Green Bay Packers (12-1) 31, San Francisco 49ers (6-7) 21
Sunday December 9th 1962 (at San Francisco)
GAME RECAP (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE)
(SAN FRANCISCO) - The Packers have real championship class. Make no mistake about that: They proved their right to the 1962 Western Division title by winning under terrifying conditions thrown up by the 49ers and 53,769 Packer haters in Kezar Stadium Sunday. And don't forget the final score, 31 to 21. Behind by counts of 14-3 and 21-10, the Packers won this bitter battle on pure determination and appropriately the touchdown that put the Pack in front for good was a two-yard smash by Mr. Determination himself - Jim Taylor, in the fourth quarter. The defenders, bless 'em, did the rest. The victory clinched a tie for the Western crown and a triumph in Los Angeles next Sunday will give the Packers their third straight division bunting regardless of what the Lions do against the Bears. The Packers entered Sunday's fray knowing the Lions had ripped the Vikings. The 49ers, plus their screaming backers, were also aware of this and San Francisco's prize thus became juicier. The 49ers were sky-high and they came out with a new nobody-back offense that furnished the Bays trouble in the first half. J.D. Smith put the 49ers ahead 7-0 and a one-yard plunge and Jerry Kramer followed with a 17-yard field goal to close the first quarter at 7-3. Tom Moore's 5-yard smash and John Brodie's 5-yard pass to Clyde Conner left it at 21-10 at the intermission. Moore exploded for 32 yards on a quick opener to close the deficit to 21-17 in the third period. Taylor's "winning" TD came early in the last frame and in the final minute Bart Starr threw a 5-yard pass to Ron Kramer for the clincher. Those are the cold facts but the in-between were extremely hot. The 49ers were undaunted by the Pack's first lead, 24-21. They swept downfield to the Packers' 11-yard line with eight minutes left. This could have been curtains, but the Packer defense took the ball on downs as the 49ers refused to go for a tie on a field goal. They wanted to win. The fiery 49ers were put down for good on Dave Hanner's interception of a Brodie pass and lastly on Ken Iman's recovery of a fumbled punt that set up R. Kramer's TD. With seconds left Willie Wood intercepted a Brodie pass to cinch it. The Packers won it on what certainly must be the series of the year - an 83-yard march in 12 plays, with six coming in the third quarter and the final six in the fourth. Starr alternated run and pass the first 78 yards in rolling up four first downs. Each first down was a run and each second down was a completed pass. There was no third downs. Moore went two yards on the first play. Then, in order, Starr passed to R. Kramer for 12, Taylor ran one, Starr passed to Dowler for 10, Taylor ran two, Starr passed to Max McGee for 34, Taylor ran nine and Starr passed to R. Kramer for nine to the 49er five. The Bays ate up the last five stripes in four plays amid the booing of the officials and yelling in general that forced Starr to call a halt. Moore made nothing on the first trip. Then Taylor ran wide for two. On third down Taylor hit left guard for one and on the final down banged in behind Fuzzy Thurston and Jim Ringo. It was Taylor's 18th TD and tied the league record. Brodie was a real thorn with his passing, chiefly to Bernie Casey, who caught seven. The 49er QB, who beat the Pack here a year ago, completed 20 out of 31 for 269 yards and two touchdowns. The 49ers many times put their long back, J.D. Smith, in motion, leaving Brodie the only player behind the center. They rolled up 294 yards against the Pack's 305. The Bay defense throttled the 49ers down to 36 yards rushing, half of it by Smith. This was a break-loaded game and the Packers didn't get many. Twice, penalties robbed them of a fumble recovery and an interception. The officials were booed constantly and the few Packer Backers on hand even had something to scream about - like when Casey was given a completion when he caught a pass a foot out of bounds on the 49ers last drive. So who's complaining? Brodie hauled out the forward pass right after the 49ers received the opening kickoff. He completed an 18-yarder to Monte Stickles, plus a lateral to Conner for 18; to Casey for 10; and Jim Johnson for 36 to the 15. On fourth down from the nine, Brodie fumbled when hit by Bill Forester and Hank Jordan returned 15 yards. However, the Pack was offside and the 49ers got life on the 4. Two plays later Smith crashed one yard and Tom Davis booted the first of three extra points. McGee pulled a run off a punt on fourth down and five situation and made it at midfield by the drive petered out on the 11 and J. Kramer booted a field goal. Things started to pop in the second quarter. Davis missed a field goal from the 36 and Starr's screen pass to Taylor on the line of scrimmage was intercepted by Matt Hazeltine and returned 16 yards to the Packer 19. The 49ers scored in five plays, with Brodie's third completion going three yards to Stickles in the end zone for a 14-3 lead. The Packers snapped back beautifully. Taylor led off with a 19-yard shot up the middle to the 46 and Moore, who had replaced Paul Hornung for this series and then went the route, and Taylor alternated to the 49ers 38. Two penalties - for piling and for interference on McGee by Woodson - put the ball on the 5 and Moore crashed off left end behind Thurston and J. Kramer for the TD from the one. That made it 14-10. The 49ers got it back right before the half. They moved 69 yards in six play and four were on Brodie passes - to Casey for 43 on the first play, to Casey for 10, to Casey again for 11 and finally to Conner for 5 and the TD. Each team made a first down to start the third period before the exchange of punts. Wood returned Davis' punt 13 yards to get the Pack rolling for the 49er 41. After two
Paul Hornung (5) on sidelines during game vs San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
plays Moore fired off left guard behind Thurston and Ringo and broke away for a 32-yard TD run, without a hand touching him, to set the score at 21-17. Gremminger intercepted on the 49ers' first play, but, alas, the Packers were offside but the 49ers, after a first down, had to punt thanks to Hanner, who tackled Bob Gaiters for a five-yard loss. The Bays then went on their aforementioned series of the year. After taking a 24-21 lead with 1:58 gone in the final period, Brodie hurled a 19-yard pass to Stickles to the 49ers' 42. Casey then caught a pass from Brodie for 31 "out of bounds" with Hank Gremminger putting up a fuss.
A SHADE WIDE
The Diggers got to the 14 on four rushes, with Smith going the last three. This was serious as Brodie threw to Conner for three. Jess Whittenton broke up a pass to Conner and on third down Brodie, fortunately, was just a shade wide on a pass to Conner on the goal line and on fourth down Herb Adderley kayoed a pass aimed at Stickles. The 49ers got it right back into position when McGee, fumbling a short pass back from center, got off a 7-yard punt on the run. With 4:44 left, the Bays put on a strong rush and on a second down pass Hanner intercepted on the 49er 37. McGee had to punt right back but Woodson fumbled the liner, and Iman recovered on the 49er 17. McGee drew an interference penalty on the eight and two plays later Starr threw to R. Kramer on the two and the Big Oaf slammed into the end zone for the icing. PS - All 53,769 of those fans weren't cheering the 49ers. As the game ended a group of fans carried a banner reading "Go Packers" on the field.
GREEN BAY - 3 7 7 14 - 31
SAN FRANCISCO - 7 14 0 0 - 21
GREEN BAY SAN FRANCISCO
First Downs 20 18
Rushing-Yards-TD 43-164-3 20-36-1
Att-Comp-Yd-TD-Int 18-10-130-1-1 31-20-269-2-2
Sack Yards Lost 0 0
Total Yards 294 305
Fumbles-lost 2-0 2-1
Turnovers 1 3
Yards penalized 3-14 5-64
SCORING
1st - SF - J.D.Smith, 1-yard run (Tommy Davis, 1-yard run) SAN FRANCISCO 7-0
1st - GB - Jerry Kramer, 17-yard field goal SAN FRANCISCO 7-3
2nd - SF - Monty Stickles, 3-yard from John Brodie (Davis kick) SAN FRANCISCO 14-3
2nd - GB - Tom Moore, 3-yard run (J. Kramer kick) SAN FRANCISCO 14-10
2nd - SF - Clyde Conner, 5-yard pass from Brodie (Davis kick) SAN FRANCISCO 21-10
3rd - GB - Moore, 32-yard run (J. Kramer kick) SAN FRANCISCO 21-17
4th - GB - Jim Taylor, 2-yard run (J. Kramer kick) GREEN BAY 24-21
4th - GB - Ron Kramer, 8-yard pass from Bart Starr (J. Kramer kick) GREEN BAY 31-21
RUSHING
GREEN BAY - Jim Taylor 24-79 2 TD, Tom Moore 13-56 2 TD, Paul Hornung 4-16, Max McGee 1-8, Bart Starr 1-5
SAN FRANCISCO - J.D. Smith 13-18 1 TD, John Brodie 2-10, Bob Gaiters 4-5, Jim Vollenweider 1-3
PASSING
GREEN BAY - Bart Starr 18-10-130 1 TD 1 INT
SAN FRANCISCO - John Brodie 31-20-269 2 TD 2 INT
RECEIVING
GREEN BAY - Ron Kramer 4-48 1 TD, Boyd Dowler 4-47, Max McGee 1-34, Jim Taylor 1-1
SAN FRANCISCO - Bernie Casey 7-134, Clyde Conner 4-44 1 TD, Jimmy Johnson 3-50, Monty Stickles 3-32 1 TD, J.D. Smith 3-9
PACK SHOWED TITLE POISE: RED, VINCE AGREE
DEC 10 (San Francisco-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Red Hickey, coach of the 49rs, saluted the Packers and defended his decision not to go for a game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter in the postgame discussing Sunday. Hickey called the Packers "a great ball club and they certainly showed the poise of a champion coming from behind like that. I don't want to take anything away from them." The redhead said, "Our Brodie had a fine day until those interceptions because the Packers have a great pass defense." The coach was quizzed about not going for a field goal when he had a fourth and seven situation on the Packer 11 with 8 minutes left. "I felt obliged to the league to try and win this game," he pointed out, adding: "A tie would have been as good as a win for the Packers. It wouldn't have been fair to the Lions if we had settled for a tie." Packer Coach Vince Lombardi agreed with Hickey's decision and said he would have done the same thing. Lombardi said the Packers played "a fine game. They showed poise in coming back in the second half. We don't fold." The Bays' mentor said "the pressure is starting to show on us. Taylor is down to 204 pounds. We've been going downhill for the last four games. Maybe it's from too much winning." On other points, Lombardi said Moore's 32-yard touchdown run was on a charge-up on the line of scrimmage by Starr; McGee's run on a fourth down punt was no gamble because he can start on a run and then punt if necessary; and the Packer defense quickly adjusted to the 49ers' man-in-motion. "The trouble with the San Francisco 49ers," Lombardi added, "is they slow down the game too much." "The 49ers take nearly 30 second between every play," Lombardi went on. "Against every other club in the league we run about 75 plays. But against San Francisco, both here and in the game at home, we get only 45 or 50 plays." To be exact, the Packers got in 61 plays in this game, but two-thirds of these were in the last half. Lombardi said that Paul Hornung, still sub-par following a knee injury, was taken out early in the game because "he is not in shape yet." The Packer head man is looking for another toughie in the Pack's finale at Los Angeles Sunday. "We are ready for the Rams," Lombardi said. "We expect another tough game and my boys are a little tired but we'll be ready. We have not been playing as well in the past few weeks as we did earlier. You've got to remember we have been in camp two weeks longer than any of the others because of the All Star game. If we get through it all, these fellows will deserve a lot of credit." Hickey, asked about the loss of Jim Johnson, the 49ers' swift offensive end, said, "It would be just speculation to say that 49ers would have won if we hadn't lost him." There was considerable talk about the officiating. Hickey would not comment but he did say. "The commissioner (Pete Rozelle) was here today. Ask him." The 49ers coach said that "we didn't use a lot of new stuff, although we used the man-in-motion, which we hadn't used before. We figured we could go in there and throw against them if we got good protection - which we did. Jim Johnson's injury hurt us. Clyde Conner came in and did a good job - but we had lost the long threat." The speedy Johnson suffered a twisted knee in the second quarter. Earlier in the week, his former UCLA teammate, halfback Bill Kilmer, suffered a broken leg in an automobile accident. "With Johnson out of there, we were five first-stringers short," Hickey added. "I am proud of our guys. They really went out there and took them on, man for man."...Center Jim Ringo hurled his roses at the defense. "Our defense - they're all men. All men, all men," he repeated. Fuzzy Thurston said Moore's run came off "simple criss cross blocking. I had Nomellini and Ringo blocked Melekas." Bart Starr, who guided the Packers 78 yards in one stretch without a third down play, said with a laugh: "No, it wasn't planned that way but that sure is the way to work it - if you can." They were calling Dave Hanner "swivel hips" because of his interception and no return. "I was so tired I just fell down after I caught it."...49ers tackle Leo Nomellini started his 159th consecutive NFL game Sunday and established a new league mark for endurance. Nomellini shared the mark of 158 games with Emlen Tunnell of the New York Giant and the Packers. Nomellini, expecting only to be introduced to the Kezar Stadium crowd, was visibly surprised when the 49ers management presented him with a 1963 automobile. NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle called Nomellini's record "proof of physical and mental toughness and his pride and all-out dedication to football." After the game, someone asked if this is his last season. "Why ask me that," Leo said with a grin. "When now I've got new wheels to get me to the practice field?"
TIRED? PACKERS CAN STILL GO 60 MINUTES A SUNDAY
DEC 11 (Long Beach, CA-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers may be a tired team but they still can go the
full 60 minutes on any given Sunday. And speaking about Sundays, the Packers are unbeaten on the Sabbath since their lone loss was suffered on a Thursday. That would be the Thanksgiving Day setback at Detroit. The Pack has one more Sunday to go - against the Rams in Los Angeles. A win will give the Bays their third straight Western title. Green Bay demonstrated its hour-long strength by winning both games against the dangerous 49ers in the second half. The Packers' defense blanked the 49ers in the second halves of the two tests, while the offense scored 21 points in each of the same periods to win 31-13 in Milwaukee and 31-21 in San Francisco. San Francisco's lone second TD wasn't scored on the defense. It was an 85-yard punt return by Abe Woodson in the third quarter in Milwaukee. Woodson had his hands on one punt last Sunday and promptly fumbled it away. On the enemy side, 49ers coach Red Hickey cussed the fact that his team was unable to put together a full 60 minutes against Green Bay. "This is a 60-minute game," he said Sunday. The 49ers held a 27-20 halftime edge in the two games but the Packers finished with a composite 62-34 advantage. Coach Vince Lombardi looked at films of the Packers' 12th victory and found that "there was nothing sensational." He noted that Jim Taylor had a "good opening" on the two-yard touchdown smash that put Green Bay in the lead in the fourth quarter and that Max McGee fumbled the pass-back from center on his run and seven-yard punt. Vince that Taylor ran the wrong way, indicating that the fullback crashed into a pile and pushed his way into the end zone. This touchdown put the Pack ahead. Taylor's touchdown was his 18th of the season and tied the league record of 18 set by Jim Brown in 1958 and Steve Van Buren in 1945. Taylor finished with 79 yards to establish a new Packer record of 1,318. This broke the record of 1,307 he set a year ago. Taylor is well behind Brown's season record of 1,527. He would have to gain 210 yards next Sunday to break that standard and that isn't likely against the rugged Rams...PULLS OUT ALL STOPS: The Packers run into all sorts of innovations as their opposition pulls out all the all the stops in an effort to win. The 49ers came up Sunday with what Bill Forester called a shotgun with the man under. It's the same as having the QB back alone, except that he's under the center, while the fullback is in motion. The 49ers slowed the Packers down by using long counts. The Packers usually run off 75 plays a game but this time were limited to only 61. The 49ers were slowed down at the same time, getting off only 51 plays. The Packers came out of action in good physical condition. Dan Currie, whose injured knee kept him out of two games, started and finished, with no problems. Jim Ringo had an injured back but was able to move about Monday. He said he felt better than the previous Monday. The players were off Monday and most of them went to San Francisco. Others went to Palo Alto Elks Club near the headquarters at Rickey's Motel to take some steam. "That steam took the soreness out of me," said Dave Hanner. The squad worked briefly at Stanford University and then headed to International Airport for the charter flight to Long Beach. PS - Drop a note to your favorite Packers at the LaFayette Hotel here and wish him well for the Western Division game championship game Sunday. The Bays will again face a fired-up opponent and it will be rough.
FLOWERS, EX-PACKER CENTER, ACCIDENTALLY KILLED
DEC 11 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Violent death has come to ex-Packer Robert C. (Bob) Flowers, a violent football player. Flowers, a Packer center for eight seasons (1942-49), accidentally shot himself to death on his farm near Big Spring, Texas, Saturday afternoon, former teammate Ted Fritsch was informed by a wire from the onetime center's widow Tuesday. Funeral services for the 47-year-old Flowers, whose lunging tackles as a reckless leader of Packer platoons won the heart of many a fan, were held in Big Spring's First Methodist Church Tuesday afternoon...APPARENTLY LOST BALANCE: According to word from Big Spring, the fatal mishap occurred about 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon. As authorities reconstructed it, Flowers, who operated a farm about five miles north of the west Texas community, had gotten out his pickup truck to open a gate in a wire fence. Carrying a .22 pistol in one hand, he was in the act of opening the gate when he apparently lost his balance. The gun discharged and the bullet went through his heart. His body, lying face down at the fence, was found by a neighbor, Russell Stringfellow, about 5:30 that evening. The motor of the truck was still running. Justice of the Peace Walter Grice, who was summoned to investigate, ruled Flowers' death accidental. "The fact that the truck's motor was still running led authorities to discount despondency," City Editor Glenn Cootes of the Big Spring Herald said...NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE GUN: "He had no reason to despondent, as far as anyone could determine," Cootes added. "He was well thought of in town. Everybody knew him. It also is not unusual for a man in these parts to be carrying a gun," he explained. "There are a lot of jackrabbits and rattlesnakes in this country. He might have been going after one of those." Born in Big Spring Aug. 7, 1915, Flowers was rated one of the greatest defensive players in Big Spring High School's history. He
later starred at Texas Tech in nearby Lubbock before being drafted by the Packers. A blocking back at Tech, Flowers was converted into a center by Packer Coach Curly Lambeau. He also played linebacker, a position at which he won a collegiate reputation, and tackle. He was one of four brothers to play on Big Spring's football teams. One of them, now a major in the Air Force. later became a backfield star at Tulane University. Packer President Dominic Olejniczak said, "I am very sorry to hear of Bob's untimely death. He was a fine competitor and a tremendous personality. He always fought down to the end of the game." Flowers paid his last visit to Green Bay a year ago when he came here for the annual Packer Homecoming Nov. 19, climaxed by a 35-17 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
RAMS 'TOO YOUNG TO WIN,' SVARE SAYS
DEC 11 (Los Angeles) - Everyone else has had a fling at diagnosing the collapse of the Los Angeles Rams from a championship outfit to a hopeless tailender. Now the new coach, Harland Svare, is emboldened to venture a guess. Svare, appointed in midseason when Bob Waterfield resigned, believes that the chain reaction of inexperience is the chief reason why the Rams are 1-11-1 this season. "This team is too young to win, but it has the desire to win," says Svare. "There is a lot of talent, and all that is needed is maturity. Experience can do more than talent in football. The only exceptions are the conspicuously talented, such as Merlin Olsen and Marlin McKeever. You win in the NFL by stocking with veterans until you get an Olsen. I'll tell you what the Rams need to get back in contention. We need an experienced team. I think we can do it with few, if any, personnel changes. If I'm around next year, that's the way I'll play it." The Ram coaches believe that this year's team, despite its miserable record, is improving. Some of the changes made by Svare are bringing improvements. The shift of giant end, Lamar Lundy, to a tackle position and the moving of tackle Larry Stephens and Deacon Jones at the ends and Olsen and Lundy at the tackles, the Ram defensive line next year should be a tough one to handle. The Rams close out their 1962 campaign here Sunday against the champion Green Bay Packers and there is a possibility that Los Angeles' best ball carrier, Dick Bass, won't be in the lineup. Bass suffered rib injuries last week against the Chicago Bears and one of them may be cracked.
Final resting place of Bob Flowers - Mount Olive Cemetery (Big Spring, TX) (Source: Findagrave.com)
MAX RUNS, PUNTS, ACTS WITH FLOURISH, SPICE
DEC 11 (Long Beach, CA-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Until Ron Kramer scored in the final minute, Max McGee's daring run off punt formation, his fourth this season, gave the Packers the life they needed to produce a second quarter field goal by Jerry Kramer in San Francisco Sunday. That 17-yard field goal was the difference, 24-21, until R. Kramer took Bart Starr's five-yard pass for a 31-21 final score. Conditions were perfect for Max's run. "You must have good visibility and be certain there is no rush. When you see the defense turn tail then you can go," McGee said. It was on a fourth and five situation. The 49ers in the line of scrimmage took one step forward and then curled to their left and downfield in as neat a ballet pattern you'll see this side of the stage. Bill Forester, whose job is to pick off the 49ers if they try to block it, said he didn't know McGee was going to run. "I didn't hear his foot hit the ball, so I knew then he was going to run. He ran to the right because the 49ers were going that way. I couldn't block them at all because their backs were to me. I would have been clipping," Bill said. McGee gained eight yards and the first down. He might have gone 30 or so if an unidentified 49er hadn't made a great play. The 49ers were aware of McGee's penchant for running. "McGee has done that before and we worked on it a long time Friday," said 49er coach Red Hickey. Marvelous Max does nothing without a flourish and his next three punts also contained some spice. On his next boot early in the third period, McGee sprawled to the ground like he had been hit by a speeding car. A 49er charged in, attempting to block the boot, and then ran as close as he could without touching McGee. Max then put on his act. The official wouldn't buy McGee's show and he waved his arms in a sort of "Nice try, Max, no penalty" signal. Another punt wasn't needed until the last four minutes of the game. The pass was a bit low and McGee juggled the ball briefly. The 49ers flew in like vultures and Max ran to his right and punted on the dead run. It turned out to be McGee's shortest punt on record, seven yards. McGee had a good spin on his last punt - with about 2:30 left. Booting from the 49er 37-yard line, Max arched a low liner up the middle and straight in the arms of Abe Woodson on the 17. Abe needed a baseball glove for this hard shot as it bounced off his chest, Ken Iman recovering. The Taxi isn't the lonest punter in the league but he's certainly the most interesting.
PACK PICKED BY NINOWSKI
DEC 11 (New York) - Jim Ninowski, former Detroit Lions quarterback, picks the Green Bay Packers to win in the event they meet the New York Giants for the NFL title. Ninowski, with the Cleveland Browns in the Eastern Division of the NFL, touched on the playoff game and other subjects at a football club luncheon Monday. He was the Browns' starting quarterback until sidelined for the remainder of the season with shoulder dislocation Oct. 28. The Packers, the defending NFL champions, need only a victory against the last-place Rams in Los Angeles Sunday to insure a second straight title playoff with the Giants, who have already clinched the Eastern Division title. "I have to honestly say that I think the Packers will win it," Ninowski said. "They are too powerful. I would say about 24-17. Nothing like last year (37-0). The Giants are a better club than they were last year. The whole thing could be the mental attitude the clubs take into the game. How else can you explain the ups and downs of the pro clubs and the colleges, too, during the season. The great coach is the man who can get his club up mentally for each game."
PACKERS LAND 10 PLAYERS ON ALL-PRO TEAM
DEC 12 (New York) - Green Bay already has locked up 10 positions on the 22-man NFL All-Star team selected for the Associated Press although the Packers still have not clinched the Western Conference title. The New York Giants, who meet the Western winners for the league championship Dec. 30 at Yankee Stadium, put four men on the club selected by a committee of sportswriters and sportscasters from the 14 league cities. Detroit, trailing the Packers by one game with one to play, also placed four men on the team. Baltimore had two and Washington and Dallas each had one place...TITTLE AT QUARTERBACK: Green Bay's powerhouse, which leads the league in scoring and also has allowed the fewest points, wound up with fullback Jim Taylor, tight end Ron Kramer, tackle Forrest Gregg, guard Jerry Kramer and center Jim Ringo from its offensive unit on the All-Star team. The Packers' defensive group contributed tackle Henry Jordan, end Willie Davis, linebackers Dan Currie and Bill Forester and cornerback Herb Adderley. Y.A. Tittle, the Giants' "Bald Eagle" quarterback, and Del Shofner, his favorite passing target, made the offensive team along with big Rosey Brown at tackle. Jimmy Patton, veteran safetyman, was named on offense. As befits a club that leads the league on defense, Detroit placed four men on that unit, led by 296-pound Roger Brown at tackle, middle linebacker Joe Schmidt, cornerback Dick Night Train Lane and safety Yale Lary...BROWN, HORNUNG MISS: Both Jimmy Brown, Cleveland's fullback who normally is a must for any All-Star team, and Green Bay's injured Paul Hornung, the player of the year in 1961, failed to make the team. Jim Parker of Baltimore, used both at guard and tackle, was picked at tackle. Don Perkins of Dallas was named to a running back job along with Taylor, who has scored 18 touchdowns, tying the league record. Bobby Mitchell, the fleet back traded to Washington by Cleveland, made it at flanker back as the leading pass receiver. The 36-year-old Tittle, with his 27 touchdown passes, rounded out the starting backfield. Gino Marchetti, Baltimore's veteran defensive end, was the only "outsider" to crack the Green Bay-Detroit-New York axis on defense...WOOD GETS BACKING: Detroit's Alex Karras was a close runner-up to Jordan for the other tackle job and New York's Jim Katcavage drew powerful support for defensive end. Cornerback Erich Barnes of the Giants and safety Willie Wood of Green Bay also received strong backing. All won jobs on the second team on which New York had five places and Green Bay four. Ron Kramer drew solid competition from Chicago's Mike Ditka for the tight end position on the first team and Fuzzy Thurston of Green Bay was in contention for a guard job. John Henry Johnson of Pittsburgh and Dick Bass of Los Angeles provided heavy competition for Perkins as Taylor's running mate. Ray Wietecha of New York also drew solid support for center.
PACK ROOKIES PRIMED TO BEEF TITLE DRIVE VS. RAMS SUNDAY
DEC 12 (Long Beach, CA-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Quick now. Who are the Packers' five rookies? They don't play much they're thrilled to be with a championship team. And they're ready to add their "bit" toward winning the title Sunday against the Rams in Los Angeles. Oh yes, who are they? Earl Gros, the fullback; Ed Blaine, the left and right guard; Gary Barnes, the pass-catching end; Ron Gassert, the defense lineman; and Howard Williams, the defensive halfback. What do they think as the Packers approach their third straight title? Blaine, who looks more like a young doctor or professor than a hard-smacking lineman, says, "I'd carry the water bucket if I thought it would help this team. They're a wonderful bunch of guys." He doesn't mind sitting on the bench. "I wouldn't trade a chance to be with this club to play regularly with another club." Blaine pointed to the entire organization. "Everything is run perfectly and it sure must be a model for other teams," said Ed. All of the rookies are on the platoons, such as the kickoff and punt teams, except Williams, who hurt his back in practice last week. Howard hopes to suit up Sunday. He went on the active list Thanksgiving Day, taking Nelson Toburen's place on the roster. Barnes, who plays left end behind Max McGee, said, "They put me on the platoons about four weeks ago and this gives a veteran a chance to get a rest. They can get hurt easier on platoons, especially kickoffs. I enjoy taking part of that title. It's a very important part of the game. I try to be ready to go in at any time. We (the second team) got a few chances and we played almost a full quarter against the Rams in Milwaukee. Got a touchdown, too, and that's always a big thrill. I'm sure all of new players understand that this is a championship club and we don't expect to go right in there." Gros said he is "thrilled to be with this team. It's not as good as playing all the time but platoon work is real important."...SCORED TWO TOUCHDOWNS: The big fullback, who backs up Jim Taylor, has looked exceptionally well and has scored two touchdowns in his relief role, one against the Bears in Chicago on a nine-yard smash and the other vs. the Rams on a 15-yard run on which he rammed Alvin Hall into the end zone. Gros said the veterans have been "helpful to me. They have given me precise little hints." Gassert said he "wished I could do more to help but platoon work is important, and I'll do my best." Williams said, "I feel bad about getting hurt because they had just put me on the platoons. But I have two more chances yet and I want to be ready. I'll do my best to help." Williams tried to suit up Tuesday but he was advised to wait another day...The Packers arrived here Tuesday afternoon after working out briefly in Palo Alto in the morning. Greeting the team upon arrival at Long Beach Municipal Airport was Ben (Lucky Aggie) Agajanian, the kicking specialist who is a prosperous merchant here. The trick now is to keep automatic Ben away from Jerry Kramer, who has hit 9 out of 11 field goal attempts. Norb
Hecker, who coaches the kicker, laughed: "I don't want Ben changing Jerry's style."...BRIEFS: The Bays were mighty pleased about landing 10 of the 22 starting places on the AP's all-pro teams. Getting the honors for the first time were Ron Kramer and Herb Adderley. Ron announced to all: "I'm ready for interviews right now." Actually, more Packers should have made the team - especially Willie Wood, who is having a fine season at safety...The Bays were rated 20 1/2-point favorites to beat the Rams...Dan Currie, back in action after missing two games with a knee injury, said he never gave the injury a thought in the 49er game. "It wasn't swollen up after the game so it must be all right," he said...Coach Vince Lombardi called a strategy meeting for Tuesday night in the LaFayette Hotel...The team is working out in Legion Memorial Stadium here...Paul Hornung will be on the Steve Allen show tonight (Wednesday) in Los Angeles.
TAYLOR CAN KEEP NFL POINT TITLE IN FAMILY
DEC 12 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Paul Hornung, the NFL's scoring champion the last three seasons, will not repeat but running mate Jim Taylor stands a good chance of keeping it in the Packer family. He must, however, weather the challenge of Pittsburgh's placekicking star, Lou Michaels. Taylor holds a 7-point lead, 108 to 101, over Michaels heading into Sunday's final action. Neither will approach the all-time NFL record of 176 points set by Hornung in 1960. Hornung, who also led the NFL in 1961 with 146 points, dropped out of the race due to a knee injury after a fast start. Michaels broke the NFL record for field goals in one season when he booted his total to 24 last Sunday by kicking four in the Steelers' 26-17 victory over Philadelphia. Taylor continues to lead the league's ground gainers with 1,318 yards in 249 attempts. He already has broken his 1961 Packer record of 1,307 but needs 210 in Sunday's finale against the Los Angeles Rams to break the all-time NFL mark of 1,527 established by Cleveland's Jim Brown. The Packers' Bart Starr and Willie Wood also are bidding for NFL individual titles. Starr leads the passers, having completed 64 percent of his tosses, 162 of 253 attempts for 2,233 yards, and Wood intercepted nine passes, two more than his nearest rival.
KRONER SETS KICKING MARK
DEC 12 (New York) - Gary Kroner, Wisconsin kicking star by way of Green Bay Premontre and drafted back to Green Bay by the Packers, set an all-time NCAA record for extra point kicks without a miss this season, final college statistics revealed today. Kroner booted 27 without missing. The country's top kicker, Miami's Bob Jencks, registered 48 points with his toe but made only 24 of 26 PAT attempts.
LOMBARDI HAS COVETOUS EYES BEING CAST UPON HIM BY OTHER NFL CLUBS
DEC 13 (Long Beach, CA-Appleton Post-Crescent) - Vince Lombardi can have the moon for managing and coaching a professional team, if he wants. The Packers' head coach and general manager is unquestionably the top man in his field in the country. Nobody can touch him. In his first job as head coach above the high school level, Lombardi took over a Packer team that won only one game in 1958 and produced a 7-5 record as a rookie coach in '59. His team won the western title in 1960, the world championship in '61, and a win Sunday over the Rams will give the Packers the '62 Western crown. What's more, Vince's record as a general manager has been spotless. Just take a look at the Bays' profit-and-loss sheets. Thus, it comes as no surprise that other clubs in the NFL are casting covetous eyes at Lombardi. They would like him to perform the same kind of miracle for them. When Vince arrived here a week ago Tuesday, he was greeted with a San Francisco Chronicle story that the Rams had made a fantastic offer, informally of course, as follows: (1) $100,000 in cash, to be spread over two years; (2) A home in Los Angeles fully paid; (3) A $100,000 life insurance policy paid up for the duration of the original contract - to be extended when the football contract is renewed; (4) A piece of an oil well. The Rams presently are a split group and the ownership is being fought over by Dan Reeves, Edwin W. Pauley, Fred Levy, Jr., and James H. Seley. The owner fight in the hands of the courts and a decision should be made by the end of the years, said Elroy Hirsch, general manager of the Rams. Hirsch said that if an offer was made, it was made by a faction of the owners. Lombardi would not say that the Rams made such an offer but added: "How can you turn something like that down?" NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, who
was in San Francisco for last Sunday's game, explained - as he had for the Chronicle: "Yes, Lombardi has been approached by a number of clubs. Oil wells are among the lures. But these conversations usually start around a dinner table and when Lombardi says, "But the commissioner won't approve,' they ignore it and start again. The Packers would have to consent to his release and I doubt they'd do that."...THREE MORE YEARS: Vince's contract has three more years to run in Green Bay. His original three-year contract was torn up in 1961 and he signed a five-year contract a year ago last training season. Rozelle, in his reference to "other clubs," indicated that more than the Rams are interested in the Bay coach. Lombardi is actually limited in Green Bay since the corporation can offer him nothing more than a salary and bonuses. These, of course, are tapped heavily by Uncle Sam. Rozelle pointed out that other clubs can offer him part ownership and the like - "which Green Bay can't because of its corporate setup." This, in effect, is like a promotion for Lombardi - not a better team personnel wise, fanwise or just plain otherwise, but it offers Lombardi an opportunity to become a part-owner of a major league team and the rewards wouldn't all go for taxes. It's all very interesting but the big job at hand is winning the Western Division championship, and Lombardi sent the Bays through a sharp session on offense today in preparation for the big "title" game in the Coliseum. The Packers are heavy favorites, over 20 points, but you'd never know it the way they're working. They can win the title without lifting a finer, providing the Bears beat the Lions, but the Packers aren't counting on it. That game should be over about the time the Packer game starts. Elijah Pitts is being clued in on the defensive maneuvers - just in case. Coach Norb Hecker said Williams can back up John Symank but "we'd use Elijah if we lost two backs. You never know." Ben Agajanian worked out with the Bays, just for the exercise, Wednesday and spent more time with Willie Wood and Jerry Kramer on kickoffs. He even had Jim Ringo boot a few. Jim Taylor was highly pleased with his elections as the player of the year. "Really?" he asked. Taylor, who quickly lauded "the players up there blocking for me," gives the Packers the award the second straight year. Hornung won it last year. Among the visitors at the closed practice was Rocky Bridges, third base coach for the LA Angeles, and Lloyd Hansen, former Green Bay contractor who lives here now. Rocky said, "I don't know anything about football."
KEEP SVARE, ADVISE
DEC 13 (Los Angeles) - Members of Ye Olde Rams, an organization of former Los Angeles Ram football players which often has been critical of the club's management, feels interim Coach Harland Svare should continue on the job. The group, with Dr. Leslie Horvath, a former Ram and Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State, presiding, met primarily to vote its team selections for annual honors. The selections will be announced later. But sentiment was strong in favor of Svare to be retained for 1963, Svare stepped up from assistant when head Coach Bob Waterfield resigned midway in the season. "I' in favor of settling down with Svare and most of the players he has now," said Ron Waller, ex-halfback star from Maryland. "This is the right coach. The thing that's missing on this squad is seasoning." Said Jack Banta, another halfback star: "Svare has proved he can handle this squad. He knows football and he knows personnel."
TAYLOR VOTED NFL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
DEC 13 (New York) - Jim Taylor, Green Bay's crashing fullback who is noted for his great second effort, was voted Player of the Year in the NFL today by an Associated Press committee of sportswriters and broadcasters from the 14 league cities. Taylor, a 27-year-old former Louisiana State ace in his fifth year of pro ball, grabbed the award won last year by Paul Hornung, the Packers' glamorous triple threat halfback who has been crippled by a knee injury this season. With one more game to play, Taylor already has tied the NFL record for scoring 18 touchdowns, all on the ground, and leads the league in scoring with 108 points. Packer fans have been insisting that Taylor deserved to be named the All-Star fullback over Cleveland's Jimmy Brown. They finally got their wish this season. Brown's fabulous five-year reign as rushing champion is sure to end, and Taylor appears sure to succeed him. Taylor has gained 1,318 yards in 249 carries, 206 yards more than John Henry Johnson of Pittsburgh, his closest competitor. Brown is fourth with 861 yards. Y.A. Tittle, the old "bald eagle" who has thrown 27 touchdown passes for the New York Giants, finished a strong second to Taylor in the voting. Taylor drew 19 ballots, Tittle had 13 and Bobby Mitchell, Washington flanker back, had four. Roger Brown, huge defensive tackle of the Detroit Lions, had two votes and Joe Schmidt, veteran Detroit linebacker, and Lou Michaels, Pittsburgh field goal kicker and defensive end, each had one. Two of the 42-man panel did not vote in this category. A head-on meeting of the top two vote getters appears to be in the making for the Dec. 30 championship game at Yankee Stadium. Taylor, who was injured and played second fiddle to Hornung a year ago against the Giants, will get his chance unless Green Bay surprises everybody and loses to Los Angeles in its last game Sunday and forces a tie playoff with Detroit. Tittle, with 179 completions in 333 passes for 2,883 yards, has pitched the Giants into the total offense and passing leadership. Taylor is a key to Coach Vince Lombardi's system of ball control that has seen the Packers score 38 of their 50 touchdowns on the ground and only 12 through the air. "Taylor may not be as big as some fullbacks but he has balance and determination," said Lombardi earlier. "He is hard to knock off his feet and he fights for every yard." Taylor runs over people in the open field and grinds out every yard possible behind the crunching blocks of his front line. He is a good blocker, too, and often sets Hornung or Tom Moore free on key runs. At six feet and 215 pounds, he is not as big as Jimmy Brown or a Nick Pietrosante but he makes up for it with that big second effort. Tittle, 36, has been tremendous in his second year with the Giants. He threw seven touchdown passes, tying the league record, when the Giants ruined Washington's winning streak in midseason. A canny play caller, adept at the automatic, Tittle also can run when necessary. He ran for an important touchdown against Detroit although he was hit so hard that he had to sit out the rest of the first half...MITCHELL BIG SURPRISE: In many ways, Mitchell was the big surprise of the year. As a running back in Cleveland, he always had been under the shadow of Brown. McPeak moved him to the outside as a flanker and he went crazy. The latest statistics show Mitchell the top pass catcher in the league with 68 for 1,294 yards and 11 touchdowns. A national television audience was able to appreciate the drive and power of Roger Brown in the Lions' Thanksgiving Day game with the Packers. Time after time he brushed back Fuzzy Thurston or Jim Ringo and dumped quarterback Bart Starr on the seat of his pants. Brown and Schmidt are two of the big reasons why the Lions lead the league in total defense and rushing defense and have allowed only 7 touchdowns rushing. Michaels had a big year as a field goal kicker with 24 of 39 and 29 extra points for a total of 101 points, only seven less than Taylor. Michaels set a new league record last Sunday with a season total of 24 field goals after his second straight week of kicking four in a game.
Jim Taylor (31) in action vs San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers Willie Wood (24) in action, jumping during kickoff return vs San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Neil Leifer /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
The Packers' grasp exceeded their reach as they tried to knock down a chip shot by 49ers kicker Tommy Davis. (Photo by Sports Illustrated)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr before taking a snap against the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Neil Leifer)
Green Bay Packers Football Paul Hornung (5) heads for the turf after being stopped by the diving tackle of San Fransisco 49ers Jerry Mertens (80) after a five yard gain in the first quarter Sunday at Kezar Stadium. John Mellekas, 49ers center, stands over Hornung. In the background are Dan Colchico (86) of the 49ers and the Packers Fred Thurston (63). (Photo by United Press)
MASTERS, SKORONSKI GIVE PACK UNIQUE 12-MAN OFFENSE
DEC 14 (Long Beach, CA-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers are the only team in pro football with a 12-man starting offensive team. This is the most unique situation in the 11-man football - the Packers' two left tackles, Norm Masters and Bob Skoronski. Pick any position in the Packer starting lineups and you come up with just one game for each - fullback, Jim Taylor; middle linebacker, Ray Nitschke, etc., but at left tackles it's two people - Skoronski and Masters. "We eliminate each other from gaining individual recognition," the two left tackles chimed in at a dual interview after Tuesday's practice. How can two players put up with such a situation without creating a problem for Coach Vince Lombardi and offensive line Coach Bill Austin? "We have always been good friends and we feel free to tell each other how we feel. We each think we are the best in the league," they echoed. And Masters added: "We each have a good temperament." They are three quarter Polish, Bob being a full-blooded one and Masters being half Italian and half Polish. Norm and Bob alternate starting the games and then alternate usually by each series, and it's not easy. "We have to be in constant touch on the sidelines since we each play half the offense. We let each other know what happened when we were in there and what the defenses were doing. We also work with Fuzzy (left guard Thurston) when the defense has the ball," they explained. The two 245-pound tackles are virtually equal in ability and one isn't used more for pass blocking or rush blocking or vice versa. "It just happens," they said, "whoever is in there can do the job that is ordered by the quarterback." Each realizes that "we could do better players if we played regularly and we feel that we are sacrificing a chance to be a regular for the sake of having a great team." Masters and Skoronski also sacrifice a chance to win individual "awards," since they don't get as many offensive chances in any given game as the other 10 offensive starters. "We feel this consolation: We feel that we can both do the jobs. Otherwise, we wouldn't be alternating," they said. Starting game are changed "on location," said Masters, adding: "I start against Detroit because that's where my home is. Bob started in Philadelphia because he's from the east." Skoronski, a Green Bay homeowner, hails from Ansonia, Conn. The former Indiana star was the Pack's fifth draft choice in 1956. Masters, a salesman in Detroit, played at Michigan State and came to the Packers in 1957 in the Tobin Rote trade. The two big guys have their pride, like every member of the world champions, and being introduced on nationwide television as a starter on the champion Packers is a special thrill. They both were in the starting lineup in the 1961 championship game since Masters handled right tackle while Forrest Gregg was at right guard in place of injured Jerry Kramer, with Skoronski working at left tackle...'QUITE A GUARD': "Norm's quite a guard, too," Bob cheered. "And don't forget Bob can go in there at center if necessary, Norm recheered. If the Packers beat the Rams Sunday and thus win the '62 Western Division championship, introductions in Yankee Stadium Dec. 30 should include, "At left tackle from Michigan State, Norm Masters, and from Indiana, Bob Skoronski."...The aforementioned tackles received a long drill Thursday, with Masters working at right tackle during the absence of Gregg, who was called to Texas by the serious illness of his sister. he expects to return in time for the game. Paul Hornung, who was bedded down with the stomach flu Wednesday, made it out to practice Thursday but didn't suit up. Jerry Kramer stayed out of the usual Thursday rough stuff due to a shoulder injury but spent a long session on field goal kicking. He was hitting from 50 yards out. Ben Agajanian worked out with Willie Wood and Jim Ringo on kickoffs and Lombardi felt that Aggie helped Wood get off some longer kicks. Ringo put on the kicking toe the last few days but after the session yesterday Jim took off his right shoe and deposited it in Dad Braisher's equipment bag. "That's where it belongs - right in the bag," Jim laughed. Howard Williams got a good workout and he figures to be ready for Sunday. He said his injured back is just a little sore.
'IT'S ALL WRAPPED UP IN ONE GAME,' VINCE
DEC 15 (Long Beach, CA-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - "The whole thing is wrapped up in one game," Packer Coach Vince Lombardi said after Friday's practice, referring to Sunday's league windup against the Rams in Los Angeles. "All the work we've done comes right down to the last game," he reviewed, adding: "But it has been a good season and we had many obstacles to overcome." He reminded that "everybody has been pointed at us and we've had some injuries." That each opponent made a super-human effort each Sunday to beat Green Bay and that they've still been able to lose only one game ranks as one of the major achievements of the decade. The Packers figure to post their 13th victory Sunday for a new modern-day won record. The Packers have had their share of injuries, although not as many as some clubs. This, though, is a tribute to the team's superb physical conditioning - a Lombardi specialty. The greatest loss was Paul Hornung, who has been ineffective since injuring his knee in the fifth game. The only other regular to miss a complete game was Dan Currie, who was out of the Lion game Thanksgiving Day (the only loss GB suffered) and the Ram game in Milwaukee. Boyd Dowler missed the Bear game in Chicago but did the punting. "We may not have Forrest Gregg with us Sunday," Lombardi said Friday. Gregg has been called to Texas by the serious illness of his sister. If Gregg doesn't play, Norm Masters will play right tackle and Bob Skoronski, Master's switch-off partner at left tackle, will handle that position alone...The Bay defense will have to intercept four passes to reach the goal of 35 set by Coach Norb Hecker before the season. Dave Hanner and Willie Wood each grabbed one to reach 31 against the 49ers last Sunday. Wood leads the team with nine and Herb Adderley has seven interceptions. Hank Gremminger has five, Ray Nitschke four, Jess Whittenton three and Bill Quinlan, Hank Jordan and Hanner one each...Ben Agajanian, the ageless kicker who is now botting for the losing Oakland Raiders, says the Packer defense has caught up with the Packer offense. "And Bart Starr had benefitted the most. Just think he has to throw against that great defense every day in practice. When he gets in a game the other defenses would seem easy by comparison," Ben said...Paul Hornung, in his bout with the flu, has developed a rasping voice, to which he quipped: "People will think I've been moved to quarterback." Hornung did some running at practice Friday...The Packers will stay at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. They'll fly back to Green Bay Monday.
PACKERS SIGN QB TERRY ZANG, LOSE LAMONICA
DEC 15 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers gained one quarterback today and lost another. Drake University's Terry Zang, a free agent, announced late Friday in Des Moines, Iowa, he has signed with the world champions for 1963. At almost the same hour, the Buffalo Bills of the AFL announced they had signed Notre Dame quarterback Daryle Lamonica. The 6-2, 205-pound Lamonica, Buffalo's 24th choice, was drafted 12th by the Packers. Zang was Marquette's starting quarterback in 1960 and transferred to Drake when the Warriors dropped football that year. A 195-pounder from Kankakee, Ill., Zang completed 46 of 95 passes for 667 yards and four touchdowns this year. Zang is the third college player to sign with the Packers thus far. Previously signed were Dan Grimm, University of Colorado tackle and the Pack's No. 5 pick, and Ed Holler, University of South Carolina linebacker, 14th choice.
TITLE-SEEKING PACKERS CLASH WITH RAMS TODAY
DEC 16 (Los Angeles-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Thirteen will be the magic number for the Packers and Rams in the Coliseum today. Green Bay will be going for its 13th victory while Los Angeles hopes to keep from absorbing its 13th loss - since it's not Friday the 13th we'll not worry about any unluck. The Packers are rated 18-point favorites in their biggest game of the season - putting it another way, the Packers are big choices to win their third straight Western Division championship. But nobody is mentioning champagne in camp. The Packers aren't thinking about the Lion-Bear game today. Coach Vince Lombardi is making sure of that. But if the PA announcer happens to reveal that the Bears beat the Lions, the Bays might listen - and smile a bit. A loss for the Lions would put Green Bay "in" regardless of what the Packers do here. Close to 60,000 fans are expected, the largest crowd of the year, and they'll be hoping for the upset of the year. It would be a tremendous feather for the much-abused Rams to knock off the Pack and you can bet they'll be raging. Ram Coach Harland Svare is hopeful on the basis of his team's performance in the 41-10 loss to the Pack in Milwaukee. He felt that a lot of foolish mistakes made the score lopsided. Young Svare gave the Rams a tongue-lashing Thursday because of poor practices and the team promptly snapped to attention Friday and Saturday. The Rams also will be fighting for good 1963 contracts at the expense of the Pack. The Packers have been "high" all week and Lombardi isn't finding it necessary to snap the whip. The Packers figure to be loose for the payoff struggle - unlike two years ago when they survived dangerous tightness in the Coliseum to win the title. The Packers are in good condition except for Paul Hornung, who has been weakened some by the flu. Tom Moore, who relieved Hornung in San Francisco and then went on to score a key touchdown, probably will start at left half. Forrest Gregg returned Saturday from Texas where he flew earlier in the week to be at the bedside of his sister, who is seriously ill. The big attraction out here is the Pack's jarring fullback, Jim Taylor, who was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in the AP poll last week. Taylor hopes to carry about 210 pounds in a bid to retain his lead in the league's rushing and scoring columns. One touchdown will give Jim a new season record of 19. Bart Starr has led the league for the last two weeks in passing and it would be wonderful if Starr can win the pass title. He is having his best season and his teammates would like
to see him finish No. 1. The Rams, who are just about out of fullbacks, have shifted their ace, Dick Bass, from left half to fullback. Jon Arnett was moved from left end to left half, his old position before Svare took over. Roman Gabriel, the lanky rookie, will start at quarterback and his showing might determine whether the rams keep or trade Terry Baker, the first draft choice. Gabriel looked good against the Pack in Milwaukee. The Packers will stay at the Ambassador Hotel here after the game. They'll leave here by United Airlines charter at noon Monday, Green Bay time, and reach Austin Straubel Field about seven hours later. Two Packer draft choices will sit on the Packer bench, Tony Liscio, the Tulsa tackle and third pick, and Marv Fleming, the Utah end who was drafted No. 11. The signing of Liscio was announced by Lombardi Saturday. He watched practice Saturday and said he was happy to get a shot at making the championship team. The Packers, incidentally, were complimented in the manner in which they handled negotiations. Liscio was signed by Tom Miller, Packer publicity chief. Kickoff today is set for 3:30, Packerland time.
