Green Bay Packers (7-2) 31, Chicago Bears (5-4) 28
Sunday November 12th 1961 (at Chicago)
GAME RECAP (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE)
(CHICAGO) - The Golden Toe of Paul Hornung and 55 seconds of clutch defense! They added up to one of the biggest victories in Packer history in Wrigley Field Sunday afternoon. The Packers beat the Bears. The final score was 31 to 28, and the difference was a near-record 51-yard field goal by Hornung in the third quarter - a shot that gave Green Bay what seemed like a comfortable 31-7 lead. Chicago stormed back with 21 points, and, just when the Bears seemed destined to win this 86th renewal, the Packers took the ball away on downs with four seconds left and ran out the clock. Thus, the Packers scored their seventh victory against two losses and grabbed a game and a half lead on the Lions (5-3-1), who whipped the Cardinals. The Bears (5-4) dropped two games back; the losing 49ers (4-4-1) went back two and a half; and the losing Colts (4-5) went back three games. Green Bay now is coming down the five-game home stretch. First, it's Los Angeles in Green Bay next Sunday, then the Lions in Detroit Thanksgiving Day, the Giants in Milwaukee and finally the two on the west coast. The Pack's win snapped the oldest jinx in pro football. This is the first time in 26 years (1935) the Packers downed the Bears twice in the same year. Green Bay won at home Oct. 1 by 24-0. This was a solemn day for the Pack since it marked the finish of two more Packers for the current season - Hornung and Boyd Dowler, who follow Ray Nitschke into Army service. They might be available for weekend play, as Nitschke was Sunday. Hornung, who snapped Don Hutson's scoring record in this park a year ago, was his fabulous self in his farewell as a full-time football player in '61. He scored 19 points, including two touchdowns, four extra points and that winning field goal which was one yard short of Ted Fritsch's 52 yards vs. the New York Yanks in 1950. He led the Bays in rushing with 94 yards in 22 carries. And he made a spectacular leaping catch of a Bart Starr pass for a touchdown. Hornung's partner in points was Ron Kramer, who shook off an aching ankle and caught two touchdown passes from Starr - the first a fine back-to-the-passer catch for a 53-yard TD that gave the Pack a 7-7 tie. The other was an eight-yard reception that gave the Pack a 14-7 lead. The Packers exploded for 21 points in the second quarter, with Hornung running eight yards for one TD and then making that great grab of Starr's 34-yard throw for the second after Kramer's eight-yard snare. That made it 28-7 at the half. Hornung's stretch catch was the last Packer TD of the day and after his field goal Bill Wade threw his second and third TD passes to Mike Ditka and Rick Casares scored the Bears' fourth TD with 2:53 left in the game. Ditka, a shoo-in for rookie of the year honors, caught TD passes of 47, 15 and 29 yards. The last 2:51 was filled with thrilling plays. The Packers, receiving after Casares' TD, produced a key first down on runs by Jim Taylor and Hornung. But the Bays received a shock. The Bears tightened and Boyd Dowler went back to punt. Chicago set up a special punt blocking unit, with Harlon Hill as the hatchet man, and Dowler got it off in a hurry at 1:01. But, the boot went only 21 yards and out of bounds at that, stopping the clock on the Bear 36 with 59 seconds left. The Bays' defense, extended considerably in the second half, was equal to the occasion, throwing the Bears for 17 yards in losses in the first two plays. Hank Jordan nailed Wade back 11 yards on the first trip. Then Dan Currie slammed Charley Bivins back six but offensive interference stopped the clock and set the ball back on the 19, with 44 seconds left. Rushed but good, Wade was off on his third down throw to Ditka, and on a final fourth down stab John Farrington grabbed Wade's pass for a 10-yard gain and lateraled out of bounds toward Bivins. The yardage was short and the Bays took over on downs. Starr ended it with a slow sneak behind center Jim Ringo. The Bays totaled 322 yards, with 162 coming via rushing. Taylor, with 69 yards in 15 trips, and Hornung carried 37 times and Tom Moore once to give the Bays valuable ball control as Starr kept Chicago guessing. The Bays ran off 61 plays, the Bears 51. The two clubs were virtually even in the air, with each quarterback throwing three TD passes. Starr completed 11 out of 23 for 160 yards, Wade 17 out of 30 for 169. Starr had an ironclad offensive line in front of him, escaping without getting dumped once - at least with the ball in his mitts. The Bay defenses nailed Wade 67 yards in losses trying to throw. The two halves were pretty well reversed. The Bays, for instance, had a 14-4 edge first downs in the first half; the Bears had a 11-6 advantage in the second half. Pointwise, the Pack won the first half 28-7, the Bears the second 21-3. The Pack's biggest headache all day was Ditka, who caught nine passes for 190 yards and the three TDs. That was the highest yardage total for aerials in Bear history. Green Bay didn't have to wait long to get a look at Ditka. After an exchange of punts following the opening kickoff, the Bears got possession when Dave Whitsell intercepted a Starr pass aimed at Max McGee. On first down on the Packer 47, Ditka got behind Johnny Symank on the 10 and took Wade's pass for a 47-yard TD. Roger LeClerc kicked the first of four extra points for a 7-0 edge. The Bays cracked back 80 yards in nine plays, including five first down shots, to tie the score. The Bears were nicked three times for behind offside and once for holding on Taylor and Hornung runs. On Play 9, Starr drifted to his right and rifled the ball to Kramer who took it away from Harlon Hill and galloped into the end zone. The Bears snapped back and LeClerc, whose short field goal miss was a factor in losing to the Eagles a week ago, missed this time from the 33, the ball going to the left. That fine turn of events set the Bays off on another 80-yard rush for a TD - in 13 plays. The Bays made 37 yards in the first six plays - Taylor twice, Hornung three times and then Taylor once to set the ball on the Bear 43. Two plays netted two yards and on a critical fourth down plays Starr completed a 14-yarder to Taylor. Hornung fired out for two nine-yard gains to the 9. After Hornung made one, Starr hit Kramer perfectly on a pass in the left flat for the TD. That made it 14-7. A holding penalty and two timely tackles by Currie and others by Bill Quinlan and Willie Davis who caught Wade back on his one-foot line almost produced a safety. Ed Brown, standing just inside the end line, booted short and Carpenter returned from the Bear 35 to the 8, thanks to a good block by Symank. From the eight, Hornung hit off right tackle for the TD. That made it 21-7. After an exchange of punts, Ditka
fumbled after catching Wade's pass and Willie Wood recovered on the Bear 34. On the first play, Starr moved out to his left and then fired the ball that produced such a great catch by Hornung for a 28-7 lead. Just before the half, Symank intercepted a Wade pass on the goal line and returned 34 yards to end a Bear threat. The second half opened with the Bears making a first down. Then, Quinlan caught Wade for a 10-yard loss and Brown punted, with Lee Folkins almost blocking it. The Packer picked up two first downs, a Starr to McGee pass for 14 yards and Taylor's 22-yard dash up the middle. Green Bay was "forced" to kick a field goal when the Bears tightened and it turned out to be Hornung's 51-yard shot - a boot that barely got over the crossbar. It was 31-7. Home free? The Bears scored TDs the next three times they had their hands on the ball. A 58-yard kickoff return by Roosevelt Taylor, with Wood making the tackle, set up the first TD from the Packer 32. An interference penalty by Hank Gremminger on Johnny Morris put the Bears on the 15 but Currie threw Wade for a 14-yard loss. Wade ran the 14 yards on the next play and then hit Ditka with a 15-yard TD pass for 31-14. The Bays started controlling the ball with three first downs chiefly on runs by Taylor and Hornung and a Starr pass to McGee but the attack stalled on the Bear 43. Then, Hornung's field goal try from the 50 was blocked by Caroline. The Bears drove 54 yards in nine plays for their third TD. A 15-yard pass to Ditka and a fourth-down plunge by Casares requiring a measurement set the ball on the Packer 30, from where Wade rifled the ball into Ditka's arms in the end zone for TD No. 3. The Bears started to get frisky at this point and a holding penalty hurt Green Bay, finally forcing Dowler to punt. The Bears took over on their own 36 and drove 64 yards in 11 plays for the 28th points. After short gains, Jess Whittenton was called for interfering with Farrington and the Chicagos had a first down on the Packer 36. Tom Bettis made a key tackle to set Wade back a yard but on a crucial fourth down play Wade passed 14 yards to Farrington to the 21. Then in quick order Casares made one, Wade passed to Ditka for 11 and Casares went over right guard for the TD with 2:53 left. The thrilled audience jumped to its feet when the Packers prepared to receive an onside kickoff but LeClerc kicked it downfield and the Packers then "froze" it out in the next 10 plays to get the treasured victory. Now it's Home Sweet Home!
GREEN BAY - 7 21 3 0 - 31
CHICAGO - 7 0 7 14 - 28
GREEN BAY CHICAGO
First Downs 20 15
Rushing-Yards-TD 38-162-1 21-73-1
Att-Comp-Yd-TD-Int 23-11-160-3-1 30-17-236-3-1
Sack Yards Lost 0-0 7-67
Total Yards 322 242
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Turnovers 1 2
Yards penalized 4-58 6-44
SCORING
1st - CHI - Mike Ditka, 47-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick) CHICAGO 7-0
1st - GB - Ron Kramer, 53-yard pass from Bart Starr (Paul Hornung kick) TIED 7-7
2nd - GB - Kramer, 8-yard pass from Starr (Hornung kick) GREEN BAY 14-7
2nd - GB - Hornung, 8-yard run (Hornung kick) GREEN BAY 21-7
2nd - GB - Hornung, 34-yard pass from Starr (Hornung kick) GREEN BAY 28-7
3rd - GB - Hornung, 51-yard field goal GREEN BAY 31-7
3rd - CHI - Ditka, 15-yard pass from Wade (LeClerc kick) GREEN BAY 31-14
4th - CHI - Ditka, 29-yard pass from Wade (LeClerc kick) GREEN BAY 31-21
4th - CHI - Rick Casares, 9-yard run (LeClerc kick) GREEN BAY 31-28
RUSHING
GREEN BAY - Paul Hornung 22-94 1 TD, Jim Taylor 15-69, Tom Moore 1-(-1)
CHICAGO - Rick Casares 11-36 1 TD, Charlie Bivins 5-19, Billy Wade 5-18
PASSING
GREEN BAY - Bart Starr 23-11-160 3 TD 1 INT
CHICAGO - Billy Wade 30-17-236 3 TD 1 INT
RECEIVING
GREEN BAY - Jim Taylor 3-26, Ron Kramer 2-61 2 TD, Max McGee 2-23, Tom Moore 2-3, Paul Hornung 1-34 1 TD, Boyd Dowler 1-13
CHICAGO - Mike Ditka 9-190 3 TD, Bo Farrington 4-36, Johnny Morris 3-16, Charlie Bivins 1-(-6)
Closeup of Chicago Bears coach George Halas (L) and Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi (R), (Photo by Lee Balterman/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
HORNUNG, DOWLER GONE - OR ARE THEY?
NOV 13 (Chicago-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Flamboyant Paul Hornung, the most productive bonus choice in NFL history, had just completed a dazzling Packer valedictory - or had he? Peerless Paul, who reports for Army duty at Fort Riley, Kan., Tuesday, was hemmed in by a knot of reporters in a steamy cubicle under the Wrigley Field stands minutes after the Packers had squeezed past the obstreperous Bears and there was only one question on every pair of lips: "Will you be able to play with the Packers on Sunday?" "I don't know - I can't do anything about getting out weekends until I get to camp," said the gifted Notre Dame alumnus, who personally had piled up 19 of the Packers' 31 points, including a monumental 51-yard field goal that ultimately proved decisive. "I hope to know something by Thursday or Friday." He indicated, however, that he is hopeful of a favorable ruling. "Everybody else is getting out," Paul concluded. "Paluch of the Redskins is playing - so are Mitchell and Schafrath of the Browns and, of course, Nitschke with us." Another imminent nephew of Uncle Sam, elongated Boyd Dowler, is even more at sea over his status. "I don't know when I'm going in," he informed with a grin. "If I'm here Sunday, I'm here Sunday. I might get off for some games, I just don't know." Hornung, who had churned eight yards for one touchdown and nailed a 34-yard pitch from Bart Starr for another with a memorable catch, had figured in a happy parlay Packer fanatics had envisioned since he and strapping Ron Kramer were drafted one-two in 1957. Kramer was the Pack's first choice. Kramer, though still hampered by a sprained ankle, had staked the Packers to their first two touchdowns in collaboration with Starr, the first a 53-yard bomb which saw him leap high to literally pluck the ball from the straining hands of Harlon Hill, once a fair hand at pass receiving himself. "That first one was a perfect pass," Ron said, "but I didn't think I could get up for it on that ankle." The second one, he added, had been much easier. "It was a running fake and Hill wasn't on me at all. Bart must have made a good fake because Hill went in for the run - so it was no problem at all, he wasn't anywhere near me." How about the ankle? "Oh, it's sore but that's just one of the things you've got to gut out a little bit. I don't think I was good as I could be if I were in top shape but sometimes when you've got something hurting you, you do a better job than when you are well. You work a lot harder." Another major hero, Henry Jordan, tossed a bouquet to his veteran colleague, Dave Hanner. Jordan, who hurled quarterback Bill Wade for a 14-yard loss on the final series of the game to short circuit a last gasp Bear bid, explained, "We knew they were going to pass, so Dave held one guard and the center and tried to keep them busy. That left only one man for me to beat." Almost in the same breath, he added, "Tom Bettis and Hanner played a tremendous game - a tremendous game." "Just to show you know much those guys wanted to win," the genial 1960 all-pro related, "I almost had Wade one other time but just before I got to him, Bill Quinlan and Willie Davis hit him - and I mean they clobbered him. You've got to have that in every game to win." Fuzzy Thurston, who had triggered a general alarm among the Packer faithful when he slumped to the turf in the second quarter, reported, "I got hit in the head but all I've got is a little headache." He preferred to talk about "that second touchdown. That was the best," Fuzzy said. "We really bewildered 'em - three yards, four yards, five yards. That was the best." Mountainous Bill Quinlan, a member of the defense, was impressed with Hornung's six-yard smash for "that last first down. Did you see him on that one? He really drove for those yards." Which prompted Dan Currie to note, "That turned out to be a pretty big field goal he kicked, too." "When you lose a game, it sure is hard to win the next one," the handsome Michigan State alumnus philosophized. "When you get winning again, it's all right - but it's not easy."
'WE EACH TOOK A HALF,' VINCE; POOR START, HALAS
NOV 13 (Chicago-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - "It looks like we each took a half." So succinctly did Vince Lombardi, with a happy chuckle, summarize the Packers' 31-28 squeaker over the hulking Chicago Bears in crowded Wrigley Field Sunday afternoon. "I thought we played a great first half," said the sturdy Italian, whose athletes now look down upon the rest of the NFL's Western Division from dizzying 7-2 heights and a 1 1/2-game bulge. "And I thought the Bears played a great second half." Did he feel the Packers might have fallen victim to a general relaxation following the acquisition of a 31-7 lead in the third quarter, thus contributing to the Bears' renaissance? "I don't think so," Vince replied with hesitation. "It didn't look like it to me from the sidelines. It looked to me like we were trying to go. We may have become a little too conservative." The Bears, he felt, had been stimulated no little by dusky Roosevelt Taylor's 60-yard runback of the second half kickoff. "That was a big one," Lombardi declared, appending, "special teams have been hurting us the last two weeks. We don't have too many people to put on those teams these days." This, of course, led to the inevitable. Does he expect Paul Hornung and Boyd Dowler, both on the verge of Army induction, to be available for weekend service? "I don't know - I can't answer that," the Packers' forthright major-domo responded. "I didn't know about Nitschke (linebacker Ray, who was an unexpected participant in Sunday's imbroglio) until Friday night." "We'll never know when they'll be around," said Lombardi. "In Nitschke's case it's okay because he's a defensive player. But on offense a player loses his timing and that can prove dangerous." Hornung hadn't worked with the Packers the week before their 45-21 loss at Baltimore because he was taking physical examinations for the Army. "He played after that layoff and was virtually useless," Vince observed. Nothing will be taken for granted, he added. "We're going to work as though they are not going to be there. We're going to be playing with 32 people, I think." Had he felt, at the time it was kicked, that Hornung's prodigious 51-yard field goal might loom large in the final accounting? "Sure, I felt it was a big play because the Bears then needed four touchdowns to beat us." He was somewhat disturbed over the fate of the Packers' second field goal attempt, from almost the same distance, he admitted. "That is two we've had blocked in the last week. We had one blocked in Baltimore, you know. I'm not sure where they came from this time, but I think I know." Speaking of big plays, the Bears' gifted rookie, Mike Ditka, also had made a few, it was ventured. "He's a real fine rookie, no doubt about it," Vince told his audience. "No, I won't compare him with Ron Kramer - I never make comparisons. But he's a real top flight end." Had the Packers devised anything special to cope with Ditka? "No, but we probably should have," Vince shot back with a grin. How did he feel about the Packer pass protection? Had it broken down? "It's always going to break down against the Bears," Lombardi said. "They shoot a lot of people in there." Vince, studying the game statistics at this point with a critical eye, added a postscript. "You were asking about our protection," he
said, gesturing to the sheet in his hand. "We didn't lose a yard attempting to pass." Responding to a query of a Chicago scribe, he admitted satisfaction over completing 1961 relations with the Bears. "Three times a year (the Packers also dispatched the Bruins in their annual Shrine collision in August, 24-14) is enough. It could be four, too," he smiled. How many games did he feel the Packers must win to repeat as Western Division champions? "What are we leading by, a game and a half?" he mused. "We've got to win four of the next five."...A highly chagrined George Halas, his Midway Monsters now two substantial lengths off the pace, was hardly loquacious, as might be expected. "We played very poorly in the first half and very well in the second," said the pro football giant. "That's the sum and substance of it." Reminded that the afternoon's defeat had marked the Packers' first double victory over the Bears since Don Hutson's heroics in 1935, Halas replied with some asperity, "If we wouldn't have played that poorly in the first half, it never would have happened." Any explanation? Had his tigers been too "tight" during the early going? " I don't know," was the weary answer. There had been some second-guessing because the Bears hadn't sprung an onside kick following their final touchdown, he was informed. "I think we did the right thing," George insisted. "We kicked off deep because we thought we could hold 'em - we were pretty hot defensively at that point." With the Bruins now 5-4 and two games back, how did he assess their title chances? "All we're thinking about is the 49ers next Sunday," Halas replied. "We're not looking beyond that." Well, then, how about the Packers' immediate future? "That's up to the Packers," was the tart reply...SEASON'S GREETINGS: November is traditionally open season on coaches and Sunday was no exception. A huge sign draped over the first row of box seats in the end zone read, "Halas to Dallas with (Ed) Brown." There also were signs exhorting the Packers to peak effort, including one parades up and down the field between halves by a pair of La Crosse fanatics...REAL THING: This, let there be no doubt, was a genuine sellout. According to Bear officials, 60,000 ticket requests had to be denied, a fact underscored by a uniformed Andy Frain, usher who, beginning at 11 o'clock, intoned to hopeful knots of fans through a hand megaphone outside Wrigley Field, "There are no tickets available, there are no tickets available."...HOME TEAM?: The Bears, in arrears 28-7, were roundly booed by their partisans as they left the field at the intermission. This contrasted sharply with a chorus of cheers for the Packers from a smaller, but highly vocal, Green Bay delegation...OLD ORDER CHANGETH: For the first time within memory. the crisp, clipped commentary of Rocky Wolfe, longtime Bear field announcer, was not heard in Wrigley Field, Rocky, the Bears' first publicity director, died in August and has been succeeded by Neil Fontaine, previously the Bears' halftime color announcer.
CITES PASS PROTECTION; LAUDS DITKA
NOV 13 (Chicago Tribune) - Vince Lombardi, perspiring despite a shower, trembled slightly as he knotted his tie. He had just faced the Chicago Bears and won. How, the coach of the Green Bay Packers faced the press in a small, steamy anteroom off the Packers' Wrigley field dressing room. Lombardi, obviously still feeling tension, began softly, measuring each word. "It was a tough one, a good one to get out of the way. We've played the bears three times this year, including an exhibition. I hope it won't wind up being four times."...HALF GAME FOR EACH: "Looks like each team won half a ball game. We won the first half, the Bears won the second half. But the standings won't show it that way." More reporters squeezed into the room. Lombardi was asked whether the Packers' pass protection was adequate. He mumbled something inaudible. Then an assistant handed him a copy of the official statistics. "Here's your answer, right here," he declared. "Bart Starr (Packer quarterback) didn't get spilled for a single yard on pass plays. I'd say our protection was adequate." Did the Packers pay any particular attention to the Bears' Mike Ditka, who caught nine passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns? "No, we didn't go anything special about Ditka. We didn't double team him. Maybe we should have. He hurt us. He could have won the game. He's a real top flight pro." Lombardi hedged when asked if he thought Green Bay "let down" in the second half, when the Bears scored 21 of their 28 points...CONCERNED ABOUT BLOCKED KICK: "I can't answer that," the Packer coach said. "It looked from the sidelines as if we were still trying to go. But you never can tell. We may have gone a little conservative." Lombardi then expressed concern about Paul Hornung's field goal attempt which was blocked by J.C. Caroline and recovered by Fred Williams on the last play of the third quarter. "That's two blocked attempts in two weeks," he declared. "I don't know for sure where Caroline cam through, but he got there. We may have to make some personnel changes." The Packer coach insisted that he figured, at the time, that Hornung's 51 yard field goal early in the third quarter could be significant. The kick ultimately was Green Bay's victory margin. "There have been many times when a team has come back from a 21 point deficit," he pointed out. "We were leading 28 to 7. I knew that if he made the kick the Bears had to have four touchdowns to beat us."...A PASS FOR HORNUNG?: Lombardi declined to speculate whether Hornung, the Packers' high scoring halfback, will be with the team next week against the Los Angeles Rams in Green Bay. "Paul leaves for the Army tomorrow, and that's all I know," Lombardi said. "If his commander agrees to let him join us on weekends, we'll welcome him. But there has been no communication on that subject." Hornung concurred, "I haven't heard a word from anybody. All I know is that I report to Fort Riley, Kan., on Tuesday." Did the Packers arrange a special "farewell day" for Hornung, who carried 22 times for 94 yards and scored two touchdowns?...WILLIAMS WRECKS A MASK: "No," asserted quarterback Bart Starr emphatically. "We don't cater to individuals. When Paul carried the ball, it was because the particular strategic situation dictated it. I called his number when I though the play would work." Fullback Jim Taylor, who totaled a rather modest 69 yards in 15 rushing assignments, revealed that Fred Williams, Bear defensive tackle, ruined his face mask on his longest run of the day. "It was in the third quarter, just before Hornung's field goal," Taylor recalled. "I thought I was going to get killed. I had just gotten through the scrimmage line, and Williams came tearing across waving both arms. He grabbed me by the face mask and tore it off. But I wound up with 22 yards." The tarpaulins were already in place on the field and darkness was settling when Coach Halas of the Bears met the press. "We played like a bunch of apes in the first half," Halas declared. "Then we played like champions." Halas refused to be drawn into a discussion of the western division race. "All I'm worried about it one thing," he insisted. "That's the game against the 49ers in San Francisco Sunday."...WADE'S OWN IDEA: Admitting that he "sent in a few plays," Halas said that the Bears' final touchdown, which closed the gap to three points, was "strictly Bill Wade's idea." On the play, fullback Rick Casares, with second won and 9 yards to go on the Packer 9 yard line, went into the end zone on a splendidly executed draw maneuver. "That was the perfect play for the situation," Halas said. "The Packers were expecting a pass." In the Bear dressing room, Ditka revealed that John Symank, Packer safety man, "was playing me close all day, figuring on help from Willie Wood. He didn't always get it." Ditka said that on his third touchdown pass catch, which brought the score to 31-21, "I was running toward the goal lien when I saw Wood turn his head at the last minute. All I did was reach and take the pass."
PACKERS MAY OBTAIN KICKER BEN AGAJANIAN
NOV 14 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Ben Agajanian, 41-year-old placekicking specialist, may be in the Green Bay Packer lineup Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. Executive Sports Editor Hank Hollingsworth of the Long Beach, Calif., Independent Press-Telegram wrote today that Bootin' Ben may switch from the Dallas Texans of the AFL to the National League Packers as the result of an unprecedent trade. Hollingsworth said Agajanian quit Dallas Sunday to pave the way for his possible signing by the Packers, who are leading their western division but will badly need a placekicker in the absence of Paul Hornung, who reports for Army duty today at Ft. Riley, Kan. Packer Coach Vince Lombardi said here today that "nothing has been resolved" on the possibility of getting Agajanian. Lombardi said that efforts are being made to get the kicking ace. In the deal, Dallas would acquire Val Keckin, a 23-yard old quarterback who was Green Bay's 11th draft choice last year. But Keckin has been balking at the deal, and Green Bay reportedly may offer another player or cash. Hollingsworth said that in order to avoid trouble with either league - both of them frowning on dealings with other circuits - both Green Bay and Dallas have agreed to cut relationships with both men involved. Then each club could acquired the other's player. Agajanian, who lives in Long Beach but is now in San Jose, Calif., on business, said Monday he had been practicing with the Packers "but with the full consent of Dallas." He said he plans another practice session with Green Bay Thursday.
'SHORT' PACK ON ROCKY ROAD
NOV 14 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Tighten your belts, mates. And check your hearts. There's a tough five games ahead for the Packers and at the moment they have only 32 full-time football players on hand. It'll be rugged going from now on - like the last half of the Bear game in Chicago Sunday when the Packers had to go down to the final thrilling second to preserve their victory. "You might as well get used to it," Coach Vince Lombardi warned today, "we may be playing more games like that." This has been something of a relaxing season. Only two of the first nine games were down to the wire heart-stoppers, the opening game loss to Detroit, 17-13, and, of course, the 31-28 win over the Bears. But now the Packers are "shorter" due to one serious injury and three calls from Uncle Sam. And you can bet the other six teams in the Western Division and one club in the East, namely New York, are licking their respective chops. The Packers now face the Rams in Green Bay next Sunday, the Lions in Detroit Thanksgiving Day, those New Yorks in Milwaukee Dec. 3, and the 49ers and Rams on the West Coast. Lombardi feels that "we can win the championship by winning four of our last five games." A win over Detroit, of course, would make it possible to get by with three victories in the last five. But the Packers are now minus four players as full-time operators - Jerry Kramer, who is out for the season with a damaged ankle, and the three Army privates, Boyd Dowler, Paul Hornung and Ray Nitschke. Hornung reported today at Fort Riley, Kan., and Dowler was due to report later to Fort Lewis, Wash. Nitschke, who played in the Bear game on a weekend pass, returned to Fort Lewis Sunday night. Thus, the Packers went back to work today with just 32 all-week players. And if you wonder how much they've lost, look: Removed are the team's leading punter and a key figure in the pass-receiving corps in Dowler; the high scorer, kickoff man, extra point and field goal kicker, option passer and No. 2 rusher in Hornung; a strong and mean linebacker in Nitschke; and a cinch as an all-pro guard in J. Kramer. All four were members of the starting 22 offense and defense players. The big problem is replacing Hornung as a kicker. "That is the big question," Vince said, adding "we may have a surprise before the week is over." If the Packers get into any heart-stoppers along the way, kicking undoubtedly will be a vital factor. There was a startling example in Chicago Sunday. The Bears lost a tie because Roger LeClerc missed a field goal from 36 yards and the Packers won because Hornung made a 51-yard field goal...The Packers, with their shiny 7-2 record, hold a game and a half lead over the Lions and a two-game edge on the Bears. So what do all good Packer fans (which means all of you) want to happen this week. First, of course, is a Packer victory over the Rams who will come into our town with a two-game winning streak! Next, we'll want a victory for the Vikings over Detroit in Minnesota, a win for the Cards over the Colts and a 49er victory over the Bears. If these things come to pass, here's how the Western standings will look next Monday:
W L T
Green Bay 8 2 0
Detroit 5 4 1
San Francisco 5 4 1
Chicago 5 5 0
Baltimore 4 6 0
Los Angeles 3 7 0
Minnesota 3 7 0
Let's get back to normal, mates. And fasten your seat belts.
'ALL I WANTED TO DO WAS PUNT IN A HURRY,' BOYD
NOV 14 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The longest 21-yard punt in Packer history! That's what Boyd Dowler delivered in the clutch against the Bears in Wrigley Field Sunday. "All I wanted to do was kick it in a hurry. I knew they were going to try and block it," Dowler laughed after the game. Try to block it? The Bears packed 10 men around the line of scrimmage including Harlon Hill, the one-time pass catcher who now plays defense. Hill blocked two punts a couple of years ago. The lone receiver was Johnny Morris. The Wrigley Field audience was on its feet when Dowler stood back waiting for the punt. You could hear that proverbial pin drop. The clock flashed a big 1:08. Dowler, rapidly developing into one of the better punters in the league, was face to face with his one fault from 1960 - slowness. He had two blocked in '60. But the Long One took Jim Ringo's perfect snap-back and in one easy motion got the kick off. He didn't seem to hurry. He had whipped slowness under the stiffest pressure. By Dowler's standards, it wasn't really a good punt. It went up good but somehow the ball lost air and it dwindled off to the right and out of bounds. Although the clock stopped when it went out of bounds on the Bear 36-yard line, maybe that wasn't such a bad idea. Morris consistently has hurt the Pack in the last few years. This might have been the time he'd make a good runback. Dowler punted three times before the payoff boot, averaging 48 yards on kicks of 41, 51 and 44 yards. But, like we said, that 21-yarder was the longest...Here are some reminders from the play-by-play notebook: LIKE UNITAS - In the loss to the Colts last week, QB John Unitas threw many short passes into the flat, looking like a "long handoff." The Bears apparently has taken a note. Bill Wade threw the same kind of pass to Johnny Morris on the first play of the game but it was wide. Hank Gremminger was over like a shot and stopped Morris. THINKING MAN - Jim Taylor used his noodle to save a few yards on the first play of the second quarter. With the ball on the Bears' 43, first down, Bart Starr went back to pass and the Bears chased him all the way back to the Packers' 20. Starr spotted Taylor around the Bear 40 and passed to him. Taylor in turn grounded the ball as the Bears bore in, making it an incompleted pass and thus returning the ball to the Bears' 43. Had Taylor caught it and been stopped the loss would have been about 17 yards. Two plays later Starr threw to Taylor for 14 yards to set up the Pack's second touchdown. SUDDEN DEATH - That Packer defense really rises up and murders the foe at times. The Pack had just scored for a 28-7 lead in the second period but the Bears got frisky and made a first down on the Pack's 38-yard line. So what happened? Hank Jordan smeared Wade for a six-yard loss and on the
next play Bill Quinlan and Willie Davis caught Wade for another six-yard loss. On Play 3, John Symank intercepted Wade's pass and returned 34 yards.
PACK COMES UP WITH NFL'S BEST ARM; BEST FOOT NEXT?
NOV 15 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers came up with the best arm in the NFL today. And they hope to grab a reasonable facsimile of the best foot. Bart Starr is the league's leading passer - for the first time in his uphill struggled for recognition in pro football. The best foot is Paul Hornung, the Packers' great handyman who today is learning the fine art of soldiering at Fort Riley, Kan. Hornung's foot facsimile may be Ben Agajanian, the 42-yard old Wonder Toe who started kicking professionally in the old All-American Conference in 1946, way back when Paul was playing grade school football. Agajanian is the "surprise" Coach Vince Lombardi mentioned Tuesday, but Lombardi said today: "We still don't know whether we'll get him. We'd like to have him." Lombardi explained that the booting marvel still under contract to the Dallas Texans of the American League. However, Dallas and the other AFL clubs reportedly are willing to waive him out of the circuit. Ben's reporting may hinger on the kind of deal the Packers can work out with Dallas. Originally, the Packers were going to "trade" rookie quarterback Val Keckin to Dallas for Agajanian but Keckin, who has been on the Bay "cab" squad, refused to report there. "I want to play in our (the National) league and I expect to make it some day," Keckin said. Actually, deals between the two leagues are not permitted - except with players who have been waived out. Keckin was waived out of the NFL late in the training season. Lombardi hoped to have Agajanian on the firing line when the Packers battle the Rams in City Stadium Sunday afternoon. But if and when..."we don't know yet," Vince said...WEARS NO. 3: Agajanian, who wears No. 3 for Dallas to denote his field goal specialty, and Lombardi are well acquainted from their days with the Giants. Ben kicked for the Giants in 1949 and then for four years starting in 1954 - the year Vince started as the Giants offense coach. Ben presently holds two Giant records - most extra points, 157, and longest field goal, 50 yards. He ranks high among the Giants in most points scored in one season, 74; most field goals in career, 46; and most points scored in career, 295. Until Agajanian arrives, the Pack's only placekicker is fullback Jim Taylor, who did some game kicking during the non-league season when Hornung was hurt. Taylor was the third kicker but moved up a notch when Jerry Kramer went out for the season with an injury. Now with Hornung off to the Battle of the Barracks, Taylor is the kicker. Unless Ben reports. Vince chuckled today, "Name me a kicker, we've got the room." The Bays are down to 32 full-time players. This is a noteworthy day for Starr, who head a list of 19 quarterbacks. Bart has attempted 190 passes and completed 110 for 1,615 yards, 11 touchdowns and
a completion percentage of 57.9. He's averaging 8.50 yards per attempt and has had only eight intercepted. Bart's biggest figure comes under the "touchdown pass" heading. In his previous five years, his TD pass total was 23. Thus, he has hit nearly half of that figure in nine games. He threw three scoring passes in one game for the first time in his career against the Bears Sunday, two to Ron Kramer and one to Hornung. The Packers can boast two other department leaders today - Hornung, who tops the scoring with 130 points, including 70 on field goals (12 of 17) and 34 extra points, and Willie Wood, who is leading the punt returners. Willie has an average distance of 20 yards on 10 returns - not to mention two touchdowns. Taylor dropped out of first place in the rushing race. Workhorse Jim Brown of Cleveland took over the lead with 853 yards in 191 carries. Taylor has 780 yards in 138 carries. But our Jim still has the best average, 5.7, compared to Brown's 4.5. The Packers resume practice today for the Ram game. And it sure seems strange with no Hornung cavorting around.
PVT. HORNUNG NOW; NO WEEKEND PASS!
NOV 15 (Ft. Riley, KS-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Paul Hornung of the Green Bay Packers, the NFL scoring king since 1959, became "Pvt. Hornung" today as he checked into the Army base for a tour of active duty. The former Notre Dame great learned immediately that football playing as a soldier is out - at least temporarily. An Army spokesman said that no weekend passes will be issued because of intensive training planned. Trading his football togs for a uniform, Hornung was assigned to the 896th Engineer Company, a recently activated National Guard unit from Linton, N.D., His job: Light truck drive and radio operator. A spokesman said that the 25-year-old Hornung will spend the rest of the week in administrative processing and then start intensive combat training. Flown from Green Bay to Manhattan, Kan., by a friend (Pat Martin), Hornung said he was glad to be at Ft. Riley, But he has no other comment. Hornung originally had been scheduled to report for active duty Oct. 30. However, his recall was delayed while he underwent two examinations to determine his physical fitness. The Army finally decided a pinched shoulder nerve did not disqualify him.
RAMS 'GETTING SMALLER BUT TOUGHER'
NOV 16 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - "If you'll examine the statistics closely, you'll notice that the Rams are tied in first place in games played." "We have a 27-year old rookie who held Del Shofner to three receptions in his first start." "We're getting smaller but tougher." "Jones is the best pursuit man I ever saw." "Hope we get out of here alive." Mr. Jack Teele is director of public relations for the Rams. He's here to inform the Packer public about the Bob Waterfield-coached and Elroy Hirsch-managed Los Angeles entry in the NFL. Teele doesn't find it necessary to help sell tickets for Sunday's Packer-Ram game because City Stadium was sold out almost four months ago. So this is strictly for the entertainment of Press-Gazette subscribers. Take over Teele: "That's one statistic they can't take away from us. We're right up there with nine games played like the rest of you. But we have Red Phillips leading the league in pass catching. We've been a rushing team in the last two weeks. Gained 295 yards rushing on the Vikings and Bob (Waterfield) used six running backs that day because of the heat (108 degrees) - Arnett, Matson, Bass, Wilson, Marconi and Atkins. In the next game against the 49ers, we had a balanced attack, getting about the same (160 yards) rushing as we did passing. That Bass is a good blocker. He hits real low. Hamp Pool drools when he talks about Bass' blocking. Alvin Hall, our right wing on defense, made his first pro start against the Giants and he played Del Shofner man to man. Del got only three receptions and one was for a touchdown, but after the game was decided. He's tough. Never went to college but played four years with the San Diego Marines. He wasn't on the active list when the season started. Put him on before the Giant game. He's 27 and I'd hate to tangle with him. Baker and Stugar aren't starting in the defensive line. (They are giants at 275 and 265.) We have two smaller men in their places - rookies, David Jones and Urban Henry. How good are they? The 49ers got just 10 first downs on us last Sunday. Jones weighs
240 pounds and he can do the 100 in 9.9. He has great pursuit. Our two starting running backs are lighter than the two on the bench. Arnett and Bass each go about 195. Marconi weighs 225, Wilson 204. Wilson backs up Arnett and Marconi is behind Bass. Matson is the slot back. He was benched earlier for a couple of games but he's back stronger than ever now. Bratkowski may start (at quarterback). He did well in the second half of the 49er game. We have three former Notre Dame men in our starting offensive line - Art Hunter, the center; Charley Cowan, the right guard; and Frank Varrichione, the right tackle." Get out of here alive? Haven't you heard, Jack, that the Packers lost four fine players, topped by versatile Paul Hornung? Answer: "I hear that Tom Moore is a pretty good boy. In fact, I remember our game in Milwaukee last year. His running put you ahead." Moore played considerably for the injured Jim Taylor that day and gained 105 yards and scored two touchdowns in 11 carries. But the thing we remember about that game is the final score, 33 to 31, Rams. And the Packers, by the way, haven't beaten the Rams in Wisconsin since 1956. Maybe the Pack will be lucky to get out alive, Jack!...BRIEFS: The Packers are still leading the league in total yards with 3,179, which is 63 ahead of the world champion Eagles. The Packers are seventh in defense yards, allowing 2,573. Leader New York has given up 2,286...The Rams may have lost six games, but they've really only "lost" one - the 35 to 0 business to the 49ers. But LA got revenge for that one, beating the 49ers 17-7. All of the Rams' other losses were close, 27-24 to the Colts, 21-17 to the Bears, 14-13 to the Lions, 24-14 to the Giants, and 28-10 to the Lions...Coach Vince Lombardi conducted the Pack's Wednesday practice in the stadium. Watching with interest was recuperating Jerry Kramer...If the Packers get Ben Agajanian, his position will be listed as "kicker" - just as Danny Villanueva is labeled on the Rams' roster. There's a 19-year age difference in the two specialists; Agajanian goes about 42, Villanueva 23. Agajanian was scheduled to drill with the Packers today...Ram Coach Bob Waterfield feels "the loss of four Packers improves our chances but Green Bay is still a hard-running team."
HALL OF FAME INSTALLS 'WANDERER' JOHNNY BLOOD
NOV 17 (Milwaukee-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The band played "The Happy Wanderer" when Johnny Blood was officially presented as the 34th member to be enshrined in the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in the Milwaukee Arena Thursday. There was a ripple of amused recognition of the game and the song from an audience of nearly 1,000 $10-a-plate fans as they roundly applauded the Packers' famous "vagabond halfback." Blood didn't promise to stop wandering his eloquent remarks but he's in one spot now - glorified in a $2,000 bronze plaque in the main entrance to the Arena, which was designated 10 years ago as the state hall of fame. Blood was officially presented by Miles H. McNally, a cousin of Johnny's who represented sponsor Doughboy Industries of New Richmond, which is Blood's hometown. The Packer star was revered in glowing terms by the immortal Don Hutson, who presented the certificate of election to Blood via Curly Lambeau, the Packers' founder and coach for 30 years, including the fabulous Blood era, 1929-37. Blood was installed into the Hall of Fame with Frankie Parker of Milwaukee, a tennis great; Rollie Williams, the former Wisconsin football hero; and the late John Day Buckstaff, the yachting champion. Blood, who will be 58 Nov. 27, likened his feelings to
Buckstaff, the yachting champion. Blood, who will be 58 Nov. 27, likened his feelings to Bear-Packer week. "This is the week we all get keyed up; the coach has to tone us down. I feel that way tonight because this is the greatest thrill ever for me. I am most grateful. With all my strength, I give thanks for this honor." This, then, was total recognition for an athlete who was "too spindly to play football in high school." Johnny McNally changed his name temporarily to play semi-pro football while still a student at Notre Dame. Hutson noted that Blood played with "a spirit that rubbed off on every member of a team" and, referring to present-day football, added: "We hear much about today's football players being bigger, faster, stronger and so forth, but here is one player who would be a star today." Packer President Dominic Olejniczak headed a Packer contingent which included Verne Lewellen, Tom Miller and Earl Falck of the Green Bay office and Col. Ockie Krueger, Vic Kane and Irene Silewaki of the Milwaukee office. Several Packer directors from around the state were present.
PACK ADDS AGAJANIAN TO FILL KICKING VOID
NOV 17 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Ben Agajanian is now a Packer. The 42-year old kicking specialist has been placed on the Bays' active playing roster, Coach Vince Lombardi announced today. Agajanian, obtained via the Dallas Texans, was scheduled to arrive Thursday, but his plane, flying out of California, was grounded in Tulsa and he finally made it today after delayed stops in Chicago and Milwaukee. Ben was waived out of the AFL and signed by the Pack as a free agent. Agajanian will kick extra points and field goals, replacing Pvt. Paul Hornung, who is now in the Army at Fort Riley, Kan. Hornung's halfback running and option passing will be handled by Tom Moore, the Bays' strong sophomore back. Kicking was the most critical of the Packers' problems, which comprised the loss of three players to the armed forces - Hornung, Ray Nitschke and Boyd Dowler, and one by injury - Jerry Kramer. Two of those four were the Pack's one-two kickers, Hornung and Kramer. In fact, Kramer was hurt on a kickoff Oct. 29, filling in for Hornung. Agajanian has some big kicking shoes to fill. Hornung left behind an even 70 points via his trusty right toe - 34 conversions and 12 field goals in 17 attempts. Hornung's last field goal was his longest and most valuable, a 51-yarder that beat the Bears in Chicago last Sunday, 31-28. Agajanian will make his first appearance as a Packer against the Rams in City Stadium Sunday. He replaces Kramer on the active roster. Kramer, out for the season, has been placed on the injured list. Ben started kicking in the old All-America Conference back in 1946 and entered the National League in 1949 with the New York Giants. After service, Ben spent a year with the Rams before returning to the Giants for a four-year run in 1954. That was the year Lombardi started a five-year sting as Giants' offense coach before coming to Green Bay. Thus, Vince is coaching Agajanian for the second time. Agajanian still holds two New York records - longest field goal, 50 yards, and most extra points, 147. He is second in most field goals, 46, and fourth in scoring with 295 points. Ben weighs 215 pounds and stands a shade under six feet tall. He played at New Mexico University some 17 years ago...Sunday's game has been designated as Homecoming. Close to 100 former Packers will be seated in chairs long the sidelines. The former Packers will be guests of the Packers at a program at the Beaumont Hotel Saturday night...History is not looking at the Packers favorably for Sunday. The Packers haven't beaten LA in Wisconsin since 1956 and they haven't trimmed the Rams twice in the same year since 1947...Red Hickey, coach of the 49ers, thinks the Rams can beat Green Bay. Here's what he told Max Stiles of the Los Angeles Mirror after last Sunday's loss to the Rams: "If the Rams block and tackle as they did today, they are capable of wining any game, including Green Bay," Hickey said. "If they play like they did today, they can beat the Packers, you bet your life they will? They just took it to us today," Hickey went on to say. "This was the best Ram team I've seen in some time."
AFL AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, FOSS CONTENDS
NOV 17 (Dallas) - The AFL is ahead of schedule in its development, Commissioner Joe Foss said today. He reported overall attendance up 11 percent over the league's maiden season and "what has happened this season is something we didn't quite expect - the development of a nucleus of at least three, maybe four, solid franchises." Foss admitted that there were still problems in four of the eight cities but he pointed out that "we never looked on this as a critical year. Most of us felt that the third year would be the one that gave us a good reading on what lies ahead."...CHEERED BY OAKLAND: The commissioner was cheered when Oakland's city fathers voted to construct a 25,000 seat stadium. He said it eliminated "the one major roadblock in the establishment of the Oakland Raiders as a solid franchise." "Historically," Foss declared, "it has been proven that no franchise ever prospered by playing in one city (the Oakland Raiders play their home games in San Francisco) and representing another." Foss was taking a look at the solidity of the new professional league as it heads into the final five weeks of its second season. Last year, the AFL survived a red-ink bath (the loss was about $2,500,000) to sign a goodly portion of the top college stars...UP 80 PERCENT: He said Buffalo, Houston, and San Diego look definite and apparently Boston can be grouped in there. Buffalo has finished its home season with attendance up 20 percent although the fans were seeing a team that lost 14 of its 18 home games in two years. Houston had its first sellout last week and its attendance is up 25 percent. San Diego's average is up more than 80 percent - the Chargers in four games have already bettered their total in Los Angeles last year for seven games - 115,446 to 110,376. "Boston had a complete sellout its last game, even turned fans away before the kickoff," Foss pointed out. Oakland and New York have stadium problems, although Oakland has cleared it up for next year and New York will move into the new Flushing Meadows Stadium when it is complete - probably in 1963...PROBLEMS IN DALLAS: "Dallas is averaging 22,000 fans, but there will be problems as long as there are two pro teams there," Foss said. "There simply isn't the population." Dallas also has a team in the NFL. Denver has been bitten by its second straight losing team, but the intent is for a full recruiting effort for next year. "It wouldn't surprise me if Denver came up with the top rookies in the league," Foss said. "Denver's season ticket sales rose about 150 percent - the fan interest is there, I think." Anyway, Foss said there was no question that the AFL would be around next season and it now wasn't the question of "it should go" but "now we're saying 'it' will go."
DOWLER, NITSCHKE TO FACE RAMS; BEN HERE
NOV 18 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Boyd Dowler and Ray Nitschke, the Packers' contributions to the 32nd Division, will play against the Rams in City Stadium Sunday. They're coming in from Fort Lewis, Wash., and will return there immediately after the game, Coach Vince Lombardi announced. Only impossible flying conditions could keep them out of the game. Nitschke flew in and out of Chicago for the Bays' win over the Bears last Sunday. Lost for Sunday, however - unless he drops out of a clear sky - will be Paul Hornung, the Packers' star halfback and kicker, who is at Fort Riley, Kan. Hornung probably won't be available for the Lion game Thursday either along with Dowler and Nitschke. While the Packers face two "quick" games, the major and only problem is Los Angeles. The No. 1 lossee is Hornung, whose two empty boots will require four feet to fill - Tom Moore, a 23-year old sophomore, and Ben Agajanian, a 42-year old veteran of 25 football seasons. Moore will start at left halfback and he's far from a stranger as a Bay runner. Tom carried 42 times in relief of Hornung and Jim Taylor and gained 253 yards for the team's best rushing average - an even 6 yards per carry. What's 'moore,' Tom has thrown one pass off the option play and completed it to Ron Kramer for a 20-yard gain. Agajanian arrived in Green Bay Friday from his home in Long Beach, Calif., and jumped right into the Packers' morning drill, practicing placekicking and kicking off. The foot phenom is fresh from a three-game stint with Dallas of the AFL. He booted two 25-yard field goals and just last Sunday nailed down a 51-yard three-pointer in Dallas' 30-20 loss. Ben's predecessor, Hornung, also booted a 51-yarder last Sunday but this one beat the Bears, 31-28. "I hope I can be of some use here with the Packers. I can't be with a nicer bunch of guys. I know Coach Lombardi and Coach Austin from the Giants and Norb Hecker from the Rams." Ben played five years with the Giants and one with the Rams. Agajanian has been in and out of football for nearly 25 years. "I'd sure like to mark this latest season by helping the Packers win the championship." Ben played on one world's championship team - the Giants in 1956. "Right now, I'm pretty cold. I'm not used to this weather. I guess my blood is a little thin.
Coach Lombardi has promised me an electric stocking," said the well-tanned Ben. Agajanian, operator of several sporting goods stores and discount houses in the Long Beach area, left a special football interest at home - his son, Larry, a 15-year old who stands 5-11 and weighs 180 pounds. "He made the junior varsity at Long Beach Wilson as a tackle," Ben beamed. Agajanian played tennis in high school in Long Beach but took up football at Compton Junior College starting in 1938. He moved on to New Mexico University where he played end and kicked.
LES RICHTER WARNS RAMS TROUBLESOME
NOV 18 (Los Angeles) - As the captain of a team which just recently escaped the cellar of the NFL, Les Richter of the Los Angeles Rams seemed unusually optimistic. But the big fellow, one of the best linebackers in the league, said Friday: "This championship race is far from settled. We are improving week by week and we can cause a lot of trouble for the leaders." The Rams were about to take off to Green Bay and the first of a three-game road trip. The Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings follow. Richter, who came to the Rams in 1952 in a sensational trade for 11 players, was not popping off. Very thoughtfully, he continued: "Look at it this way. Green Bay, the leader in our Western Division, has to meet us twice. They have to play the second team, Detroit at Detroit. And don't forget the Packers have to meet the New York Giants, who are tied for the Eastern Division lead, and also San Francisco. Detroit has two to go with improving Minnesota, and they have the Bears and wind up against the defending champions, Philadelphia. I won't go into any more detail but the Bears and Baltimore can look for trouble - Chicago must play Cleveland, for instance. The point is, those top teams can eat each other up in the remaining weeks. Of course," Richter concluded, "we've got to win all our remaining games."...'WE CAN DREAM': He laughed and added, "Well, we can dream, can't we?" Richter, now in his eighth season with the Rams. declared the defensive unit this year "is the best we've had since I've been here." The Rams are now 3-6 in wins and losses, but when they were a dismal 1-5, Richter said he was amazed that team morale remained as high as it did. Actually, Richter said, Los Angeles was close in every losing game but two. In each they played bad football, he went on. He referred to the second Detroit game and the first San Francisco 35-0 route. "The 49er win was a good one for us. Now if we can take Green Bay...," Richter's voice trailed off as he headed for the Rams' airplane.
'HOT RAMS' CHALLENGE REVAMPED PACKERS
NOV 19 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers have a new look. And the Rams are red hot. That's the
Paul Hornung (5) in action, rushing behind Fuzzy Thurston (63) (CREDIT: Marvin E. Newman/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Mike Ditka (89) in action, scoring touchdown vs Green Bay Packers at Wrigley Field. (CREDIT: Marvin E. Newman/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Jim Taylor (31) in action, rushing vs Chicago Bears at Wrigley Field (CREDIT: Marvin E. Newman/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images/Getty Images)
backdrop for today's NFL struggle at City Stadium - the 10th game for both teams. Green Bay is in a bitter struggle to repeat as Western Division champions. And Los Angeles is the only club in the league with a winning streak - still with an outside title chance. The Packers are fresh from a hair-raising win over the Bears but face another game in five days - the Lions in Detroit Thanksgiving Day. The Rams have a two-game victory skein under their belts - over the Vikings and 49ers. Kickoff is set for 1:06. The fourth straight sellout of the season, 38,669, will be pulling for the Pack to score their eighth victory and thus hand the Rams their seventh loss. The Packers will look different. Their famous No. 5, Paul Hornung, won't be on hand - barring a miracle at Fort Riley, Kan. Hornung, one of the most exciting players in the league, will be missing his first Packer start in 46 league games, including last December's title battle. He was out of the last three games in '57, his rookie year, due to an injury. Hornung's loss is a serious blow but under Coach Vince Lombardi's family plan the Packers are geared to dig in tougher and carry on. Two people will replace 12-point-a-game Paul. They are Tom Moore, who will open at left half and run and pass ala Hornung, and Ben Agajanian, the kicking specialist who will kick off and handle field goals and extra points. Moore and Agajanian thus will be asked to supply the "golden touch" so dramatically provided by Golden Boy Paul. Sophomore Moore is one of the best bench backs in the league - like the Rams' Tom Wilson. Moore has had one shot at the Rams - in Milwaukee last year, and almost won the game filling in for Jim Taylor. He ran 59 yards for one touchdown and sparked the Bays to a late lead before the Rams won out in the end. Moore goes into action today with a six-yard rushing average, 253 stripes in 42 carries, including the loop's top one-game performance, 159 yards against the Vikings when Hornung was hurt. Tom ran 45 times last year for 237 yards. The Packers will play with two Army privates in their lineup - Boyd Dowler and Ray Nitschke, who are here through the courtesy of the 32nd Division. They'll wing back to Fort Lewis, Wash., right after the game. The Packers face the task of keeping the ball on the Rams - unless the Bays' defense tightens up considerably. This will be up to quarterback Bart Starr, who will be calling 'em against the largest and fastest defense in the league. The Packers have never run much on the Rams but they may have to today. The Packer defense has given up 73 points in the last two games, which is five more than the unit allowed in the previous seven games. The Rams are like to start Zeke Bratkowski in view of his
second half performance in the 17-7 win over the 49ers last Sunday, although you can bet Coach Bob Waterfield hasn't forgotten how Frank Ryan took the Rams down for the winning points in Milwaukee last year. Jon Arnett and Dick Bass, unless he's still hurt, probably will open as the running backs. The talented Ollie Matson is now a slot back. The Rams' offense is headed by Red Phillips, the league's leading pass catcher, with 45 catches. Carroll Dale is at the left end. Moore is the only starting change in the Packers' opening lineups, barring last-minute switches. Tom Bettis, who opened vs. the Bears, is expected to start at middle linebacker with Nitschke in relief. Dowler is set to open at flanker back, and it may be his last start. Dowler and Nitschke probably won't be available for the Lion game Thursday, as well as Hornung...This is Homecoming Game, and about 100 former Packers will be seated on benches near the Packer bench. They'll be introduced between halves...Finals of the league's pass, punt and kick contest for Wisconsin boys will be conducted shortly before the opening kickoff, about 12:45. Eliminations had been held earlier and the contestants will be the finalists...The Packers will be playing before their fifth straight sellout and their ninth in 10 games. Only one crowd was under a sellout size and that was the largest, 75,049, at the Brown game in Cleveland Oct. 15. Steady rain and cold knocked the crowd down from a sure 82,000. All other games in Green Bay, Milwaukee, Baltimore and Chicago were sold out.
