



The 1971 Green Bay Packers - 4-8-2 (4TH - Central Division)
Head Coach: Dan Devine
1971 PRE-SEASON RESULTS (2-4)
OFF DEF
AUGUST (1-3) RESULT RECORD ATT RSH PSS RSH PSS STARTING QB LEADING RUSHER LEADING PASSER LEADING RECEIVER
7 M-CHICAGO BEARS L 0- 2 0- 1-0 47,248 Zeke Bratkowski Perry Williams (29) Frank Patrick (66) Dave Hampton (3-23)
14 G-PITTSBURGH STEELERS L 13-16 0- 2-0 56,263 Zeke Bratkowski John Brockington (61) Scott Hunter (93) John Hilton (3-2)
21 M-MIAMI DOLPHINS W 10- 7 1- 2-0 47,286 Scott Hunter John Brockington (49) Scott Hunter (104) Dave Hampton (2-21)
28 G-OAKLAND RAIDERS L 13-17 1- 3-0 56,263 Scott Hunter Dave Hampton (49) Scott Hunter (199) John Spilis (2-58)
SEPTEMBER (1-1)
4 at Cincinnati Bengals L 24-27 1- 4-0 55,477 Zeke Bratkowski Dave Hampton (99) Zeke Bratkowski (71) Rich McGeorge (5-55)
10 at Buffalo Bills W 20-14 2- 4-0 37,301 Zeke Bratkowski Dave Hampton (98) Scott Hunter (86) Carroll Dale (2-79)
1971 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS
SEPTEMBER (1-1)
19 G-NEW YORK GIANTS (0-0) L 40-42 0- 1-0 56,263 124 224 102 221 Zeke Bratkowski Donny Anderson (99) Scott Hunter (158) John Spilis (3-70)
26 M-DENVER BRONCOS (0-0-1) W 34-13 1- 1-0 47,957 214 89 81 246 Scott Hunter Dave Hampton (86) Scott Hunter (41) Rich McGeorge (3-59)
OCTOBER (1-3)
3 G-CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-1) W 20-17 2- 1-0 56,263 256 62 90 88 Scott Hunter John Brockington (120) Scott Hunter (75) Carroll Dale (1-32)
10 at Detroit Lions (2-1) L 28-31 2- 2-0 54,418 126 137 178 287 Scott Hunter Donny Anderson (84) Zeke Bratkowski (105) Donny Anderson (4-24)
17 G-MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-1) L 13-24 2- 3-0 56,263 121 221 98 172 Scott Hunter Donny Anderson (62) Scott Hunter (230) Carroll Dale (8-151)
24 at Los Angeles Rams (3-1-1) L 13-30 2- 4-0 75,351 93 144 164 167 Scott Hunter Donny Anderson (56) Scott Hunter (92) Donny Anderson (3-47)
NOVEMBER (1-3-1)
1 M-DETROIT LIONS (4-2) T 14-14 2- 4-1 47,961 218 0 190 101 Scott Hunter John Brockington (111) Scott Hunter (9) Carroll Dale (1-9)
7 at Chicago Bears (5-2) W 17-14 3- 4-1 55,049 171 133 75 205 Scott Hunter John Brockington (142) Scott Hunter (133) Donny Anderson (3-50)
14 at Minnesota Vikings (6-2) L 0- 3 3- 5-1 49,784 245 56 66 21 Scott Hunter John Brockington (149) Scott Hunter (62) Carroll Dale (2-26)
22 at Atlanta Falcons (4-3-1) L 21-28 3- 6-1 58,850 103 40 204 182 Scott Hunter John Brockington (55) Scott Hunter (72) Carroll Dale (2-58)
28 M-NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-5-2) L 21-29 3- 7-1 48,035 95 167 163 110 Scott Hunter John Brockington (68) Bart Starr (116) Rich McGeorge (3-84)
DECEMBER (1-2)
5 at St. Louis Cardinals (4-7) T 16-16 3- 7-2 50,443 211 146 80 225 Bart Starr John Brockington (95) Scott Hunter (129) Donny Anderson (5-55)
12 G-CHICAGO BEARS (6-6) W 31-10 4- 7-2 56,263 115 180 61 186 Scott Hunter John Brockington (63) Scott Hunter (169) Dave Davis (3-46)
19 at Miami Dolphins (9-3-1) L 6-27 4- 8-2 76,812 137 86 155 90 Bart Starr John Brockington (63) Bart Starr (126) Rich McGeorge (5-51)
G - Green Bay M - Milwaukee
1971 IN REVIEW
Dan Devine's first game as head coach of the Green Bay Packers had him feeling literally run down. Besides losing to the New York Giants 42-40, the long-time college coach broke his leg midway through the fourth quarter in a sideline pileup following an interception by Doug Hart. Devine was taken to Saint Vincent Hospital where he listened to the remainder of the game on the radio. Devine, who had posted winning records at both Arizona State and the University of Missouri, struggled in his first year in the professional ranks. Inconsistency, turnovers and the lack of a passing game led to a 4-8-2 record, the worst for Green Bay in 13 years. The season would also see Bart Starr give way to Scott Hunter as the Packers' starting quarterback. The season's bright spot was the running of John Brockington, who captured the Offensive Rookie of the year with 1,105 yards rushing.
SECOND ROUND BUSTS
Prior to 2009, when the Packers cut QB Brian Brohm, one year after using a second-round choice on him, you would have to go back almost 40 years to find the last time the Packers released a 2nd-rounder this early in his career based on performance only. In 1971, Dan Devine drafted RB Virgil Robinson of Grambling in the second round. He wanted him so bad, despite picking RB John Brockington in the first round, that he sent Travis Williams to the Rams for the draft pick. Robinson was tried as a running back, a wide receiver, and a defensive back, before the team released him the week before the regular season. Robinson would go on play 14 games with the Saints (101 yards rushing). The Saints released Robinson in October 1972, but he found one final opportunity to chase down his dream when the World Football League formed in 1974. Robinson played for the Houston Texans and moved with the team to Shreveport, where they became the Steamers. The league struggled to remain afloat and partway through the 1975 season, the Steamers organization asked players to take a substantial pay cut. With a wife and a new baby, Robinson made a difficult decision to end his football dream and pursue a career in banking, after rushing for 550 yards over two season in the WFL. More recently, the Packers parted with second-round draft picks after only one season four times, but they either traded the player or cut him because of a career-ending injury. In 2005, they drafted WR Terrence Murphy and released him the following April because of the neck injury that ended his career. In 1999, they drafted CB Fred Vinson then traded him in 2000 as part of the deal for running back Ahman Green. In 1992, they drafted LB Mark D’Onofrio, then cut him in 1993 because of a torn hamstring that ended his career. In 1975, they drafted OL Bill Bain, then traded him in 1976 for a third-round draft pick.
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR AG G HOW ACQUIRED
Lionel Aldridge 82 DE 6- 4 245 Utah State 9 9 30 14 1963 Draft-4th round
Donny Anderson 44 RB 6- 3 210 Texas Tech 6 6 28 14 1965 Draft-1st round
Ken Bowman 57 C 6- 3 230 Wisconsin 8 8 28 14 1964 Draft-8th round
Dave Bradley 61 G 6- 4 245 Penn State 3 3 24 6 1969 Draft-2nd round
Zeke Bratkowski 12 QB 6- 3 210 Georgia 7 14 39 6 1971 Trade-Minnesota
John Brockington 42 RB 6- 1 225 Ohio State 1 1 22 14 1971 Draft-1st round
Bob Brown 78 DE 6- 5 260 Ark-Pine Bluff 6 6 31 14 1966 FA
Fred Carr 53 LB 6- 5 238 Texas-El Paso 4 4 25 14 1968 Draft-1st round
Jim Carter 50 LB 6- 3 235 Minnesota 2 2 22 10 1970 Draft-3rd round
Dave Conway 35 K 6- 0 195 Texas 1 1 26 1 1971 FA
Tommy Crutcher 56 LB 6- 3 230 TCU 5 7 30 14 1971 Trade-L. Angeles
Carroll Dale 84 WR 6- 2 200 Virginia Tech 7 12 33 14 1965 Trade-L. Angeles
Dave Davis 47 WR 6- 0 175 Tennessee State 1 1 23 14 1971 Draft-7th round
Jim DeLisle 79 DT 6- 4 255 Wisconsin 1 1 22 9 1971 FA
Ken Duncan 18 P 6- 2 200 Tulsa 1 1 25 3 1971 FA
Ken Ellis 48 CB 5-10 190 Southern 2 2 23 14 1970 Draft-4th round
Len Garrett 88 TE 6- 3 225 N.Mex Highland 1 1 23 14 1971 Draft-15th round
Gale Gillingham 68 G 6- 3 255 Minnesota 6 6 27 14 1966 Draft-1st round
Charlie Hall 21 CB 6- 1 195 Pittsburgh 1 1 23 14 1971 Draft-3rd round
Dave Hampton 25 RB 6- 0 210 Wyoming 3 3 24 13 1969 Draft-9th round
Doug Hart 43 DB 6- 0 190 Arlington State 8 8 32 14 1964 FA-St. Louis
Bill Hayhoe 77 T 6- 8 258 USC 3 3 24 14 1969 Draft-5th round
Dick Himes 72 T 6- 4 244 Ohio State 4 4 25 14 1968 Draft-3rd round
Scott Hunter 16 QB 6- 2 205 Alabama 1 1 23 14 1971 Draft-6th round
Larry Krause 30 RB 6- 0 208 St. Norbert 2 2 23 9 1970 Draft-17th round
Bill Lueck 62 G 6- 3 235 Arizona 4 4 25 14 1968 Draft-1st round
Al Matthews 29 DB 5-11 190 Texas A&I 2 2 23 14 1970 Draft-2nd round
Mike McCoy 76 DT 6- 5 284 Notre Dame 2 2 22 14 1970 Draft-1st round
Rich McGeorge 81 TE 6- 4 235 Elon 2 2 22 14 1970 Draft-1st round
Lou Michaels 75 K 6- 2 250 Kentucky 1 13 34 10 1971 FA-Balt (1969)
Ray Nitschke 66 LB 6- 3 235 Illinois 14 14 34 14 1958 Draft-3rd round
Frank Patrick 10 QB 6- 7 225 Nebraska 2 2 24 14 1970 Draft-10th round
Francis Peay 71 T 6- 5 250 Missouri 4 6 27 14 1968 Trade-NY Giants
Elijah Pitts 22 RB 6- 1 205 Philander Smith 10 11 32 6 1971 FA-NO (1969)
Al Randolph 27 S 6- 2 205 Iowa 1 6 27 14 1971 Trade-San Fran
Dave Robinson 89 LB 6- 3 245 Penn State 9 9 30 14 1963 Draft-1st round
Alden Roche 87 DE 6- 4 255 Southern 1 2 26 14 1971 Trade-Denver
Donnell Smith 74 DE 6- 4 245 Southern 1 1 22 5 1971 Draft-5th round
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR AG G HOW ACQUIRED
John Spilis 85 WR 6- 3 205 North. Illinois 3 3 23 14 1969 Draft-3rd round
Bart Starr 15 QB 6- 1 190 Alabama 16 16 37 4 1956 Draft-17th round
Tim Webster 38 K 6- 0 195 Arkansas 1 1 21 4 1971 FA
Clarence Williams 83 DE 6- 5 255 Prairie View 2 2 24 14 1970 Trade-Dallas
Perry Williams 31 RB 6- 2 219 Purdue 3 3 24 14 1969 Draft-4th round
Randy Winkler 63 G 6- 4 260 Tarleton State 1 3 28 5 1971 FA-Atl (1968)
Wimpy Winther 52 C 6- 4 260 Mississippi 1 1 23 11 1971 Trade-NO
Cal Withrow 74 C 6- 0 240 Kentucky 1 2 26 14 1971 Trade-San Diego
Willie Wood 24 DB 5-10 190 USC 12 12 34 14 1960 FA
NO - Jersey Number POS - Position HGT - Height WGT - Weight YR - Years with Packers PR - Years of Professional Football AGE - Age on September 1 G - Games Played FA - Free Agent
1971 PACKERS DRAFT (January 28-29, 1971)
RND-PICK NAME POS COLLEGE NOTES
1a - 9 John Brockington RB Ohio State (A)
1b - 12 Traded to Denver (A)
2a - 37 Traded to San Francisco (B)
2b - 46 Virgil Robinson RB Grambling (C)
3 - 62 Charlie Hall CB Pittsburgh
4 - 90 Trade to Los Angeles Rams (C)
5a - 115 Traded to San Diego (D)
5b - 116 Donnell Smith DE Southern (E)
5c - 124 Jim Stillwagon LB Ohio State (F)
6 - 140 Scott Hunter QB Alabama
7a - 168 Dave Davis WR Tennessee A&I
7b - 175 James Johnson WR Bishop (G)
8 - 193 Win Headley C Wake Forest
9 - 216 Barry Mayer RB Minnesota
10 - 246 Kevin Hunt T Doane
11 - 271 John Lanier RB/TE Parsons
12 - 296 Greg Hendren G/C California
13 - 324 Jack Martin RB Angelo State
14 - 348 LeRoy Spears DE Moorhead State
15 - 374 Len Garrett TE North Mexico Highlands
16 - 402 Jack O'Donnell G Central State
17 - 427 Monty Johnson S Oklahoma
A-From Denver (Don Horn-Alden Roche) B-Kevin Hardy trade C-From Los Angeles Rams (Travis Williams) D-Jacques MacKinnon trade E-From Washington (Tom Brown) F-From Wash through LA (Boyd Dowler) G-From Oakland (Jacques MacKinnon)
1971 PACKER TRADES - TRANSACTIONS
JAN 28 - Traded QB Don Horn and a 1971 1st-round draft choice (12th overall) to DENVER for DE Alden Roche and a 1971 1st-round draft choice (9th overall). Traded RB Travis Williams and a 1971 4th-round draft choice to LOS ANGELES for a 1971 2nd-round draft choice and a 1972 6th-round draft choice. Traded the rights to WR Boyd Dowler to WASHINGTON for a 1971 5th-round choice. Traded a 1972 3rd-round draft choice to MINNESOTA for QB Zeke Bratkowski
FEB 16 - LB Jim Stillwagon (5th round) signed with TORONTO (CFL)
MAR 29 - Traded a 1972 17th-round draft choice to SAN DIEGO for C Cal Withrow
JUN 24 - Traded DT Kevin Hardy to SAN DIEGO for a 1972 1st-round draft choice
JUL 7 - Signed K Charlie Durkee, CB Charlie Hall (3rd round) and OL Greg Hendren (12th round)
JUL 22 - Traded CB Bob Jeter to CHICAGO for RB Ross Montgomery and a 1972 6th-round draft choice
JUL 31 - Traded DE Rich Moore to NEW ENGLAND for LB John Bramlett
AUG 16 - Claimed C Wayne Fowler (BUFFALO) and G Randy Winkler off waivers
AUG 19 - Traded 1972 5th-round choice to NEW ORLEANS for C Wimpy Winther. Claimed P Ken Duncan off waivers from MINNESOTA and K Dave Conway off waivers from DALLAS
AUG 24 - Traded 1973 4th-round choice to RAMS for LB Tommy Crutcher and 1973 4th-round choice
AUG 25 - Released K Karl Kremser, LB Steve Sarnes and C Wayne Fowler (54 players)
AUG 26 - Claimed WR Mike Savoy off waivers from ST. LOUIS. Claimed DB Dan Crooks off waivers from ATLANTA (57 players)
AUG 31 - Placed G Win Headley (8th round) and WR Mike Carter on taxi squad. Released DB Jerry Watson, DB Dan Crooks and WR Mike Savoy (48 players)
SEPT 8 - Traded an undisclosed draft choice to SAN FRANCISCO for S Al Randolph. Released K Dale Livingston and OT Pat Houlton. Waived RB Elijah Pitts, P Ken Duncan and C Cal Withrow and placed them on the taxi squard. DB Leon Harden refused taxi squad assignment and left camp. Waived DB George Fountain (44 players)
SEPT 13 - Waived WR John Hilton, LB John Bramlett, RB Virgil Robinson (2nd round) and WR Jim Johnson (7th round) (40 players)
SEPT 16 - C Wimpy Winther waived. K Tim Webster and QB Gary Lane waived from taxi squad. OT Kevin Hunt moved from taxi to injured reserve.
SEPT 21 - Waived K Dave Conway. Added C Wimpy Winther to taxi squad.
OCT 7 - Placed P Ken Duncan on injured reserve list. Signed DB Butch Davis (CHICAGO) to taxi squad
OCT 26 - Waived DB Butch Davis off taxi squad. Signed K Tim Webster to taxi squad.
DEC 28 - RB Elijah Pitts retired and was named a scout
