1962 Green Bay Packers Training Camp
PACK OPENS CAMP; "TEAM TO BEAT' VINCE ADMITS
JUL 15 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Just 19 days removed from an Aug. 3 bout with the College All- Stars, Vince Lombardi throws open the Packers' 1962 camp to 21 rookie hopefuls at St. Norbert College today. Said yearlings, who shortly will be contending with 36 veterans for regular employment with the NFL's defending champions, will be treated to a mild indoctrination tonight before facing up to what lies ahead. They are scheduled to report for dinner at 6, after which all will undergo physical examinations in the basement of Van Dyke gymnasium, which in turn will be followed by a briefing session, to be presided over by Lombardi. As indicated, this will be the proverbial lull before the storm, which formally begins at 10 o'clock Monday morning with the first full scale workout of the season. The rookies will have three more "private" sessions (afternoon drills will be staged at 3 o'clock) before being joined by the veterans Wednesday morning. By Lombardi's own frank admission "the team to beat" in the upcoming NFL race, the Packers are not without problems, Vince is quick to note. Help and depth, he feels, are needed in both the defensive line and secondary, as well as offensive guard. Launching into a clinical analysis of the 1962 prospects, he said, "I saw an article recently which said we need defensive help. I think we've got it on our squad. Although they both should almost be considered first year men as far as we're concerned, both Herb Adderley and Don Ellersick have played defense in this league (Ellersick, a member of the Packer taxi squad last season, with the Minnesota Vikings before coming to Green Bay)." Listing incumbents Hank Gremminger, John Symank, Willie Wood and Jesse Whittenton, he cited two other defensive backfield prospects, Washington State's Peter Schenck and mercurial Roger Holdinsky, out of West Virginia. "Schenck is a real fine athlete with good hands and speed," Vince explained, "and Holdinsky has great speed - he may be the fastest man we've got." Turning to the defensive line, he pointed out, "here we have Willie Davis, Bill Quinlan, Hank Jordan, Dave Hanner, Ron Kostelnik and Ben Davidson back. Ron Gassert (260-pound Virginia tackle currently with the College All-Stars) has a fine reputation and there is a boy from Villanova, Tom Kepner, who everybody thinks is going to make it. Ed Blaine (No. 2 choice from Missouri) also could be a defensive lineman. We could stand some real help here," he added. "If Kostelnik improves or Kepner or Gassert makes it, it would be a tremendous help. And if any of the others (Ellersick, Holdinsky, Schenck, et al) make it, it would also be a big help." Lombardi passed over his linebacking corps, perhaps the best in the NFL (Dan Currie, Bill Forester, Ray Nitschke, Tom Bettis and Nelson Toburen) with a capsule comment - "pretty solid." Moving to the offense, he accorded the same tacit honor to all-pro center Jim Ringo and his talented sophomore understudy, Ken Iman, before touching upon a "weakness." "We're weak at offensive guard as far as depth is concerned," Lombardi noted. "We are looking for some help there and we should get some from Jack Novak (back for another try after recovering from knee surgery that sidelined him during his rookie season), John Schopf (Michigan) and Blaine. Offensive tackle is pretty solid with Forrest Gregg, Bob Skoronski and Norm Masters," Vince conceded. "Davidson could go there and Kepner is a possibility." This prompted him to append, "That's the kind of team you want - one with versatility," a comment stemming from the fact that he earlier had been able to place both Davidson and Kepner as defensive tackle prospects. "We have Ron Kramer, Gary Knafelc and Lee Folkins at tight end," he continued. "Lew Carpenter can also play there and Lew also can be used as a split end." At the moment, the Packer headmaster pointed out, "Boyd Dowler (just out of service) and Max McGee are the only two flankers we have - the same as last year. Gary Barnes (Clemson) and Oscar Donahue (San Jose State) may have a chance here."...'DEPENDS ON POTENTIAL': Studying the quarterback situation, where incumbent Bart Starr and John Roach are again set to hold forth, Lombardi indicated the fate of Bob Joiner, rookie field general from South Carolina's Presbyterian College, "depends on how good a potential he has. If makes it, it means we'll have to cut some other place," Vince observed, "unless he should beat somebody out." In his three previous years at the Packer controls, Lombardi has carried only two quarterbacks. "As far as the running backs are concerned, of course, we have Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung (expecting an early
1962 Post Cereal set
service discharge) and Tom Moore back. Among the rookies, Earl Gros (No. 1 draft choice from LSU, who like Gassert and Blaine is in the All-Star camp) has good size and speed and catches the ball and Ernie Green (from Louisville) who also has good size and speed." Speedster Elijah Pitts, soon to be released from the Army, will join this group...ALL-STAR GAME 'COMPLICATIONS': Aside from the personnel problems he outlined earlier, the one-time Block of Granite sees one other major - and immediate - complication. That would be the impending All-Star match, an assignment which Lombardi frankly admits "is not like an ordinary preseason game - there is so much loss of prestige in losing an All-Star game, so you have to be ready for it." This immediately poses the problem of "getting high" too early, Vince pointed out. "You have to be ready a little sooner and it can hurt you, as it has some other teams in the past. They've gotten high for the All-Stars, then sagged in the middle of the league season." His evaluation completed, Lombardi leaned back in his chair and soberly conceded, "I have to be truthful and say that we've got a pretty solid football team. I also have to say that we're the team to beat. Not, however, that we can't be beaten," he added with pardonable haste. "For example, so many things happened last year that could have cost us the championship." "Take the injury to Jerry Kramer. It could have crippled us," he declared. "Fortunately, Forrest Gregg was able to move in there. That's the importance of depth." Introducing another factor, he mused with a slight smile, "It is going to be very interesting to see what attitude the squad will have this year." Any fears of overconfidence? "I don't have any," he shot back. "I know I'm not overconfident and the rest of the coaches certainly are not overconfident. We'll have to wait and see how fat the squad is going to be." "We're champions so everybody is going to play a little harder against us," he concluded, "which means that we'll have to do a little better in everything we do."
20 PACKER ROOKIES BEGIN TRAINING CAMP CHALLENGE
JUL 16 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - How does it feel to be a rookie on a world championship team? Twenty thoughtful Packer freshmen - 21 were scheduled - checked in at St. Norbert College as the sun dipped over the West De Pere campus Sunday evening, and one of them had a ready answer. Sturdy Bob Joiner, freshman quarterback from South Carolina's little Presbyterian College, frankly admitted: It's really going to be a challenge - they have two fine quarterbacks here already (Bart Starr and John Roach)." The hard-throwing Macon, Ga., native is not faint-hearted, however. "It makes the goal higher," he said with a smile. "You feel if you can make a championship team, you're really doing something. You know when you come that they could probably take the same boys who won the championship last year and do it again, so they don't need you too much." Joiner and his 18 fellow yearling, plus seven early-reporting veterans (Dave Hanner, Forrest Gregg, Ben Davidson, John Roach, Ken Iman, Lee Folkins and Starr) were presented with 1962's "battle plan" by Head Coach Vince Lombardi at an 8 o'clock meeting after undergoing physical examinations. They were scheduled to take their first exercise at 10 o'clock this morning. Another workout was set for 3 o'clock in Lombardi's traditional two-a-day drill baptism, a regiment that is expected to prevail for the balance of the week. Although he hadn't officially checked in at training headquarters, Offensive Capt. Jim Ringo joined the rookie drill this morning. All veterans have been ordered to report by 6 o'clock Tuesday evening, preparatory to the first full scale session at 10 Wednesday morning...The forthright Joiner, who called his selection by the Packers "a really big honor," is aware that adapting to pro football's imposing demands "will be a terrific challenge from college. The calling precision, for one thing, is much different and you spend a lot more time studying the defense." "But," he shortly added, "Vince Lombardi is a man you can learn it from - he's a master of the game. I don't of any coach I would rather learn from." In this connection, Bob admitted his alma mater, Presbyterian, "is very small, an all-boys' school of 550 students," but explained with a note of pride, "it has very good football, though. We had a pro-type passing offense, the straight dropback kind." Joiner, 6-2 and 215 (five pounds over his playing weight), completed "about 51 percent" of his passes at Presbyterian last season for 930 yards. Along the way, he attracted the attention of Packer talent scout Dick Voris, who obviously liked what he saw. Married ("and we're expecting a child in August"), the likeable Georgian is realistic about his chances. "No, I didn't bring my wife with me," he said with a grin. "I've got to make the team first and I'm not going to be that optimistic on a championship team."...Preston Wright, 6-4,
230-pound center from the University of Houston, was the only rookie who didn't report - and he had a good reason - he's in service. He expects to be discharged before the month is out. Lombardi also announced that two veterans, defensive back Ed Sutton and kicking specialist Allen Green, will not report. Sutton intends to concentrate on his medical studies, while Green decided he couldn't give up a job opportunity...PACKER PATTER: Without Emlen Tunnell, Hanner becomes the Packers' undisputed "dean." The onetime Arkansas Razorback is beginning his 11th season in Packer silks. Tunnell, who toiled 11 years for the New York Giants before joining the Pack, called it a career last winter after 14 semesters. Hawg, incidentally, reported at 270 pounds, two more than he carried at this time a year ago. Speaking of weigh, high-stepping Tom Moore came in a surprising 21 pounds lighter than a year ago. A svelte 205 this time, he scaled 226 at this point last season. Another "thin man" candidate is towering Gary Knafelc, who checked in at 220 Sunday night - his '61 playing weight. Rookie Peter Schenck, lithe Washington State alumnus, has a calorie problem in reverse. Schenck, a trim 190, moaned to Hanner, "I don't know how you can put it on - I can't gain an ounce."...Genial Carl (Bud) Jorrgensen, who taped his first ankle back in 1924, officially began his 39th year as Packer trainer, assisted by Domenic Gentile, West De Pere basketball coach who is back for a second season. Dad Braisher, recently of the surprising Los Angeles Angels, returns as equipment manager...Dr. James W. Nellen, Packer team physician, presided over the physical examination. His assistants included Dr. W.W. Ford, Dr. Joseph Grace, Dr. E.S. Brusky, and the Drs. Murphy, Patrick J. and Thomas E.
VINCE SHOWS NO MERCY FIRST DAY: KEPNER ATTESTS
JUL 17 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Never one to dally, taskmaster Vince Lombardi showed his world champion Packers no mercy opening day - as usual. He had a cast of 39, including 19 early bird veterans, in full pads and knocking heads with considerable vigor of the Pack's Oneida Street practice field under Monday afternoon's leaden skies. Much of the swift-paced session was devoted to a lengthy one-on-one drill, a rigorous exercise that showcased at least one rookie, curly-haired Tom Kepner, mountainous Villanova tackle. The massive Kepner, a Catholic All-America selection last autumn, held firm against charge after charge during the man-to-man combat and once hurled back a 235-pound colleague with impressive ease. It was, however, a long day for the king sized freshman, who dismayed Lombardi and his aides by reporting at a billowy 277 pounds - 17 over his playing bulk at the end of the Villanova's 1961 season. His broad countenance a virtual lake of perspiration, the 6-3 Camden, N.J., resident, who said: "Hitting head today was okay but those drills are tough," confessed this had resulted from a misunderstanding. "I saw Big Daddy Lipscomb (6-8, 290) with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and a few others, and I thought all pro ball players are about 275 or 280 pounds," Tom confided, somewhat sheepishly, "I finished the season last year at 260. I thought I should be a little heavier going to a pro team so that if I lost a few pounds I'd still be big enough," he explained, "but that wasn't right, I guess. The coaches want me to lose weight." At about this point in the conversation, Defense Coach Phil Bengtson approached from the direction of the shower and queried, with more than casual interest, "How much did you lose, Tom?" "I don't know, I didn't have a chance to check yet," Kepner replied, then appended with a shy grin and a mop of the brow, "it must have been at least six pounds." Accepting this "report" with some satisfaction (a later check disclosed the blue-eyed giant had been right on target - he weighed in at 271), Bengtson admonished him, not unkindly, "Lay off the water, water can really put it on you in a hurry, and lay off that food - get that weight down." Kepner, an all-state and All-American at Camden's St. Joseph High School, helped Villanova to an imposing 8-2 record and a holiday triumph over the University of Wichita in last year's Sun Bowl game...Though the veterans aren't officially due until 6 o'clock tonight, 15 veterans (including Jack Novak, out last season because of knee surgery, and free agent Don Ellersick, a Los Angeles Ram and Minnesota Viking prior to 1961) reported at the morning practice and four more at the afternoon session. These included Ray Nitschke, the erstwhile Illinois strongboy, who appeared only for a brief running demonstration at Lombardi's request, and fiery John Symank, who Friday returned from a two-week stint with the United States Army Reserve at Camp McCoy, near Sparta, Wis. Other afternoon reportees included all-pro tackle Forrest Gregg, veteran defensive halfback Hank Gremminger and that prominent Green Bay humorist, Gary Knafelc, back for a ninth season. They joined 11-year veteran Dave Hanner, the Pack's oldest performer in point of service, Bart Starr, Max McGee, Ron Kostelnik, Lee Folkins, Tom Moore, Big Ben Davidson, Lew Carpenter, John Roach, Bill Forester, Jim Ringo, Nelson Toburen, Ken Iman, Ellersick and Novak, all of whom reported for the morning shift...PACKER PATTER: Tom Moore, the talented third-year halfback from Vanderbilt, went through both Monday sessions with a cast on his left wrist - but he won't be wearing it long. "It's not helping any and I can't do anything with it on," Tom said. "I couldn't even catch a pitchout today." Moore, who broke a small bone in the wrist last season, explained, "apparently it has never healed properly. The doctors advised me to try the cast, but they said it probably wouldn't bother me if I just let it go. Without the cast, it only bothers me when I lift something heavy or put pressure on it."...Tom Kepner is pulling for one of his schoolmates, world 100-yard dash champion Frank Budd (:09.2) to make the pro football grade with the Philadelphia Eagles. "I hope Frankie makes it," he said with a fond smile. "He's a good boy."...Opening day's most quotable quote came from the Pack's elder statesman, Dave Hanner. Twice bedded by heat prostration in recent training seasons, the burly veteran was moved by Monday's moderate temperature to comment with fervor, "Uncle Sam takes care of the poor and the old and God sure took care of the ignorant today."...Symank reported with a chuckle, "They made me athletic and recreation officer and public information officer" during his two-week stint at Camp McCoy...Kibitzers at yesterday's baptismal sessions included two college coaches, famed Dallas Ward of the University of Colorado and Dick Peters of Ottawa, Kan., University, who coached the Pack's Forrest Gregg and John Roach while a member of the SMU staff.
COUNCIL APPROVES $150,000 PACKER ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AT STADIUM
JUL 18 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The City Council Tuesday night authorized the obtaining of construction bids for a Packer office building and locker room at City Stadium, which the Packers will pay for over the next nine years. The project is estimated at $150,000. Under financing terms approved by the Council last February, the Packers will pay 40 percent of total costs when contracts are signed, 35 percent next January, and four percent each year from 1964 through 1971. This will total 103 percent of the project. The new Packer team building will be located at the north end of the stadium, about 20 percent from the rear row of seats to allow for any future seating expansion. Present locker rooms behind the south stands will be turned into public toilets. The Council action authorizes the Stadium Commission to advertise for bids to be opened Aug. 16. Construction
Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 17th 1962)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 18th 1962)
time is estimated at from seven to nine months. The brick building will have about 145,000 square feet in a one-story ticket office in the front of the structure and a two story portion next to the end zone stands. The two-story portion will have locker rooms for the Packers and visiting teams on the first floor and administrative offices and meeting rooms on the second floor. The Packers hired an architect for the project and will pay utility costs when the building goes into use.
FOSS PREDICTS GRID 'SERIES'
JUL 18 (Seattle) - It won't be long, peppery Joe Foss insisted Tuesday, before football has its own World Series featuring the champions of the American and National Football Leagues. The versatile Foss, AFL commissioner and former governor of South Dakota, was here in still another capacity. An expert on hunting and fishing, he took part in a panel discussion at the convention of the Western Association of Game and Fish Commissioners. Admitting the NFL is unethusiastic, Foss said a World Series is inevitable. "That championship game," he said, "will fill any stadium in the country and be the biggest television package ever. That's what both leagues are in business for - we love football but we want to make a buck."
BETTIS TRADE PUTS PRESSURE ON TOBUREN - AND HE'S GLAD
JUL 18 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The departure of old pro Tom Bettis has put a "little more pressure" on Packer sophomore Nelson Toburen - but he couldn't be happier. This unexpected vote on confidence "makes me feel real good," the highly combative ex-Kansan admitted with an unabashed grin in the wake of Tuesday's surprise swap, which sent Bettis to the Steelers in exchange for an undisclosed draft choice. "First of all, though, I hope it works out well for Tom," Tobruren hastened to append. "I hate to see him go - he was one of the boys I was closest to on the team." Then, taking the positive approach, he admitted, "It puts a little more pressure on me but I kind of enjoy it. You only get an opportunity once, you know. As a matter of fact, I can't wait to get at it again," the squad-cut University of Wichita alumnus enthused with a shy smile. "It sure is different than last year - what a change, what an enjoyable change." The trade, completed shortly before the Packers swept through a rain-drenched afternoon workout at their Oneida Street practice field, is a genuine tribute to the hard-nosed Toburen since it makes him a card-carrying "unit" of the Pack's "Fearsome Foursome," of which Bettis was a charter member - along with Defensive Capt. Bill Forester, Dan Currie and Ray Nitschke. A meteoric ascent for one who had never toiled at linebacker before arriving upon the Packer scene as a raw-boned rookie last July. It was not a major adjustment, however, insists Toburen, an end in both ways in college, where he started his career under Packer aide Bill Austin, then offensive line coach at the U. of Wichita. "When you switch from a 5-4 in college to a 4-3 in pro football, there isn't too much difference," Nellie declared. "It's comparable, anyway." There is another explanation, he further volunteered - one Packer fans may already have divined. "Defense is what I've always enjoyed," Toburen declared with obvious sincerity, "no matter where I play." A native of Colby, Kan., (where "I played tailback in the single wing," Nellie somewhat sheepishly admitted), Toburen is now a full-time Green Bay resident and the father of two children, a son, 2 1/2-year old Chris, and a six-month old daughter, Penny, "born while the team was on the coast last season." Bettis, accepting the change with equanimity, said, "There is nothing definite yet," about his pro football future. "I haven't made up my mind yet - I'm going to talk with Buddy Parker (Steeler coach) in Pittsburgh next Wednesday. There's no great hurry about making a decision," the seven-year veteran, the Packers' first draft choice in 1955, added matter-of-factly, "They don't start until later this month - the veterans don't report until July 28. I want to give some thought to whether I should play or devote full time to my job." Had he been surprised? "No, I wasn't," was the prompt and forthright rejoinder. "I more or less expected it." The trade, he emphasized, will not affect his status as a year-around Green Bay resident. "I hate to leave," he said, "but I'm not going to leave permanently. We're still going to live here." As for the Steelers, Bettis observed with infectious optimism, "I think they are a title contender - as much as anyone over in the Eastern Division - and if I go to Pittsburgh I'm going to help them in every way I can. Buddy's a good guy and a great guy to play for, they tell me." Tom added, "And what more can I ask? I talked to him on the phone late this afternoon and he said, 'We need you badly.'" "He was pretty happy about the whole thing," Bettis concluded. "And before we got through talking, I was more or less happy myself. I just turned 29 so, though I may not be the youngest, I'm not the oldest. I think I have a few more years left in me - if I want to play."...Yesterday's mid-afternoon downpour failed to deter the Packers, who churned through it without missing a step. Although there were more than a few rough spots, including the usual missed signals and timing errors common at this point in the training season, Head Coach Vince Lombardi found some encouraging items: "Barnes (Gary) and Donahue (Oscar) have some good moves, which could make them flanker possibilities, but it's too early to tell." Labeling massive (270 lbs.) Tom Kepner "a defensive tackle rather than a defensive end" (he had been listed at both positions in the 1962 Packer prospectus), Vince added, "He's overweight, but if he takes off some pounds, he could do something." With all veterans (except Cpl. Paul Hornung) checked in as of 6 o'clock Tuesday night, Lombardi drove his now sizeable cast (37 veterans, 19 rookies) through its first full scale drill of the season this morning. Another was scheduled at 3 o'clock this afternoon, continuing the two-a-day regimen that is expected to prevail indefinitely - the All-Star game is little more than two weeks away...PACKER PATTER: A trim Henry Jordan (he reported at 243) drew a boisterous cheer from his defensive colleagues when he swooped in to intercept a swing pass intended for Lew Carpenter, late in the afternoon session...Peter Schenck, rookie receiver from Washington State, and Paul Dudley, freshman halfback from Arkansas, elicited praise from Lombardi, Schenck for "a good move," and Dudley for twice "turning the corner" with admirable facility after a couple of misfires...A delightful Jerry Kramer, apparently recovered from last October's leg injury, chortled, "I didn't have a twinge all afternoon." Of course, he added more soberly, "Maybe tomorrow or the next day it'll be a little sore, but it would be anyway, I believe." Another 1961 casualty, Jim Taylor, reported his damaged back "all healed up - it feels fine." The multi-muscled Taylor, who barged to an all-time Packer season rushing record a year ago, proudly checked in at a svelte 215 pounds. "Look at this," he said, flapping the wristband of his trousers, "I can't even keep these 34 pants up."
SALAMON RELEASED
JUL 18 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers this morning placed Jack Salamon, rookie end from American International College, on waivers, thus paring their camp roster to 52 players. Three others are with the College All-Stars and four are still in service.
HORNUNG STILL WAITING; MAY GET OUT FRIDAY; JORDAN UNDERWEIGHT
JUL 19 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Pvt. Paul Hornung, fretting on the brink of discharge, is still playing the weight game. Hornung, reached at Fort Riley, Kan., by long distance telephone late this morning, regretfully confided that reports he would be released today were premature. "I expect to be out sometime today or tomorrow, but I just don't know - I haven't got the good word yet," the three-time NFL scoring champion said, "I've got a call in to Washington (the Department of the Army) but I haven't heard anything yet." "I just have to sit tight and wait," the Army's most publicized private added, admitting "that I may not get out until next week." Hornung, who said he weighs about 220 (just over his 1961 playing weight), reported he feels "real good," but wasn't sure he was "ready." "That remains to be seen," he volunteered but added with unmistakeable sincerity, "I'm ready to get out of here, I can tell you that."...Meanwhile, on the home front, affable (except to the Packers' NFL enemies) all-pro Henry Jordan was proving himself a rare bird. While most of his colleagues have been struggling to shed avoirdupois under a broiling July sun, the incredibly mobile defensive tackle has been ordered to PUT ON weight. Head Coach Vince Lombardi, concerned "that we probably have the lightest defensive line in the league," was dismayed when the balding charger reported at a surprising 243 pounds. The transplanted Virginian (he now is a year-around Green Bay resident) dipped below 240 following Wednesday afternoon's rigorous session on Oneida Street, a development which contributed even less to Lombardi's peace of mind. A dismal '61 experience was responsible for his trim physique, Jordan confided. "Last year, I came in too heavy - I weighed 266 pounds - and it was pretty hard on me," he drawled. "I figured I could put it on easier than I can take it off, so I came in light this year." "I already have orders from the coach to put it on," he noted with satisfaction, "and that's what I like to hear - I like to eat." "I'm going up to 250," he added matter-of-factly. "That's where he wants me to be." If this comes to pass, the center of the Packers' defensive line may rank among the NFL's lightest, since 11-year veteran Dave Hanner is expected to play at 255, or thereabouts...Speaking of weight, bruising Ray Nitschke, until last week one of Uncle Sam's nephews, reports he already has descended to his normal playing figure, 255, "but the muscle isn't there yet. I played a little of everything," at Fort Lewis, Wash., "but it wasn't enough."
Appleton Post-Crescent (July 20th 1962)
...The traditional process of separating the men from the boys was inaugurated Wednesday afternoon with a bruising one-on-one blocking drill, complete with a "live" ball carrier. With two movie cameras recording the action for study by the coaching staff later in the day, the session matched freshmen and sophomores. Although the competition was brisk, several of the yearlings drew favorable reactions from Lombardi and his aides, particularly Washington State's greyhound Pete Schenck, and dusky Oscar Donahue, late of San Jose State. "Pretty good, Schenck," Lombardi once barked. "Pretty good - for an 185-pounder, that's real good." Later, he rapped, "Good contact, Oscar, real good contact." This shortly was followed by an accolade from End Coach Tom Fears, who sang our, "Good pop, Oscar. One more follow-through and you'll have it." Donahue subsequently lost no stature when he blocked the formidable Nelson Torburen out of the "play" with an incisive thrust, one of the most effective of the afternoon...PACKER PATTER: Big Ben Davidson brought down the house during Wednesday afternoon's one-on-one drill. The mastodonic Washington State alumnus (6-8 and 270 pounds of uncluttered man) leaped over the blocking dummy before him - and the defending lineman - landing just in time to watch the "ball carrier" careen by. "Oh well," the genial giant quipped, "it was a noble experiment." As the laughter was subsiding, Lombardi rapped dryly, "That's just what it was, a noble experiment."...Still mountainous Tom Kepner (the rookie from Villanova is down 10 pounds to 267) sparkled "defensively" in this session, throttling every thrust on the "line of scrimmage."...John Schopf, another standout here, is nursing a pulled muscle in his left leg. "The leg got tight running the first few days and, when I went to push off on it when I was pulling out, it pulled," the U. of Michigan recruit explained...The arrival of the veterans had a salutary effect on the practice "attendance." More than 500 witnessed each Wednesday session.
DROP TIMMERMAN
JUL 19 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers' camp squad was reduced to 51 today when Coach Vince Lombardi placed Bob Timmerman, rookie end from West Virginia, on waivers.
MEMO TO NFL: EX-GI DOWLER FAST AS EVER
JUL 20 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Memo to NFL defensive backs: You will be happy to know that lanky Boyd Dowler, a recent G.I., lost none of his speed in Uncle Sam's Army. Dowler, one of the NFL's more accomplished flankers the last three autumns, demonstrated this to the satisfaction of all concerned in Thursday afternoon's gloom at the Packers' Oneida Street practice field. Late in a rapid-fire passing drill, the graceful greyhound wheeled past a straining rookie defender and under a 50-yard bomb from quarterback John Roach. With a one-stride lead (a considerable chunk of real estate in Boyd's case), Dowler would have been "gone" under game conditions. Needless to say, this deft collaboration drew smiles from Vince Lombardi and his aides, who are expecting the 6-5 Wyoming native to repeat this performance against the real enemy on more than a few occasions in the upcoming 1962 season. Discharged from Fort Lewis, Wash., only last week, the erstwhile U. of Colorado ace was down to 218 pounds, two under his 1961 playing weight, in the wake of yesterday's demanding double drills - after checking in at 226 just 48 hours earlier. Yesterday's show of "swift" was not just a happy coincidence. Dowler, a college quarterback who has blossomed into one of the NFL's most feared receivers, has never stopped running. After helping his artillery team win the post basketball championship last winter, the lanky speedster transferred to track, where he whiled away his spring leisure skimming the high and low hurdles and running the 100-yard dash. These endeavors also served to prove that Dowler has lost none of his awesome speed. "I ran the high hurdles in "14.6 and the hundred in 10 flat or a shade under," Boyd was happy to report. Dowler, who along with fellow soldier Ray Nitschke, checked in from Fort Lewis with the veterans Tuesday night, won both the high and low hurdles in the post track meet June 27-28, being clocked in :24.3 in the latter. "I didn't finish too strong in the lows," the four-year veteran admitted, "but it wasn't too bad a time. I ran them in :23.5 in college. Of course," he added, "I didn't go out there and break my back. I was just trying to get my legs in shape. I only ran the highs a half dozen times this year, for example, and didn't run 'em before that since '59." Dowler, once clocked at :9.19 in the '100' while a collegian, is convinced he had no time to accumulate the service rust that has plagued many an athlete upon his return to the sports scene. "I have no reason to think it hurt me any," he said with impressive emphasis. "I played in every game last season, remember, and I also had that week of practice before the championship game." Like his colleagues, Boyd's primary goal is "to win the championship again." What about a personal objective? "I just want to improve each year," Dowler said. "As far as winning the pass receiving championship, I don't even think about it. A lot of intangibles go into having a good year as a receiver. And, remember, we're primarily a running team."...PACKER PATTER: One of Dowler's teammates
on Fort Lewis' post basketball tournament champions, he reported, was Green Bay's wee Gary Herold, who paired with Superior State's Bob Marko at guard. The team also included Ted Sermonet of Milwaukee, who played at Regis College, Bob Anderstrum of the University of Minnesota and Northwestern's Phil Warner. Theirs was no mean accomplishment, incidentally, since Dowler and his artillery mates triumphed in a 32-team field... Bart Starr has abandoned his heavy practice shoes. Operating on the same theory that prompts a baseball player to swing a heavy bat in the on deck circle before switching to a lighter bludgeon when he steps to the plate, the scholarly quarterback experimented with a pair of high top brogans the first two days in a bid to increase his speed. "I had to give it up," Bart confessed Thursday, "my legs were feeling dead." Starr, who said "I'm slower than a mule, anyway," has gone to a pair of cutdown (not low cuts) shoes and awaits results...Add lightweights: Swashbuckling Bill Quinlan is "the lightest I've been since 1954." Quinlan, who came to camp at 255 a year ago and played at 247, weighed a mere 241 after yesterday's afternoon session. "I wanted to be a little quicker," said the burly defensive end, one of Vince Lombardi's most productive acquisitions via the trade route. The strapping Michigan State alumnus, who came to the Packers from the Cleveland Browns in 1959, noted, "I find myself a lot more mobile at 240 or 241. I was down as low as 236 at one time during the winter - I was working out at the YMCA three times a week."...Ben Agajanian, the Pack's 43-year old kicking specialist, appeared in a new role - as a center in a passing drill. His first "receiver" was a quarterback half his age, 22-year old rookie Bob Joiner...Ron Kramer, the "runaway moose" of last December's championship romp, is plagued by a painful left elbow. Kramer, who said "it's going to be all right," gingerly flexed the arm and reported, "I can't bend it any farther than that. I'm not quite sure what it is, but the doctor took the fluid out yesterday." Aside from the discomfort, the University of Michigan immortal pronounced himself in prime condition. "I feel quick, a lot quicker than last year," said Kramer, a trim 245. "Of course, the ankles (which bothered him a good part of the '61 season) are better."...The length of the Packers' two-a-day practice regimen is uncertain, Lombardi says, noting, "It depends on how we come along." He also announced that "two or maybe three scrimmages will be held next week."
VINCE FIND CONDITION, ATTITUDE 'EXCELLENT' DURING ROOKIE WEEK
JUL 21 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - If the 1962 Packers thought "rookie week" was sufficiently spartan, Headmaster Vince Lombardi had chilling news for them today. Following Friday afternoon's session, spiced by some spirited contact, Lombardi set his jaw and declared, "Starting Monday, we'll be full speed - all the way." Quite obviously, he didn't consider what has transpired to date had been at "full speed" - and he didn't. "This first week has been primarily one of conditioning," the Packer chieftain pointed out. "The veterans have been here only three days - that's all. As far as the conditioning is concerned, I'm well satisfied," Lombardi said of his defending world champion. And the man who insisted there would be "no fat cats on our club" was pleased to add, "Many of the veterans came in in excellent condition. The fact that there have been few leg pulls is a pretty good sign they've been doing some running in the off season." In this connection, the broad-shouldered Fordham alumnus admitted he is "very much satisfied with the veterans' attitude. Their attitude is excellent." He was not entirely pleased with another phase, however. "We had our first contact today, with aprons," Vince noted, "and it wasn't too impressive." Things will improve shortly, he expects. "We have six boys missing," Vince observed, "and they certainly will make us a better looking team." Chief among the absentees, of course, is the multi-talented Paul Hornung, who Friday was still sweating out word of his discharge from the Department of the Army at Fort Riley, Kan. There have been recurring rumors that Hornung had not only been released but was on the Green Bay scene yesterday. Neither of these has any foundation in fact, Lombardi unhappily admitted. "Hornung is still in the Army, I can tell you that," he said grimly. "I have no idea at this point when he will be out." Also awaiting discharge from the service are veterans Herb Adderley and Elijah Pitts and rookie Preston Wright. The latter is expected later this month, but no definite word has been received. The other three freshmen absentees, freshman Earl Gros, Ed Blaine and Ron Gassert, are with the College All-Stars, the Packers' first 1962 opponents. They exchange amenities in Chicago's cavernous
Soldier Field Friday night, Aug. 3. Speaking of the All-Star classic, had preparing for it affected the camp regiment to any degree? "No, it hasn't," was the forthright reply. "This camp is very little different from any we've had in the past - we're proceeding at the same pace. We are making only one exception in our regular routine," he explained. "We're not having as much sprinting as in the past. We're sprinting in the morning and striding in the afternoon. We're too close to the All-Star game - I want to avoid muscle pulls." Turning to the freshmen class, Lombardi found cause for encouragement. "I think we have some fine looking athletes among the rookies - boys like Gary Barnes, Pete Schenck, Oscar Donahue, Howie Williams and Paul Dudley. Whether any of these boys can make it yet, of course, I don't know." Barnes (Clemson), Schenck (Washington State) and Donahue (San Jose State) are flankers while Williams is a defensive back and Dudley is a running back. Another yearling has caught his eye, Vince further volunteered. "Tom Kepner has shown tremendous improvement," Vince said. "He came in at 277 Sunday and he was down to 266 today. He's very strong but he needs to improve in his lateral movements - that's the big thing now."...Both of Friday's drills were shortened by the weather - the morning workout by a downpour and the afternoon session by "wet grounds." The cloudburst cut the early practice 15 minutes short while the afternoon drill was abbreviated by ten. "We had planned some other things," Lombardi said, "but we had to call them off because of the wet turf." There will be no practice Sunday, but it will be "picture day," which will find the Packers in full battle dress to pose for newspaper and television photographers...PACKER PATTER: Operating on soggy soil was no joy, Hank Gremminger good-naturedly groused, "It really burns you up," the veteran defensive back said disgustedly. "You'd go to cut, and phtt. The receiver comes out and cuts - he knows where he's going. You get planted to stay with him - and phtt, he's gone."...The weather postponed a bruising one-on-one drill, a "game" for men only, but hardnosed Nelson Toburen was mildly disappointed. "I'd rather hit than fiddle," Nelson declared. "It's more fun and that's what the game's about."...A "whipped" Jerry Kramer, hard hit by the high humidity, plopped on a chair in front of his locker and exclaimed, "Whew, it was a little like a steam bath out there this afternoon - I must have lost six pounds."...Ray Nitschke, making a pitch for a bigger jersey, got little comfort from Equipment Manager Dad Braisher. "Do I have to wear that thing again tomorrow?" Ray growled. "Go back in the Army," was Dad's jocular retort. "You never had it so good."...Defensive back John Symank's four-year-old daughter, Cindy, was the day's only "casualty." Taking a bite from a "fresh" ice cream bar, which has bee refrigerated with dry ice, Cindy pulled the skin off both lips and required first aid...Pete Schenck, the lithe rookie from Washington State, was a political science major in college. Although he has been running at flanker here, the fleet Los Angeles native played "a lot of defense my senior year." Pete has, he added, no preference. "I just want to make the team - that's the main thing - and that's quite a job on this team."...Another impressive yearling, Mercurial Howie Williams, was both leading scorer and ground gainer all four years at Howard University. Although he has been compared to "Night Train" Lane in technique, Williams says he has not attempted to emulate the Detroit Lions' unorthodox defensive ace. "I'm just trying to get my reactions as fast as I can," says Williams, who played two years of service football at Yakota Air Force base in Japan before attending Howard where he compiled a brilliant academic record. An engineering student, he maintained a lofty 2.8 average...Rookie sing for their supper at the Packers' St. Norbert College camp and Pat Fears, 10-year-old son of End Coach Tom Fears, is no exception. He was the hit of the show Friday night with his swinging rendition of "Old McDonald Had a Farm."
SCHOPF LEAVES
JUL 21 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Jon Schopf, rookie guard from Michigan, has decided to give up his tryout and has left camp, the Packers announced this morning.
4,000 FANS SEE PACKER STAGE 'SPOTTY' SCRIMMAGE
JUL 22 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Vince Lombardi's annual weeding project began in earnest at his Oneida Street garden Saturday. His Green Bay Packers, 51 strong, slugged their way through a crackling scrimmage punctuated by the sharpest pad-banging heard thus far in the training drills. When it was over, Lombardi managed a smile and acknowledged that he was "generally satisfied" although the team was as far along as could be expected at this stage of the preparatory campaign but it was difficult to judge from the first scrimmage since "so many guys were in there."...IMAN BIG SURPISE: Although the headmaster was his usual mum self on individuals, sideline observers noted that at least a couple of rookies appeared particularly determined to scratch out places on the roster of the world champs, who are readying themselves for the College All-Star game in Chicago Aug. 3. Gary Barnes, the lanky, 210 pound Clemson end, came up with some good moves in snatching several aerials and Paul Dudley, the Arkansas halfback, proved a hardnosed runner. But the big surprise of the clash was the play of Ken Iman as a linebacker. The third year reserve, who backs up Jim Ringo at center and is available as a guard in addition to being a standout on the punt and kickoff teams, proved his versatility in coming up with a series of smacking tackles and knocking down several passes, almost intercepting one. The half hour scrimmage, which
was staged in the presence of about 4,000 fans, according to estimates by police officers, and partially in a soaking downpour, also showed that bomber Jim Taylor has lost none of his sock. Ripping off huge gains several times, Taylor left such defensive luminaries as Jesse Whittenton and Ray Nitschke in his path. Whittenton laid a solid shoulder into the Bayou Blockbuster, but barely nudged him an inch out of his way and moments later the hulking Nitschke wound up with nothing but an armful of air as Taylor cross-stepped away. These noble but fruitless efforts caused Old Pro Ben Agajanian to shake his head and mutter, "Just how do you bring a guy like that down?"...COMBINATIONS CLICK: Two veteran passing combinations also clicked with startling quickness as Bart Starr hit Boyd Dowler and Max McGee on consecutive pitches with what would have been TD passes against a primarily rookie secondary. Prior to the scrimmage, which was filmed for further study by the coaching staff, Lombardi sent his charges through a wicked one-on-one drill with All-Pro center Jim Ringo and end Gary Knafelc, one of last year's forgotten men, popping particularly good blocks...No practice is scheduled for today, but the players will turn out this afternoon in full battle dress for picture taking by newspaper and television photographers. Saturday's downpour further dampened an already soaked field but it failed to damped the enthusiasm of the amazingly large crowd of spectators, most of whom suffered through it while the rest gathered under the canopy in front of the Brown County Arena to view the rest of the proceedings...Coach Lombardi re-emphasized today in a national Associated Press story that the NFL is not becoming bored with the idea of meeting the College All Stars each year despite the pros' lopsided 18-8-2 advantage. "We're not going to Chicago to lose," he is quoted. "While the game may not be as important to us as those on the championship schedule, the prestige of the league is at stake and it is important for us to win for that reason."
3 PACKER ROOKIES ON WAIVERS; SQUAD GAME SATURDAY
JUL 23 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - There were only 14 rookies in the Packer camp today, following the departure of three more via waivers. Latest leavees are fullback Andy Griffin of American International, tackle Rudy Simko of Cincinnati and halfback George Versprille of Howard College. Placing of the trio on waivers was announced today by Coach Vince Lombardi. Actually, the Bays have 17 rookies on the roster, the other three being the College All Star contingent - guard Ed Blaine, fullback Earl Gros and tackle Ron Gassert. But one of those three probably will never make the All Star camp. That would be Gassert, who is in service and may not get out until next week - too late to get ready for the Aug. 3 classic. Gassert is one of four Packers in service. The other three are veterans Paul Hornung, Herb Adderley and Elijah Pitts. Hornung is expected out shortly but Adderley and Pitts may not be out until early next month. The largest rookie cut came on the heels of the Pack's first major scrimmage, which was held Saturday. There was no action Sunday, which was devoted to Picture Day. Lombardi and Aides Phil Bengtson, Red Cochran, Bill Austin, Norb Hecker and Tom Fears had their pictures taken in the morning and then viewed movies of the scrimmage in the afternoon. Half of the rookies on the local scene are backs. There are two ends (highly-prized Oscar Donahue and Gary Barnes), three tackles, a center and a guard. Faced with making a championship team, the rookies appear relaxed but serious. Barnes, the slim end from Clemson, noted that the rookies were made to feel at ease and at home at a meeting with the Pack's co-captains, Jim Ringo and Bill Forester. "The captains welcomed us to the squad and told us that they actually hoped we could make the squad because I would then make the Packers a stronger team," Barnes said, adding: "We realize it's a tough job making a team like this one but the veterans have been cooperative and they have all helped us."...The Pack's annual intra-squad game - Offense vs. Defense - will be played at City Stadium next Saturday afternoon. Coach Vince Lombardi will watch the action from the press box. This will be the final action dress rehearsal before the All Star battle...BRIEFS: Boyd Dowler is sporting a crew cut...Jerry Kramer says, "I forget all about my ankle once the action starts." Kramer missed the last seven-plus games last year with that ankle injury...John Schopf, the rookie guard from Michigan, left camp Saturday, apparently deciding against a pro grid career...Sunday was Tom Miller's Day at the Packer practice field. It was picture day and publicity shots, which will be used throughout the season, were taken of all players and coaches by photogs from Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay - plus the official Packer shots by Jim Laughead of Dallas.
'RUNNING TEAM?' PACKERS FLASH AIR POWER IN DRILL
JUL 24 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers are known as a "running team." They averaged a flat five yards on each of their 474 rushes in 1961. And they led the league in rushing. This was fresh in mind while observing the Packers' practice their aerial maneuvers before close to 1,000 fans and under a healthy sun Monday afternoon. The whole crew of ends and flanker backs is back from last year - plus two good looking pass-receiving rookies in Oscar Donahue and Gary Barnes. The aerial picture looked pretty good to this viewer. We reminded Trainer Bud Jorgensen of same and he promptly issued this brightener: "Times have changed." He was referring to the day when one ace end in camp was about the limit. The ends and/or flankers nailed 128 of the Pack's 177 receptions last year, with Max McGee getting 51, Boyd Dowler 31, Ron Kramer 35 and Gary Knafelc and Lew Carpenter three each. Those five have returned along with sophomore Lee Folkins, who gained a year's experience without catching a pass in '61. These six, along with Donahue and Barnes, make up the Packers' End Corps, although versatile Carpenter is spending most of his time now working as a running back. Coach Vince Lombardi called for a full effort in the non-tackling play drill involving the entire offensive and defensive teams, and the action commenced with three straight passes - just like the Pack's a passing team. QB Bart Starr completed two in a row to Dowler off to the right and then sailed one off Folkins' fingertips to the left. Starr then called two runs - Tom Moore and Jim Taylor. John Roach entered the drill at quarterback and hurled two passes - one to Folkins and the other to Barnes. The throw to Barnes presented an opportunity for the offense to moan and the defense to cheer at the same time. Lombardi reflected both briefly. Barnes ran out to the left and curled around toward the sidelines. The pass came in tummy high and Barnes reached out to catch it. At the same time, rookie defensive back Howard Williams gave Barnes a shove out of bounds. The ball went flying. Lombardi quickly praised Williams for being on the receiver and cautioned Barnes against dropping the ball. Actually, Barnes' dropping the ball in this particular instance was a surprise to Tom Fears, the Pack's offense end coach. "That's the kind he'll usually hang onto,"
1962 Topps set
Fears noted later. Fears, the onetime Ram pass-catching all-timer, said he likes Donahue and Barnes. "They're even. They can both catch the ball. Barnes can catch the ball close in better and Donahue can do it better far out," Tom said. It's a bit early yet but the drill showed at least one picture passing play. Dowler and McGee were both flanked wide - almost sideline to sideline. At the snap, they took off down the sidelines, Max going all the way down the left and Dowler cutting toward the center of the field after about 15 yards. Starr's pass was waiting for Boyd when he arrived at midfield - a couple of steps ahead of the defender. One end prospect, Peter Schenck, has been shifted to the defensive backfield and worked at left cornerbacker yesterday in a rookie unit that included Jerry Scattini at left safety, Roger Holdinsky at right safety and Williams at right corner. The regular secondary of 1961 - corners Hank Gremminger and Jess Whittenton and safeties John Symank and Willie Wood - shared the defense-against-pass duties.
HORNUNG HAPPY TO GET OUT OF ARMY
JUL 24 (Fort Riley, KS) - Paul Hornung shed his private first class stripe today and, in a word, said he liked getting out of the Army "fine." Hornung completed his processing at Ft. Riley, and was to be flown to Green Bay in a private plane by a pilot friend (Pat Morton of Green Bay). Green Bay's 6-foot-3, 210 pound Heisman winner from Notre Dame, looked every inch the wonder boy who kicked, passed and ran the Packers to a 37-0 playoff rout of the New York Giants for the NFL championship last winter. He scored 19 of those points himself, a record for a title game. As a result, Hornung was named the NFL's most valuable player of the year. He has led the league in scoring since 1959. Paul said he doesn't believe his eight months in the Army has hurt him. "My weight is good," he said, "and it will just be a matter of getting my legs in shape. That's always the hardest part." Hornung already was in the service when he led the Packers to their championship on that cold December day at Green Bay, and he missed only three games after being activated as a reservist in November...PINCHED NERVE: As for that pincher nerve in his neck which has given him trouble since the 1960 season, He said, "It's about the same as it was last year. I don't expect it to give me any more trouble than it has. I have been treating this condition at the post hospital here, but it isn't something that I'm going to get over in a short time." Other than whirlpool baths for his neck and an emergency operation for appendicitis in May, he had no preferential treatment, Paul said. "I was treated like any other soldier, and that was the way I wanted it." The surgery, he said, has healed completely. Hornung served as a combination jeep driver and radio operator with the 896th Engineer Company, a National Guard outfit from Bismarck, N.D. It is being deactivated Aug. 1...APPRECIATE OPPORTUNITIES: "I would just like it to be said," he added, "that I was called up with the rest of them, and I'm happy to be getting out. I got to meet a great bunch of guys, and I appreciate the opportunities the Army gave me to play ball while on active duty." Whenever he played, it was on a weekend pass. The Army said at the time it was giving him no more preference than other active reservists under similar professional circumstances. When he was called up by the Army, his Green Bay roommate for fun put a star in the window. "You can tell those clowns for me," Paul laughed, "they can take it down. Their boy is coming home."
HORNUNG BACK: PACKERS OF BROWN ROUT INTACT
JUL 24 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Paul Hornung is a civilian. Along with Ray Nitschke and Boyd Dowler. And the Packers, as they performed last Oct. 15 when they smashed the Browns in Cleveland, are now intact. Two days after that game, Hornung was given his service call. Nitschke and Dowler followed shortly thereafter. And two weeks later Jerry Kramer suffered an ankle injury that put him out for the year. Thus, four of the 22 starting players who operated with amazing efficiency against the Browns have rejoined the Packer family. The three servicemen played off and on during the remainder of the 1961 season and helped Coach Vince Lombardi's "new team" to the world championship. Hornung, who was the NFL's most valuable player in 1961 despite missing half a season of practice (more or less), took his first drill this morning and allowed that "I hope to be ready for the All Star game with two practices a day." Pat Martin, the friend of the Packers who can fly a plane at a moment's notice, flew Hornung up from Fort Riley, Kan., Tuesday night following his discharge. Hornung is packing about 220 pounds. He hopes to get down to around 210. The Packers received some other good news from the Army today. Herb Adderley, in service along with Elijah Pitts under the six-month program, was scheduled to report later today. He left Fort Leonard Wood (Mo.) earlier in the week, flew to his home in Philadelphia and then picked up his car for the drive to Green Bay. It is not known yet how soon Pitts will be out. Dowler and Nitschke are rapidly rounding into condition - especially Dowler who always seems to be running about 9.9. Big Boyd was open most of the time in a sharp but rain-shortened scrimmage Tuesday afternoon at the Oneida Street practice field. He caught one pass from Bart Starr for about 50 yards against the regular defense. Nitschke was getting his licks in at linebacker and there was one smash that shook the earth. Ron Kramer, about 235, caught Ray, about 235, with one of his chilling blocks and 470 pounds of beef quivered. The scrimmage was off to a surprising start. Rookie Paul Dudley, playing in Hornung's spot, ripped through the veteran defense on a 40-yard TD gallop on the first play. With the exception of Dudley and J. Kramer, the starting
lineups were the same that started against the Giants in the championship game. Kramer was back at right guard, with Forrest Gregg moving to right tackle. Bob Skoronski and Norm Masters shared right tackle. Later different combinations were worked in. The regular defensive line of Hank Jordan, Bill Quinlan, Dave Hanner and Willie Davis was replaced by Ben Davidson, Dick Davis, Ron Kostelnik and Tom Kepner. The contact, which was recorded on film, had to be called off with 15 minutes left because of a heavy downpour. Part of the drill was held in the rain then the clouds really opened up.
WORLD'S BEST CLASH IN PACKER SQUAD GAME
JUL 25 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The world's best against the world's best! That's the format for the World Champion Packers' intra-squad game at City Stadium Saturday afternoon. The last time these two bests operated as one team they did the following: The Offense scored 37 points and the Defense pitched a shutout in the process of beating the New York Giants for the world title here last Dec. 31. Now, the Packer Offense hopes to find out the fiber of the Packer Defense and the Packer Defense plans to do likewise with the Packer Offense. It will be the Offense against the Defense all the way and the only thing missing will be the kickoff. The ball will be put in play on the 20-yard line and there will be fourth down punts if the field goal distance is too great. Coach Vince Lombardi will be away from the sidelines for the only time this year. He'll wear the telephones in the pressbox and talk to both teams. The Offense will be coached by Bill Austin, line coach, Red Cochran, backfield, and Tom Fears, ends. The Defense will be coached by Phil Bengtson, line and linebackers, and Norb Hecker, secondary. This is the first World Championship Intra-Squad game in the history of Green Bay and the prices are right. The battle will serve as the proving ground for 14 rookies who have shown some promise thus far. Due for a good test will be Paul Dudley and Ernie Green, the freshman running backs who operate at left half (Paul Hornung and Tom Moore) and fullback (Jim Taylor and Moore), respectively. Also to be tested will be the new quarterback, Bob Joiner, who will back up Bart Starr and John Roach. At least five linemen will be seeking a shot at a champ - tackles Dick Davis, John Sutro and Tom Kepner, guard Jack Novak, center George Haney, and ends Gary Barnes and Oscar Donahue. Hecker has an all-rookie secondary ready to go - Peter Schenck at left wing, Jerry Scattini and Roger Holdinsky at safeties, and Howard Williams at right win...A scrimmage preliminary to Saturday's big crash was scheduled for this afternoon. And, bejabbers, we had it on good authority this morning that there will be no rain. That's quite a treat because it's rained during part or all of eight of the Pack's last 10 practices. Thus, the Packers are becoming excellent mudders. And if it rains in Chicago a week from Friday night, they will be right at home. Lombardi lost 15 minutes or so of Tuesday's tough scrimmage by a downpour and everybody got really soaked on the block-long hop to the clubhouse. The black clouds were rumbling Wednesday afternoon at the start of drills so the buses were brought fieldside. Sure enough, the rains really came and everybody had a dry run back to the dressing room. This kind of weather offered Paul Hornung little chance his first day. The Golden Kid, who is fresh out of the Army, took his opening workout Wednesday morning and ran well. He looks strong and serious. The whole camp gets a lift when the likeable ex-GI performs. Hornung took his first shot at kicking field goals and he was "converting" at from 29 to 40 yards. Herb Adderley was expected in today. He was driving in from his home in Philadelphia. He has just completed six months of Army training.
SMILE! PACKERS SOCK IN SCRIMMAGE
JUL 27 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Thursday's Packer scrimmage left 1,000 spectators and Coach Vince Lombardi with a collective smile. The Bays were really socking and Lombardi said later that he was impressed with that phase. Nine points were scored - all by Jim Taylor - in two surges downfield, six on a one-yard touchdown leap and three on a 30-yard field goal. No extra point was tried. The afternoon action was conducted with no rain interference, which was quite a switch, although some rain was reported downtown about kickoff time. The 20-minute game was a sort of warmup for two other big games coming up - the annual Offense-Defense Intra-Squad Game at City Stadium Saturday afternoon (2 o'clock kickoff) and the 29th annual College All Star game in Chicago a week from tonight. On a few maneuvers, the Pack looked tough enough to take on the Collegians right tonight. The ball was put in play around one 10-yard line and the objective was to score a touchdown. Coach Red Cochran officiated and called out the "yards to go." The Bays' regular offense started against the regular defense, with the exception of the secondary which was composed of Roger Holdinsky, Don Ellersick, Howard Williams and Peter Schenck. With Bart Starr at QB all the way, the Bays used up 18 plays in scoring the lone touchdown. The first two plays lost two yards so Starr pitched to Ron Kramer for 17 yards, first down. With Fuzzy Thurston getting a good block on Williams, Tom Moore made 12 yards but then Starr lost six. With third and four, Starr sent Taylor around left end and the big fullback swiveled and pounded 15 yards. The regular secondary (Jess Whittenton, John Symank, Hank Gremminger and Willie Wood) came forth and Starr stayed pretty much on the ground, with Taylor and Moore straining viciously for every inch. Starr tried three passes along the way. He was forced to run when a play-pass went awry, a throw to Max McGee was incomplete and one to Kramer gained about seven yards. Taylor told the folks that he came to play with a crucial fourth-down smash on the "enemy" eight. Given a wee hole, Taylor rammed away from Hank Jordan and Ray Nitschke at the line and then Wood and Symank finally dragged him down on the three. The defense yelled "lucky" in the next play when Moore fumbled and recovered for a two-yard
gain. The tough defenders yipped about the officiating when Taylor hit off his left side and was flipped up and back by Bill Quinlan, Dave Hanner and Wood. Cochran, however, quickly ruled that Taylor's nose was over the goal line before he was thrown back. QBs Bob Joiner, who started, and John Roach handled the second drive downfield, with Ernie Green, Paul Dudley and Moore handling most of the running. Green got off a couple of good runs but fumbled once, Holdinsky recovering. Roach had a touchdown pass in Oscar Donahue's arms on the goal line but the new end couldn't squeeze it. He was under pressure from Williams. The attack stalled around the 20 and Taylor booted a fourth-down field goal from 30 yards out. Everybody played except Paul Hornung, who had just reported the previous day. Hornung kept himself active in the double practices and then topped the day off by running up 60 rows in the stadium - five times. He ran up at
full speed, sat and rested a few moments, and then jogged down. Hornung aims to catch up for the seven days of veterans' practice he missed. Making up for a lot of 1st work due to the rainy weather, the Packers were also out in pads Thursday morning. The Bays usually drill in the morning in shorts or sweat clothes. The stage was cleared today for the Intra-Squad show. It will be Offense against Defense all the way. There will be no kickoffs but there will be punting when necessary.
PACKERS YOUNG, IN PRIME - EXPERIENCE YEARS SHOW
JUL 28 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Time marches on, so let's count years. The Packers have 36 veterans on paper - 35 in camp. The one missee is Elijah Pitts, who will complete his six-months of Army duty early in August and then report. The Packers are young and in their prime in the matter of experience. We've been saying that for three years now but it seems as if everything just got started when Vince Lombardi came upon the scene in '59. Thus, a 11-year veteran like Dave Hanner and 10-yeard bodies like Bill Forester and Jim Ringo just began to live in '59. They, in effect, are only four and three-year vets, respectively. The Pack had been losing for 11 years before "L," in case you've had memory slippage. Lest you become confused, the purpose of today's relaxer is to chronical the Packers' experience setup without giving away ages. You know how some of us old folks are! Fifteen of our veterans are in that classic fifth and sixth pro years - that is they are starting their fifth and sixth years. And another 11 have four years or less experience. Thus, 26 of the 36 are just getting warmed up. The 1961 world championship season, coming on the heels of the Western Division title campaign, saw the Pack take on the largest number of rookies since 1958. Seven new men were added (actually six since Ellersick was on the cab squad) but three found places resulting from the sale of three players to Minnesota. The bulk of the Packers came out of the 1957 and 1958 drafts, although some of the athletes of those years - like Davis, Thurston, Roach and Quinlan - came to Green Bay later via trades. The '57 draft was topped by bonus choice Hornung and first pick Ron Kramer. In '58, Currie, Jerry Kramer, Nitschke and Taylor were grabbed. So there, the spriest of the lot is Hanner. We reminded him yesterday that he came in before television. But he knew better and so did a nearby observer, Tony Canadeo, the Pack's all-time ground gainer who in '52 (Hanner's rookie year) quickly noted: "We had a few games on the tube that
year." And speaking about the past, one of the camp visitors the other day was Bob Heiss, who did the Packer radio broadcasts in the late 1940s. "Things were tough those last couple of years," Bob laughed. PS - The Pack's intra-squad game at City Stadium started at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
WHITTENTON RUNS 99 YARDS IN PACKERS' 7-7 SQUAD CONTEST
JUL 29 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers played themselves to a standstill before nearly 9,000 fans in City Stadium Saturday afternoon, in overtime, at that. Final score: Defense 7, Offense 7. The Defense, which blanked the Giants 37 to 0 in its last outing, has the ball in its mitts but twice all afternoon and came out with one spectacular touchdown - a 99-yard return of an interception by Jess Whittenton in the third quarter. The Offense didn't set the house on fire but the unit, which still must master its timing, moving 50 yards in seven plays for the tying touchdown with 3:33 left in the regulation game. Jim Taylor smacked off left tackle and, with a block by Ron Kramer, ran 14 yards for the score. Ben Agajanian kicked both extra points. Packer head coach Vince Lombardi, who along with his aides were dressed in their coaching clothes, watched the show from the press box until the last five minutes. At that point, he moved to the sidelines and the Bays started on their TD drive...MORE ACTION: The offense couldn't get a "winning" advance going in two more tries in the final minutes and time finally ran out. The usual flock of kids flooded the north end of the end zone but Lombardi motioned for more action and the officials waved the youngsters away. The first-team offense, with Bart Starr at QB and Tom Moore and Taylor at the running backs, tried to get something moving but the defense wouldn't
budge. On the fifth and final play, Starr's pass attempt was mussed up by Willie Davis from the rear and Hank Jordan in front. Lombardi said later he was "satisfied with the scrimmage. It wasn't the show but it was a good scrimmage." He added: "This was only the third scrimmage for the veterans since they reported (a week from last Wednesday)." The defense, usually ahead of the offense at this stage, was really whacking and every inch the offense made was well earned. Lombardi said the Bays will have an off day Sunday and one-a-day practices will be started Monday. The Packers meet the College All Stars in Chicago Friday night in their next assignment. The Offense's lone TD drive came against an all-veteran defense with two exceptions: Peter Schenck and Jerry Scattini started at cornerbacker (on the drive) and later Willie Wood came in for Scattini. Starr tested the left side of the line twice to start and gained 16 yards on seven by Taylor and nine by Moore. The QB then threw to Boyd Dowler for 11 yards. It was first down on the 23. Starr tried another pass but it went incomplete. Taylor sneaked up the middle on a draw for eight yards but the big fullback then tried the right side but was held to one. So it's fourth and one on the 14 - with a lot of ribbing from the Defense at stake. Taylor was handed the ball (and the defense must have know it). He hit off the bunch congregating around left tackle, slid off to the left and kept sliding and moving forward until a block from Ron Kramer opened the highway to the end zone. The Offense made one other serious touchdown move but that exploded into the Defense's TD late in the third period. This started on the O's 35 and Starr drove his team down to the eight in eight plays. Starr completed passes of nine and 18 yards to Max McGee and Lew Carpenter, playing left half on occasion, and Taylor had runs of 7 and 12 yards, respectively. This put the ball on the D's 18. On second down, Dowler made a fine catch of Starr's pass for 11 yards. Whittenton and Wood upset Taylor for a yard loss and then Starr's pass to Dowler was high. Starr aimed a quick shot toward Carpenter or McGee around the goal line but Whittenton nabbed it and set sail. Taylor got a shot around the O's 35 but flew off Jess' back. Wood got a block on Starr, who came up from the rear for a possible tackle, but Jess was home free. Starr, Taylor and McGee were the statistical guns. Bart completed 13 of 20 passes for 125 yards, Taylor raced 14 times for 68 yards and McGee caught five passes for 56 yards. The Offense piled up 178 yards rushing and 186 stripes passing for the day. Generally, the No. 1 offense played against the No. 1 defense and the No. 2 offense, under John Roach and once under Bob Joiner, against the No. 2 defense. Frequent changes were made and everybody played but Herb Adderley who just reported Friday. Paul Hornung, who came in Thursday, carried twice but didn't kick. Roach completed 4 of 10 passes for 49 yards and Joiner pitched 1.000, hitting two out of two shots for 12 yards. The defense intercepted one other pass, Ray Nitschke stealing one of Starr's throws, aimed at Dudley, in the second quarter. This brought on Joiner and the rookie QB squeezed out a first down. Needing a yard on fourth down at midfield, he sent a fellow rookie, Green, into left tackle for the necessary yardage. Joiner than threw to Folkins for 10 yards and two plays later Oscar Donahue was called for offensive interference trying to catch a long pass with Schenck in his way.
PACK DIGS IN FOR 'STAR' TILT; 6 DEPART
JUL 30 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers dug in today for the College All Star game with six less players in camp. Five were placed on waivers and one, tackle John Sutro, was traded to the Cowboys in exchange for a draft choice. This was announced today by Coach Vince Lombardi. Departing via waivers are halfbacks Don Ellersick, who was the Pack's "cab" squad last year, Jerry Scattini, and Roger Hodinsky; center George Haney; and tackle Tom Kepner. Ellersick had earlier shots with the Rams and Vikings. The Packers now have 47 players on the roster, 12 rookies and 35 veterans. Four were still unreported - rookie All Stars Earl Gros, Ed Blaine and Ron Gassert and veteran Elijah Pitts, who is expected out of service shortly. Besides the Star trio, the remaining simon-pures are ends Gary Barnes and Oscar Donahue; backs Bob Joiner, Ernie Green, Paul Dudley, Peter Schenck and Howard Williams; guard Jack Novak; and tackle Richard Davis. The Packers are coming down rosterwise in a hurry this year. The starting season limit is 60 and the first league-rule cut - to 43 players - isn't due until the day after Labor Day. The Packers are only four above the figure right now. With a championship team in operation, the "distance" between the veterans and rookies widens. The remaining nine rookies (in camp), however, have shown some possibility. Their next chance to show, providing the veterans can do a job, will be in the All Star game in Chicago Friday night. The Packers will play against two of their number, Gros and Blaine. Gassert, still in service, will miss the game. Gros stands a chance of starting. John Sauer, All Star assistant who was here scouting the Squad game Saturday along with Don Doll, says its a tossup between Gros and Bob Ferguson of Ohio State who will start. Gros has been a standout in Star practices. Blaine has been used as a linebacker by the Stars. The Packers came out of the rugged Intra-Squad battle in good physical condition, which is the way they went in...THIRD SCRIMMAGE: Lombardi noted after the game that he was pleased with the physical conditioning progress of the squad thus far. Most of the veterans came into camp (a week ago last Wednesday) in good condition. Saturday's game was only their third scrimmage and the second was shortened by rain. The Bays had Sunday off but Lombardi and aides Phil Bengtson, Bill Austin, Norb Hecker, Red Cochran and Tom Fears spent part of the day viewing movies of the Squad game...BRIEFS: The Packers will wear their white uniforms for the All Star game...Wisconsin Coach Milt Bruhn was visiting the Packer camp Friday - the day Badger President Conrad Elvehjem died. Bruhn was shocked and saddened by the death of the popular president...Cowboy Coach Tom Dahms, former Ram and Packer tackle who scouted the Squad game on behalf of the Cowboys, was getting a little itchy along the way, explaining: "I wish they'd play the guys we might a chance to get." Dahms got a good look at all of the rookies and apparently liked what he saw. John Sutro was traded to the Cowboys today...Three members of the Georgia Tech staff visited camp the other day - John Bell, offensive line coach; Charley Tate, defense backs; and Lewis Woodruff, offense backs. Bell wanted it known that "Coach Lombardi and his staff treated us royally during our brief stay here. We have an offense similar to Green Bay's and maybe our visit helped us." Another visitor was Coach George Doherty of Louisiana Tech who played a season with the old Brooklyn Dodgers...The Pack's success story won't be kept quiet. Writers for newspapers and the slicks are coming and going. Bill Heinz has been here for a few weeks following Lombardi around. Heinz will write a book on Vince in collaboration with artist-photographer Roger Riger who also stopped in last week - "but I shall return." Two of the viewers Saturday were Dick Schapp of Newsweek who has just completed a book on Paul Hornung and Jack Newcombe of Life who is doing a story on Jim Taylor for Sport. Cooper Rollow of the Chicago Tribune, which sponsors the All Star game, has been here since the start of practice with his family, covering the Pack with a daily story. Others include Bill Gleason of Chicago's American and the two Milwaukee scribes, Chuck Johnson (Journal) and Bud Lea (Sentinel), plus Charley Burton, widely-read Dallas columnist who flew down from the Cowboys' camp at Marquette, Mich. State newspapers and radio and TV stations, including Madison, are in attendance off and on.
'STAR TILT FINAL TITLE PAYOFF FOR PACK; ALL-STARS TO RUN?
JUL 31 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers will collect their final payoff for winning the 1961 world championship when they battle the College All Stars in Soldier's Field Friday night. The veterans get a full game's salary and the rookies still on the roster get a half game's pay. Green Bay's first payoff, a title game share, was assured when they clinched the Western Division championship by whipping the Giants in Milwaukee last Dec. 3. The Packers made sure they received the biggest share of the playoff pot by the simple (37-0) method of beating the Giants in the championship game. Each Bay received $5,195.44. Thus, the labor of last Dec. 31 turns out to be worth $6,000 or more - depending on the pay bracket...The Packers' "championship" lineup likely will be intact for the game, though Paul Hornung, despite his hard work, is about six days behind the rest of the veterans in training. Hornung has been working some overtime, which included dashes up the 60 rows of seats in City Stadium. The two teams (offense and defense) will mark the return of Jerry Kramer, the giant guard who missed the last eight games with an ankle injury last fall. Kramer will be at right guard, thus moving his "fill-in," Mr. Forrest Gregg, who goes back to his favorite spot, right tackle. That leaves the lone question mark - the starter at left tackle where Bob Skoronski and Norm Masters each have staked claims. Masters was given the starting nod in the Intra-Squad game, lining up with an offensive line composed of guards Fuzzy Thurston and J. Kramer, tackle Gregg, center Jim Ringo and ends Max McGee and Ron Kramer. Skoronski played on the next line but later worked with the first group...The Packer defense looked at some expected All Star offenses, with Bob Joiner and Lew Carpenter quarterbacking two "all star" squads, during Monday's practice. Playing a team once a year poses a problem for Coach Vince Lombardi and his staff. Nothing is really certain about the All Star attack, devised by Otto Graham. The last time the Stars beat the pros was in 1958 (35-19 over Detroit) when Bobby Mitchell was set out as a flanker and allowed to run wild. The Stars likely will try some similar attack this time. At least it's expected that they'll try to spread the Packer defense. Few All Star teams have had success running against pro lines and linebackers. There is this exception, though, the current All Star club has mostly "elephant" type backs, including Packer draftee Earl Gros. Maybe they'll try to run against the Bay defense. Who knows?...Detroit doesn't have a player in the All Star game. Makes you wonder how good a draft the Lions had. The Packers had last choice in the player picking last December and three were tabbed for Friday night - Ed Blaine, Ron Gassert and Gros...A board of experts (harrumph) has selected the Browns and Packers as the 1962 finalists for Sport Magazine, out today. The board also named Paul Hornung to repeat at most valuable player in the league; Jim Brown, rushing leader; Milt Plum, passing leader; Tommy McDonald, pass catching leader; Jerry Kramer, top offensive lineman; Hank Jordan and Alex Karras, tied, top defense lineman; Erich Barnes, top defense back.
PITTS REPORTS FOR PRACTICE
JUL 31 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - There were two "newcomers" on the Packer practice field today. Sophomore halfback Elijah Pitts reported in after finishing six months of Army service, rounding out the Packers' squad of 35 veterans. Don Hutson, the Pack's immortal pass receiving end, drove up from Racine and watched the "All Star Game" drill from the sideline. Hutson played in four previous All Star game - once as a Collegian and three times as a Packer.
HUTSON DROPS 'STAR' TIPS IN PACKER CAMP
AUG 1 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Don Huston dropped some College All Star lore in the Packer camp Tuesday. He's experienced in the Soldier's Field Classic. He played in four of them - once as a Collegian (1935) and three times as the Packers' left end (1937-40-45). Looking trim and carrying the same weight (175) as he did as a player, Hutson was warned while viewing Packer drills Tuesday that Coach Vince Lombardi might suit him up. "Wouldn't that be something," Hutson laughed, adding with a distant drawl. "Maybe I'll offer my services and see what happens." Hutson spent the day with the Packers, breaking bread at noon and in the evening on the training table at St. Norbert College. Old Antelope, now a noted businessman in Racine, dropped down from Fish Creek where he's been vacationing. Hutson, who ranks as the greatest individual player in Packer history and one of the great stars of the game - college and pro, played under his Alabama coach, Frank Thomas, in the 1935 All-Star game vs. the Bears. "We never scored a point." Don said. In his next appearance two years later, the Packers were blanked 6-0 by an All Star team coached by Gus Dorais. Don made up for those two blanks in the 1940 game won by the Pack 45-28. He caught three touchdown passes - of 81 and 35 yards from Cecil Isbell and 29 from Arnie Herber. He booted the extra point after the last TD. Hutson was in the 11th and final year of his fabulous career in the 1945 game, but he was the star of the Pack's 19-7 victory. He kicked a 20-yard field goal and two extra points and clinched the victory by intercepting a Perry Moss pass and returning it 86 yards for a TD...PLAYED BOTH WAYS: The sleek pass receiver played both ways (left end on offense and safety on defense) throughout his career. Hutson is 49 now and he still walks carefully - like his path was strewn with eggs. Don's dogs did a little barking in his playing days and as a result he developed a cautious walk. Glue Fingers, who once said he learned some of his moves from watching snake life as a Boy Scout in his native Arkansas, tabbed the present Packer team as "better than we were," explaining: "We only had 12 or 13 real good football players but this team (the present champs) have 36. The best team I ever played on was the Packers around 1939, '40 and '41. They said the Bears of 1941 were the greatest in pro football history, but we had the same record as they did. They beat us once and we beat them."..."VERY ACCURATE": Noting Bart Starr complete a couple of passes, Hutson said "Bart's a lot like Isbell. They're both primarily short passers and they're both very accurate." Hutson will be present in Soldier's Field Friday night. And this is the first time in Packer history that they've played an All Star game without him...The Packers had a good workout Tuesday, working their own offense for nearly an hour and then switching to defense against All Star plays operated by QBs Bob Joiner, John Roach and Lew Carpenter. Paul Hornung apparently has regained some of his kicking touch, booting several 40 yards after practice. Ben Agajanian was also getting off some long field goals. The Pack's third FG kicker is Jim Taylor, who practices on it every day. He booted a 30-yarder in a recent scrimmage. Willie Wood, getting instructions from Agajanian, has been spending considerable time practicing kickoffs. Hornung has been kicking off more - as his legs toughen up. Elijah Pitts took his first 1962 workout with the Pack yesterday after reporting from Army service. The Packers finish All Star drills at home today. They'll leave Austin Straubel Field at 12:30 Thursday afternoon and then work out lightly in Soldier's Field that night. The team will headquarter at the Drake Hotel.
PACKERS GOING INTO ALL-STAR STRUGGLE 'COLD,' VINCE SAYS
AUG 2 (Chicago-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - There is a great deal of difference between preparing for the College All Stars than a NFL opponent. "We can't prepare for the All Stars because we don't know what to prepare for," Packer Coach Vince Lombardi said after the Pack's final Green Bay drill Wednesday. The squad flew to the Windy City shortly after noon today and then settled down at the Drake Hotel. The Bays will drill in Soldier's Field briefly tonight in a final tuneup for the 29th annual All Star game Friday night. Lombardi referred to the fact that the Packers know very little about the All Stars - practically nothing compared to their knowledge of the workings of an NFL enemy. What the All Stars might do on offense or their defenses always remain a secret until game time. This year there seems to have been more secrecy than normal. This, of course, is a recognized necessity for the Stars who figure the "surprise" as part of their attack. The Bays' coach
explained the team's preparation for the All Stars in two words - "physical conditioning." Lombardi feels that if the Packers can go into the Mid-Summer Classic in good physical condition they stand a good chance of making a respectable showing and possibly win. And the Packers figure to be in excellent muscle and win condition Friday night. Vince said he was pleased with the progress of the club's physical training after Saturday's intra-squad game. The Bays had good practices Tuesday and Wednesday. All of the Packers are in top-flight condition except the late arrivals, including Paul Hornung, who has just seven days of drills under his belt. The other lates among the veterans are Herb Adderley who reported last Friday and Elijah Pitts who came in Tuesday. Hornung has been working extra hard and expects to play - probably start. The league's most valuable player has been bothered by a muscle pull ever since the first Minnesota game last Oct. 22. This handicapped him some while playing on an off-and-on basis as a soldier last year. If Hornung doesn't start, Tom Moore will get the nod at left halfback. Hornung is just about a week behind his veteran teammates in the process of conditioning. But he's been working overtime and don't be surprised if the dashing back doesn't rise to the occasion - just as he did under the handicap of no practice last season. The Packers, incidentally, have been making considerable use of the new system of exercising - isometric contraction, in addition to the regular calisthenics and the Lombardi Sprints on the field. The isometrics have been helpful in developing strength. Fullback Jim Taylor started the program last winter and came into camp in terrific condition. The Packers have a sterling non-player example of the isometric plan - Vincent Lombardi, Jr. Vincent followed the plan and developed his biceps so large that he can't touch his shoulders with even the tips of his fingers. "Maybe I should stop working on my arms," the coach's son smiled. He's a fullback on the St. Thomas College team...Soldier Elijah Pitts will suit up, despite just a day of practice, but will return to Fort Leonard Wood after the game to get his discharge. He'll rejoin the team in Dallas. Pitts hopes to see a little action, probably on the platoons...Ron Gassert, the Pack's highly-touted fourth draft choice, will wear a Packer uniform (No. 73) Friday night. He had been named an All Star, but couldn't report because he was in service. He just finished his short Army stint and reported to the Pack this week instead of the All Stars. He's a healthy looking 250-pound tackle. The Pack's top All Star, fullback Earl Gros, will wear No. 40. He expects to see considerable action behind or ahead of Bob Ferguson. Green Bay's other Star player, guard Ed Blaine, will wear No. 66.
PACK WON'T PUSH 'STARS' AROUND: OTTO
AUG 2 (Chicago) - Taut and eager, the College All-Stars are ready for their football game against the Green Bay Packers Frida y night before 75,000 at Soldier Field. Says Coach Otto Graham of the collegians: "Physically the Packers won't push us around. I just hope we won't make any mental errors." The Packers, NFL champions, are a formidable club - "one of the best of all time," in Graham's view. But the 1962 edition of the All-Stars, even with Ernie Davis of Syracuse sidelined, have much to recommend them. They have John Hadl, a talented quarterback; Ron Bull of Baylor, who is expected to step into the spot vacated by Davis; Roman Gabriel of North Carolina, a pinpoint passer; Jimmy Saxton of Texas, an explosive runner, and Bob Ferguson of Ohio State, a powerful line smasher. "And they're the hardest working squad I've seen in my five years of coach in this game," says Graham. The loss of Davis was a severe blow. He is in bed with a blood disorder. The game is the 29th in the series sponsored by the Chicago Tribune Charities, Inc., and will be televised and broadcast (Channel 11, 9 p.m.). The Packers are clear cut favorites, but in his first job of coaching here Graham pulled a big upset when his collegians beat the Detroit Lions 35-19. Graham figures his present team has the potential, and that it learned a lot last week in losing a practice game to the Chicago Bears, 24-7. "We got the stuffing kicked out of us by the Bears, and we realized then and there that we had to go to work," said Graham. The focus will not be entirely on the collegians and the stars they are sending up to professional ranks both in the NFL and AFL. There will be close attention paid to Paul Hornung, the great Packer back recently released from Army duty.
Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 17th 1962)
Appleton Post-Crescent (July 19th 1962)
Appleton Post-Crescent (July 20th 1962)
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Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 28th 1962)
Appleton Post-Crescent (July 29th 1962)
Appleton Post-Crescent (July 29th 1962)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 29th 1962)
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Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 30th 1962)
Appleton Post-Crescent (August 1st 1962)
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Chicago Tribune (August 3rd 1962)
Chicago Tribune (August 3rd 1962)
FIVE PACKER ROOKIES MADE ALL STAR MVP
AUG 3 (Chicago-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Five Packer rookies were named "most valuable" for their performances with the College All Stars. The most valuable collegian is selected annually by sportswriters covering the game. Cecil Isbell won the honor in 1938 for leading the Stars to a 28-16 victory over Washington. Bruce Smith was named MVP in 1942; Jay Rhodemyre in 1948; Babe Parilli in 1952, and Gib Dawson in 1953. Carlton Massey, who was obtained in a trade with the Browns in 1957, was a MVP winner in 1954. Massey quit football after two years in Green Bay. Parilli is still playing - with the Boston Patriots...Remember the Pack's other visits to the All Star games? Here is the capsule on the Packers' three other Star tests: 1937: All Stars 6, Packers 0. Attendance, 84,560. All Star coaches - Head Coach, Gus Dorais, Detroit; assistants, Lynn Waldorf, Northwestern; Elmer Layden, Notre Dame; Jimmy Phelan, Washington; Bennie Moore, Louisiana State. All Star Scoring - Sammy Baugh of Texas Christian passed 22
Dawson in 1953. Carlton Massey, who was obtained in a trade with the Browns in 1957, was a MVP winner in 1954. Massey quit football after two years in Green Bay. Parilli is still playing - with the Boston Patriots...Remember the Pack's other visits to the All Star games? Here is the capsule on the Packers' three other Star tests: 1937: All Stars 6, Packers 0. Attendance, 84,560. All Star coaches - Head Coach, Gus Dorais, Detroit; assistants, Lynn Waldorf, Northwestern; Elmer Layden, Notre Dame; Jimmy Phelan, Washington; Bennie Moore, Louisiana State. All Star Scoring - Sammy Baugh of Texas Christian passed 22 yards to Gaynell Tinsley of Louisiana State, who ran 25 yards for a touchdown...1940: Packers 45, All Stars 28. Attendance, 84,567. All Star Coaches - Head Coach, Dr. Edward Anderson, Iowa; Assistants, Buck Shaw, Santa Clara; Don Faurot, Missouri; Lowell Dawson, Tulane; Ted Wieman, Princeton. All Star Scoring - Ambrose Schindler of Southern California plunged six yards for a touchdown. Nile Kinnick of Iowa drop kicked the extra point. Kenny Washington of UCLA plunged six inches for a touchdown. Bobby Kellogg of Tulane placekicked the extra point. Kinnick passed 28 yards to Banks McFadden of Clemson, who ran 28 yards to a touchdown. Kinnick drop kicked the extra point. Green Bay Scoring - Cecil Isbell passed 51 yards to Don Hutson, who ran 30 yards to a touchdown. Ernie Smith place kicked the extra point. Isbell passed 26 yards into end zone to Carl Mulleneaux for a touchdown. Ernie Smith kicked the point. Arnie Herber passed 18 yards to Andy Uram, who ran 42 yards to a touchdown. Tiny Engebretsen placekicked the extra point. Isbell passed 35 yards into end zone to Hutson for a touchdown. Ernie Smith kicked the extra point. Herber passed 29 yards to Hutson on goal line for touchdown. Ernie Smith placekicked the extra point. Ernie Smith placekicked a 25 yard field goal. Isbell ran four yards for a touchdown. Huston placekicked the extra point...1945: Packers 19, All Stars 7. Attendance 92,753. All Star Coaches - Head Coach, Bernie Bierman, Minnesota; Assistants, Howie O'Dell, Yale; Jim Lookabaugh, Oklahoma A and M; Ray Eliot, Illinois; Jeff Cravath, Southern California; Lynn Waldorf, Northwestern. All Star Scoring - Bob Kennedy of Washington State passed to Nick Scollard of St. Joseph's College (Indiana) for 63 yards and a touchdown. Tom Harmon of Michigan placekicked the point. Green Bay Scoring - Don Hutson placekicked a 20 yard field goal. Kennedy intercepted Irv Comp's pass in the All Star end zone, ran out two yards, and stepped back into the end zone for an automatic safety for Green Bay. Herman Rohrig passed 20 yards to Roy McKay for a touchdown and Huston added the extra point. Hutson intercepted Perry Moss and returned 85 yards for a touchdown. He also added the extra point...The Packers are the scoringest team in All Star history. Their 45-point total in 1940, the six touchdowns of that game, and the five TD passes of the same game still stand as records. Another record set in that game was the seven punts returned by the Packers...The Packers had three draft choices on the starting team of the 1952 All Stars. Parilli was at quarterback, Billy Howton at right end and Chuck Boerio at fullback.
PACKERS DUEL ALL-STARS TONIGHT; FAVORED BY 20
AUG 3 (Chicago-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers observe the silver anniversary of their first
appearance in the College All Star game in giant Soldier Field on the lakefront here tonight. And they're confident they'll be on the big end of the score - unlike 25 years ago when the Collegians dropped Green Bay in 98 percent humidity 6-0. The Packers, making their first start since their 37 to 0 walloping of the New York Giants in the championship game last Dec. 31, are favored by some 20 points tonight. A crowd of close to 75,000 is expected (Channel 11, 8:45). Since the 1937 loss to the All Stars, the Packers scored two victories in the midsummer classic, 45 to 28 in 1940 and 19-7 in 1945. Green Bay should win this glamor game - perhaps big, but there's always a "but." The All Stars, under Coach Otto Graham, are due to win one. They haven't won since 1958 when they whaled the Detroit Lions, including Bobby Layne by a surprising 35-19. The Lions were heavy favorites that night, too. This year's All Star team is patterned after the Packers in that their ground attack will be carried by heavy backs - Earl Gros (225), Bob Ferguson (220), Ronnie Bull (210), and Curtis McClinton (217). What's more Star linemen have all been selected for size in addition to ability, including Chuck Hinton, Bill Hudson, Ray Jacobs and the pride of Northwestern, Fate Echols, a 265-pounder. Though he's not listed as a starter, Packer draftee Gros figures to see plenty of action at fullback. The big blaster is anxious to test his future teammates and vice versa. John Hadl, the Kansas triple-threat, is scheduled to start at quarterback but Roman Gabriel will probably do most of the passing. Their chief targets likely will be All American Bill Maher, Greg Mather, Charlie Bryant and Gary Collins. Vince Lombardi, starting his fourth season at the Packer helm, will go with his best - the same lineup that demolished the Browns in Cleveland last year. One position is "open." That would be offensive left tackle where Bob Skoronski and Norm Masters hold forth. The starter is a tossup. The rest of the offense is raring to go, including Paul Hornung, with only a week's practice under his belt. No. 5 will be at the running back spots with Jimmy Taylor. Other starters are Bart Starr, Boyd Dowler, Max McGee, Ron Kramer, Forrest Gregg, Jerry Kramer and Fuzzy Thurston. The defense hasn't changed a bit, either - Bill Quinlan, Dave Hanner. Hank Jordan and Willie Davis in the line, Dan Currie, Bill Forester and Ray Nitschke at linebackers, and Johnny Symank, Willie Wood, Hank Gremminger and Jess Whittenton in the secondary. The Packers will go pretty much with the veterans unless they can manage a lead along the way. Among the rookies due for a shot are Howie Williams and Peter Schenck in the secondary, Gary Barnes and Oscar Donahue at the ends, and Paul Dudley at offensive halfback. The Bays drilled in Soldier's Field Thursday night, where they found the field fast and hard, and Lombardi said, "We're ready." The warmup was preceded by a light shower but no rain is scheduled for tonight. The All-Stars' Graham declared, "Physically, the Packers will find us pretty much of a match. If we can just avoid making too many mistakes, I'm sure the Packers, great as they are, will never get out of sight of these kids."...SIDELIGHTS: Paul Christman, QB in the Cards' dream backfield of a dozen years ago and the Packer signalist in 1950, said, "The Packer are the greatest pro team I've ever seen." Christman, who will do the color on the telecast, marveled as the Packers warned up. "Some championship teams had greater individual stars than Green Bay, but nobody ever had a championship team like this one," Pitchin' Paul pointed out, adding, "Your offensive line is just great."...This All Star week is getting bigger every week. It is now a gathering place for college and pro football people - plus other sports such as tennis, baseball, horse racing and boxing. The sponsoring Chicago Tribune holds an annual party on Thursday night and the attendance of over 700 includes a cross section of American sports. The guests were topped by the rival pro grid commissioners, Pete Rozelle and Joe Foss. Players from both league are in the Star lineup.
'WE'RE READY,' DECLARED PACKERS' COACH
AUG 3 (Chicago Tribune) - The Green Bay Packers are champions of the NFL. They are in excellent physical condition. Whether they are mentally and emotionally keyed for tonight's meeting with the College All-Stars will not be known until shortly after the kickoff in Soldier's Field. During their recent 2 1/2-week training session at West De Pere, Wis., the Packers toiled diligently under the whip hand of Coach Vince Lombardi, football's reigning taskmaster. Lombardi has sworn that his club will not go into the All Star game fat headed...DRILL UNDER LIGHTS: The Packers give every indication of dedication to tonight's task. But there is no known method of accurately forecasting a team's mental readiness, and even Lombardi, a superb psychologist, can only guess. The Packers arrived in Chicago yesterday afternoon by chartered airliner. They worked out briefly under the lights last night in the lakefront arena. "We're ready," Lombardi said after the limbering-up drill. The Green Bay coach will throw his big guns at the All-Stars right from the start. These include the world champions' fabled ground marauders, Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung; Bart Starr, a steadily improving quarterback, and Starr's pet receivers, Max McGee, Boyd Dowler and Ron Kramer...SPOTLIGHT TAYLOR'S RUNNING: Hornung, former Notre Dame standout, will start at left halfback and remain in the lineup as long as his wind and legs hold up. The golden galloper, released from the Army only last week, has had difficulty getting into shape. His replacement is Tom Moore. Packer scrimmages for the All-Star game spotlighted the running of Taylor, the one-time Louisiana bulldozer. Lombardi still finds it occasionally necessary to reprimand Taylor for ignoring the holes laboriously opened up for him by the Packer line and setting off on his own in search of physical combat. Taylor, Hornung and compatriots will run behind an offensive line generally regarded as the finest in the land. The forward unit, coached by Bill Austin, is bulwarked by Jerry Kramer, a rangy, fast-stepping guard who missed the last half of the Packers' 1961 championship drive because of a fractured ankle. Starr, who hurled 16 touchdown passes last year, will be backed by John Roach, former Chicago and St. Louis Cardinal quarterback, and by Bob Joiner, an impressive rookie from Presbyterian who is built like a fullback. Joiner is one of several Packer freshmen who may receive their professional baptism if Green Bay is able to contain the All-Star attack. Other highly regarded Packer newcomers included ends Gary Barnes of Clemson and Oscar Donahue of San Jose State, and defense back Howard Williams of Howard University. With the exception of the retired Emlen Tunnell, the Packer squad which humbled the New York Giants, 37 to 0, in last December's NFL title game is intact. And long before the playoff, Tunnell had already relinquished his right safety position to the present tenant, Willie Wood. Wood, three-year veteran from Southern California, is expected to kick off for the Packers. Field goal assignments will be handled by Hornung, and Dowler is the punter. Overseeing the placement kickers and ready to step in if necessary will be 43-year old Ben Agajanian, who five years ago was fired by the Giants because he was "too old."
Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 16th 1962)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 22nd 1962)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 23rd 1962)
Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 28th 1962)
Chicago Tribune (August 2nd 1962)