Preseason: Cleveland Browns 20, Green Bay Packers (3-2) 17
Saturday September 5th 1964 (at Cleveland)
GAME RECAP (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE)
(CLEVELAND) - The Packers came to life with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but it was too late. The Browns matched two 10-point periods, the second and third, and made it stand for a 20-17 victory in the final preseason warmup for both teams in Municipal Stadium Saturday night. A record crowd of 83,736 groaned when the Packers scored their TDs in 4 minutes and 14 seconds, but the clock killed Packer hopes with Green Bay on the march toward midfield. Detroit beat New York 24 to 10 in the opener of the unique doubleheader, but the Bays and Browns held the spotlight. The Packers thus finished their exhibition program as they started it - with a loss. After losing to the Cardinals, they beat the Giants, Bears and Cowboys before losing here. The Packers succumbed to age and the brilliant Jimmy Brown, who overshadowed his fullback opposition, Jim Taylor. Forty-year-old Lou Groza kicked 43 and 43-yard field goal, the second of which provided the margin of victory. Brown scored both Cleveland touchdowns, slamming over from the one-yard line in the second quarter and racing 38 yards for the second in the third period. He finished with 130 yards in 19 attempts. Taylor gained 41 yards in 10 trips. Zeke Bratkowski, with running backs Tom Moore and Elijah Pitts - plus the regular receivers and linemen, engineered both Packer TDs. He moved the club 82 yards in 17 plays for the first with Moore banging over from the one. A few minutes later, Hank Jordan intercepted a Frank Ryan pass to set up the second TD, which came on a nine-yard pass from Pitts to Boyd Dowler. The Packers couldn't get anything going in the first three quarters and interceptions by Ray Nitschke and Herb Adderley, plus Jordan, saved the Browns from doing further damage. The Browns twice dropped touchdown passes. The Browns outyarded the Packers, 305 to 231, and had edges in passing, 146 to 131, and rushing, 159 to 100. The Bays stayed pretty much in the air, completing 20 of 32, with Starr hitting 7 of 13 and Bratkowski 11 of 16. Pitts wound up with 2 for 2 and the TD. The Packers got a lift right away but couldn't capitalize. Jerry Norton punted when the Packers couldn't move the opening kickoff, but the Bays were offside. The Browns said do it over, and they were sorry - for the moment. Walt Roberts fumbled the next punt and Forrest Gregg recovered on the Brown 33. The Bays gave it right back. After Starr passed to Taylor for 12 yards, Frank Parker recovered Starr's fumble.
CAFFEY DOWNS PUNT ON 2
The two teams tugged away, with Norton punting once and Gary Collins twice. Norton's punt was downed by Lee Roy Caffey on the 2-yard line and the Bay defense held Jimmy Brown to eight yards on three carries. The Bays took over at midfield as the second quarter opened and went on to a field goal. Starr passed to Kramer for 10 and Hornung and Taylor ran another 10 yards. Starr went 11 himself to the Brown 19, but a Packer in motion penalty stalled the Bay attack and Hornung wound up kicking a field goal from the 22 at 4:35. The Browns slammed right back to take a 7-3 lead, moving 85 yards in eight plays. They got a big start when Jess Whittenton was called for interference on the Brown 32, but the big crusher was a 38 yard pass from Ryan to Warfield to the Bay one. Brown quickly smashed over from there and Lou Groza converted to make it 7-3 with 9:21 gone in the period. Zeke Bratkowski took over for Starr at quarterback, but the Bays were forced to punt. Late in the half, the two clubs exchanged interceptions and the Browns made use of theirs. Herb Adderley stole Ryan's throw to McNeil, but then Galen Fiss intercepted Bratkowski's throw to McGee on the 50. With 30 seconds left, Ryan threw to Brown to the Packer 39 and Groza kicked a 42-yard field goal with two seconds left, making it 10-3. The Browns picked up 125 yards in the first half, the Packers 102. The Browns blew a touchdown at the start of the second half when Collins dropped a Ryan pass on the goal line and the Bays made the best of the situation, when Ray Nitschke intercepted a Ryan pass on the five and returned to the 21.
GROZA HITS FROM 43
The Packers couldn't do anything, but the Browns did, despite a holding penalty. They reached the Packer 10 on Ryan's 10-yard pass from Ernie Green and Groza hit a field goal from the 43 to make it 13-3 with 8:56 gone in the period. The Packers started to move with Taylor getting 11 in two trips, but the roof fell down, the Bays losing 18 yards in three tries. Starr was smeared back seven, Starr's pass to Hornung lost five, and Starr was thrown back six to the 13. Norton got a "wrong" bounce on his punt, the ball stopping on the Packer 40. Two plays later, Brown took a pitchout around his own left end for a 38-yard TD romp. Groza converted and it was 20-3 with 13:05 gone in the third period. Bratkowski took over at QB with Pitts and Mestnik at running back and the Bays drove 82 yards in 17 plays for the Bays' first TD. Pitts picked off 16 yards on the fourth play and Bratkowski completed three passes, two to Dowler and one more to Moore for 21 yards. After Pitts passed to Kramer for 11, Bratkowski set up the TD with a 16-yard throw to Kramer to the two. It got sticky at that point but Moore finally went over from the one. Hornung converted with 6:44 gone to make it 20-10. The Browns got two first downs but Hank Jordan intercepted Ryan's batted up pass and the Packers quickly scored. Pitts ran nine and Bratkowski completed a four-yarder to McGee. The Browns piled on Max, and the penalty put the Pack on the Brown 15. Pitts then threw a TD strike to Dowler in the end zone and Hornung's conversion made it 20-17 with 4:02 left in the game. The Bays forced Cleveland to punt, but a seeing-eye 61-yard punt put the Bays back on their 12. The game ended as the Packers reached their 45, with Bratkowski completing four of five pass attempts.
GREEN BAY - 0 3 0 14 - 17
CLEVELAND - 0 10 10 0 - 20
GREEN BAY CLEVELAND
First Downs 17 16
Rushing-Yards-TD 30-100-1 26-159-2
Att-Comp-Yd-TD-Int 32-20-144-1-1 21-10-146-0-3
Sack Yards Lost 2-13 0-0
Net Passing Yards 131 146
Total Yards 231 305
Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-1
Turnovers 2 4
Yards penalized 6-42 6-98
SCORING
2nd - GB - Paul Hornung, 22-yard field goal GREEN BAY 3-0
2nd - CLE - Jim Brown, 1-yard run (Lou Groza kick) CLEVELAND 7-3
2nd - CLE - Groza, 42-yard field goal CLEVELAND 10-3
3rd - CLE - Groza, 43-yard field goal CLEVELAND 13-3
3rd - CLE - Brown, 38-yard run (Groza kick) CLEVELAND 20-3
4th - GB - Tom Moore, 1-yard run (Hornung kick) CLEVELAND 20-10
4th - GB - Boyd Dowler, 15-yard pass from Elijah Pitts (Hornung kick) CLEVELAND 20-17
RUSHING
GREEN BAY - Jim Taylor 10-41, Elijah Pitts 8-35, Tom Moore 4-13 1 TD, Paul Hornung 5-10, Bart Starr 3-1
CLEVELAND - Jim Brown 19-130 2 TD, Frank Ryan 5-24, Ernie Green 2-5
PASSING
GREEN BAY - Bart Starr 13-7-47, Zeke Bratkowski 16-11-71 1 INT, Elijah Pitts 2-2-26 1 TD, Paul Hornung 1-0-0
CLEVELAND - Frank Ryan 21-10-146 3 INT
RECEIVING
GREEN BAY - Ron Kramer 4-42, Boyd Dowler 4-40 1 TD, Jim Taylor 4-37, Tom Moore 4-7, Max McGee 2-17, Elijah Pitts 1-6, Paul Hornung 1-5
CLEVELAND - Paul Warfield 4-68, Ernie Green 2-18. Jim Brown 2-14, Gary Collins 1-38, Tom Hutchinson 1-8
PACK PICKED TO BATTLE BEARS IN WEST; BROWNS, CARDS EAST CHOICES
SEPT 6 (New York) - The NFL opens 98-game season next weekend with the Green Bay Packers picked to battle the defending champion Chicago Bears for the Western Division title and the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Cardinals threatening to dethrone the New York Giants in the Eastern Division. The improved Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys open the campaign in the Cotton Bowl at Dallas Saturday night. The remaining 12 clubs will open Sunday, with Baltimore at Minnesota, Cleveland at Washington, Detroit at San Francisco, Los Angeles at Pittsburgh, and New York at Philadelphia. With one or two exceptions, notably the Giants and perhaps Pittsburgh, virtually every club appears to be improved. An unprecedented number of trades took place during the offseason. There has been an influx of highly touted rookies with the lifting of the player limit from 37 to 40, giving more of the newcomers a chance to stick. Whether the Packers are able to dethrone the defensive-minded Bears and return to the top of the Western Division largely depends on Paul Hornung and an impressive rookie group. Hornung sat out last year for gambling on games. If he is the Hornung of old, the Packers will have one of the strongest running attacks in the circuit with him, fullback Jim Taylor and halfback Tom Moore. The Bears look even better than last year when they led in 10 different team defensive departments and lost only one of 14 regular season games. To replace the late Willie Galimore, they have Jon Arnett, obtained from Los Angeles. Coach Allie Sherman broke up that old gang at New York, sending Sam Huff to Washington, Dick Modzelewski to Cleveland and Phil King to Pittsburgh. But if 37-year-old Y.A. Tittle remains sound, the Giants must be the No. 1 candidate for their fourth straight Eastern Division title. Last year, Tittle shattered his own NFL record with 36 scoring passes. The Browns, who bounced back from a distant third to a close runner-up to the Giants last year, figure to be in the thick of the race all the way. Coach Blanton Collier has the great Jim Brown back, with Modzelewski expected to bring know-how to the defensive line. The Cards once again will feature a well-balanced attack, spearheaded by the passing of Charley Johnson to Bobby Joe Conrad and Sonny Randle. John David Crow and Joe Childress head a solid corps of ball carriers. The Steelers still have that traditional superior line but not enough scoring punch. Quarterback Ed Brown did a satisfactory job last year, but he's 35. John Henry Johnson heads the running attack. Buddy Dial, the fine pass catching end, will be missed. The acquisition of Tommy McDonald and Dial gives the Cowboys an even more fearsome collection of
receivers. The Washington Redskins traded away youth for experience. Huff brings strength to the linebacking spot and Sonny Jurgensen figures to improve the passing picture. The Eagles are embarking on an extensive rebuilding job after going winless in the last nine games in '63. A trading spree by the new coach, Joe Kuharich, brought newcomers Earl Gros, Jim Ringo, Norm Snead, Claude Crabb, John Meyers, Floyd Peters, Sam Baker and Ollie Matson. The Baltimore Colts will ride on the arm of Johnny Unitas. They need help in three positions, left end, linebacker and a deep back. Halfback Lenny Moore and offensive end Ray Berry, sidelined for a number of games with injuries last year, must stay healthy. Alex Karras' reinstatement will make the Lions' already stalwart defense even that much more impregnable. The return of runner Pat Studstill, injured a great part of last year, also figures to help greatly. The Vikings of Minnesota figure to do plenty of scoring. Quarterback Frank Tarkenton showed marked improvement in 1963, and Tommy Mason and Bill Brown are fine runners. The Rams' offense figures to improve. Bill Munson, rookie passer from Utah State, has been impressive in preseason game and undoubtedly will spell Roman Gabriel at quarterback. The San Francisco 49ers are building for the future. George Mira of Miami of Florida will do some of the pitching this year.
SVELTE (235) QUINLAN SHINES FOR LIONS
SEPT 6 (Cleveland-Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The applause in the first game of Saturday night's "Festival of Football" between New York and Detroit was 2 to 1 in favor of the Lions. They have no use for the Giants here even though the hometown Browns and Giants are in the same division...Bill Quinlan, the ex-Packer who was obtained from the Eagles by the Lions, played the second and fourth quarter and looked good. He got in twice on Gary Wood, the Giants' rookie quarterback. Dave Hanner noted that "Bill looked trimmer than I've ever seen him."...Most of the Packers watched the end of the second quarter from the third base dugout and then waited while the Lions used the Packer dressing room for their between halves discussion. Hank Gremminger laughed: "Wouldn't it be something if the Lions put on our uniforms for the second half."...The Packers and Browns warmed up only 12 minutes, which is about half as much as they do for a "normal" production...Aldo Forte, Lions' line coach, thought "we looked good in the first half." He said Quinlan had cut his weight to 235...Ex-Packer, Steeler and Bear Tom Bettis helped George J. Halas and Bill Wightkin scout the Packers...The Packer-Brown game was rated the "main event." Prices are not raised for the doubleheader as compared to the single game figures, which are $5, $4 and $3....The Packers got a big, fancy chorus of boos when they were presented. Which has become the rule in enemy league cities.
CLEVELAND LOSS COULD SPUR PACK IN OPENER
SEPT 8 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers lost Saturday night. That's ancient history today but the memory lingers on. And said memory may serve as a little extra shot in the arm for the Packers when they go forth to meet the world champion Bears in City Stadium Sunday. This is the league opener, in case you just came from the old country, and it is significant for a number of reasons. Among them: First, it will be the Bears' first appearance in defense of their world champions. And, second, it will be teh Packers' first appearance as a non-champion since before they clinched the Western Division title in 1960. The fur will fly Sunday, etc., as any fool knows, but that's another story and, first, let's bring Packer progress up to date. Coach Vince Lombardi was to reduce the squad to the final league limt of 40 players today. The rosters is now composed of 32 veterans and nine rookies. The simon-pures are Ken Bowman, Tom Brown, Dennis Claridge, Doug Hart, Bob Long, Lloyd Voss, Steve Wright, John McDowell and Tom Crutcher. The Packers took to the practice field today, with a little bit of protection from enemy eyes. A fence has been installed on the north end of the Oneida Street fields, which also will protect some when the snow flies. No practice was scheduled for Monday, but the team broke camp at St. Norbert College and then held a meeting. The players are pretty well settled around town, but some are still looking for accomdations - furnished or unfurnished places. Call the Packer office is you have any or know of any rentals. The best thing that could be said about the 20 to 17 loss in Cleveland was that the team came out of action with no serious hurts. The Packers thus will go into their crucial opener at top condition. Not at their best and undoubtedly looking ahead to the Bear game, the Packers almost pulled it out in the last quarter. They were behind 20-3 when the Bays uncorked two touchdowns in four minutes, a one-yard plunge by Tom Moore and a nine-yard pass from Elijah Pitts to Boyd Dowler. Lombardi called the Packers' play "sloppy" and added that "if we continue like this we won't go any place this year." He felt that looking ahead to the league opener was "no excuse." It is difficult for the Packers not to think of the first meeting with the Bears. Because it was the Bears who handed the Packers their only two losses last year. Center Bob Skoronski sounded the keynote: "We never like to lose, but our big game is next week and we all know it." Guard Fuzzy Thurston put it this way: "You shouldn't look ahead, but no one is kidding when they say the Bears have been on our mind since last year." Jim Taylor, the big fullback who took a back seat to Jim Brown in Cleveland, was happy about feeling so good. He had a back problem two weeks ago, but "i have worked out of it. There's only one thing we want now, victory Sunday." The Packers and Bears finished with identical records in the Grapefruit season, each winning three and losing two. One of the Bears' wins, however, was over the College All Stars. They also beat the Redskins and Cowboys. The Bays beat the Cowboys, Bears and Giants. The Packers finished with the best defense again points,
allowing 60 in five games, an average of 12 per. The Bears permitted 64, which is mighty close, fellas. The big different is in points scored. Green Bay counted 114, the Bears 62. But they'll both be starting from scratch Sunday.
DITKA TO PLAY
SEPT 8 (Chicago) - Owner-Coach George Halas of the Chicago Bears Monday said that Mike Ditka definitely will play against the Green Bay Packers in the opener at Green Bay. Ditka, a right end, was out of the last two exhibition games as a result of an arm injury suffered in the first play of the game against the Packers in Milwaukee Aug. 22.
POP! CLATTER! GRUNT! BEARS SOUND GOOD
SEPT 8 (Chicago Tribune) - Leather popped against leather. Nylon cleats clattered on the sunbaked turf. Bug men grunted at the moment of impact. These were the sounds which reverberated around the Northern Illinois University practice field today. They were the sounds of professional warriors preparing for combat. The Chicago Bears, bivouacked here this week, were honing themselves for their first big step in defense of their NFL championship, Sunday's long-awaited blood brawl against ancient rival Green Bay. Assistant Coach Joe Stydahar, riding a ponderous metal and canvas training sled, was whipping his defensive linemen into shape...OFF AND RUNNING: "Green Bay," Stydahar said, popping a football into his hand as if taking a snap from center. Whereupon big Doug Atkins slammed a shoulder in the sled ferociously, spun on the arch of one mammoth foot, and went racing off like a hungry mastodon in pursuit of a meal. "Skoronski," said Stydahar, using the name of the Packers' center. At sound of the enemy name, tackle Earl Leggett blasted into the sled and drove it 5 yards before his churning legs stopped upon command of Stydahar. At the other end of the field, quarterback Bill Wade was leading the offensive platoon through their paces following a lengthy passing exercise under the tutelage of Sid Luckman, the onetime Bear aerial wizard...OUGHT TO BE GOOD!: "That ought to be a good play," said halfback Jon Arnett, jogging side by side with fullback Chuck Bivins after testing one of the offensive maneuvers selected for the "ready list" for the game. End Mike Ditka, who has been nursing a shoulder injury, worked up a sweat going down under the tosses of Wade and Rudy Bukich. Only time I get to run any more's in practice," complained Ditka. "You know I haven't played for three weeks." Ditka will play Sunday. His restoration to the lineup will send the Bears into the Packer battle with their remodeled pass receiving corps intact for the first time this summer. Much of the Bear planning over the winter dealt with the beefing up of this department. With Ditka returning to his closed end position, Johnny Morris at flanker, and Rick Kreitling taking over the split end duties, the Bears should be in excellent position to capitalize on whatever weaknesses Wade can detect in the Packer secondary. Kreitling is one of the keys to the Bears' hopes for an improved offense. The ex-Cleveland Browns end, who prepped at Fenger before starring at Illinois, is not a gazelle, but rather a control-type receiver of the Ray Berry mold. "What Rich needs is to catch a couple of big ones for us, and he'll be off and running," ventured Jim Dooley, who coaches the ends. Coach George Halas, asked to assay the team's mental attitude, said that "things seem to be perking up from a coaching standpoint. But it's too early in the week to tell what kind of mood the players are going to be in Sunday." The "fragile" sign has been removed from John Johnson, defensive tackle, who underwent an emergency appendectomy last month. Johnson has rejoined the
the squad for full-scale workouts, and shows no ill effects from the surgery.
PACKERS SHOOT FOR .500 OPENER MARK AGAINST BEARS
SEPT 9 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - This is Grim Reminder Day. The mere fact that the Bears are coming to town is enough of a grim reminder. But (1) those Bears are world champions, and (2) the Packers have an awful time winning an opener. Those are more-so-grim reminders. While the Packers, since Vince Lombardi took over the club in '59, have been solid and consistent winners, they are batting below .500 in the first-league-game department. In five starts, the Bays lost three and won two - a percentage of .400. Logic and arithmetic says the Packers can make that .500 by whipping the Bears in City Stadium Sunday. Other than one game - the 34-7 victory over the Vikings in the '62 opener, the Packers have engaged in four sockers, one of which was delightful. That pleasant opener was Green Bay's spine-tingling 9 to 6 victory over the Bears in Lombardi's first league game. This was one of the turning point games in the Packers' proud history and since then the Bays gained a 5 to 4 victory edge on their traditional rivals in league competition. By comparison, in the 22 Packer-Bear games before '59, the Packers won only four, the Bears hogged 17 wins and one finished in a tie. In the 1959 thriller, the Packers scored their nine points in the last seven minutes. Ray Nitschke recovered a Bear fumble on the Bear 25 and Jim Taylor scored the touchdown on the now famed Lombardi Sweep from the five-yard line. Paul Hornung kicked the point and in the final seconds Dave Hanner scored a safety by tackling Ed Brown in the end zone. The next year the Bears reversed the situation. This time the Packers had a lead, 14-0, going into the fourth quarter and the Bears reeled off 17 points in the last 12 minutes to win 17-14. Willie Galimore scored one TD on an 18-yard run and Rick Casares ripped 26 for the other. John Aveni won it with a 21-yard field goal with 35 seconds left. The 1961 opener promised happier things with a change of scenery - Milwaukee, and the Lions. The Detroits controlled the ball pretty well and Nick Pietrosante scored two touchdowns - one on a two-yard plunge and the other on a pass from Earl Morrall. Taylor scored the Packer TD on a plunge and Hornung kicked two field goals against Jim Martin's one (from 44 yards). The Packers had no trouble with the young Vikings in '62, but the visitor's fierce play, which has become their trademark, was quite evident. Hornung scored three TDs and kicked two field goals. The big shocker, of course, was in '63 when the Bears downed our boys 10 to 3. Green Bay couldn't get off the proverbial dime and never played beyond the Bear 35 all day. Jerry Kramer kicked a 41-yard field goal. Joe Marconi scored for the Bears on a one-yard plunge in the third period. The Packers lost only one of their next 13 games, but it was also to the Bears - at Chicago, and that's what cost Green Bay the title. Now it's another opener. And the Packers get their big chance to win Opener No. 3 and reach .500. The Packers took to the field Tuesday for the first time this week (a squad meeting was held Monday), loosened up, and then viewed what Lombardi has in mind for the Bears. More intense drills were scheduled for today.
PERSONALITY PARADE
SEPT 9 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - "I've always been a firm believer that you don't get up for any ball game in particular. Every time I take the field, I want to win." The thoughtful speaker, the Packers' massive left defensive end, Willie Davis, was making a somewhat surprise point, namely that last Saturday night's 20-17 disappointment against the Cleveland Browns should not affect the Pack's approach to Sunday afternoon's long-awaited 1964 NFL baptismal against the world champion Chicago Bears in City Stadium. "Sure, I realize that a certain game may mean more than some others at a certain stage in this season," Davis, one of sport's most articulate citizens, concedes. "But I've never been too sold on the idea you take it easy one week so you can go all out the next. This is a game you play a lot on emotions and a lot of things enter into some games. And what enters into it a great deal, of course, is the pride of the individual ball player. You are representing yourself on every play in every game." Willie, an all-pro choice in 1962 who frankly admits he would like to reacquire that distinction this autumn, then summed up his analysis with, "The Bears represent a challenge. They would have represented that challenge if we had won by 50 points at Cleveland, or if we had lost by 50 points. I don't think either ball game has any bearing on the other." Davis, a former Brown (1957-58), was highly impressed, incidentally, with his ex-teammates, observing, "Next Sunday we'll be able to tell better when we get down to serious business, but they have to be regarded as a real serious contender, coming off the exhibition season as they have with a 4-1 record. Of course, I don't think we played one of our better ball games. I hope we didn't anyway," he appended with a crooked grin. Weighing the Packers' chances of reclaiming the NFL crown they wore with aplomb in 1961 and 1962, the 245-pound Grambling alumnus offered an eminently practical assessment. "I don't think any one team is at an advantage in this league, but we now know the price of winning and we know the price of losing. So, if we don't win, we can't look back and feel we didn't know the dividends of both. That is," he smiled, "if you can tell what you get out of losing a dividend. The main things is for every individual ball player to dedicate himself to a team unity. I know I didn't feel too good about a few ball games last year so, more than anything, I want to play 14 good, sound games this season. When you're picked to any of the "all" teams, it gives you a sense of pride, I'll admit. I won't say that it doesn't lurk in the back of your mind, and I'm no exception in that sense," the 30-year-
old veteran soberly concluded, "but when the season reaches its climax, I just hope we will have distinguished ourselves as a team." Willie, who says "I've been in transit almost all my life" (he was born in Louisiana, played high school football in Arkansas, and later lived in California), now makes his home in Chicago where he is a special sales representative for the Schlitz Brewing Co., in a five-state area during the offseason, an assignment he finds "very challenging." "It's something like football," the seven-year pro explains. "Each prospective customer is different - it offers a great challenge." There also is an heir who apparently has inherited his father's zest for combat. That would William Duane Davis, who turns 4 on Sept. 17. "I don't know whether he has an athletic future, but I'd say he's eager," Willie grinned. "When he's with kids in his age group, he's definitely out there whaling away."
ARNETT, BEARS HAPPY DUE; UNHAPPINESS FOR RIVALS?
SEPT 10 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Jon Arnett is happy with the Bears. The Bears are happy with Arnett. And this could produce unhappiness for Bear opponents this season - starting with the Packers in City Stadium Sunday. The Bears were left with a gaping hole in left halfback when Willie Galimore was killed in a car accident late in July. This tragedy, which also took the life of end John Farrington, left the Bears with the starter, Ron Bull, and the untested Billy Martin. Now Arnett alternates with Bull and the pair gives the Bears a change of pace - Bull with his straight ahead power running and Arnett with his dipping, weaving, bending and flying style. Dan Desmond, the Bear publicist, was asked about Arnett in his annual service tour of our town Wednesday. "When Arnett reported to us, he talked like a rookie and he was anxious to get started. George didn't wait long. The first thing he handed him was a play book," Desmond said, adding: "There is nothing wrong with Arnett's knee. Halas is not about to buy another Dizzy Dean (the Cubs bought lame-arm Dean from the Cards in '38 only the Cubs didn't know Dean was hurt). George had Arnett checked out thoroughly before the trade. Arnett has carried only four times - he still is learning the Bear system, but George had him returning punts the other night." Desmond recalled that Arnett "wanted to be traded. There was no feud with Savre (Harland, Ram coach), but it was a matter of tension and health. He had gone through five losing years with the Rams and his father is not well. His wife found the tension of losing difficult to handle. Arnett had played football 14 yeas in Los Angeles and he felt he would be better off playing football elsewhere." Arnett, of course, is no stranger to the Packers, having performed in 12 games against Green Bay in his seven-year Ram career. He played twice vs. the Pack in each of his first five years and then, due to injuries, played once each in '62 and '63. Jon has a lifetime average of 5.2 yards per carry against Green Bay, which is fair warning. He ran 143 times for 744 yards, starting in '57. Since the Packers started winning in '59, Arnett carried 84 times for 374 yards - an average of 4.4, still mighty respectable. Arnett has had two 100-yard days vs. Green Bay. His very first game against the Packers produced a 149-yard performance in 17 carries. His second last game, in 1962, brought forth 103 yards in 16 trips. Arnett picked up 45 yards in 12 carries in his finale against Green Bay in '63. Here's Arnett's record against the Packers: 1957, 30 carries for 198 yards; 1958, 29 for 122; 1959, 19 for 97; 1960, 13 for 31; 1961, 24 for 98; 1962, 16 for 103; 1963, 12 for 45. Bull figures to start at left half Sunday, with Arnett backing him up - just as Galimore did last year. Desmond reported that the Bears' powerful defense, which held opponents to an average of 10 points last year, is intact. "We have only one new player on defense - Mike Reilly, a rookie, and he has looked good," Dan said. Reilly plays right or middle linebacker. Offensively, the Bears are the same in the front eleven with the exception of left end where Rich Kreitling and Gary Barnes are fighting for the left end spot, which was left open by the death of Harrington. On the home front, Coach Vince Lombardi announced the waiving of veteran fullback Frank Mestnik Wednesday afternoon. The team thus has been reduced to the limit of 40 players. The roster is composed of 31 veterans and nine rookies. The Packers put on the pads today for the final rough stuff workout in preparation for the opener. The Bays hit the sleds and blocking dummies before starting "strategic" practice.
PERSONALITY PARADE
SEPT 10 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers are in a familiar yet unique position as they prepare to launch their 1964 season. They are on the NFL's hot spot. Virtually all the so-called "experts" are picking the Packers for the Western Division championship. They are being called the toughest, slickest and deepest team in the league. Every other team in the league is still aiming particularly at the Packers. All this despite the fact that they are not the defending champions. What makes this whole thing even more unusual is that the Bears, defending champions and two time conquerors of the Packers last year, will probably enter Sunday's kickoff as the underdog. The Bears surprised everybody last year. Many observers still insist it was a fluke. The Bears did something that few teams have been able to do in the past. Win a championship without a particularly outstanding quarterback. Bill Wade is a good quarterback, make no mistake about that, but he hasn't convinced many people that he's in a class with Unitas, Tittle or even Starr, who is not usually rated in the super category either. Whether the Bears can pull off another surprise is a question. But it's not THE question. The big question mark hovers over the Packers. Here is a team that two years ago was classified as one of the all-time greats. Predictions of a dynasty were not hard to find. But a funny thing happened on the way to the elusive third world championship. Certainly there were many contributing circumstances: Hornung's suspension, Starr's broken hand, etc. But the fact remains that the Packers finished second, not first. Can they come back? In an attempt to retrieve that greatness, Coach Vince Lombardi went to the weapon that originally swept the Packers from the dungeons to the penthouse. The trade. The trades bring up one little question mark. Dealing off Ringo and Gros was a daring move. Will it pay off? This, with a number of other little question marks, mushrooms into the great big one. Is Paul Hornung his old self? Is Jim Taylor slowing down after the battering he's taken the last few years? Will Skoronski work out at center and Masters at tackle? Is McGee slowing down? What happens if Dowler or McGee is hurt? Are the largely untested reserves and rookies as good as everybody thinks? Is Hanner the Hawg he used to be? Are the linebackers strong enough? Has Currie regained his touch? There are a lot of questions. But don't look for the answers in the past exhibition season. Look for them beginning Sunday...PACKER SKEPTICS: And there will be more answers the following Sunday when the Colts invade. There's a good sized contingent of Packer skeptics who, strangely enough, are not boosting the Bears, but look for the Colts to be this year's surprise team. That leaves only Detroit's rugged defense and Minnesota's spirited, unpredictable Vikings along with the Rams and 49ers to worry about. But, on paper, question or not, the Packers figure to be the best in the West. In the East, the Giants have shaken up their team so much it's a wonder Sherman hasn't been traded for a good pair of guards. The general feeling is the Browns and Cardinals have the inside track. Neither have that brilliant quarterback right now but both Frank Ryan and Charley Johnson have given indications they might be climbing toward that class. We'll go with the Browns. So don't forget last Saturday's exhibition entirely when it comes to championship game time.
INFORMATION ON PACKERS? JUST GO TO A SOLID SOURCE
SEPT 10 (Chicago Tribune) - Coach Vince Lombardi wasn't answering his phone, and everybody else in the Green Bay Packer office showed a similar reluctance to talk to anybody from Chicago yesterday. This armchair quarterback, looking ahead to Sunday's big battle between the Packers and Chicago Bears, wanted desperately to interview somebody connected with the Packer organization. But every signal we called drew a blank. Every number was busy, that is, until we dug an old number out of our playbook and dialed the home of Bart Starr, the Packers' veteran quarterback. Bart was out practicing football, so we talked to an old friend, Cherry Starr, the fine lady who calls the signals in the Starr household. Cherry was delighted to talk to us. Here is our interview with Mrs. Bart Starr: Q - How does the team look this year? A - Oh, they look just fine, all sun tanned, and there are a lot of cute new fellows. Q - Do you notice any difference in the Packers' appearance between this year and last? A - Well, I think Paul (Hornung) looks older. His hairline's receding quite a bit. He'll probably shoot me for saying this. Q - Are there are new additions to the squad? A - One very important one. Bart and I have a new son, our second. Born last Feb. 1, and we named him Brett Michael. He's a fat little thing. He's going to be real lazy. His older brother, Bart Jr., will be 7 in October...ONE AT A TIME: Q - How do you rate the other teams the Packers must face? A - They're all tough, and we play 'em one at a time. Bart told me how
to answer THAT question. But really, gee, there are a few teams I get real nervous about, more than others. Like the Vikings always give us a tough time. And there's something about going into Baltimore to play the Colts that gives me the willies. Q - You haven't mentioned the Bears. What about Sunday's game? A - Well, they're the toughest of all, you know that. Especially the game in Chicago against them. It's always bad when you play in the rival city. But this game Sunday will be a pretty good test. It will show what we can do. And I'm sure the Bears are just as confident as Bart and our fellows are. Q - Do you mean that you think the Packers are quite confident of beating the Bears? A - Oh, yes, I really do. I don't always feel as confident as I do this week. I think our boys have a winning attitude. They're not taking anything for granted. I can just tell from little things that Bart says that the Packers will do their best, and their best will beat the Bears. Q - Do you think the Packers respect the Bears? A - My, yes. None of our players feel that the exhibition game in Milwaukee (won by the Packers 21-7) was a fair test, because the Bears didn't have Ronnie Bull or Mike Ditka that evening. Q - Do you think the Packers have a well-rounded squad? A - I'll say, Ruth Ann Skoronski, Bob's wife, is real cute. We'll be sitting together at the games this year. And Olive Jordan - her husband, Hank, is Bart's roommate - is a real looker, too. And we have some cute new wives, such as Lloyd Voss' wife and Dennis Claridge's. I'm beginning to feel like an old lady. The gals are getting younger every year.
HAWG TALKS THROUGH HAT: 'CAN'T LET BEARS SCORE'
SEPT 11 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - You've heard about Vince Lombardi wearing two hats - one for coach and the other for general manager. We acquired another hat for a brief spell after Packer practice Thursday. Lombardi was carrying Dave Hanner's baseball hat and he didn't know what to do with it. So he put it on the closest hat rack, which was our head. Thus, we became a defensive tackle for the Packers. And you'd be surprised what goes through Hanner's mind. Here's what Hanner was thinking: "What day is this? Wednesday? No, it's Thursday. We had our pads on again today. I get all mixed up on this short week. I guess everybody does. Henry was wondering yesterday. That leaves Friday and Saturday. It's hot again - just like training camps. Somebody said it's going to get cold. Maybe I'll be hunting soon. Wonder what the weather will be for the game. I wonder what the Bears will be like. I hope not like last year. Cadile came among fast last year, and I suppose he'll be better. Pyle is a good center - one of the best. (Dave plays across from Jim Cadile and/or Mike Pyle.) I can't worry about 'em. Sure, they're better because they're champions but I gotta wait and see. Cadile beat out Davis and he's been playing regular ever since. We can't let 'em score. They only got 10 last year but still won. I don't want to think about it too much. It's only Thursday. We got to win and we'll get on the inside track. Maybe I had better talk to somebody about something else. I got to get some gas (for his pickup) before I go home. Say, where is my hat? I swore I had it on. It must be on the field. It's probably soaked. How long have I had that hat now..." We returned the hat to Dave, and he was mighty appreciative. Little did Hawg know that his little old blue hat with the red bill was doing a lot of talking...The Packers worked Thursday in a steady rain. And during the punting drill after the regular workout, there was a "squish" when the ball and foot came together. Ray Norton, Boyd Dowler and Dennis Claridge were doing the punting. That brought up the subject of rain. Vince said some rain was predicted for the game, but he smiled, "I never worry about things I can't do anything about."...The new fence along the south side of the two practice fields is mighty good looking. It's one of those slanted-opening fields and you get the feeling there should be a swimming pool on the other side...The Bears will fly in Saturday afternoon via United Airlines charter. They will headquarter at the Northland Hotel...The great Packer tradition is pointed up again and again in the two one-hour television specials this week. The first program was "Run To Daylight" on Channel 2 Wednesday night, and the next will be "The Packer Rookie from Lambeau to Lombardi" which will be on Channel 2 tonight starting at 9 o'clock. They are both excellent shows...Mike Michalske, the Packers' great guard in the triple championship days, will attend the Packer-Bear game. He was enshrined in the Hall of fame slong with Clarke Hinkle in Canton last Sunday.
PACK POINTS TO TITLE
SEPT 11 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The 1964 Packers are pointing directly at one objective. The CHAMPIONSHIP. They enter competition this season as immediate former champions. Which means they'll have to get off the floor to regain their title. Fittingly, the Packers get a chance to test their intensive desire on the world champions, themselves - the Bears in City Stadium Sunday, and nobody around these parts has to be reminded that the Bears handed Green Bay its only two defeats last year. The new season shapes up as a highly interesting experiment for the Packers, their fans and the people who make predictions are convinced that (1) they are the best and (2) that they can, could and will win the crown. Perhaps, the chances of the Packers depend chiefly on how hungry they are for the championship. The Packers are eating good. They are just one year removed from piling up three straight Western Division crowns and two straight world championships. Coach Vince Lombardi recognizes the fact that the Packers are a rich and contented team. And the other day he thought the Packers' position was pretty well summed up by Tex Maule, the pro football expert in Sports Illustrated. Tex put it this way: "Success has brought wealth to the Packers, and the individual players have a lot of money. Last year, Emlen Tunnell, the Giant coach who once played with Green Bay, said: 'They may not be hungry anymore.' He was kidding, but he still could be right. Lombardi does not think so. If the Packers want it badly enough, the championship is theirs, for this is an almost flawless team, with all the weapons of attack any pro club ever had and a seasoned, smart defense." Lombardi feels that there is no question but what the Packers want the championship badly enough. But he also expressed the thought that "maybe unconsciously, without them knowing it, they may not have the desire for the championship that they once had." If this is true - or takes place inside the group, the opportunity for a new challenge could assert itself. And the Packers traditionally get tougher and grittier when the challenge goes up. The 46th Packer team has three major differences from last year's club. They are: (1) the return of Paul Hornung; (2) the shift of Bob Skoronski to fill the center position left open by the trade of Jim Ringo; and (3) the graduation of sophomore Dave Robinson into the right linebacker spot vacated by the retirement of Bill Forester. Hornung's race-back into the Packer picture after his one year suspension looms as a tremendous shot in the arm. Paul returned to the Packer scene with a vengeance last May and worked exceptionally hard to return himself to the physical condition required of NFL backs. He went into the training season on the run and actually displayed more quickness than he had at any time in his pro career. Hornung is determined to erase his mistake. And his determination will sharpen the entire Packer offense. He will take some of the heat off Jim Taylor - plus he'll do some fierce blocking for Jim. Hornung's presence gives the Packers double barrel power at option back because there is no dropoff when Hornung is on the bench. Tom Moore, with his slashing way of running, can keep up the pressure on enemy defenses. And then for pure speed there is Elijah Pitts, who provides the change of pace. Moore also backs up Taylor. Two rookies are in the running back slots, Dennis Claridge and Tommy Critcher, while Claridge also serves as the third quarterback. Bart Starr, aching for action since last spring already. has shared most of the preseason duties with his new aide, Zeke Bratkowski. Starr completed 64 percent of his 53 passes in the non-league season for 393 yards. Bratkowski, who joined the club late in the '63 season, completed 62 percent of his throws for 338 yards. Each had two interceptions. Skoronski has taken up where Ringo left off at center, and Bob provides about 20 important pounds in front of Starr. Skoronski's shift makes a full-game left offensive tackle out of Norm Masters. These two alternated by series the last two seasons. Rounding out the line are the Guardian Angels, Jerry Kramer and Fuzzy Thurston, and the league's best at right tackle, Forrest Gregg. They are backed up by Dan Grimm, Steve Wright, Bob McDowell and Ken Bowman. The Bays' strong pass receiving trio - Max McGee, Ron Kramer and Boyd Dowler - caught 38 passes between 'em in preseason, with Dowler nabbing 17, Kramer 11 and McGee 10. They look forward to a great season. Backing them up are rookie Bob Long (McGee), sophomore Marvin Fleming (Kramer) and Bob Jeter (Dowler). Robinson looked good in replacing Forester at times last year, and he has shown considerable improvement this year. Flanking Robbie is Ray Nitschke, who is hitting 'em harder than ever, and Dan Currie is at the other linebacking spot. Currie is off to a good start. Making up a Fearsome Foursome is Lee Roy Caffey, a real swiftee, who was obtained in the Ringo-Earl Gros deal...STEP FASTER: The defensive line is, as they say in the trade, a year older but a step faster. Lionel Aldridge looks even stronger in his sophomore year, and that goes for Dave Hanner, Hank Jordan and Willie Davis. Backing them up are Ron Kostelnik, the four-year veteran who can step in at either tackle, and the club's first draft choice, Lloyd Voss, who plays either end. The defensive backfield is eager to replace the Bears as interception kings. The ball hawks are Jess Whittenton and Herb Adderley at the wings, and Willie Wood and Hank Gremminger at safety. They have three replacements - Jerry Norton, who also does the punting; Doug Hart, who was on the taxi squad last year; and Tom Brown, the gent who gave up a career in baseball for pro football - and made it. Hornung is back at his old field goal and extra point stand. He booted three field goals in five tries and 15 extra points in preseason. And there you are. Forty men with one objective - the CHAMPIONSHIP.
MOORE NOT BEMOANING SECONDARY ROLE
SEPT 11 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Shed no tears, if you be so disposed for that exemplary southern gentleman, Thomas Marshall Moore. For the pride of Goodlettsville, Tenn., is not bemoaning the fate which again has cast him as understudy to nonpareil Paul Hornung after one delightful year as a Packer regular, although he would be something less than human if there were not an occasional twinge of result. A realist, the quiet, retiring Vanderbilt alumnus - a startling contrast to the flamboyant Golden Boy - says forthrightly, "I've gotten used to it before, so I don't see why it should be any different this year. Everyone wants to get into play, no doubt about it," he admits, adding, "some do and some don't. You just have to be ready when you're called on." "You can't let it bother you," Tom points out with undeniable logic, "because if you do, you won't be of much help to the team. It's one of those things you just have to accept." Moore became the Golden One's gridiron alter ego quite by chance. "In my rookie year, I started out as a fullback behind Jimmy (Taylor)," Tom explained. "Then injuries were happened more to Paul than to Jimmy - he got his knee hurt one time and had a bad shoulder at another - so they moved me over there." This year, he has been occasionally employed at a third position, flanker, but Tom is convinced this experiment has been conducted purely for emergency purposes. I'll probably still be mostly a running back," he says. "The thing is you can get one guy hurt, like at flanker, and you'll have only one left, so you have to have somebody else available. It's just a matter of taking precautions, I guess - more of that than anything else." Ironically, had he not been drafted by the Packers, the 26-year-old Tennessean, the Pack's No. 1 draft choice in 1960, undoubtedly would be a starter on any other club in pro football. This, at least, is the unqualified conviction of shrewd John (Red) Cochran, the Packers' offensive backfield coach. "Not many guys come along like Hornung, so you'd have to rate anybody behind him," Red observed, "but outside of that, Tom is as good a back as there is. He could be first string anywhere else in the league."...GOOD MOVES: "He's got good moves, he's quick, gets up his speed quick," the ex-Chicago Cardinal points out. "And he has excellent speed, too. Most people don't appreciate how fast he really is. He may not have the same blinding speed, as Tommy Mason of the Vikings, but he's a better runner, I think, than Mason." Moore's contributions to the Packer cause, it might be added, have been impressively substantial, considering he has been a part-time employee for all but one of his four seasons. In those highly sporadic appearances, the 205-pound greyhound has amassed 22 touchdowns for 132 points to rank 14th in the Packers' all-time scoring table, immediately behind the indestructible Tobin Rote (180) and guardian angel (also sometime kicker) Jerry Kramer (156). Moore, who led the league in kickoff returns as a rookie in '60, has amassed over 2,000 yards - more than a mile of NFL real estate - by rushing, passing and receiving during his span...THREE COMPLETIONS: Of this, he has piled up 1,574 yards in 361 attempts, which figures out to a solid 4.3 average, 418 on 47 receptions and 99 on three completions in four assays at the now famous "Hornung Option." As might be expected, the 1963 season was his most productive. Tom drove and spun for 658 yards in 132 carries, a plush 5.0 average, and good for eighth place in the NFL. He also caught 23 passes for 237 yards and scored 8 touchdowns, six of them by rushing. It would be perfectly understandable if the author of this glittering overall performance would find resuming a secondary role something less than enchanting. In the exhibition season, Moore saw considerable action, after recovering from a shoulder injury in the Bishop's Charities game, collecting 62 yards in 15 carries for a 4.1 average, but does not consider it a barometer of the future. "Coach Lombardi has played us regulars about
half the time and the other group the other half," he points out. "That's the way always has been, so it's really no indication of what it will be like in the regular season. We'll just have to wait," he says philosophically, "and see how things go."
THE ROOKIES: 'I'VE GOT TO HAVE AN ULCER'
SEPT 11 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - At 21 years old with a frame standing 6-feet-3 high and muscularly padded with 260 pounds, John McDowell, rookie offensive guard for the Packers, should be in the peak of robust health. But he's convinced he has an ulcer. If not the ulcer, at least the conviction was born and nursed in the eight week training camp leading to his securing a place on the Packers' 1964 roster. The two months were unhesitatingly called "the worst experience I've ever had...I've got to have an ulcer, I just must have." McDowell, who could be considered a spokesman for the nine rookies among the original 27 who survived Coach Vince Lombardi's deft cuts, explained his feelings this way: "Training camp is really tough. And it's frustrating. You think you're doing something good and instead you're getting yelled at. You just wait and wait for the next cut. And then it's tough to see your friends go." Steve Wright, Ken Bowman, Dennis Claridge, Tom Crutcher, Bob Long, Tom Brown, Lloyd Voss and Doug Hart probably felt much the same as McDowell, who explained further, "The first two weeks I didn't think I had a chance in the world. Then it changed about every 10 minutes after that." Actually, though, the situation was a bit different for McDowell. He is the only one of the nine to make the pro grade from a small college. As a tackle for St. John's College of Collegeville, Minn., the appropriately named John spurred the Johnnies to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics championship. They beat Prairie View of Texas for the title in the Camelia Bowl in Sacramento, Calif. One of the victims of McDowell's talents during the season was Vince Lombardi, Jr., who was fullbacking for nearby St. Thomas College at the same time. Vince Jr., painfully aware of McDowell's prowess, recommended him to his coach-general manager father. Another recommendation came from in from the great Vagabond and St. John's alumnus, Johnny Blood, and at draft time, McDowell was selected on the ninth round. Realizing he was at a disadvantage coming from a small college, McDowell didn't fret but rather attacked the problem. For two weeks before the opening of camp, he cracked heads in a one-on-one duel with Milt Sunde, University of Minnesota tackle and captain who was preparing to report to the Vikings. "It's unbelievable how hard he could hit compared to most guys I played against," John declared. "But the real difference was noticeable when the veterans came into camp. They hit much harder and it took about two weeks to adapt it. But it would have been much worse if I hadn't worked out for those two weeks against Sunde." What probably made that "worse experience" even worse was that McDowell spent most of his first two weeks against All-Pro defensive tackle Henry Jordan. "I don't think I stopped him once," the now relaxing gridder chuckled. This is contrary to Lombardi's assessment after the intra-squad game that McDowell actually "handled" Jordan pretty well. "I didn't really handle him...maybe it wasn't bad for a rookie. I don't know," McDowell modestly insists. Then he adds of Mr. Jordan, "He's really tough. I haven't faced anybody in any game nearly as tough as he is." Although a tackle when he reported, McDowell was later switched to guard, a move he made with relish. "I really like playing guard," he says. "I like to pull. We did a lot of tackle trapping and tackle pulling in college and I like getting out around the end."...BOUGHT GOLF CLUBS: And demonstrating the determined spirit that has also impressed the coach, John adds, "Actually, I'd play water boy if they wanted me to." Now relatively assured of a part in the Packer program for the year, McDowell celebrated the final cut by going downtown and buying a set of golf clubs. "That's what I decided to do when I made the team," he said. While McDowell rates as unique because of his small school background, all the rookies are part of what Lombardi has called the finest group since he has been in Green Bay. They all have individual qualities and backgrounds. Voss, the No. 1 choice, is a 6-4, 245-pounder from Nebraska, where he played in the shadow of All-American Bob Brown. Originally mentioned as an offensive line product, he has shown up well on defense and is now listed as a defensive end behind Willie Davis and Lionel Aldridge. One of the reasons Voss was shifted was the outstanding play of Steve Wright, the 6-6, 250-pound Alabama grad who was drafted in the fifth round. Wright has been an impressive blocker from the opening of camp. Ken Bowman, the most familiar of all rookie names because of his dandy play at center for the University of Wisconsin, came out of the All-Star camp to grab a spot among the offensive line reserves. At 6-3, 230 pounds, the eighth round draft choice is primarily a back up for Bob Skoronski at center but is also capable of playing guard. End Bob Long is undoubtedly unique among all NFL rookies in that he has made the grade despite having only one year of college football experience. Long was first a basketball player at Wichita but turned his 6-3, 190-pound carriage to football as a senior and wound up the Packers' fourth round draftee. Among the backs, Dennis Claridge is the glamor boy this year. Drafted third as a junior eligible at Nebraska, Claridge had to be signed around a dental school objective and once in camp it became a difficult decision just where to use him. Having engineered Nebraska to an Orange Bowl victory as a running quarterback last year, Dennis was installed at running back, switched to quarterback when his passing talent came to light, and then moved back to running back again. He is 6-3, 225 pounds...COMBINED TALENTS: Tom Crutcher of Texas Christian is also a man of combined talents. At 6-3, 220 pounds, he has been used as both a linebacker and fullback is available for both in an emergency. Like Long, Tom Brown is a refugee from another spot. A baseball bonus player with the Washington Senators, Tom found hitting baseballs a problem and jumped from the minor leagues to the major leagues by hitting opposing gridders. Tried originally at flanker, Tom has now earned his place in the defensive backfield corps. He is 6-1, 190 pound Maryland grad who was drafted second by the Packers before taking a crack at baseball for a year. Hart is legally a rookie, but his team on the Packer taxi squad last year boosted him into a place on the regular roster this year as a defensive back. A 6-1, 195-pounder, he is another small college product, hailing from Arlington State. The Packers obtained him from the Cardinals before last season.
WADE AND STARR DIVIDE QB'ING WITH RUDY, ZEKE
SEPT 12 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Statistics don't mean a thing. And especially when they represent the no-count exhibition season. However, the figures for the Packers and the Bears for their five-game preseason cards display this note worthy of mention: Each team split the quarterbacking duties just about down the middle between the regular starter and the No. 1 reliefer. The Bears' Bill Wade threw 70 passes and Rudy Bukich hurled 61. Packer Bart Starr pitched 53, Zeke Bratkowski 48. Wade completed 39 for 55 percent; Bukich 29 for 47 percent; Starr 34 for 64 percent; and Bratkowski 30 for 62 percent. It is interesting to note that the Packers hurled 106 passes while the Bears threw 133. The Packers upheld their reputation as a "running" team by making 189 rushes. The Bears called 124 rushing plays. Bothered by injuries to Ron Bull, Mike Ditka and others, the Bears settled for 368 yards rushing compared to the Pack's 652. Chicago had 720 yards passing, the Packers 806. The club's top receivers each caught the same number of passes and they're both flankers - the Bears' Johnny Morris and the Pack's Boyd Dowler. Morris stretched his 17 receptions into 259 yards, while Dowler wowed 355 yards on his 17 for a 20-yard average. With the Bears' Rick Casares ailing during the warmup season, Ron Bull led the club in rushing with 119 yards in 37 attempts. Jim Taylor led the Pack with 133 yards in 40 trips. Paul Hornung was only a yard back while Elijah Pitts had 122 yards. Joe Marconi backed up Bull with 108 yards. Try those figures on your ukelele and see if you come up with a winner Sunday. The Packers worked in City Stadium Friday and closed out drills with a light session this morning. The Bears were scheduled to practice in Chicago this morning and then fly to Green Bay. They'll stay at the Northland Hotel.
KILCULLEN AT END FOR BEARS
SEPT 12 (Chicago Tribune) - Shades of 1963! For the second consecutive year, "tackle" Bob Kilcullen will be pressed into emergency duty at defensive end for the Chicago Bears in an NFL opener. If history repeats, this means that the Bears will win their second world championship in a row. A year ago, Kilcullen, veteran interior lineman, took over for Ed O'Bradovich at the start of the season when the latter suffered a mysterious virus
disorder. Kilcullen stayed at defensive end most of the season, with occasional service at tackle, as the Bears swept to the NFL pinnacle. O'Bradovich returned in the ninth game and starred in the championship game. Yesterday, Coach George Halas announced that Kilcullen again will open at left defensive end in tomorrow's 1964 inaugural in Green Bay. O'Bradovich is nursing a leg injury suffered during the training season and may see only limited duty against the Packers. Kilcullen thus will team with big Doug Atkins and the two interior rush men, Earl Leggett and Stan Jones, in harassing quarterback Bart Starr of the Packers, who has completed an impressive aerial mark of 34 completions in 53 pass attempts in preseason play...WADE'S YARDAGE MORE: The Starr's completion percentage is excellent, he hasn't thrown for as much yardage as has the Bears' Bill Wade. Starr's passes have gained 393 yards. Wade. on the other hand, has amassed 468 yards on 39 completions in 70 attempts. Wade will be joined in the starting Bear backfield by fullback Joe Marconi, halfback Ronnie Bull and flanker Johnny Morris. Marconi's No. 1 relief man probably will be Chuck Bivins. Halas said yesterday that it was "touch and go" as to whether Rick Casares will play. Casares has a bad ankle. With the No. 1 offensive team intact for the first time this year after a siege of injuries during the exhibition grind, the Bears are hoping to move the ball better than they've done so far this summer. The attacking unit has averaged 73 yards per game rushing. Bull tops the ball carriers for the preseason with 119 yards in 37 assignments. Marconi is second with 108 yards. Below Marconi, there is a sharp dropoff to the No. 3 man, Bivins, who has gained 53 yards. Casares has 41. It should be noted that three of the top four men, however, are fullbacks, only one of whom can play at a time...48 POINTS FOR HORNUNG: The Packer offense, of course, is largely built around triple-threater Paul Hornung, who appears to be even more dangerous after a year on the sidelines under suspension. In preseason play, the Golden Galloper scored 48 points on four touchdowns, three field goals and 15 extra points; completed two of three passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns; carried the ball 36 times for 132 yards, and caught five passes for 59 yards.
BEARS BATTLE PACKER - FOR KEEPS TODAY!
SEPT 12 (Chicago Tribune) - Grim and apprehensive, the Chicago Bears slipped into town today to open defense of their NFL title tomorrow against a Green Bay Packer team that is so eager for revenge it is about to explode. Everybody loves to pick on a champion, but no team is more anxious to come to grips with the Bears than the Packers, who suffered through two stunning defeats last year, losses it took them most of the offseason to figure out...42,237 TO ATTEND: The kickoff is set for 1:06 o'clock, Chicago time, and the game will be telecast back to Chicago over the CBS network. Tickets have been at a premium since early in the spring. An overflow throng at 42,237 will sit it on the battle in City Stadium and thousands of those who were unable to get tickets were moving south tonight to find vantage points before television sets outside the 75-mile blackout area. Oddsmakers rate the Bears an 8 1/2-point underdog, principally because it has become custom in recent years to make the Packers favorites over the Bears and because of the return to the Packer lineup of Paul Hornung, the prodigal Golden Boy...HORNUNG SERVES AS TONIC: Hornung's name is magic. And there is no gainsaying that he brings back to the Packers something they sorely missed a year ago. But the suspicion grows that most forecasters are over-enthusiastic about the Packers, that the team which two and three years ago was unbeatable will be a good club, but not necessarily a great all-conquering outfit and championship shoo-in. Being underdogs, particularly in Green Bay, is nothing new to the Bears. They were being given credit only for showing up a year ago on opening day, but they stuck around to upset the two-time champions, 10 to 3. They still were underdogs in November when they humiliated the Packers in Chicago, 26 to 7. This is the one Packer players say publicly they must avenge...WEAK TRAINING SHOWING: Most of the sentiment against the Bears stems from the general conclusion that they have looked bad in their preseason games. But the experts all said they looked bad last year while they were losing only one game and winning the championship. So nothing has changed for the Bears, except that they are defending the title. This is a new experience for the champs. Eighteen years have passed since they last were guardians of the crown. If someone hasn't told them, they'll find quickly that it's harder to defend the title than to win it. Both coaches report their squads in excellent shape. No one makes a practice of doubting such estimable gentlemen as George Halas and Vince Lombardi, but it would not be surprising if during the afternoon it develops that some of the recent cripples have not convalesced as completely as reported. Somewhere someone circulated the impression that tomorrow's contest will be fatal to the championship hopes of the loser. It may have been the same group that thinks Hornung's presence will cause all the other teams in the western division to disband. Tomorrow's winner, of course, will have an advantage, but at last reports there still are 13 other games to play and other opponents, such as Baltimore, Detroit and the Minnesota Vikings, to face. Constituents are advised to postpone all jumps off bridges, until the returns are in for at least half the season...A NEW OFFENSE?: In all the excitement over their traditional pogrom, most fans have forgotten that the game marks the 36th season that Halas had led the team into Green Bay as a coach and the 45th year in which he has operated a franchise. On his 69th birthday last spring, the venerable pioneer and co-founder of the league announced he was going to concentrate on offense this year. So far in the exhibition season, there has been little to indicate that the Bears
have been working on anything more than the close, hard-nosed ball control game with which they won the title. Tomorrow is another day. If Halas has any new offense, it will most likely be evident early in the afternoon. And if he has, check your favorite bookmaker at halftime. There may be a hurried switch in the point spread.
PACKERS' LONG WAIT IS OVER...BEARS HERE TODAY
SEPT 13 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers have been waiting for this day since last November. This is the day they get their hands on the Bears. It is impossible for the Packers to let bygones be bygones because the Bears gave the Packers' famed pride an awful walloping in 1963. They not only whipped Green Bay twice. They made off with the Packers' world championship. These things have been gnawing on the Packers since last winter. This, then, is the setting for the 91st meeting of pro football's oldest and bitterest rivals. And to make it complete, the weather will be perfect, sunny and cool, for the sellout crowd of 42,327. Kickoff for this key game in the NFL will be at 1:05. The Packers get a smile from history today. The last three times the Bears invaded our town as champion, the Packers beat them. The Bears were defending Western Division champions when they helped dedicate new City Stadium in 1957 and the Packers won a thriller, 21-17. The Bears were world champions when they visited here in 1947, but the Packers scored a surprise 29-20 victory. And back in 1944, the Bears came up to the "woods" as world titlists and the Packers outscored 'em, 42-28. The Packers won't get any smiles from the championship Bears, who whipped Green Bay 10-3 in the 1963 opener and then carved out a 26-7 victory in the nightcap in Chicago. The Bears will haul the best defense in football today - a unit that allowed foes an average of only 10 points a game in '63. And that's just what the Pack got off Chicago last year - 10 points. Scoring on the Bears looms as the Pack's major problem, but the Bays have an extra weapon to swing. That would be Paul Hornung, the determined Golden Boy who makes his first official league start since his one-year suspension was lifted last spring. Bart Starr, the Pack's
signal-calling wizard, knows what to do with Hornung. The sharp quarterback engineered the Packers to three straight Division titles, two Worlds, and Hornung to amazing scoring records. The presence of Hornung, also a strong blocker, takes the heat off Jim Taylor, the bullish fullback who goes into '64 fully removed from the effects of the hepatitis and injuries that bothered him last year. The Bay offense has a new pivot man - Bob Skoronski, who takes over at center. Norm Masters carries the load at left tackle, what with the shift of Skoronski, and the rest of the unit is intact - Fuzzy Thurston, Jerry Kramer, Forrest Gregg, Max McGee, Boyd Dowler, Ron Kramer - plus that 12th man, Tom Moore, who backs up Hornung...OFFENSE MYSTERY: The offense is perhaps somewhat of a mystery because two of the big guns, Ron Bull and Mike Ditka, were injured most of the exhibition season. Bill Wade will have use of both of them today - along with Gary Barnes, who replaces the late John Farrington at left end, Jon Arnett and Rick Casares. Arnett steps into the shoes of Willie Galimore, who was killed in the auto accident last July with Farrington. The Packer defense, beaten only by the Bears as the best last year, has one new face - Dave Robinson, who will start at right linebacker for the departed Bill Forester. The rest of the crew is back - Lionel Aldridge, Dave Hanner, Hank Jordan, Willie Davis, Herb Adderley, Ray Nitschke, Dan Currie, Willie Wood, Hank Gremminger and Jess Whittenton. The Bays' defense is the key to the Packers' chances - just as the Bill George-led Bear defenders proved last year.
