1963 Green Bay Packers Training Camp
12 VETS, MESTNICK JOIN PACK ROOKIES
JUL 15 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - "You look for speed, agility, and size," Vince Lombardi declaimed in an analytical moment last season. "You may get two. If you get all three, you have a great football player." He was speaking in this instance of linemen, but obviously would welcome these qualities elsewhere. The next few weeks will determine whether his 1963 rookies, just arrived upon the scene, are blessed with the first two requisites, but there can be no question about the third. A surprising number of freshmen endowed with awesome dimensions *including several backs and ends) were in evidence when the first year men officially reported for duty at the world champions' St. Norbert College training camp Sunday evening. They were joined by a dozen early bird veterans, including former Los Angeles Ram Urban Henry and ex-St. Louis Cardinal Frank Mestnick, both signed as free agents. Equally impressive as their imposing proportions was the generally sleek condition of the reportees, of which the mountainous Henry is a prime example. Considered a leading contender to replace the traded Bill Quinlan at left, the 6-4 Georgia Tech alumnus appears in the neighborhood of 250, but actually scales a whopping 273 pounds. So impressed was the ultra-conservative Lombardi, he declared with a broad smile, "They look real good. They're in real fine shape. Every year the crop of rookies looks better." Heavyweight of the group, at least at this point, is swarthy Luis Hernandez, 6-foot-7, 275-pound guard from Texas Western. Other solid citizens included former De Pere High and erstwhile Manitowoc Chief tackle Doug Brozek, 255; Lionel Aldridge, the Packers' No. 4 draft choice from Utah State, an impressively-stacked 253; Dan Grimm, thick-set University of Colorado guard, who scaled 250; Jan Barrett, burly Fresno State end, 246; Ed Holler, U. of South Carolina linebacker, and Marv Fleming, an incredibly muscular end of high promise from Utah, both 242. Granting that a few pounds may be deducted from these figures, since all were weighed in street clothes, but the deflated figures are sufficient to warm the heart of even perfectionist Lombardi. The Packer head man, it might be added, could hardly conceal a smile over the uniformly svelte condition of the nine 1962 veterans who appeared - patriarch Dave Hanner, oldest Packer in point of service who is beginning his 12th season, Ron Kostelnik, Ken Iman, Howie Williams, Earl Gros, Bart Starr, John Roach, Tom Moore and Offense Capt. Bob Jeter, a cab squad member a year ago. Their trim outlines indicate there will be no "fat cats" in the champions' camp. Hanner, as a matter of fact, scaled 258 pounds Sunday morning - about two less than he carries in the regular season and roughly 15 less than he sported at this time a year ago...PACKER PATTER: The rookies' capacity for speed and agility, among other items, was to receive the acid test for the first time in the opening drill of the season at 10 o'clock this morning. Two-a-day workouts at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. are scheduled, with the veterans joining in Wednesday morning, until just before the Pack's Aug. 2 date with the College All-Stars...All reportees underwent the customary physical examinations Sunday night, conducted by Dr. James W. Nellen, Packer team physician. He was assisted by Drs. E.S. Brusky, W. Schibly, Robert T. Schmidt, Sam Brusky and Thomas E. Murphy and Packer Trainer Carl (Bud) Jorgensen and his assistant Dominic Gentile...Memo to the railbirds: All rookies again will be wearing numbers during the drills; and rosters, courtesy of longtime fanatic Howie Blindauer, will be available to the spectators.
'JET' TAKES LONG WAY; HERE TO STAY?
JUL 16 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, one of the traditional three R's in flexibility decrees. It may be a mathematical fact, but you can't sell that to Bob (The Jet) Jeter, a purposeful Pittsburgh resident who has come to the Packers, his original "destination," via such remote outposts as Vancouver, B.C., and Hamilton, Ont. Jeter, a member of the Packer cab squad last season and currently a prime candidate for flanker employment with the defending world champions in the daily exercises at the Oneida Street practice field, was the Pack's No. 2 draftee in 1960 (just behind Randy Duncan) but elected to cast his lot with Canadian football, a decision which accounts in large part for his circuitous route to Green Bay. Why Canada? Parked on a stool before his locker in the Packers' sumptuous new dressing room quarters at City Stadium Monday, Jeter made it sound eminently reasonable. "When I came out of college, I only weighed 183 pounds. Frankly, I didn't think I could make it. I thought I'd go up there and get some experience and then try to make it here later." Obviously, there are always other considerations, but weight is no longer one of them. "I weigh 210 now," Jeter revealed, "but normally I play at between 200 and 205." What, he was asked, had prompted him to turn his back on Canadian football after two successful seasons with the British Columbia Lions and a 1962 exhibition season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats? "I wanted to come back down to see if I could make it in this league," was the forthright reply. This action, he indicated, may have been a bit premature. "I came down about three days before the Packers' first game last season and I thought I'd be able to play," he confided with a rueful smile. "But I found out the rule says if you practice for one day with a Canadian team, you're ineligible to play in the NFL season. And I had been with Hamilton for the whole exhibition season." Making these world champion Packers is somewhat more of a challenge, he readily conceded, than he found in Canada. "The big difference I see is in the competition," the thoughtful Weirton, W. Va., native said. "I have to work twice as hard to make the club here. I didn't have too much competition up there." "It was more or less myself against the Canadians," the mercurial Iowa alumnus observed. "They were only allowed 12 Americans per team, so I was really only competing against one player, sometimes none."...'HE CAN FLY': Employed solely on defense after joining the Packer cab squad last season, Jeter already has elicited kind words from end coach Tom Fears since being moved to flanker. "You can't overthrow him," Fears marveled after Monday's opening drills. "You think he's not going to get there and he runs right under it," the ex-Los Angeles Ram great added. "He says he's a little heavy right now, but I don't care how heavy he is, he can fly." Jeter, who played both ways in Canada, says he has no preference. "It really doesn't matter," the one-time Hawkeye scatback said with a shy smile. "I like defense as well as offense. Wherever I can earn me a spot, that's all I care about." He did admit, however, "I guess I have a little jump over the player coming in because I worked with the defense if I can't make it on offense." And what did he think of his chances? "It's hard to tell right now," he said softly, looking down at the floor, "but I have great hopes for making the team. At least, I'm going to be in there trying."...PACKER PATTER: Displeased with the enthusiasm evinced in the afternoon wind sprints, Coach Vince Lombardi barked, "We're going to have to take some laps - we're not putting out!" The pace quickened perceptibly and no "laps" were imposed...Earlier, delighted with a maneuver by 246-pound rookie end Jan
1963 Packers - Topps Cards
Barrett of Fresno State in eluding safetyman Thurman Walker, Lombardi had boomed, "Good move, good move."...De Pere's Doug Brozek, one of three area contributions to the Packer squad, pulled up with a sore right calf following the wind sprints, limping his way to the dressing room. Another local product, Gary Kroner, continued to nurse a pulled muscle in his kicking leg, acquired in practice for the All-American Bowl at Buffalo late in June. "I'm still dragging it," he revealed. "It's pretty tight yet."...Slumped on a chair in front of his locker, a weary Dave Hanner asked soulfully, "Where do I go to give up?" Although he weighed in at 255 pounds after yesterday's afternoon session, one pound less than he played at a year ago, the 12-year Packer veteran declared, "This was the roughest first day we've had in two or three years."...Nearby, former Packer all-league fullback Ted Fritsch surveyed the Packers' plush new quarters and said in a tone akin to awe, "Isn't this tremendous?" Fritsch, accustomed to somewhat more humble surroundings during his Packer career (1942-51), chuckled and added, "I was just telling Jergie (Packer Trainer Bud Jorgensen) it would be worth it make the club just to be able to stay in the room. It would be an honor just to hang your coat here."...Defensive back Hank Gremminger has a new distinction - he may be the only mortuary owner in pro football. Hank and "three other fellows in Dallas," he reported. "I've been kidding some of the boys here," he appended gravely (pardon the "swiftie"). "I've been telling 'em I got their size down - I got 'em measured." "We tell everybody," he added with a ghoulish chuckle en route to the shower, "we're the only ones with flip top boxes."
FLEMING, GRID LISTON, IN STRONG PACKER BID
JUL 17 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Awesome Sonny Liston, currently a 3-1 favorite to chill Floyd Patterson for a second time five days hence, may not know it, but the heavyweight champion has a kingsized "double" in the Packers' now bulging training camp. And, although no odds are being quoted, knowledgeable railbirds like the giant newcomer's chances of crashing the world champions' roster. Some four inches taller and 15 pounds heavier than Sonny but a strong look-a-like, in both physiognomy and physique, he is Utah University alumnus Marv Fleming, the Pack's No. 11 draft choice last November, who is making a serious bid for a flanker assignment. At the moment, he is contending with incumbents Max McGee, Boyd Dowler and Gary Barnes (who reported yesterday afternoon and evening with the balance of the veterans), "returnee" Bob Jeter and another promising rookie, Fresno State's Jan Barrett, among others, for a niche among Lombardi's final 37. Although impressive since he first appeared in the Packer camp for his physical examination Sunday night - then by the sheer impact of his heroic proportions - the 6-5, 230-pound Los Angeles native has not been satisfied with his efforts in this direction. "I don't feel like I've been doing very well," Fleming declared while mopping shower drops from his glistening brow in the Pack's plushly carpeted new dressing room Tuesday. He added with an apologetic grin, "Psychological block, I guess. But I'm doing the best I can." His "best," it might be added, has occasioned to more than passing interest, to say the least. He has been catching the ball, both short and long, with admirable facility, once reaching up to pluck an errant aerial with one huge hand, exhibited impressive speed for one of his bulk and blocked with crunching authority in yesterday's "pinch" blocking drill. Possessor of a droll sense of humor, he admitted, "I feel good now - I'm with guys of my ability. After those veterans get in (most of them hadn't reported as yet) I don't know how I'll feel," he said with wry candor. "These practices," he further volunteered dryly, "are a little different than they were in college - a little harder, shall we say." And what about college? "I played defense," Fleming, who has gone both ways at Utah, quipped with a sly grin. "We only threw on third down." The former Compton, Calif., High School athlete, who once high jumped 6-5 in a Los Angeles city track meet and finished fourth, has no preference, he was quick to make know. "It doesn't make any difference," Fleming said. "I just want to play football." "Compton," he revealed with a modicum of pride, "is the high school that produces all those star athletes." Like? "Like Luis Williams, who broke the world's 440-yard dash record, John Roseboro and Tommy Davis (Dodger stars), Paul Lowe, fellows like that. There's a million of 'em - just in my little town (located just outside Los Angeles and population 50,000)." A nine-letterman at Compton (three each in football, basketball and track) before restricting himself to football at Utah U., Marv was happy to report there are other Flemings on the ascendancy athletically. "I have a brother 15, who is going to be real good," he said proudly. "And it's amazing my little brother, Dennis, is 9 and he's being recruited for Little League."...As might be expected, Lombardi accelerated the practice tempo with the arrival of the veterans, all of whom has checked in by deadline, 6 o'clock Tuesday evening. A dummy scrimmage spiced the afternoon session, in which most holdovers figured. Among the missing were last season's NFL "player of the year," Jim Taylor, Jess Whittenton and Willie Wood, who officially reported after practice. More strenuous activity was scheduled for this afternoon, when all hands were instructed to don pads...PACKER PATTER: The trim condition of the veterans continued to elicit smiles from Lombardi. With only two exceptions, Wood and Elijah Pitts, all were at near or under their 1962 playing figures. The jet-like Pitts, who grinned, "It sneaked up on me and it wouldn't come off when I started working out back home in Little Rock," reported at 215 and at 195 - both 10 pounds over their playing weight of a year ago. Willie conceded he'd have to shed those 10 but Elijah, however, hopes to keep his extra avoirdupois. "'I'd like to keep if I can," he said. "If I can't, I guess I'll just have to resign myself to playing a little lighter."...Appropriately enough, blocking "twins" Fuzzy
Thurston and Jerry Kramer both scaled 242 pounds following the afternoon drill. "We both played at 253 last season, too," they chuckled in unison. "I plan to play at about 246 this year," Thurston appended. "I think you ought to play a little lighter as you get older."...Mountainous Ron Kramer, who performed at 250 in '62, came in at 256 and Ray Nitschke at 235, his playing weight...Humorous Max McGee, as ever "a million laughs," reported, "I weighed 203. That's the lightest I've come it at in five years. It scared me," he drawled. "Thought I might have TB." Lolling back in his chair, McGee noted, "This afternoon was the first time I've run since I trotted off the field at Yankee Stadium last winter. But that's all right," he added with his best deadpan delivery, "when the rest of 'em are burned out at the end of the season, I'll still have a lot left."...As the players clumped from the practice field following the afternoon workout, Lombardi called to Willie Davis, "What have you been doing, Willie? You look pretty good." Davis grinned and shot back, "Got to stay ahead of you, coach," a response which drew a hearty chuckle from the Packer head man...It was a good "humor" day for defensive ends. Earlier, ex-Los Angeles Ram Urban Henry, rated a leading candidate to succeed Bill Quinlan at right defensive end, quipped, "If I'm going to take Quinlan's place, I'm going to have to act the part." Henry had reference to the muscle spasm in his back that has troubled him the last three days, facetiously indicating he, in the Quinlan tradition, would be a frequent visitor to Trainer Bud Jorgensen's "operating" table...A practice visitor yesterday, where he cut up a few touches with his old comrades, was former defensive back John Symank, now a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. He is scheduled to report at the Cards' Lake Forest, Ill., camp July 24.
PACKER SOPH OF YEAR? COULD BE SCHOLAR BLAINE
JUL 18 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Can there be anything less rewarding than playing behind those bulky nonpareils, Fuzzy Thurston and Jerry Kramer? There are, admittedly, a few parallels on the world champion Packers, such as understudying perennial All-Pro Jim Ringo, or languishing in the shadow of "player of the year" Jim Taylor and his fellow bayou bulldozer, Earl Gros, at fullback. But, it can safely be said, neither of these is fraught with more frustration than being the Pack's "third guard," bull-shouldered Ed Blaine's somewhat anonymous title year ago and the position at which the recent bridegroom is a candidate to succeed himself this season. A lesser man might have folded his tent and slunk quietly away, but the genial Missourian, a citizen of diverse talents and considerable daring, is not one to be daunted by such a challenge after scaling a 14,000-foot Colorado peak. As a matter of fact, Blaine, who is pursuing a master's degree in zoology in addition to climbing an occasional mountain, well might be the Pack's "sophomore of the year," an unofficial honor for which he is likely to have some serious competition from the aforementioned Mr. Gros. A realist, the Farmington, Mo., resident is well aware his chances of unseating Thurston and/or J. Kramer are not overly bright. He merely says, with a philosophical smile, "I hope to play more this year." With a grueling 14-game NFL schedule in the offing, and the possibility of injuries ever present, he is likely to get his wish. And, by what appears to be a delightful coincidence, the 245-pound former tackle is ready for bigger things. Although he saw only limited action last season performing chiefly when Kramer was temporarily felled by a pinched nerve in his shoulder, Blaine has won the respect of such knowledgeable old pros as teammates Dave Hanner and Hank Jordan, who have often come to grips with him in practice. "He's a fine athlete," they agreed after yesterday afternoon's rugged session. "He's strong." The sandy-haired sophomore is not becoming inflated, however. "I've got a lot of work to do on pulling," Ed explained soberly. "I was a tackle in college, so this is only my second season at guard. So I still have a lot to learn about that." Ed, a bridegroom of only four weeks - he married college sweetheart Susan Cring at Brentwood, Mo., June 19 - cheerfully admits football and zoology are "a little bit detached, but I find it real handy, playing a half year and going to school a half year." A master's degree in the latter is not his final goal, it might be added. "I'm going into medical school after I get my master's degree which will be along about 1966 or 1967," Blaine revealed. "I want to go into medical research - I don't know yet just what type." How did he happen to take up mountain climbing? "I worked out in Colorado one summer, and I got to know a guide out there," he said. "He talked me into trying it and I've been hooked ever since." Does his spouse share his enthusiasm for this somewhat exotic diversion? "I tried to indoctrinate her," Blaine, who once scaled 14,256-foot Long's Peak in Colorado, replied with a smile. "We just came from Colorado, where we spent our honeymoon, and did a little climbing. We just went on a hiking route, not a real climb, but she seemed to enjoy it."...Rookies and veterans alike underwent their first contact session Wednesday afternoon during a hard-hitting 1-on-1 (with ball carrier) session and a passing drill, both of which were filmed by photographers Nick Golueke and Bill Johnson for analysis by the coaching staff before last night's meeting. Rookies Dan Grimm, burly 250-pound tackle from the U. of Colorado, Lionel Aldridge, lithe Utah State guard, and Jan Barrett, the muscular Fresno State end, sparkled in the 1-on-1 crunching, Grimm frequently eliciting praise from Coach Vince Lombardi. Bob Jeter also exhibited surprising skill in this activity for one of his relatively modest bulk. The session also produced one minor casualty, in addition to Lombardi, whose booming baritone diminished to a semi-croak before the afternoon was over. That, oddly enough, was 12-year veteran Dave Hanner, who sustained a nasty gash just above the upper lip. "Somebody couldn't see the dummy and butted me in the mouth," the normally affable Hawg groused. "The same thing happened yesterday."...PACKER PATTER: Trudging toward the dressing room after two hours of exertion in the afternoon's wilting heat, veteran Gary (Kinkaid) Knafelc facetiously tried some "psychology" on himself, chanting, "I feel great, I feel great, I feel great." Later, in the Packer quarters, recent invalid Jim Taylor bubbled with vitality after his first full day of practice. "I'm not as tired as normal," the Bayou Bronco effervesced. "I feel good."...Green Bay's own Gary Kroner, who had just registered his first interception of the training season, smilingly dismissed it with, "I just happened to be there." Troubled with a pulled muscle in his right leg since before the start of practice, Kroner imparted, "It's coming a little bit, but I still can't go on it."...Getting a step on Howie Williams, Jeter made a dazzling catch of a 50-yard bomb from rookie quarterback Terry Zang to cap (it was the final "play") in the morning's practice...Marv Fleming, the 6-5, 250-pund Utah monolith, also drew a kudo from End Coach Tom Fears for whirling in front of the redoubtable Jess Whittenton, no less, to grab a hook pass in the afternoon session. "That's the way to it, Marv," Fears yelled. "Good hook."...Frank Mestnik, the former St. Louis Cardinal fullback (via Marquette), was held out of the day's sprints after pulling a muscle in his right thigh in the morning...Louis Rettino, rookie back from Villanova, is a cousin of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Lou Cordileone. "I hope I'm around long enough to play against him," Rettino said wistfully...Hit of the "show" as rookies were called upon to sing for their supper for the first time at the Pack's St. Norbert College training camp Wednesday night was freshman talent scout Pat Peppler, a recent North Carolinian, who bemoaned Wisconsin's rugged winters in an original composition, "Ode to An Eskimo." A duet, presented by De Pere's Doug Brozek and Utah State's Lionel Aldridge, in which the fledglings took sly digs at their veteran colleagues, also met with boisterous acclaim.
'GREAT MORALE,' ROOKIE TALENT IMPRESS LOMBARDI; KNAFELC FIGHTS FOR JOB
JUL 19 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - A hoarse Vince Lombardi rasped, "All right, sprint five yards and then stride it." Whereupon Signor Lombardi, presiding over Thursday afternoon's wind sprints, the like of which conclude every Packer drill, imparted over his shoulder, "We've got great morale, tremendous morale." This observation had been triggered by a continuous stream of chatter from his athletes, a somewhat startling development since most of them, already weary from nearly two hour's toil under a blistering sun, are normally careful to conserve breath wherever possible - particularly at this early stage in the training season. Elaborating on his theme, the Packer major-domo, still trying to regain the vocal timbre he lost Wednesday, added significantly, "We have great morale because we have a good rookie group. The veterans realize there are some good new boys here." No one is more acutely conscious of this last than Gary Knafelc, the Pack's refugee from Hollywood, who is frankly straining to make the NFL grade for a 10th time. Pride, he admits with equal candor, is not the only reason. "I would like to get in one more year - I've only been under the pension plan for four years," the handsome University of Colorado product explained. "And you have to have played five years since the pension plan was installed to qualify." With the new talent in evidence, and Lombardi's firm policy of replacing aging parts, the 31-year-old veteran is fully aware he must go all out to win one of the 37 berths available. Also aware he is on a number of railbird "cut" lists for these very same reasons, Knafelc shrugs it off with a characteristic grin and notes, "It's that way with me every year." If the handwriting is on the wall for him, and there has been no suggestion of that at this point, the towering pass catcher obviously intends to give it the proverbial college try. He, as a matter of fact, has never looked better. "I feel much better, too," he says, "because I'm lighter. I weigh 210 and should be 222, so I'm faster." This, it might be added, is an item that has impressed the grandstand quarterback "club," a populous fraternity. Surprisingly enough, he credits his sleek physique to that recent cinematic fling in Hollywood, not known to encourage the spartan life. "I lost weight out there," Gary explained, "and when I came back, I stayed in shape by working hard. There's no substitute for hard work." "I watched my diet, too," the versatile ex-Coloradoan, a raconteur, comedian and after-dinner speaker of some ability in addition to his athletic talents, added. "And, of course, I don't drink or smoke, which helps." Hollywood, it develops, still beckons. "I had to break my contract to come back to my school supply business," Knafelc revealed. "My problem now is to decide whether I want to have a Hollywood career or stay in business." The former "has good possibilities," he said. "There's a good future there. I was guaranteed some big money in the commercial field. They even offered my kids an opportunity to work in commercials. There's good money in that for kids." "But first things first," Gary concluded with a grin. "Right now, I've got to make the ball club."...Mastodonic Marv Fleming, the huge rookie end from Utah U., was a casualty in yesterday's drills. The 6-5, 240-pound Los Angeles resident, pulled a thigh muscle in pursuing a 50-yard Bart Starr pass in the morning session. Fleming, who pulled up lame as he strained for the ball, later noted by the way of explanation, "That was a deep one. We were running short patterns and that was the first long one." Dismissing the injury with a shrug of the shoulders, he insisted, "It'll come along." As a result of his disability, Fleming was employed at center in the afternoon drills. "It's the first time I've ever played center," Marv, an end throughout his collegiate career, confessed. Shaking his head with a smile, he appended (are you listening, Jim Ringo?), "You've got to think there."...PACKER PATTER: Could the Packers be grooming a secret weapon? A goodly number of railbirds, among others, were somewhat startled to see Jim Taylor, taking a handoff on the final "play" of the afternoon, wheel to his right, stop and fire a 40-yard pass to flanker Bob Jeter. Taylor's "bomb," it might be added, was right on target, but the ball slipped through Jeter's hands. A bit chesty about the whole thing, Taylor later chuckled, "It was so wide open, it was funny." Noting "it was the first time I've thrown from a set play since I've been here," the five-year veteran revealed, "I never threw a pass in college but I did in high school. I was the fullback there, too, but it was the single wing and I called the plays." Later, "Mr. Fullback" returned to the dressing room with the youngest "visitor" to see the Packers' gleaming new quarters thus far. It was James Taylor, Jr., who will be eight months old Aug. 1 and bears more than passing resemblance to his famous father. Cradled in J. Taylor, Sr.'s burly left arm, he attempted to sip a soft drink from a paper cup, a project which was not a complete success...Packer Publicist Tom Miller, marveling at the trim silhouette Dave Hanner is sporting, informed the 12-year veteran, "Hawg, this is the best I've seen you look in the seven years I've been watching you."...Max McGee, who has a flair for the ludicrous, titillated sideline observers by doing an impromptu twist at his position - no mean feat in pads - while waiting for quarterback Bart Starr to call signals.
RETTINO LEAVES
JUL 19 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers' 60-man squad, intact until Thursday, was decreased by one when promising rookie halfback Louis Rettino of Villanova, the Pack's No. 8 choice in last December's draft, left camp of his own volition.
SOLUTION TO PACK'S DEFENSIVE END PROBLEM NEAR? '2 GOOD CANDIDATES'
JUL 20 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - A solution to the Packers' No. 1 problem, occasioned by black-browed Bill Quinlan's departure in an offseason trade, may be at hand. Admittedly, it's early, but a pair of prime contenders for the defensive end post vacated when Quinlan was dispatched to the New York Giants (who later dealt him to the Philadelphia Eagles), have emerged in the world champions' training camp. Although cautioning, "I couldn't say the problem is solved at this point," Defense Coach Phil Bengtson conceded following Friday's brisk, hard-hitting workout. "We've got two good candidates." They would be mountainous Urban Henry, the former Los Angeles Ram, and catlike Lionel Aldridge, impressively proportioned rookie from Utah State. "I thought they looked good today," Bengtson said, adding with some satisfaction, "They're willing - and that's the first thing." He didn't say so, but this will be a compact, two-man race only temporarily. Henry and Aldridge, both native Louisianans, shortly will have to fend off challenges of Dave (No. 1) Robinson and Tony Lisco, now in the College All-Stars' training camp. Be that as it may, both welcome the opportunity. Henry, in fact, freely admits this is a fresh start for him. Sidelined the entire 1962 NFL season with a neck injury, Henry now feels that painful experience may have been a blessing in disguise. "The Rams released me after the season was over," the 270-pound giant explained, "so being a free agent, I came right up here to see if the Packers could use me." He makes no secret of his delight at receiving an affirmative answer - following a medical examination - in the form of a contract. "Things are a lot different here," Henry enthuses. "You only have to be in camp five minutes and you can see it." "Everything is so precise and organized here," he continued, flicking a comb through his tight, curly locks before his dressing room locker. "They sure get a lot of work done." How about the neck? "Oh, that's fine now - no trouble," Henry beamed. "I didn't even have to wear my neck collar today, so it must be all right." "I had what they first thought was a pinched nerve but later on, they found out it was scratched or partly cut," the burly Georgia Tech alumnus explained. "They tell me that a neve is the slowest healing thing on the body, so I was out all season. But, if I hadn't been, I wouldn't have the chance to come here." Henry also has been troubled with a muscle spasm in the lower back since reporting to the Pack, but he's confident it's on the wane. "I still felt it a little bit today," Urban admitted, "but it does not bother me once I get warmed up." A veteran of three seasons with the British Columbia Lions of the CFL before joining the Rams, the king-sized Louisianan once rumbled 50 yards in a brisk 6.1 seconds while wearing sweat clothes. Henry, a resident of Berwick, La., ("that's only 20 miles from Earl Gros' hometown, Schriver"), admits, "I'm not so sure I could run it quite that fast right now. I'm a little heavy - I always played at 270 or 275 as a defensive tackle as I'd like to scale down below 260 if I stay at defensive end." Unlike Henry, the soft-spoken Aldridge is making his bid for Packer employment at a familiar position. "I played tackle as a senior at Utah State," he said, "but I was an end my sophomore and junior years." A realist, he assessed his chances of remaining with considerable caution. "It was a little better today," he said thoughtfully, "but it's pretty early. I'll just have to keep working." Aldridge, rated a "fine athlete" by Offensive Line Coach Bil Austin who worked with the Bunkie, La., native at guard briefly before he was transferred to defense, has been struck by "the spirit of all the ball players. They're more like college players than I thought they would be," he confided with a smile. "I thought they'd be a little more reserved." He also was surprised to find that "everyone is not out to get you, as i was led to believe. They're out to help you. Most of the veterans all say, 'If you have any questions, just ask.'" Aldridge hopes to return to Utah State this winter to complete work on a degree in sociology, "but I'll probably have to go into service. I'm in the six-months program. I hope to get into criminology later on."...PACKER PATTER: Turning from the practice field as his disciples churned through their wind sprints, Coach Vince Lombardi smiled and declared with obvious satisfaction, "A pretty good day today, pretty good day."...Strapping Ron Kotselnik, injured during the afternoon drill, exhibited his right wrist upon request and said wryly, "It's ballooned up a little bit."...Things are beginning to look up, Bart Starr was happy to report. "That third and fourth day, your legs feel like they're rubber under you," the scholarly field general grinned. "Then you start coming back a little, and, after the intra-squad game, you do down to one-a-day drills and you feel like you run all day."...Proud pros, Jim Ringo and Ray Nitschke "dueled" to a bruising draw in the afternoon "1-on-1" drill. Blasting off the ball on their first encounter, Ringo flattened Nitschke with a thunderous block, the like of which has frequently prostrated most of the NFL's premier middle linebackers. Smoldering quietly, Nitschke rose to his cleats, shook himself - and retaliated. On the next snap, he slipped Ringo's block and hurtled past him to fell ball carrier Jim Taylor with a jarring tackle, a maneuver which prompted an excited Lombardi to yell, "That a boy, Ray!" (It is, it must be remembered a rare sight to see any LB'er shake a Ringo block)...Complacency in the ranks of the two-time world champion? When Kostelnik was injured, both 12-year veteran Dave Hanner and his all-pro colleague Hank Jordan bustled out to replace him. Two steps behind Hanner, Jordan said, "That's all right, Dave, I'll go in, he's my man." Hanner, however, was within a few feet of the defensive alignment and stepped into the vacant tackle spot...Bobby Bowden and Bob Harbison, assistant coaches at Florida State, and Packer scout Wally Cruice were practice guests yesterday...Sunday will be "Picture Day," beginning at 10 a.m.
ECLIPSE DELAYS DRILL
JUL 20 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - This afternoon's Packer practice has been postponed from 3 o'clock to 4:30 because of the expected eclipse of the sun, Coach Vince Lombardi announced.
FIRST PACK SCRIMMAGE 'FAIR,' VINCE; LEW HURT
JUL 21 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers' first genuine head-knocking session of the still young training season, staged in steamy temperatures and the midst of Saturday's eclipse, was marred by an injury to veteran utilityman Lew Carpenter. Carpenter, a five-year Packer veteran, suffered what a team physician described "a separation of a rib and cartilage" on his right side when tackled in a ball carrying drill against an 8-man line which preceded the controlled scrimmage. The 31-year-old campaigner, used primarily at flanker last season although he also has been employed at fullback, was taken to a hospital for x-rays. The Arkansas native, who came to the Packers from Cleveland in a 1959 trade which sent Bill Howton to the Browns, will be permitted to resume drills on a limited basis Monday, Dr. E.S. Brusky indicated. Lew, who exclaimed in disgust, "Why does everything have to happen to me," also has been troubled by a finger injury, sustained playing softball. Coach Vince Lombardi, relatively effervescent heretofore, was conservative on this occasion, tabbing the scrimmage which followed "just fair for the first contact. It was just about what I expected - the new fellows missed a lot of assignments." At the same time, Lombardi pointed out, "We had a lot of combinations in there. It was just a test for the first year men." Also noting, "We made a little yardage," the Packer head man apparently derived some satisfaction from the knowledge that his No. 1 offensive unit, intact for only one series, "gained on every play." Asked if he felt his athletes were "where they should be at this point," Lombardi replied with a quip and a chuckle, "I don't know. Where are they supposed to be?" Sophomore fullback Earl Gros and defensive end Willie Davis sparkled, Gros reeling off a pair of long bursts and Davis several times breaking through the offensive wall to "get" the passer...MOORE FLASHES 'VIGUH': Tom Moore, heir apparent to Paul Hornung's left halfback post, also was running up the middle with considerable "viguh" and Elijah Pitts, contending with Moore for that assignment once drew praise from Lombardi for an "inside" jaunt. Following Davis' example, rookie end Bruce Puterbaugh of Kentucky was the second to dent the pass protection, storming through to "nail" freshman Terry Zang (tackling of quarterbacks is not permitted). Later, breakthroughs began to come with sufficient frequency to prompt Lombardi to rap, "For the luvva Pete, let's get some blocking in there."...PACKER PATTER: Lombardi titillated bystanders late in the scrimmage. "Aldridge, I haven't seen you in here yet," he yelled to rookie offensive end Lionel Aldridge from his vantage point behind the offensive unit. On the next play, that worthy stormed through to throttle the quarterback. Whereupon Lombardi barked, "All you have to do is yell, 'Aldridge, I haven't seen you in here yet,' and he gets in there. The only trouble is I can't keep yelling from the bench, 'get in there, Aldridge.'"...Perfectionist Bart Starr termed the scrimmage "fair. I didn't think we looked too sharp as a group. I wouldn't say the defense had an advantage, but they're a little ahead of us at this stage of the game. We'll be all right, though. We'd better," he chuckled, "hadn't we?"...De Pere's contribution to the '63 Pack, tackle Doug Brozek, admitted with something akin to relief, "It was better than I expected. I thought I'd really get it today."...Complimented on his performance, Gros said soberly, "I wasn't running well enough. It's got to get better."...Ken Iman, who had been stationed at linebacker since camp opened Monday, got in a few brief stints at center...End coach Tom Fears praised Jan Barrett's effort on one deep pattern, declaring, "That's the way to go, Jan. Real good that time." Barrett, incidentally, reminds most Packer veterans of the Bears' Mike Ditka. "Ever see Mike Ditka?" Ron Kramer asked a sideline observer during the scrimmage. "That's the way Barrett catches the ball. He's built like Ditka, too, only he's not quite as big."...Evan (Red) Vogds, a former Packer guard (1948-50), was a practice visitor.
'63 PACKER SEASON NOW HERE: YEARBOOK IS OUT
JUL 21 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - If anyone there be withing range of the Press-Gazette still with a reasonable doubt as to whether the 1963 Packer football campaign is yet underway, all such uncertainty should have been removed this week. Art Daley and Jack Yuenger, respectively sports editor and promotion director of the newspaper, have hit the stands with their fourth annual Packer Yearbook. Now almost as well established as an annual phenomenon as the Packers' own standing as a title contender, the Yearbook continues to be an artistic improvement over each of its predecessors...PACK MAKES IT EASY: In one respect, of course, the Packers have made it easy for Art and Jack, what with two straight NFL championships and a solid shot at a third straight, something nobody has been able to accomplish since the Pack itself made it 30 years ago. The real test will come when the editors have to fall back on the old "Wait 'til Next Year" routine. Be that as it may, the 1963 volume is just as Big League as the team it portrays and well able to hold its position as the best such periodical in the NFL. It is a slick, artistic paint job, full of well written, well displayed articles, pictures and records. The book is now on sale at newsstands throughout Wisconsin as well as in other NFL cities. The tariff remains unchanged at $1. Since it is a 1963 book, emphasis is naturally on the Packers of the year, with articles on outstanding veterans, the rookie and the club's chances for a third straight title. However, the past is not entirely forgotten, with a comprehensive review of last year's championship conquest of the New York Giants as well as an extremely valuable records section. Two exceptionally useful items highlight the latter section in a two-page chart of team standings going back to 1935, when such records were first compiled by the league, and a complete roster of all 555 former Packer players since the club joined the league in 1921. The latter includes the players' full names, positions, colleges, and the years in Green Bay colors. As for the chances of making that third straight goal, Daley has a lead article on the hurdles ahead. Art sensibly makes no predictions but does point out how and why every previous bid has been frustrated since the playoff system was inaugurated in 1933. Other contributors to the book are Lee Remmel and Len Wagner, regular P-G sports staff members, each of whom have two pieces; Chuck Johnson of the Milwaukee Journal, Bud Lea of the Sentinel, Packer drum beater Tom Miller, W.C. Heinz, James I. Tarman and Tex Maule. Also included is a pledge by Paul Hornung, expressing his determination to come back as soon as Pete Rozelle will permit. Maule, football expert for Sports Illustrated, has contributed his story in that magazine on the 1962 playoff, further enhanced by complete game statistics, play-by-play and pictures. Heinz, a freelance writer and co-author with Vince Lombardi of "Run to Daylight," Vince's book just out, on pro football and the Pack, discusses the problems of rookies in a championship training camp. Tarman, sports information director at Penn State, introduced Penn State's All-America end Dave Robinson, the Pack's first draft choice. As is required of such a yearbook, there is plenty of statistical information on the current squad, including viral individual stax, always a trick compilation just before the axe falls o hopefuls. Being a yearbook, the volume pretty much follows much a set pattern. That, if anything, is its main point of criticism. You can only do so much, but this year's book is pretty predictable. It might have explored a few more odd corners. The colorful and violent color picture, too, isn't exactly a powerful argument for the Packers' championship standing. It depicts a completely engulfed Jim Taylor, looking as though he'd be happy to sell the football to the lowest bidder, with nobody but Minnesota Vikings interested.
EVERY SEASON 'THE GREATEST' ON PICTURE DAY
JUL 22 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Every upcoming season is going to be the greatest - at this stage of the campaign. Picture Day must do it. The veterans look absolutely vicious as they snap to the commands of the Camera Shooters and the rookies appear bigger, stronger and dead certain of making the team. The coaches are even smiling. Everybody's happy except the man who's in command this day - Tom Miller, the Packers' publicity director who must direct traffic to keep the Photogs busy. One stray newspaperman got loose on the Packers' Oneida St. premises Sunday and while noting the soft life of a photographer, it occurred to this wayward writer that the 1963 season will be the doggonedest, ding-dongst, fantasticest, fabulousest drive you ever saw. But where have we heard this before? Must have been other Picture Days when those clean uniforms put you smack dab in the championship game. Let's back track a few years and reveal the dreams of other Picture Days: How about 1956? The Bays had a 6-6 in '55. Surely, it would be 8-4 in '56? There were two fine new linemen - Forrest Gregg and Bob Skoronski. And who was this Bart Starr? A 17th choice! Now it's 1957. Just what the doctor ordered to improve on that 4-8 of '56 - a couple of real top-flighters from the draft by the name of Paul Hornung and Ron Kramer. And that big Tobin Rote trade brought Norm Masters, Don McIlhenny and others. This was a fine picture day, with a new stadium in the background. The next year, 1958, brought a new coach, Scooter McLean, and high hopes of improving on the 3-9 of '57. Dan Currie and Ray Nitschke were rookies - not to mention a beefy back by the name of Jim Taylor, plus Jerry Kramer and Jess Whittenton, who came from the Bears. "Watch Us Go Now" was the Picture Day picture. But, alas, the Bays lost all but one in '58 and Picture Day in 1959 saw a whole new crew of coaches and a mighty hopeful audience. There weren't many new player faces - Bill Quinlan, Lew Carpenter and others, but the new coach, telling Packerland that we've got to get a defense and eliminate an 11-year defeatist attitude. Vince's sharp words offered the major hope for that proverbial "greatest season" in '59. Picture Day of 1960 was simply the greatest - especially since it came on the heels of a 7-5 season, the first winner in almost half a generation. This was Cloud 9. One year later, 1961, and another Picture Day as Western Division champions with an 8-4 mark. The greatest season sure was coming up - the championship game in Green Bay - if. So now it's PD of 1962, with a roaring 11-3 mark and a "world title" under the belt. This, indeed, is the greatest, two in a row. And that brings us up to Picture Day, July 21, 1963. This time the Packers' approach the really greatest season with no strings attached. They can make history by winning an unprecedented third straight championship. They'll need more than a "good picture day" to make it three straight, but, shucks, it's safe to dream a bit on a hot Sunday in July after a lazy vacation...Jim Laughead of Dallas, whose firm specializes in football sports photography, was here for the fourth straight year "shooting" the Bays. His pictures will be used by newspapers throughout the country. Also on hand were photogs from the Press-Gazette and the two Milwaukee papers, Sentinel and Journal. Laughead recalled that he "shot" Starr as a junior at Alabama in 1954. "I shot him as a punter and he led the country in punting that year," Jim said...Lombardi made the first cut of the season today, placing seven rookies on waivers - backs John Johnson and Jim D'Antonio; tackles Doug Brozek, Dan Nocker and Cal Cragun; center Preston Wright; and guard Louis Hernandez. The Bays now have 52 players in camp - 34 holdovers from 1962, two veterans from other clubs (Urban Henry and Frank Mestnik) and 16 rookies. Three Packers are on the College All Star camp - Dave Robinson, Chuck Morris and Tony Liscio...Plans for the club's annual intra-squad game at City Stadium Saturday afternoon were announced today. The offense will battle the defense and fans will get their first look at a fine crop of newcomers. The full scale scrimmage will serve as a warmup for the All Star game Aug. 2.
FANS GET 'BARGAIN' IN PACK SQUAD GAME
JUL 23 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Two games for the price of one, and that one price is only a buck! It's a little tricky but the pitch today is on the Packers' annual squad game in City Stadium Saturday afternoon (kickoff 2 o'clock). In the usual stadium game, the Packer fan must look at such intruders as the Bears, Colts, Rams, etc., and only gets half a look at the Packers. Saturday, it's all Packers - on offense and defense. And it's continuous, Green Packer Offense vs. White Packer Defense. The contest, of course, is a final dress rehearsal for the College All Star game the following night and the last chance for some of the newcomers to show their wares. Since Coach Vince Lombardi has an exceptionally good looking crop of first-year men, the Squad test looms as a sure-fire hard-hitter. The Offense has 30 players, including Lew Carpenter, who probably won't play due to rib injuries, and the Defense has 22. While the figures may be uneven, don't sell the defense short. It's only the best in the NFL. The Defense gained a player yesterday when quarterback John Fabry was shifted from quarterback to defensive halfback. It was a welcome move to the former Premontre and Wisconsin star. "I feel more at home on defense. I haven't played quarterback for nearly two years," Fabry said. Fabry, stationed at cornerback, joins two other starters, ex-Premontre and Wisconsin teammate Gary Kroner and Karl Lorenz - plus the holdovers, Jess Whittenton, Herb Adderley, Willie Wood, Hank Gremminger and Howard Williams. Joining the eight defense backs are six linebackers (Bill Forester, Ray Nitschke, Dan Currie, Ken Iman, Ed Holler and Coolidge Hunt) and eight defensive linemen (Dave Hanner, Hank Jordan, Willie Davis, Ron Kostelnik, Ron Gassert, Urban Henry, Lionel Aldridge and Bruce Puterbaugh). With Fabry off the firing line, the pitching is handled by Bart Starr, John Roach and Terry Zang. Carpenter missed practice Monday due to his injuries from Saturday's scrimmage while Kostelnik showed up with a splint on his right hand to protect a jammed thumb. The Bays went through some "semi" rough stuff designed to polish the rushing and pass protection Monday afternoon. Full-scale blocking was permitted but tackling was taboo. Both sides, offense and defense, had their moments. On occasional pass plays, the QBs were unable to get off a throw due to a heavy rush by Henry and Davis, among others. Jim Taylor and Elijah Pitts were shaken loose for what would have been sizeable gains. Pitts, though he's carrying an extra 10 pounds, doesn't seem to be bothered by the weight. He looks bigger but appears as fast. In a passing drill later, Ron Kramer made some fine catches and Bob Jeter, the new flanker, drew applause from his teammates for a sky-scraping catch. Also drawing praise for his receiving was Gary Barnes. Kramer, hustling over to the sidelines after one catch, quipped "not bad for a guy who hasn't signed yet." In the relay sprints after the morning workout, Dan Currie showed that the knee that robbed him of a TD in the title game is pretty sound. "Yeah, I can run now," Currie laughed. Currie ran the full 100 yards at full clip, but, he added, "I can go mor than that."
PACKERS FLASH TITLE POINT MAGIC IN DRILL
JUL 24 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers, a 415-pound team in 1962, haven't forgotten how to score. They reeled off four touchdowns in a rugged 40-minute scrimmage Tuesday afternoon, and since the Pack's defense doesn't like to be scored on, the fast action helped set the stage for a pistol of an intra-squad game at City Stadium Saturday afternoon (2 o'clock kickoff). Coach Vince Lombardi set the boys loose on the 50-yard line and worked different combinations on offense and defense. Bart Starr moved the offense in for three touchdowns and John Roach produced the other. First-year man Terry Zang also handled the scorers but failed to count. The starting defensive team had two changes from the group that worked throughout the '62 championship season. Urban Henry was in the position vacated by the traded Bill Quinlan and Howie Williams started in place of Jess Whittenton, who is nursing an arm injury. Offensively, Bob Skoronski started at left tackle and traded with Norm Masters and Tom Moore and Earl Gros opened at the running backs. Various backfield combinations were used repeatedly, with Jim Taylor working with Moore and Elijah Pitts changing off with Moore. The offense scored the first TD in the first six plays. Starr opened with a 25-yard pass to Boyd Dowler around the 25. Then, Starr called five straight running plays to eat up the remaining yardage - Gros going 6, Pitts 5, Taylor losing 1, Gros 3 and Gros 12 for the TD. Roach couldn't get a score, but Starr returned and scored again in three plays. With the ball on the 45 and a third and five situation, Starr called a short pass but Max McGee broke loose from the tightly bunched secondary, took Bart's pass and ran 30 yards for six. Moments later Moore, running the option, hurled a short pass to Dowler for a TD after Taylor set up the play with a 20-yard run. Roach tried twice and succeeded on the second try. His first sortie ended when Bill Forster intercepted his pass, but he stayed in and drove the clubs in for a TD. The payoff was an 11-yard run by Moore up the middle. While the offense got on the board (though Forester had a clear field on his interception return), the defensers had their moments, providing a loud leather popping. Getting in on most plays around the middle was Bruce Puterbuagh, who worked on the left side of the defensive line. The fugitive from Louisiana of the United Football League was alongside Dave Hanner for a spell and nobody denied the area. One time they both hit Moore head on. Karl Lorenz dropped the barreling Gros once with one sweep of his arm. Gary Kroner, handicapped with a muscle pull, and John Fabry, shifted to defense from quarterback, combined on a murderous tackle of Pitts on a right end sweep. This was the first major contact for Kroner, who said he's "fair but not 100 percent." Lombardi kept up a steady flow of coachly remarks during the action and, once after Pitts fumbled, yelled, "Let's hang on to that thing, Elijah." Bobby Brezina, a fast and hefty back, was reminded, "There's no room for dancing. Zoom, turn it on. Go through those arms."...EXPERIENCED PRO: Puterbaugh looked like an experienced pro and the newcomer already has two years of play for pay ball under his belt, though he's only 22. He's virtually a no-college player. He started with Kentucky, staying only briefly, and then switched to Florida for his freshman year. The 245-pounder said he played the last two years with the Louisville team in the UFL and "it was a tough league. Most of the guys were cuts from the National League." He was signed as a free agent. The Bays came out of action with no injuries. Three players were kept out of the scrimmage - Ron Kostelnik, Lew Carpenter and Whittenton. And speaking about Carpenter, the sideliners were amazed when he ran through several plays Tuesday morning. The "real pro" wasn't even present Monday due to painful rib injuries he suffered in the Saturday scrimmage. He was hurting yesterday but he ran real hard. Later Carpenter grinned, "It only hurts when I laugh."
HOW DOES PACK LOOK MINUS TRIO? ANSWER SATURDAY
JUL 25 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - So how do the Packers look without Paul Hornung, Bill Quinlan and Johnny Symank? Go to the Intra-Squad game Saturday afternoon and find out for yourself (City Stadium, 2 o'clock) but if you can't make it, we'll try to tell you. Hornung's shoes are being filled - as they were last year - by Tom Moore, the runner, and Jerry Kramer, the kicker. The leathers of Quinlan and Symank haven't been filled yet, but Urban Henry seems to have a good hold on Bill's position. And Howard Williams has the inside track on Symank's job. The big missee, of course, is Hornung, and there is less horseplay without him. Paul loved to make with the quick quips and he also liked playing the fall guy for his teammates' jokes. Fuzzy Thurston dedicated a song to "Paul" the other night during the squad dinner. "Where-ever you are, Paul, life goes on here as usual," he yodeled to the delight of his audience. The consensus on Hornung is merely that he's missed personally but not on the field of battle. This isn't to say that the Bays have better replacements for him but the squad is too busy right now to worry or fret over his loss. Bart Starr put it this way: "Sentimentally, we miss him very much, but, frankly, we've got other things on our mind." Max McGee explained "nobody had a better roomie than Paul and we had a lot of fun together but we won it before without him and we can do it again." Dave Hanner allowed that "it sure seems funny around here without Hornung. And you can say that about Quinlan, too." The Packers have been working exceptionally hard - seemingly at a faster clip than in previous years under Vince Lombardi. But the Bays face a much more difficult task this year in view of their two-straight world champion status. They become even a bigger target with the possibility of three straight looming. The squad reported in generally excellent condition a week ago and everybody has been working hard. Workouts this week have been bot and heavy - a 40-minute scrimmage Tuesday, some roughneck stuff Wednesday and another scrimmage today. The entire program will come to a head in the Intra-Squad game. The contest may give everybody an inkling of Hornung's replacement. Moore is getting a good run from Elijah Pitts, who has added more weight. The question is whether Pitts had been slowed down by the 206 pounds he's carrying now. He seems to be flying in practice, but the tempo will be increased Saturday. The two teams played a 7-7 tie game last year...In Tuesday's scrimmage, the offense scored four touchdowns and this, naturally, put the "heat" on the defense. The don't-score unit was to be looking for revenge. The Packer camp, as in the past, is a favorite stopping place for college coaches. Lombardi and his staff make the visitors "right at home." Five coaches from two schools are here at this moment - Jim Mize of Louisiana Tech and Charley Tate, Jack Griffin and Dick Inman of Bobby Dodd's staff at Georgia Tech. Mize was quite amazed by the large crowds out for the daily practices. "Where do they come from?" he marveled.
HOPES TO PLAY AGAINST PACK: VANDER KELEN
JUL 25 (Evanston, IL) - Ron Vander Kelen, who grew up in the hometown of the Green Bay Packers, is getting ready for a chance to play against them in the College All-Star game Aug. 2. The former Wisconsin quarterback and hero of the last Rose Bowl game, even though it was a Badger defeat, said Wednesday, "I've got nothing to prove against a team like the Packers. The only thing I want is a chance to play." Vander Kelen was passed over by all the teams in the NFL draft, but later signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings. He's one of the four quarterbacks in the All-Star training camp, where Coach Otto Graham said, "Actually, we have one too many quarterbacks. And no one of them is head and shoulders above the others - they're all good."...MADE NO CHOICE: Graham has made no choice about a starter, saying that if two or more of the signal callers are about even at game time, "I might toss a coin." Vander Kelen said there might be a better idea of status after a scrimmage today with the Chicago Bears. He also said he expects the All Stars to feature a passing game against the Packers. "I don't know how successful we can move the ball on the ground against the Packers," he said, "but we may give them some trouble passing, if we can get protection for our passers." "That's the hardest thing to teach these kids," he said, "pass protection. That's because they've never done any of it. I don't think there is a college in the country that has any drop back pass plays. They're all throwing roll-outs or options."
SPENCER TO RAIDERS
JUL 25 (Santa Rosa, CA) - Ollie Spencer, seven-year veteran of professional football with Detroit and Green Bay, has come out of retirement to join the Oakland Raiders as a playing lineman. The 31-year-old, 238-pound lineman is currently offensive coach for the Oakland club. His decision to return to play was announced today by Al Davis, head coach and general manager.
DEL SHOFNER POSITIVELY HATES CHAMPION PACKERS
JUL 25 (Fairfield, CN) - No member of the New York Giants wants to beat the Green Bay Packers more badly than Del Shofner. The All-Pro end has reached the point where he positively hates the NFL champions. The lean flanker played on that bitterly cold day last Dec. 30 when the Packers whipped the Giants, 16-7. And, as a part of an offseason job with a cigarette company and an advertising agency, Del has watched the Packers give the Giants the same going-over 74 times in the last five months. Del took the film of the championship game on a 21,000-mile tour of 25 cities. It was shown free to organizations that had asked for a showing. "It was enough to give me an inferiority complex," said Shofner at the Giants' training camp Wednesday. "It also made me madder every time we showed it. I only hope we get one more crack at the Packers in the championship game. There never could be another game that I'd want to win more than that one."
NEW WEAPON? TAYLOR 'PITCHES' IN PRACTICE
JUL 26 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Jim Taylor is trying his hand at passing and this ranks as one of the big "unusuals" of the Packers' early training camp. The big fullback is widely heralded for his crunching running but on occasion he can step back quickly and throw. He may unlimber his arm a bit during the intra-squad game at City Stadium at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon. Taylor threw one during Thursday's rugged 30-minute scrimmage and it took a fine maneuver by Howard Williams to break it up. Jim aimed the ball at Gary Barnes in the corner of the end zone and Williams apparently was wooed away. However, he made a quick recovery and batted it down. Coach Vince Lombardi praised Williams on the spot with a repeated "good move" and noted later that Taylor threw a good pass. Taylor actually didn't play much. He received a cut lip that required a couple of stitches and left early. Returning to action after a bout with injuries were Ron Kostelnik and Jess Whittenton. Out of play were linebacker Ray Nitschke, who pulled a back muscle, and Lew Carpenter, who has rib injuries. The defense was considerably tougher Thursday than it was Tuesday when the offense piled up four touchdowns. The offense worked seven series covering 20 plays before scoring a touchdown. There were only two long gains, John Roach's 30-yard pass to Bob Jeter and Bart Starr's 20-yard throw to Jan Barrett, the new closed end. The first touchdown was scored on a six-yard run by Elijah Pitts after Bobby Brezina ran 18 yards in three trips. The next move by the offense didn't last long, five plays before Gary Kroner intercepted a Roach pass and returned 25 yards - bad leg and all. Starr returned and chalked up a TD in eight rough plays with Tom Moore running exceptionally hard. Moore started the drive with a nine-yard run and ended it with a four-yard TD smash. In between, Starr threw to Boyd Dowler for 15 yards and Earl Gros caught a 12-yard pass. Terry Zang, the new QB, moved the Bays for three first downs before an in-motion penalty ruined the drive around the five-yard line. He completed 7 and 15-yard passes to Jeter and handed off to Moore and Pitts for sizeable gains...FIVE SCORING TRIES: The action was finished with five scoring tries from the eight-yard line, and touchdowns were scored on four. The first ended when Pitts fumbled as he was hit by Urban Henry and Kenny Iman recovered. Then in quick order Gros and Moore combined for one touchdown, Pitts ran 8 for the second, Gros duplicated that for No. 3, and Brezina, Gros and Moore worked together for No. 4. "Just one more," Lombardi beamed after the drill, referring to Saturday's intra-squad game. This will end the scrimmaging for the season. Also, Thursday's program ended two-a-day practice for the year. One-a-days were started today. Lombardi termed he drill okay and exclaimed, "Man, are we in shape." The squad seems to be much more advanced, physically, than it was a year ago...The Big Ten was well represented at Thursday afternoon's workout. Milt Bruhn was up from Wisconsin - plus Bernie Crimmins of Purdue and Hank Bullough of Michigan
State. Crimmins played with the Packer champions of 1944 and Bullough was here in the 1950s. John Sauer and Tommy O'Connell of the College All Star staff will scout the squad game.
MILWAUKEE-CO. EXTENDS PACK'S STADIUM PACT
JUL 26 (Milwaukee) - The Milwaukee County Park Commission has unanimously approved an extension of the contract which the NFL champion Green Bay Packers use County Stadium. The approval, voted Thursday, extends from three to five years the contract now scheduled to expire March 31, 1969. The county will get 10 percent of the gross gate receipts from each of the four games, league and exhibition, played each year in Milwaukee. Gross figures are those after taxes. Should the gate fall below $10,000, the county will get 15 percent of the parking income and get a share of the concessions provided at Packer games by the Milwaukee Braves. Howard Gregg, general manager of the park commission, said the extension agreement was reached with Packer coach and general manager Vince Lombardi July 5.
CHARITIES CONTEST MAY SET STADIUM ATTENDANCE MARK
JUL 27 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - This is the start of 21 scheduled Game Weekends for the Packers. They hope to add a 22nd. After today's Intra-Squad game in City Stadium (kickoff 2 o'clock), the Packers launch a 20-game card that covers six non-leaguers and 14 league games. If they win the Western Division title, they'll play the championship game in our town. The major game news here at the moment is the Bishop's Charities contest matching those grand old foes, the Packers and Giants, in City Stadium Labor Day night. Ticket Chairman Gene Sladky says ticket sales are moving ahead of last year's pace. The two clubs drew a record non-league crowd of 38,669 for the 1962 Packer-Giant test, but an expanded seating capacity could produce a new mark. When new seats are constructed, the stadium will seat 42,300. This will be the third annual Bishop's game. The Giants were guests in the first two and the Pack won by 20-17 scores. The collision between the Packers' No. 31 and the Giants' No. 70 should be a game all by itself...You've heard about the wall to wall carpeting in the Packers' dressing room. A chunk of the cushiony green material has been placed on the scale platform, and that must be the only carpeted scale in existence. Only two other teams have a carpeted dressing room, the Yankees and the football Giants, but they both use the same quarters in Yankee Stadium. You'll note that all three of the carpeteers are winners...Sport Magazine's board of experts picks the Packers and Giants to collide in th4e '63 championship game. They predict the Lions, Bears, Colts, 49ers, Rams and Vikings will follow the Packers in the West. After the Giants in the East will come the Cowboys, Browns, Steelers, Cardinals, Eagles and Redskins. In individual selections, it is interesting to note that only one Packer was mentioned - Herb Adderley, who tied with Night Train Lane as the best defensive back. Other selections: Y.A. Tittle, most valuable player and passing leader; Jim Brown, rushing leader; Jim Parker, top offense lineman; Bobby Mitchell, Sonny Randle, and Del Shofner, tied for pass catching leader...Green Bay's Minutemen, who were born when the Packers didn't have that proverbial dime back in the late 1940s, have organized and operated various sports affairs since then but none will be more of a pleasure than the upcoming luncheon with the Packer squad at St. Norbert College Tuesday noon. Tickets are available for 300 Packer fans and can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce, according to Chairman Al Schneider. The $2 ticket will include a donation for a plaque to be presented to the Packers in recognition of their 1962 world championship. Coaches and players will be seated at different tables throughout the dining room.
RECORD 9,280 WATCH PACKER OFFENSE WIN 17 TO 7 'SCRIMMAGE'
JUL 28 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The offense rolled up 463 yards, two touchdowns and a field goal. The defense intercepted three passes, recovered a fumble and hit real hard. And a record crowd of 9,280 sat in on the Packers' annual intra-squad game at City Stadium Saturday afternoon. This was the Packers' first public dress rehearsal before the All Star game in Chicago next Friday night. The final score was 17 to 7 and, of course, the Packer offense won. But it was touch and go for awhile. The defense, horrors, took a 7-0 lead when Bill Forester intercepted a Terry Zang pass and returned 30 yards for a touchdown. But the Offensers snapped back with Jerry Kramer's 22-yard field goal and two touchdowns - a 2-yard scamper by Earl Gros and a 40-yard pass from Bart Starr to Max McGee. Starr worked up all three scores. It was a dog fight in humid 85-degree heat. And both sides showed why they ranked first in the league in 1962 - even with a sprinkling of rookies. The Packers showed off a new defensive end, Urban Henry, who apparently can step right into Bill Quinlan's shoes, a new man-in motion offense, lots of rock and sock, and reversible running backs. Coach Vince Lombardi termed the scrimmage "fair for this stage of the season," and noted a number of high spots. "We did a lot of little silly things, like those interceptions, and we were walking out of the huddle in the first half. But we were running out (of the huddle) in the second half," the coach said, adding, "we were quick both ways." The Packers used their new offensive formation - sort of a spread or double wing, with one back behind the center, and two out wider - considerably. Vince said, "We used it just once last year." Asked what to call the formation, he said, "Some kind of an in-motion thing." The coach said that all of the running backs played halfback and fullback except Elijah Pitts. In addition, Vince pointed out that "Starr and Roach looked sharp, Barne is faster and seems more sure of himself, it looks as if we got ourselves a defensive end (Henry), and Nitschke will be ready for the All Star game." Ray Nitschke was held out of Squad game due to a back injury. Each of the three quarterbacks had an interception but Starr came up with mid-season figures, 14 completions in 20 attempts for 192 yards. Roach had three completions in seven throws for 74 yards and Zang had two out of three for 10. Rushwise, big Jim Taylor carried five times for 12 yards before going out with a leg injury early in the game. Vince pointed out that it was his intention to use Jim sparingly in the preseason campaign. Earl Gros and Tom Moore led the rushers with 48 yards apiece, while Pitts got 35, Lew Carpenter, sore ribs and all, 28. Frank Mestnik carried 4 times for 12 yards and Bob Brezina 2 for 4. Gros ran 12 times, Moore 9, Carpenter 8 and Pitts 10. Ron Kramer led the pass catches with five grabs for 59 yards and one was a dilly - a stretching scoop of the ball just before it hit the ground. Barnes caught three for 74 yards, including the longest play of the day - 48 yards on a throw from Roach. The TD pass to McGee was a real fooler. It was a third and two situation and the defense was sucked in tight ready for the rush. Starr hurled to McGee, who broke behind the bunched defense and took the TD pass. The Pack's defense, hurt by the shortage of linebackers, was murder in the first half, stopping most of the offensive maneuvers until Starr put on a 60-yard drive just before the end of the half after Forester made his TD run. Carpenter and Moore ran three more times and then Starr completed passes of 19 to Carpenter, 14 to Moore, and 16 to Kramer before the other Kramer kicked his field goal on the last play. Starr opened the second half with a good drive but Willie Wood ended that by intercepting on the 10 and returning 28 yards. Roach then tried and his move ended without glory when Gary Kroner intercepted a pass aimed at Jan Barrett and returned 20 yards. Kroner re-injured his leg and sat out the rest of the game. Starr then took over and drove 60 yards for a touchdown in 13 plays. Pitts raced 12 yards in two tries after several pass completions and Gros banged over from the two. After Zang was unsuccessful, Starr's warriors scored again in five plays. Starr completed three passes, the first to Bob Jeter for 16 yards, the next to Carpenter for 11 and the final to McGee for the TD. J. Kramer kicked all three extra points.
THIRD STRAIGHT? HALAS SHOWS 'MORAL' (First in Series)
JUL 28 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Can the Packers win a third straight world championship? No team has accomplished the feat under the division playoff system installed in the NFL in 1933. The Packers won three in a row in the "single league" days - 1929, 1930, 1931. Five teams have been in a position to win a "third" straight - that is, they put together two in a row, only to falter at the shot at No. 3. The five clubs are: the Bears of 1940-41 (they also had two straight in 1932-33, the last year in the old system and the first year of the playoff); the Eagles of 1948-49; the Lions of 1952-53; the Browns of 1954-55; and the Colts of 1958-59. The coaches of the five clubs - George Halas of the Bears, Greasy Neale of the Eagles, Buddy Parker of the Lions, Paul Brown of the Browns and Weeb Ewbank of the Colts - were asked to comment on their problems in going after No. 3 and, if they wished, to touch on the Packers' chances for No. 3. This is the first of several articles featuring letters and/or interviews with the five coaches. First voice to be heard is Owner-Coach George Halas, who penned the following masterpiece: "Most observers seem to agree that the Green Bay Packers of 1963 have the wealth of manpower and the shrewdness of coaching direction in order to win the Western Division championship. The problem will be to win the World's Championship game. The Bears have had two opportunities to win three straight world titles. After winning in 1932 and 1933, our 1934 club went into the championship playoff with the New York Giants undefeated in regular season (13-0) and with a record of 18 straight league victories and 33 in a row overall, including preseason. This '34 team was one of our greatest, with Beattie Feathers and Bronko Nagurski teamed up in the backfield. Beattie gained 1,004 yards that season and averaged 8.5 yards per carry in 117 attempts. With 18 straight NFL victories behind us, we led the Giants 10-3 at the half and 13-3 after three quarters, but then the Giants came back with 27 points to beat us in the final quarter, 30-13. That was the famous 'tennis shoes' game, of course, and the rubber soled shoes the Giants used in the second half undoubtedly contributed to our downfall. However, the turning point, I thought, was a freak touchdown pass that started the Giants rolling, in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. On third down, Carl Brumbaugh intercepted a Giants pass on our 3-yard line. It was a great one-handed (left) catch. Brummy speared the ball like an outfielder, started up the field, ball in one hand, when Giants end Luke Frankian, skidding downfield, hooked the ball out of Brummy's arm, and skidded right into the end zone. That touchdown brought the Giants to 13-10 and started them rolling. Our great teams of the early 40's won world titles in '40, 41, lost to Washington in the playoff in '42, and came back to win again in '43. Ironically, the '42 Bears also went through the regular season undefeated (11-0) and carried a record of 18 straight league victories into the playoff as they went for their third straight world championship against Washington (and we'd beaten the Redskins in the '40 playoff 73-0). Yet, the Redskins beat us 14-6. The difference between 73-0 and 14-6 is difficult to explain from a point standpoint, but, of course, there was nowhere near that much difference between the teams. That Redskins team we beat in '40 was a tremendous squad, most of them were still around in '42, and they didn't need any pep talks. We'd written their pep talk two years before. If there is any moral to be drawn from our two unsuccessful efforts to win three straight, Art, it would be the folly of going undefeated in the regular season. Every game you win makes it harder to win the next one - and where team strengths are so balanced, the law of averages simply takes care of things. My advice to our good friend, Vince Lombardi, would be to take every precaution against going undefeated in '63. His primary objective should be to lose at least one game, difficult though that may be for his talented aggregation. And I don't think he should wait too long to accomplish this objective, Art. As the season rolls along, and the Packers generate more and more power, it may be well nigh impossible for them to lose. Consequently, in order to eliminate the possibility of going undefeated, it would not be disastrous to their cause if the Packers were to lose to the Bears in the NFL opener in Green Bay. Honestly, Art, I think this is just about the greatest thing that could happen to the Packers, and you can rest assured the Bears will do everything possible to remove the biggest obstacle to a third straight world title. With best wishes, I am, Sincerely yours, Geo. S. Halas."
PACKERS DROP 4 ROOKIES; REDUCE ROSTER TO 48
JUL 29 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers were 51 today following the waiving of four more first-year men. Defensive back Karl Lorenz, offensive back Bobby Brezina, and offensive linemen Olin Hall and Earl McQuiston have been placed on waivers, it was announced by Coach Vince Lombardi. The Bays now have 48 players in their St. Norbert College camp and three in training with the College All-Stars in Evanston, Ill. The trio - Dave Robinson, Tony Liscio and Chuck Morris - will join the team after the Packer-Star game in Soldier's Field Friday night. The four dozen on hand breaks down to 27 players on offense and 21 on defense and includes 34 veteran holdovers from the 1962 championship team, 12 rookies and two pro experienced players - Bob Jeter, who played in Canada and was with the Packer cab squad last year, and Frank Mestnik, the former Cardinal. The final player limit for the league season is 37. Thus, 14 must go! The three players in the All Star camp are ticketed for defensive duty - Robinson at linebacker or end, Liscio at tackle or end, and Morris at halfback. Liscio is also a possibility as an offensive lineman. The Packers went back to work today after a Sunday off for everybody but Lombardi and aides Phil Bengtson, Norb Hecker, Bill Austin, Red Cochran and Tom Fears, who looked over movies of the intra-squad game at City Stadium Saturday afternoon. Everybody saw action but Ray Nitschke, who was held out because of a back injury. Ray, plus Jim Taylor, who bruised his leg early in the game, will be ready for the All Star game. While the offense came up with 25 first downs, 460 yards and 80 plays (including 50 runs) in winning 17-7, the defense got off to a 7-0 lead on Bill Forester's interception return and then held off the high-powered offense until the second half when Bart Starr hurled a 40-yard scoring pass to Max McGee and Earl Gros scored on a short run. Jerry Kramer kicked a 27-yard field goal for the other points. With Nitschke out, Kenny Iman saw plenty of service at linebacker and made a number of good stops. He played the middle for a brief spell and then went to right linebacker with Bill Forester going to the middle. Lombardi said he liked Iman better on the outside. Also on defense, big Urban Henry held up his "end," prompting Lombardi to note "it looks as if we got ourselves a defensive end." Henry is a gift from the Rams who figured that Urban couldn't recover from a shoulder injury. Dr. Jim Nellen, the Pack's team physician, apparently has the problem whipped. The All Star game launches a six-game non-league card. The squad will leave Thursday for Chicago and drill there that night.
PACKERS FLASH ALL-STAR 'LOOK'
JUL 30 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers looked
strange for a spell during Monday's drill. The world champions took on a sort of college hue when two squads, piloted by quarterbacks Lew Carpenter and Terry Zang, worked All Star plays against the Bays' regular defense. The College Boys are flagrant roll-outers - not to mention scramblers when they pass, which mean that the Packer defenders might be able to use bicycles in Soldier's Field Friday night. But Coach Vince Lombardi isn't likely to issue bikes. College players just aren't taught to pass from protective pockets formed by the offensive line and as a result most simon-pure aerials are thrown on left or right rollouts - or from a scrambling position. The problem in college is teaching pass blocking. Star Coach Otto Graham noted the other day that he didn't have time (a bit over three weeks) to instruct pass blocking and thus would rely on rolling out. Comparatively, the Packers' pass blocking is about the finest in pro football, thus permitting Bart Starr to rock in the pocket. When an All Star play worked with too much success (and some of them did), Lombardi and his defense agents, Phil Bengtson and Norb Hecker, called for the offense to run the play again. One time, Zang rolled out and the defense tailed him. He started to scramble all over the place - some 20 yards back before he was nailed, leading a merry chase. Lombardi yelled, "That's the way to scramble, Terry." It was good practice, to be sure, for at least one All Star QB who is adept at flitting about. That would be Ron Vander Kelen, the Price of Preble and Wisconsin, who is a possibility to start. Vandy is sharing QB with Terry Baker, the Heisman Trophy winner who may up as a halfback with the Rams; Sonny Gibbs, the tallest QB at 6-6; and Glynn Griffin. Offensively, the Packers unveiled the new motion attack they may use considerable Friday night. The formation, featuring a movable left halfback, popped the eyes of All Star Scouts John Sauer and Tommy O'Connell at last Saturday's Intra-Squad game. They came down to the press box from the Scout's Nest at halftime and complained, "We were all set for their usual offense and now they come out with something new. We'll have to do plenty of changing. Wait'll Otto hears about this." The Packers most times line up with two backs behind the center - as they did in the past, and then at a certain count the halfback shifts out to the right or left behind the end, leaving the fullback alone behind the center. Then, the halfback goes in motion toward the fullback and Starr has the double option on handing off. The new formation helps take some of the heat off the Pack's big target, fullback Jim Taylor, by preventing a defense from keying on him directly. The defense will always have to keep a moving eye on the left halfback. In the new offense, the running backs will play both left half and fullback, meaning that Taylor and Gros, known as fullbacks, also go in motion. Taylor, bothered by a leg injury, stayed out of the regular offensive practice Monday but ran up and down the sidelines on his own. Also out of action Monday was Ray Nitschke, who is nursing a back injury. Lombardi called for a two-minutes-to-score drill at the close of the workout and the offense scored with several seconds to spare. Bart Starr hit eight of nine passes along the way and the one miss was almost intercepted by Forester...BRIEFS: Jim Taylor stayed out of the offensive drills due to a leg injury. He ran on his own, cutting loose on occasion. Also on the injury list is Ray Nitschke, who has a back problem...Watching practice was James E. Hamilton, former chief of intelligence division of Los Angeles police department, who is now a special aide to Commissioner Pete Rozelle. Hamilton said his visit here was routine and added he plans to stop at other NFL camps on his tour. Hamilton described himself as a "good football fan" and recalled that "your Norb Hecker played with the Rams when I was in Los Angeles."...The Bays had both coastlines represented at the Monday drill when Talent Scouts Lou Anderson of Baltimore and Bill Young of San Francisco reported for a look at the "home" team. Anderson and Young have been covering their areas for the Pack for several years...The familiar face in the Packer camp Monday evening belongs to Hugh Devore, head football coach at Notre Dame. Hugh was on the Packer staff in 1953 and co-coached the club with Scooter McLean for the last two games that year. He was out at the Packer drill today with three members of his staff. Also on the premises are John Dowler, 6-3 and about 215, younger brother of the Pack's Boyd, and their father Walt. John is going to be a junior at Wyoming and the school put in the flanker system this year. And John, like Boyd, will be the flanker.
LAW OF AVERAGES FOR 'STARS' AGAINST PACK
JUL 31 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Lose to the College All Stars? "Wouldn't that be a shame," Dave Hanner whistled softly, adding: "It would be tough living around here if we did." The law of averages this year are against the pros who, if you're new to town, are the Green Bay Packers. The All Stars never lost more than four in a row. They faced that situation twice and each time won the fifth game, the 1943 Stars whipping Washington 27-7 and the 1955 Stars downing Cleveland 30-27. The Stars will be trying to snap another four-game losing streak at the expense of the Packers in Chicago's Soldier Field Friday night. This information was fed in the Hanner-vac and the "machine" bristled into action. "You always got to remember," Dave-vac cracked out, "those kids got everything to gain and nothing to lose. They've got good coaching. They know about the pros. This is supposed to be the biggest All Star team. They can't go on losing to the pros, Things are bound to change. You just never know. Yep, you just never know." Hanner was shaking his head. And the 12-year veteran was convinced that plenty of danger lurked ahead. The Packers saw danger in the 1962 All Star game and it took a record-breaking passing display by Bart Starr to stop the amateurs. The Bays couldn't run effectively and Starr threw five touchdown passes. It was 7-7 at the quarter, 14-10 GB at the half and 21-20 at the 3-quarter mark. The Pack scored 3 TDs in the last period to win 42-20. What a scare, and how about the Stars' 20 points? The Packers' first four league opponent only got a total of 14 points...Jim Taylor returned to active duty during the Tuesday drill while the other injuree, Ray Nitschke, remained in the hospital for treatment of a back injury. Taylor, held out of action Monday, is shaking off a leg injury and he'll probably be at top speed Friday night. Nitschke, on the other hand, likely will see little action. Bill Forester has been working at Ray's middle linebacking spot and Ken Iman, now a full-fledged defender, is at right linebacker. The Bays polished their offense with gusto Tuesday and Jess Whittenton was involved in two collisions - with Max McGee and Gary Barnes, both playing left end. The new "man on the move" offense was given a full test under non-scrimmage conditions. The workout was topped off with a sharp session on defense. There was considerable "run it again" from Coach Vince Lombardi as the two All Star teams gained yardage with their pass plays. The Bays leave for Chicago via United Airlines charter Thursday noon and drill in Soldier's Field that night. Kickoff Friday night is set for 9 o'clock...Hugh Devore was really impressed with "the football plant." The last time he was here was in December of 1953 when he and Scooter McLean co-coached the Pack for the last two games. Now head coach at Notre Dame, Devore is here with Staffmen John Murphy, Dave Hurd and Brad Lynn to watch the Packers in operation. They've been at two practices and Devore confers frequently with Lombardi. Devore was an aide under Jim Crowley when Vince was playing at Fordham. "Vince really made this thing go. Somebody had to take charge and Vince can do it," Devore said, noting Lombardi's phenomenal success in his short time here. The Notre Dames were to leave after today's practice.
LOSS OF OFFENSIVE PUNT HURT 'THIRD' EAGLE CHANCE (Second in Series)
JUL 31 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Eagles of 1948-49 piled up 20 victories, 3 losses and 1 tie in sweeping to two straight championships under Coach Greasy Neale. However, they finished third in trying for that elusive third straight in 1950, when the Browns - then in their first year in the league - tied the Giants for the Eastern title and then nipped the Rams in the playoff. What happened to the Eagles in 1950, with an unprecedented "third straight" at stake? Neale, now in retirement, wrote the following from his home in New York (41 Park Avenue): "As you said, we won in 1948-49. Our 1949 club was really great. We lost only one game. Our excuse for not winning in 1950 was: Steve Van Buren had his foot operated on for a spur in the ball of his foot after we had played in the All Star game. We could not play him until the last three games and he was not in shape when he did play because with the bad foot he could not get in real good playing shape. Bosh Prichard, our other halfback, had his knee operated on for loose cartilage. He did not play at all in 1950. Smackover Scott took Van Buren's place in the opening game. He was going great when early in the second quarter against the Browns he suffered a broken shoulder. We played the whole season with Frank Ziegler at right half and Toy Ledbetter at left half. The latter never carried the ball in college - at Oklahoma A and M. He was a defensive back, and we signed him as a free agent. However, with these three great backs on the sidelines we led the league for six games. We then lost 5 games by a total of 18 points. We had the same club on defense, but we did not have the offensive punch when we needed it. In our second game against the Browns, I changed the Eagles defense alignment to something like they use now in the National League. The Browns, with Otto Graham at quarterback, did not complete a pass and they made only one first down. However, we lost 13 to 7 on an intercepted pass for a TD. We fumbled twice and they kicked two field goals. I believe we could have won again if we had had our full strength. This is my excuse."
KICKOFFS STILL PACKER WOE; ROOKIE GRIMM MAY BOOT VS. STARS
AUG 1 (Chicago-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - It's the professional vs. the amateur when the Packers and All Stars collide in Soldier's Field Friday night. In everything but maybe kicking off. The Packers have a tough time kicking off like the pros do - that is, getting the ball over the goal line consistently. Jerry Kramer, the Packers' life-saving field goal kicker (he hit 10 in the league season and 3 in the championship game), shook his head after a long field goal session during the Wednesday drill. "I kick three (field goals) in a row from the 45 and then I can't kick off at all. I'm terrible and I don't know what's wrong," big Jerry lamented. It was suggested that J.K. consult his kicking coach, Norb Hecker, but Jerry shook his head, "He's been working on me, but nothing helps." Then a solution occurred to Jerry. "If Cvercko was here, he'd tell me. Somebody call Cvercko," Kramer chuckled, referring to gabby Andy Cvercko, the onetime Packer guard who was traded to the Cowboys. Seriously, the Packers' kicking off may be done by Dan Grimm, the rookie guard, who has been the "longest" in practice thus far. Just about everybody takes a foot at kicking off and Coach Vince Lombardi has a long list to select from Friday night, including Ron Kramer, Willie Wood, Hank Gremminger and J.K. Still pretty well untested on kickoffs is Gary Kroner, the long-distance kicker who is nursing a leg injury. Kroner was kicking off over the goal line consistently for Wisconsin last year. He'll be kicking as soon as his leg heals up...The Packer veterans go into the midsummer classic with only 12 days of practice under their belts. They reported a week ago Wednesday and had two Sundays off, plus one day for an intra-squad game and another for a light pre-game drill (tonight in Soldier's Field). Lombardi said Wednesday that the Packers are ready for the game physically. "We're in shape, but I don't know if we're ready mentally." The Packers are brought to camp later than most teams that play in the All Star game. The reason is that Lombardi wants to make sure the team doesn't run out of gas come the heat of the championship drive. Too early a start and a heavy emphasis on the All Stars has
hurt many a team's chances...Jim Taylor says he'll be ready to go Friday night. The Packers' big fullback, who was the most valuable player in the league last year, is nursing a bruised knee "but I'll make it by game time," The other injuree, linebacker Ray Nitschke, won't be as fortunate. He's been in the hospital since Sunday and had hoped to get out today. Ray has a back injury and was in traction...Willie Wood lost five pounds in practice Wednesday and "I'm getting there." Wood played at 192 last year but "I want to get down to 188 for this year because it will help with my speed." Wood is carrying a little over 190 now...The Packer-Redskin non-leaguer at Columbus, Ga., cancelled because both clubs were dissatisfied with segregated seating, will be held in Cedar Rapid, Ia., the same night, Sept. 7. The Cedar Rapids West Wide Civic Club is sponsoring the game as a charity promotion. The Packers and Redskins, with Negro players, stayed at Fort Benning, just outside Columbus, rather than live apart from their Negro players. There was some fear of demonstrations, due to separate seating, if the game had been played in Columbus...Only the $3 seats are left for the Packer-Giant Bishop Charities game Labor Day night, it was announced today by Ticket Chief Gene Sladky. They may be obtained at the Apostolate office on Madison Street, Monday through Friday from 8 to 4:30. The Blue Notes, a crack drum and bugle team from Ishpeming, Mich., will perform in a "rain check" appearance at halftime during the Bishop's game. The Blue Notes were scheduled for the halftime program last year, but a torrential downpour shortly before the game put the field in a condition that prevented their appearance. The group recently took first place in the American Legion drum and bugle corps competition for the state of Michigan.
Green Bay Press-Gazette (July 15th 1963)
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Appleton Post-Crescent (July 31st 1963)
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Chicago Tribune (August 1st 1963)
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Green Bay Press-Gazette (August 2nd 1963)
NEW LOOK PACK DUELS 'STARS' TONIGHT
AUG 2 (Chicago-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers go under the sport world's microscope to night. And they'll be magnified bigger than ever. They battle the College All-Stars in the 30th annual All Star game in Soldiers Field before what the sponsor, the Chicago Tribune, calls an audience of 60 million, thanks to television (ABC, Channel 11). Kickoff is set for 9 o'clock. The Packers will be watching closely. What will they look like without Paul Hornung? Will they be stronger? Weaker? Can they win three world championships in a row? One game won't answer those questions but the nation's pro football fans will be curious. The Packers will come out with somewhat of a new look - a "man in motion" offense to take some of the heat off fullback Jim Taylor now that opponents don't have to worry about Hornung anymore. Tom Moore will start in Hornung's left half spot and Taylor, despite a shaky knee, will open at fullback, Coach Vince Lombardi announced. The other starters will be quarterback Bart Starr, ends Max McGee and Ron Kramer, flanker back Boyd Dowler, left tackle Bob Skoronski or Norm Masters, right tackle Forrest Gregg, and guards Fuzzy Thurston and Jerry Kramer. This unit picked up six touchdowns - five on passes by Starr, in winning the 1962 All Star game 42 to 20. No such picnic is anticipated for tonight. The All Stars have the best personnel in history and Coach Otto Graham feels that if the All Stars ever beat the pros this is the year to do it. In fact, the smallest man in the All Star starting offensive lineup is the quarterback, Ron Vander Kelen, the Preble High and University of Wisconsin star. Vander Kelen has been given the starting nod, 'tis said here, because he grasped the signals and the general play plan the best. But Vandy will facing the best defense in pro football and unless he can crack through it for some points. Graham will undoubtedly test his other signalists - Terry Baker, Sonny Gibbs and Glynn Griffing...BIG-BACK OFFENSE: The All Stars have what amounts to a big-back offense in Larry Ferguson, Paul Flatley and Bill Thornton. They also have two of the best offensive ends in the college ranks, the Badgers' Pat Richter, and Vandy's favorite pitching partner, and Bob Jencks. The Packer defense will bear some scrutiny, too, since two familiar names of a year ago will be missing. Bill Quinlan, of course, was traded and his end spot will be filled by Urban Henry, the former Ram. Ray Nitschke, who injured his back a week ago, is just out of St. Vincent Hospital but was unable to make the trip. He was in traction for almost a week, and should be ready for the next assignment, the Steels in Miami, Aug. 10. The rest of the defense will show Dave Hanner and Hank Jordan at the tackles, Willie Davis at the other end, Bill Forester, Dan Currie and Ken Iman at linebacker, and Hank Gremminger, Jess Whittenton, Willie Wood and Herb Adderley at halfback. This is an excellent opportunity for Iman who has become a full-fledged linebacker this year after switching late in the '62 drive. Lombardi likely will give his first-year men an opportunity along the way, although the holdovers surely will carry the load. Dan Grimm, the new linebacker, may be doing the kicking off, and Gary Kroner and John Fabry, Lionel Aldridge, Bruce Puterbaugh and Ed Holler may see some play on defense. Offensively, Marv Fleming, Bob Jeter, Frank Mestnik and Jan Barrett may come up for inspection. Lombardi may want to keep a special eye peeled for the three Packer draftees with the Stars. Top pick Dave Robinson will start at linebacker and due for action are end Tony Liscio and back Chuck Morris, both on defense...The Packers drilled under the light at Solders Field Thursday night. They were exceptionally noisy, which amazed a lot of the scribes who cover college football in the fall. This town is packed with sports figures, college and pro. Pete Rozelle and his staff, including Joe Kuharich, are here. The publishers of Lombardi's book, "Run to Daylight," were present to unveil the cover. This is one game the Packers aren't sentimental favorites due to their little townness. The amateur stars are the "sentiments" this time. The Packers are headquartered at the Drake Hotel.
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Chicago Tribune (August 1st 1963)