TUESDAY TIDBITS: "You'll Be Able to Slaughter Your Enemies Like Civilized Men"

By TJ Troup

Cecil Isbell

The year of 1962 was a turning point in the lives of two men that recently left us; Sean Connery and Herb Adderley. The talented, athletic former Michigan State Spartan Herb Adderley spent much of the season of 1961 on the bench as a reserve flanker. He did return kicks, and on Thanksgiving coming off the bench he contributed to the key interception in the victory over the Lions. 

Herb Adderley

Though have shared with the Packer organization that Adderley did NOT start any games at left corner, they refused to change the media guide. Hank Gremminger was the starter that year. Lombardi and Bengston knew they needed an upgrade at strong safety, and Adderley was just too damn talented to sit on the bench. Gremminger was moved to strong safety and played well, and in his first season starting Herb was all-pro and showed one and all he was an elite corner. 

Though Sean Connery had many "bit" parts over the years, the James Bond book "Dr. No" was brought to the big screen in 1962, and Sean got his opportunity. Some men when an opportunity presents itself make the most of it—guess you could say Mr. Connery did just that. 

Sean Connery

He was and probably still is JAMES BOND. Have enjoyed many movies, and of course, Sean became a star and his academy award-winning performance in the "Untouchables". If you have a chance to watch "The Man Who Would be King"....please do so. Connery with able assistance from Michael Caine makes this movie come alive. A personal favorite, and thus the above title quote for today's Tuesday Tidbits. 

The historical narrative for today to celebrate November 1st takes us to Green Bay in 1942. The Packers tied for the division title with the hated "Monsters of the Midway" in '41 and needed to keep winning in '42 to hope to dethrone the Bears. Though Tony Canadeo started the game at tailback, he was not the man who delivered the victory for the navy blue and gold Packers. 

Cecil Isbell enters the game in the second quarter and throws four straight passes that miss the target. The first is pilfered by Steve Lach of the Cardinals, and on the Packers next possession Cecil throws three straight incomplete passes. He ends the half with three straight completions. Andy Uram for 12, Huston for a 38-yard touchdown, and late in the quarter the Alabama Antelope scores again on a 73-yard toss by Isbell. Third-quarter and Isbell completes four of seven for 98 yards; Andy Uram scores on a 64-yard pass, Jacunski gains 9, Hutson gains 20, and Lou Brock gains 5. 

Fourth-quarter Isbell completes three of seven for 111 yards; Hutson for 10, Hutson for 65 and a touchdown, and Uram for 36 and a touchdown. Cecil Isbell gained 333 yards on ten completions......please read that again, and let it sink in. 

No quarterback ever gained 33 yards per completion in a game attempting at least 20 passes. For compare/contrast this past Sunday Lamar Jackson gained 16 yards per completion on his 13 connections (he attempted 28). 

Also on this date in 1953, a new league record was established when Tittle of the 49ers and Blanda of the Bears filled the skies with passes. Though they did not throw every pass in the game, these two future Hall of Fame triggermen did the bulk of the passing as 94 passes were attempted in the game. Yes, youngsters even back then there were games where passing was a major part of a game plan.