, Berry and Moore they will be top contenders." The rugged Colts will move into Green Bay around noon Saturday and drill briefly in the afternoon.
COLTS ACQUIRE GLICK IN EFFORT TO STRENGTHEN DEFENSE
OCT 6 (Baltimore Sun) - Still desperately seeking defensive halfback strength, the Colts picked Gary Glick off the Washington Redskin waiver list yesterday and had the 31-year old veteran of six pro seasons suited up and practicing. Acquisition of Glick, a former Colorado State star, brings the Colt roster up to full-strength of 36. It also means the Colts now have seven defensive backs under contract and only two offensive halfbacks - Lenny Moore and Mike Sommer...HAVE RESERVE STRENGTH: This unequal dispersal of talent, coach Weeb Ewbank intimated, might be righted before Sunday's game in Green Bay with the Western Division defending champions, the Packers. However, the coach pointed out that the Colts have lots of reserve strength at offensive halfback and named Joe Perry, the regular fullback, Lamar McHan, the second string quarterback, and Jim Welch, a defensive back. If Ewbank should activate Alex Hawkins, an offensive back who has been out with injuries in time for the Packer game, it means one player from the present squad must be released...YOUTH NUDGES GLICK: Glick, according to the Colts, was released by the Redskins to make room for a younger player. The Redskins announced from Washington that the Colts gave up a future draft choice to acquire Glick off the waiver list. If this is true, since the trading deadline is past, the waiver and draft choice agreement is really a deal between the two clubs. Gary played safety for the Washington team, joining that organization in 1959 from a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the bonus choice of the Steelers in the 1956 draft of college talent. While a member of the Smokey City crew, Glick played a defensive halfback position and played well. It is at that position he probably will be used by the Colts. Glick is a ball hawk. He has recovered thirteen fumbles in his career as a pro and this talent could endear him to the Colts, who have lost a game or two by not recovering opponents' fumbles...BROTHER WITH CARDINALS: At Colorado State, Glick was the team captain and all-time passing and running leader as both a quarterback and halfback. His brother, Fred, plays with the St. Louis grid Cardinals. The question could be asked why the Colts would grab a defensive halfback from the Redskins, whose pass defense must be as weak as the Colts? The only answer is that George Preston Marshall, owner of the Redskins, sometimes gets rid of players because of a missed tackle or some other trivial reason. Glick is a gamble, but at 6 foot 1 and 200 pounds, he is one of the bigger defensive backs the Colts have ever come up with...Ewbank says he is always glad when Thursday practices are over. It is the day the defense and offense play the practice session a little rough. Yesterday was Thursday and the action was lively, in fact, too lively. Jimmy Orr, cutting in on a slant pattern, rammed his knee against defender Welch's head and went down in a heap. After a minute or so, Orr got up under his own power and walked into the dressing room where trainer Ed Block examined him.
Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi, left, and Chicago Bears coach George Halas shake hands after Green Bay’s 24-0 victory on Oct. 1, 1961, at new City Stadium. It was the Packers’ first shutout of the Bears since 1935.
Orr later admitted that this type of injury has happened before. His knee stings for a while but soon is all right. When he dressed, his injury wasn't even taped. But for a little while, the silence on the practice field was evidence of the consternation. The little end will be needed badly come Sunday and the Colts knew it. They perked up when it was disclosed that Orr would be ready.
UNITAS' COLTS AVERAGE 33.2 POINTS, 55.2 PASSING MARK AGAINST PACKERS
OCT 7 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - John Unitas has had the pleasure of scoring - on the average - 33.2 points and throwing two touchdown passes in each of his nine games against the Packers in his first five pro seasons. The Colts' peerless general, who hurls against Green Bay in City Stadium Sunday afternoon (Kickoff 1:06), has thrown 237 passes vs. Green Bay and completed 126 for 1,853 yards and 20 touchdowns - and a completion percentage of 53.2. That averages out to 26 attempts per game, 14 completions, 205 yards and two touchdowns. If Unitas maintains that aerial average here Sunday, the Packers could have trouble - not to mention that blistering 33.2 points (299 in 9 games), which would be slightly lower since he missed part of that 56-0 game in Baltimore in 1958. What have Unitas' three top receivers done against Green Bay? Lenny Moore played 10 games vs. the Packers and averaged seven (wow, 7) yards in 78 rushes. He averaged 16 yards on 37 pass receptions. In all, Moore scored seven touchdowns. Raymond Berry also played 10 games vs. Green Bay and caught 47 passes, nine for TDs. His catches averaged 14.1 yards. Jim Mutscheller played 11 games against our boys, nailing 33 passes for an average of 16.3 yards. He counted eight TDs. What have individual Packers done vs. Baltimore? QB Bart Starr appeared in seven games vs. the rampaging Colts (including one attempt in one 1956 game) and hurled 170 passes. He completed 88 for 1,210 yards and four TD passes. These figures average out to 24 attempts, 12.5 (51 percent) completions, 172 yards and 0.5 touchdowns...HELD TAYLOR TO 3.2: Starr's games vs. Baltimore scored an approximate average of 18.1 points, although he shared the QB'ing with others in the earlier games. The Colts have held Jim Taylor down to 3.2 yards per rush in 60 attempts in four games but Paul Hornung has averaged 5.4 yards in 61 trips in eight games. Taylor has rushed for seven touchdowns; Hornung four. Receivingwise, the Packers apparently have been able to hit the "long ball" vs. the Colts. Max McGee has averaged 18.5 yards on 24 catches in nine games. Boyd Dowler averaged 16.1 on 19 catches in four games and Gary Knafelc moved 15.5 yards on 28 catches in eight games. Of those 71 catches, only four were turned into touchdowns - three by Knafelc and one each by McGee and Dowler. Ron Kramer has taken over for Knafelc at the tight end spot and the ex-Michigander hasn't caught a pass vs. Baltimore since his rookie year (1957) when he nailed eight in two games for 99 yards. The Packers and Colts have played 16 games in their short but violent rivalry starting in 1953 and the Colts won nine and the Packers won seven. Baltimore has won nine for the last 12 games. It appears the Packers have their work cut out!
COLTS QUIET IN LAST DRILL
OCT 7 (Baltimore Sun) - "Silence and it works" seemed to be the theme yesterday as the Colts engaged in their final practice at the Stadium before tomorrow's crucial game with the Packers in Green Bay, Wis. The quietness on the field was the quietness of a library where men pore over volumes in search of wisdom. And, in a way, the Colts were poring over items that could make them wiser when they face the Packers. "Let's concentrate," said coach Weeb Ewbank in a very low voice several times, and concentrate the team did...USUALLY RIOTOUS GANG: Normally, the Colts are a riotous gang, with the defense hurling good-natured insults at the offense and vice versa. But yesterday was a day of deep thinking as new material for both the offense and defense was put on display. The coaching staff apparently has taken all the pages out of all its books for this game. What they were doing must remain as classified information at this time, but it if works against the Packers, Baltimore televiewers are going to see a wide-open attack and some defensive surprises...TRANSITION EXPLAINE: After the practice the dressing room was a bedlam. Bill Pellington, veteran linebacker, explained the transition thusly: "We're feeling the pressure on the field now. In the locker room, we can let off steam." The Colts are in good shape physically for this game, and even Raymond Berry seems ready for a big effort. John Unitas, on whose right wing so much depends, had been throwing accurately all week despite his still-jammed middle finger on his throwing hand. A peak performance will be needed, all Colts agree, to upend the defending Western Division champions...LONG OVERDUE: That kind of performance is long overdue. The last time the Colts got together for a good game was in the New York Giant exhibition. Since then, the attack has sputtered, putting a tremendous burden on the defense. The attack cannot expect the defense to win the games, especially against a ball-controlling offense featured by the Packers. What the Colt defense needs most is a good solid working margin of two or three touchdowns scored early in the game...BALL CONTROL MUST: And maybe such an edge will make the Packers discard their 4 and 5-yard running plays for the "go-for-broke" attack. Unitas will have to play ball control, too, until a pass play is set up, however, he will use passes for yardage control not runs. The Colts leave for Green Bay this morning at 10:30. They will hold a short practice there this afternoon.
COLTS RE-SIGN HAWKINS FOR PACKER BATTLE
OCT 7 (Green Bay-Baltimore Evening Sun) - The Colts made a change in their offensive halfback department for their game with the Green Bay Packers here tomorrow (3:05 o'clock) by re-signing Alex Hawkins and waivering Mike Sommer today. Reactivation of Hawkins, who was put on waivers a month ago because of leg and ankle injuries, was expected, but not necessarily at Sommer's expense...GLICK COLT NEWCOMER: The club was one under the NFL 36-player limit for more than a week, but Thursday it gave a draft choice to acquire Gary Glick, a defensive back Washington had placed on waivers. That meant dropping another man to sign Hawkins, and Sommer was the unlucky gridder. Hawkins, who joined Baltimore as a rookie after Green Bay cut him loose in 1959, was the Colts' No. 1 left halfback last season...HAWKINS KNOWS SYSTEM: He has been working out with the squad for some time, and since he knows the offense and is experienced, he is a better risk than rookie Jerry Hill, another possibility whom coach Weeb Ewbank considered. Ewbank intends to pull out all stops in an effort to halt the Packers, particularly in their hometown where the Hosses never have won. Both in 1953 and last October, Green Bay captured a handy verdict here. An enlarged City Stadium will be filled to its 38,663 capacity as the Packers try to justify their seven-point favoritism over a foe that is an underdog for the first time in ages...TIED FOR WESTERN LEAD: Both clubs are tied with Detroit and San Francisco atop the Western Conference with 2-1 records. Both, naturally, want to be among the survivors when this log jam is partially broken as a result of tomorrow's game. Both were beaten by Detroit, but over the first three weeks of the season the Wisconsin gridders have played much better ball. They won the Western Division title last year as a ball-control outfit that liked to move along the ground. They have the horses for the same kind of tactics again...TAYLOR 2D IN RUSHING: Their heavy-duty backs, Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung, were among the top ten in the league in rushing in 1960. Taylor is in his accustomed position of being runner-up to Jim Brown, of Cleveland. Hornung set a loop scoring record last year and is second to the Colts' Lenny Moore at the moment. The Packers also have as an alternate running back Tom Moore, who would be top dog just about anywhere else in the circuit. Elijah Pitts, Lew Carpenter and Herb Adderley, who has been hurt, give them halfbacks to burn...STARR DOES THE PASSING: When Green Bay stalls along the ground, coach Vince Lombardi turns loose quarterback Bart Starr who set team pass attempts and completion marks of 46 and 26 three years ago against the Colts in Milwaukee. Starr ranks seventh among loop passers, just a notch behind John Unitas, and he's eager and willing to duel the Colt star...FINE CORPS OF RECEIVERS: Unitas, along with his teammates, was not too startling in wins over Los Angeles and Minnesota and the 16-15 loss to Detroit. But he picked up last Sunday, and with Raymond Berry back the Colts loom more formidable. In Berry, Moore, Jimmy Orr and Jim Mutscheller, Unitas has as fine a corps of receivers as there is in the loop. Moore has been fabulous so far, scoring seven of the team's eight touchdowns and picking up a third of its rushing yardage, and almost 40 percent of its overhead total. The Packers also have a sturdy defense, led by tackle Henry Jordan and linebacker Bill Forester, both All-Pro selections, and have permitted the fewest number of opponents' points in the league, 27. They have Hawg Hanner, Jordan's running mate, back in action after an appendectomy, and also re-signed middle guard Tom Bettis, who had been injured.
PACKERS HOST COLTS, EYE THIRD STRAIGHT VICTORY
OCT 8 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The horseshoe is on the other hoof. Baltimore's galloping Colts invaded City Stadium a year ago as champions and took a 35 to 21 licking from the title-hopeful Packers in a hair-raising game. This afternoon, the Packers are the defending champions. And the Colts are the title-hopeful opponents. And for another twist: That '60 victory was quarterbacked by Lamar McHan, who wears a Colt uniform today. McHan, traded to Baltimore last winter, now backs up the Colts' great general, John Unitas. Bart Starr, who teamed with McHan the last two seasons, will be bidding for his first victory over the Colts. Green Bay beat the Colts only twice in the last eight games; McHan won in '60 and Babe Parilli bailed out Bart in '57. Thus, today's game marks a turning point in the fortunes of the young Packers and their young and new No. 1 QB. The Packers and Colts enter action locked in a four-way tie for first place in the Western Division with the Lions and 49ers, each with 2-1 records. The Lions host the Bears and the 49ers are home to the Rams. The Packers, Lions and 49ers are all favored today to come out of play with 3-1 records, but it's hard to imagine three games involving six top teams coming out as figured. Coach Vince Lombardi's charges are seeking their third straight win. A sellout crowd of 38,669 will watch the Packers close out a four-game home series that opened in Milwaukee and then followed with three in a row here. Perfect weather is predicted. The Colts will send forth two "new" starters. They would be Raymond Berry, the Colts' all-time left end, and Alex Hawkins, the injured offensive halfback who was paced on the active list just Saturday. Berry, apparently well recovered from a knee operation, saw limited action vs. the Vikings last Sunday and snared six passes. He twice has had 10-catch games vs. Green bay. Hawkins, the onetime Packer, is being counted on to give the Colts some ground punch to go with rugged Joe Perry, who will open at fullback. Both re hard fighting runners. If Unitas gets ground support for his devastating passes to Berry and slippery Lenny Moore - not to mention Jimmy Orr and Jim Mutscheller, the Packer defense will be taxed to the limit. Orr may play some at flanker, with Moore moving to inside halfback. The Bays' defense, fresh from a shutout of the Bears, faces a new problem in Unitas, who has no peer in football. The defense will mark the "return" of Dave Hanner, who is now only 19 days from an
appendectomy. Dave saw some action last Sunday. This will be Willie Wood's first good look at Unitas. Wood represents the only change in the Pack's defense from a year ago. He's at right safety behind Jess Whittenton. A frequent visitor on that side, of course, is Berry. The Packers' offense has yet to explode but this could be the day. All of Starr's weapons are in good working order - especially Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung, Max McGee, Boyd Dowler and Ron Kramer. Starr's major desire, as in all games, will be to hold the ball. In this case, however, holding the ball means keeping it out of Unitas' hand. Remember, kickoff is set for 1:06.
