San Diego Charger Facemask Oddity

LOOKING BACK
By John Turney

THis 1975 Topps card of Joe Beauchamp shows a Dungard-looking mask, from a photo taken in 1974. However, it seems a bit wide to be the normal DG-210, though it very well may be. The bars seem thinner than other masks.

We stumbled across this recently and wonder, in this post, if it isn't the same type mask as the one below. It's a Dungard style but perhaps with steel bars, rather than the traditional aluminum that Dungard used.

Dungard did expand into steel bars in what they called the "Supermask" around this same time:

Perhaps the above Charger mask was part of their attempts to move away from the aluminum masks they were noted for. We would love to see anyone's comments who knows for sure if the mask on the Charger helmet had a reference or part number and if it was actually used. It's something we'd not seen before and are curious as to its origins.

Update: We now think that this is a Riddell mask, that according to Helmet Hut is a 1960s creation. Randy Gradishar wore a NJOP versions, Rob Lytle wore the same is Beauchamp wore and Steve Foley wore a NOP version.

Here is the NJOP version, labeled a Riddell 340 by Helmet Hut who we consider the top expert in helmet sand masks, though there are some others as well who do great work. 

The NFL USO Tours: A Complete List

LOOKING BACK
By John Turney

Pete Rozelle

"In 1965, looking for a way to demonstrate the NFL's support for America's fighting forces in Vietnam, then-Commissioner Pete Rozelle conceived the idea of sending NFL players to Vietnam on "goodwill tours" to visit U.S. troops. The following year the NFL joined forces with the USO and became the first sports organization to send a group of players to Vietnam and other parts of the Far East."

A Complete list of NFL players and coaches  who made USO tours:

1966
John Unitas, Baltimore Colts
Willie Davis, Green Bay Packers
Sam Huff, New York Giants
Frank Gifford, New York Giants

1967
Don Meredith, Dallas Cowboys
Dick Bass, Los Angeles Rams
Larry Wilson, St. Louis Cardinals

1967 USO Tour: Don Meredith, unknown, Dick Bass, Larry Wilson

1968
Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers
Wayne Walker, Detroit Lions
Ernie Green, Cleveland Browns
Lance Alworth, San Diego Chargers
Andy Russell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bill Brown, Minnesota Vikings
Bobby Bell, Kansas City Chiefs
John David Crow, San Francisco 49ers
Jack Kemp, Buffalo Bills

On the 1968 USO Tour to Vietnam and Army veteran Andy Russell: "We arrived the day before the Tet Offensive started. On the way to our hotel, our escort officer handed me an M-16 with a double clip. He said, 'Lieutenant Russell, here's your weapon. You're riding shotgun because we don't have anybody to do it. We know that you were in the service and qualified with this weapon, so you have to be sitting shotgun on your trips.' That's how we started our journey. That night we had to protect every entry point of the hotel So I pulled guard duty for two hours, with my weapon pointing down a stairwell, and I was ready to use it. That experience, though, couldn't compare to the soldiers who risked everything to support our way of life. They faced these dangerous situations daily. We were thrilled to pay our respects to the troops."

Russell's book A Steelers Odyssey spends a full chapter on the 1968 USO Tour and it is a harrowing tale, from having to help defend the hotel, to trying to keep Jack Kemp from getting shot as he tried to audio tape the "sounds of war" to learning (along with 20 female nurses, USO workers, and embassy workers) that Viking running back Bill Brown liked to sleep in the nude. Russell's book is well worth reading.

1969
Billy Ray Smith, Baltimore Colts
Irv Cross, Los Angeles Rams
Dick Schafrath, Cleveland Browns
Al Atkinson, New York Jets
Tommy Nobis, Atlanta Falcons
Dick Westmoreland, Miami Dolphins
Dan Reeves, Dallas Cowboys
Joe Namath, New York Jets
Jim Otto, Oakland Raiders
Steve Wright, New York Giants
Marv Fleming, Green Bay Packers

Stripes.com

NFL Players with soldier. Stripes.com

Joe Namath with a wounded soldier.  Stripes.com

1970

Tucker Frederickson, New York Giants
Jack Snow, Los Angeles Rams
Floyd Little, Denver Broncos
Chuck Walker, St. Louis Cardinals
Paul Maguire, Buffalo Bills
Jim Nance, Boston Patriots
Len Rohde, San Francisco 49ers
Dan Conners, Oakland Raiders
Gary Garrison, San Diego Chargers
Norman Snead, Philadelphia Eagles
Chris Hanburger, Washington Redskins
Jim Marshall, Minnesota Vikings
Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears
Dave Whitsell, New Orleans Saints
George Webster, Houston Oilers

1971
John Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
George Kunz, Atlanta Falcons
Fred Hoaglin, Cleveland Browns
Jerry Smith, Washington Redskins
Tom Woodeshick, Philadelphia Eagles
George Byrd, Buffalo Bills
Jon Morris, Boston Patriots
Clint Jones, Minnesota Vikings
Greg Landry, Detroit Lions
Joe Scibelli, Los Angeles Rams
Larry Csonka, Miami Dolphins
Bob Lilly, Dallas Cowboys
Ernie Wright, Cincinnati Bengals
Tom Matte, Baltimore Colts
Tom Dempsey, New Orleans Saints
Lem Barney, Detroit Lions
Mike Curtis, Baltimore Colts

1972
Manny Fernandez, Miami Dolphins
Charlie Kruger, San Francisco 49ers
Jack Gregory, Cleveland Browns
Mike Garrett, San Diego Chargers
Marlin McKeever, Los Angeles Rams
Grady Alderman, Minnesota Vikings
John Elliott, New York Jets
John Fuqua, Pittsburgh Steelers
Marlin Briscoe, Buffalo Bills
Roger Wehrli, St. Louis Cardinals
Otis Taylor, Kansas City Chiefs
Danny Abramowicz, New Orleans Saints
Bill Curry, Baltimore Colts
Donny Anderson, Green Bay Packers
Gene Upshaw, Oakland Raiders
Ken Houston, Houston Oilers

1973
Marty Domres, Baltimore Colts
Bill Kilmer, Washington Redskins
Karl Kassulke, Minnesota Vikings
Jim Marsalis, Kansas City Chiefs
Ken Iman, Los Angeles Rams
Archie Manning, New Orleans Saints
George Atkinson, Oakland Raiders
Cliff Harris, Dallas Cowboys
Joe Morrison, New York Giants
Mike McCoy, Green Bay Packers
John Zook, Atlanta Falcons

1974
Jim Mandich, Miami Dolphins
John Gilliam, Minnesota Vikings
Art Thoms, Oakland Raiders
Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Diron Talbert, Washington Redskins
Jack Youngblood, Los Angeles Rams
Bill Munson, Detroit Lions

1974 USO Tour (L-R) Franco Harris, Art Thoms, Jim Mandich, Diron Talbert, Jack Youngblood, Bill Munson, Bill Granholm and John Gilliam

1975
Rocky Bleier, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ray Mansfield, Pittsburgh Steelers
Carl Eller, Minnesota Vikings
Tom Mack, Los Angeles Rams
Ahmad Rashad, Buffalo Bills

Standing: Carl Eller and Tom Mack; Kneeling: Ahmad Rashad, Bill Granholm, Rocky Bleier, and Ray Mansfield

1976
Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers
Lynn Swann, Pittsburgh Steelers
James Harris, Los Angeles Rams
D.D. Lewis, Dallas Cowboys

Lewis, Swann Granholm, and Lambert

1977
George Buehler, Oakland Raiders
Ahmad Rashad, Minnesota Vikings
Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Stealers
Carl Eller, Minnesota Vikings
Steve Grogan, New England Patriots

1978
Willie Brown, Oakland Raiders
Lawrence McCutcheon, Los Angeles Rams
Russ Francis, New England Patriots
Mike Montler, Denver Broncos

1979
Joe Klecko, New York Jets
Matt Blair, Minnesota Vikings
Hank Bauer, San Diego Chargers
Jon Kolb, Pittsburgh Steelers

1980
Hank Bauer, San Diego Chargers
Matt Blair, Minnesota Vikings
Bod Brudzinski, Los Angeles Rams
Efren Herrera, Seattle Seahawks

1981
Dave Dalby, Oakland Raiders
Mike Davis, Oakland Raiders
Efren Herrera, Seattle Seahawks
Doug Wilkerson, San Diego Chargers

1984
Gregg Bingham, Houston Oilers
Mike Davis, Los Angeles Raiders
Russ Francis, San Francisco 49ers
Mark May, Washington Redskins
Ray Wersching, San Francisco 49ers

1985-99 No NFL-related USO Tours

2000
David Franklin, New Orleans Saints
Dwight Hicks, San Francisco 49ers
Brett Bach, New Orleans Saints
Keith Poole, New Orleans Saints
H.R. Silvagni, Minnesota Vikings
Bubba Winkler, Atlanta Falcons
Carlos Bradley, San Diego Chargers/Philadelphia Eagles
David Little, Pittsburgh Steelers
Sam Hunt, New England Patriots
Carlton Bailey, Buffalo Bills/N.Y. Giants/Carolina Panthers
Kent Hill, Los Angeles Rams
Lee Rouson, New York Jets
Mike Quick, Philadelphia Eagles
Andy Headen, New York Giants
Lorenzo Hampton, Miami Dolphins
Henry Lawrence, Los Angeles Raiders
Russell Carter, New York Jets
Byron Hunt, New York Giants
Roland James, New England Patriots
Ronnie Lapette, New England Patriots
Don MacNeal, Miami Dolphins
Curtis McGriff, New York Giants
Stephen Baker, New York Giants
Scott Connover, Detroit Lions
Pete Shaw, San Diego Chargers/New York Giants
Willie Buchanon, Green Bay Packers/ San Diego Chargers
Mark Duper, Miami Dolphins
Elmer Bailey, Miami Dolphins/ Baltimore Colts

2001
H.R. Silvagni, Minnesota Vikings
Bubba Winkler, Atlanta Falcons
Carlos Bradley, San Diego Chargers/Philadelphia Eagles
David Little, Pittsburgh Steelers
PJ Foster, Houston Oilers
Terry White, Philadelphia Eagles
Kent Hill, Los Angeles Rams
Lee Rouson, New York Jets
Russell Carter, New York Jets
Roland James, New England Patriots
Ronnie Lippett, New England Patriots
Curtis McGriff, New York Giants
Scott Conover, Detroit Lions
Ed Hargrove, Minnesota Vikings

2003
Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
Eddie George, Tennessee Titans
Paul Tagliabue, NFL
Duce Staley, Philadelphia Eagles
Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins
Zach Thomas, Miami Dolphins
Shelton Quarles,Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Marvin Jones, New York Jets

2004
Keith Brooking, Atlanta Falcons
Warrick Dunn, Atlanta Falcons
Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens
Paul Tagliabue, NFL
Marco Rivera, Green Bay Packers
Brian Baldinger, Dallas Cowboys
Merton Hanks, NFL
Mike Haynes, NFL

2005
Warrick Dunn, Atlanta Falcons
Larry Izzo, New England Patriots

2006
Bryce Fisher, Seattle Seahawks
Patrick Kerney, Atlanta
Max Starks, Pittsburgh Steelers

2007
Alge Crumpler, Atlanta Falcons
Shelton Quarles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Will Shields, Kansas City Chiefs
Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots

2008
Luis Castillo, San Diego Chargers
Tommie Harris, Chicago Bears
Mike Rucker, Carolina Panthers
Roger Goodell, NFL
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants

2009
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings
Will Witherspoon, St. Louis Rams
Danny Clark, New York Giants
Tom Coughlin, New York Giants
Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jeff Fisher, Tennessee Titans
Jon Gruden, Oakland Raiders /Tampa Bay Buccaneers
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens

2010
Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns
Mario Williams, Houston Texans
Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings
Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals
John Fox, Carolina Panthers
Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles

2011
Merril Hoge, Pittsburgh Steelers
Matt Millen, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins
Anthony Muñoz, Cincinnati Bengals
Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans
Jim E. Mora, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts
Jim L. Mora, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks
Ken Whisenhunt, Arizona Cardinals

2012
Jason Baker, Carolina Panthers
Dhani Jones, Cincinnati Bengals
Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns
Takeo Spikes, San Diego Chargers
Eric Winston, Houston Texans
Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh Steelers/CBS
Leslie Frazier, Minnesota Vikings
Ben Kotwica, New York Jets
Eric Mangini, New York Jets/Cleveland Browns/ESPN

2013
Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos
D'Qwell Jackson, Cleveland Browns
Davin Joseph, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts/ESPN
Donnie Edwards, Kansas City Chiefs/San Diego Chargers
Chris Draft, Atlanta Falcons with other teams
Eric Metcalf, Atlanta Falcons, with many others

2014
Akiem Hicks, New England Patriots
Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns
Brian Banks, NFL
Will Svitek, Tennessee Titans
Brandon Fields, Miami Dolphins
Pierre Garcon, Washington redskins
Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints

2015
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts
Dwayne Allen , Indianapolis Colts
David DeCastro, Pittsburgh Steelers

Credit: USO   Chuck Pagano

2016
Chuck Pagano,  Indianapolis Colts
Mike Adams, Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Castonzo, Indianapolis Colts
Pat McAfee, Indianapolis Colts
D'Qwell Jackson, Indianapolis Colts

2017
Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans
Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints
Byron Maxwell, Miami Dolphins
Source: USO.com

My suggestion to NFL Media Relations people is to update their media guides with their players who have made this trip. Most have already done so, but a few have missed the Viet-Nam era travelers.

Hank Bauer visiting with sailors.

Photos taken by US Military photographers and used under fair use claim for education & criticism.

At Least He Was Thorough

UPDATE

By John Turney

 Gary Myers is reporting in the New York Daily News that Terrell Owens bought a gold jacket with his NFL stats on the back.

Well, as long as it has complete stats and not just the couple of career stats repeated as a mantra by T.O. supporters, it's fine with us.

1972 NFL Films "Best of the Week" Awards

LOOKING BACK
by John Turney

Though not a specific "player of the week" award, in 1972 NFL Films, via Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier, choose their "Best of the Week" award and announced it at the end of their weekly syndicated show This Week in Pro Football.

Here are the winners:

Late in the season they picked quite a few teams for the award, but most of the time it was a player or two. Joe Namath's 496-yard passing game was noted, as was Roman Gabriel's  12/23 225-yard, 2 TD, zero pick and 115.3-rated game versus the 49ers. Larry Brown won it twice as well as capturing the MVP award and tied for the most Courageous Player of the Year with two others.

Rams 20-Yards Per-catch Receivers—Twenty of The,

 By John Turney 

Harold Jackson

In Rams franchise history they have had 20 players that averaged (rounded) twenty yards per catch (25 catches minimum). The most recent was 2000 when Torrry Holt averaged 19.9 yards a catch. They've had three seasons 26.0 yards per catch or over which is three of the ten times it has happened. 

Crazy Legs Hirsch and Flipper Anderson each have three of the top 20 Rams franchise seasons. 

Here is the list—

2010s All-Decade Quarterback, Does Tom Brady Have it Locked Up?

LOOKING AHEAD
By John Turney

In three years the Hall of fame selection committee will vote on a 2010s All-Decade Team, as they have every ten years since 1970. (They will also be charged with voting for a 100th Anniversary Team as well).

We've completed seven years of the decade and some positions may be locked up, others are more wide open.

One that seems fairly locked up is quarterback, though it is not 100%. Tom Brady has the stats, two Super Bowl rings, and an MVP and the best record among quarterbacks.

Aaron Rodgers is, at this point, the next-best with a Super Bowl win, two MVPs, and better stats than Brady.

The next three years will tell the tale. If Brady keeps up what he's been doing, defying his age and keeping the Patriots in the thick of things he should hold off Rodgers.

However, if Rodgers can win a Super Bowl or even another MVP, he could challenge Brady.

Here is a look at the 2010-2016 stats, courtesy of Pro Football Reference:
(Click to enlarge)

Drew Brees leads in yards and touchdowns at this point with Rodgers and Brady next. Philip Rivers has had a  good decade but has a losing record. Matt Ryan, were he to get to a win a Super Bowl and another MVP has a shot, but would have to almost replicate what he did in 2016 to make a run of it.

So, in this post-Super Bowl, pre-combine lull, what do you think? Brady? Rodgers? Someone else? We will be examining all positions over this off-season so stay tuned.

Youth and the Promised Land: The Champion 1945 Cleveland Rams

LOOKING BACK
By T.J. Troup

QB-S Bob Waterfield

This story begins with a recommendation by John Turney to read James Sulecki's book on the history of the Cleveland Rams. It was Very enjoyable and impressive research done by the author. He does an admirable job on the climatic 1945 season, yet there are some details that fans just might want to know.

The NFL had two very important rule changes in 1945 that Mr. Sulecki does not write about. The first; and most important:  Free substitution was adopted on a temporary basis for the third year in a row and was abandoned after the season and not re-adopted until 1949. The rule change served the Rams well.

The second is moving the hash marks from 15 yards to 20 yards from the sideline. Running a sweep into the boundary before was very difficult, but with the rule change any team with decent speed in their backfield could sure take advantage of this rule change.

The Rams had not had much success in their short history. The champion Packers and an improved Detroit Lion team looked to be the best in the Western conference. The youthful Rams might have been considered be a "spoiler", but a contender? Likely not.

Let's take a look at coaching and personnel. First-year head coach Adam Walsh with strong assistance from George Trafton molded and taught a team that from the outset of the season played cohesive defense. Veteran Floyd Konetsky and Howard "Red" Hickey shared the left defensive end position, while Steve Pritko was superb at right defensive end  (John Turney will detail the line play in a companion piece to this story).

E-DE Steve Pritko, shown here in 1946 in Los Angeles

Elbie Schultz was the nominal starter at left defensive tackle, and rookie Gil Bouley was rock solid starting at right defensive tackle. The starting middle guard was rookie Milan (Mike) Lazetich. What Lazetich lacked in bulk, he more than made up for in shedding blocks and pursuit.

Though Roger Eason got playing time at tackle; the key man rotating in at middle guard and tackle was strong stalwart rookie Len Levy. His background in wrestling coupled with his size made him a difficult man to move.

The Rams usually employed a 5-3-3 defense with late round draft pick Pat West starting and playing well at left linebacker. Second-year man Mike "Mo" Scarry started at right linebacker. Strong in pursuit, he was an outstanding pass defender that compares favorably with Mel Hein and Bulldog Turner. Rookie Joe Winkler spelled both Scarry and West.

The key man for the Rams was starting All-Pro middle linebacker Riley "Rattlesnake" Matheson. When the Rams shifted to a 6-2 defense Matheson would become the left defensive guard.

RB-DB Fred Gehrke

Fred Gehrke usually started at left corner, and Jim Gillette at right corner (and he also saw some action at left corner). Gehrke had his moments on defense with interceptions, but Gillette was far superior in coverage and forcing the run.

Bob Waterfield recorded six interceptions during the campaign (three in the victory over Green Bay) and was a willing tackler. When Bob needed a breather the Rams were very fortunate to have veteran Albie Reisz at safety. He displayed range and tackling ability. George Koch attempted to play corner as a backup, and struggled.

How many teams with a history of losing have ever been able to open a season with back-to-back home shutouts? The offense needed time to gel and with a quick-pursuing defense the Cardinals and Bears could not get into the end zone. The Rams recorded those two victories and then the road trip began.

The offense scored 68 points in crushing the Packers and Bears on their own home fields. The Rams wanted a balanced offense, yet the passing attack was not in peak form the first two weeks as Reisz and rookie Waterfield completed just 9 of 34 passes for only 111 yards.

The productive rushing attack needed help and Waterfield began to supply down the field accuracy as he punctured the secondaries of Green Bay and Chicago to the tune of 23 completions for 390 yards. A balanced offense must have a line that can both drive and pass block.

Tackles Bouley and Schultz, guards Matheson and Lazetich were consistent and did the job. Mo Scarry had a fine season at center. Since Matheson is so valuable on defense; someone must rotate in for him and that someone was "Stumpy" Art Mergenthaler, who lacked experience but he earned his letter with solid play at the guard position.

Rb-DB Jim Gillette

Fred Gehrke (most famous for inventing logos on NFL helmets) played both halfback positions, and rank fourth in the league in rushing. Quick and speedy he could break a long run at any time.  Jim Gillette started at the other halfback post and ranked fifth in the league in rushing. He was a smooth, tough effective runner.

FB Don Greenwood

Strategy in the T-formation usually involves man-in-motion, and both these men are seen often doing so. Don Greenwood is the nominal starter at fullback, yet he would also move to halfback and follow Pat West on power plays. Greenwood demonstrated power up the middle, yet once loose in the secondary he would shift into overdrive and run outside. He finished sixth in the league in rushing.

Waterfield did not run often but when he did he was effective. No one and I mean NO ONE could run the naked bootleg like Bob. He would usually save this play for goal line situations.

E Jim Benton, shown here in 1946 being guarded by Otto Graham

Right end Steve Pritko was productive catching the ball. He ran the corner route very well and scored four times during the campaign. Left end Jim Benton has a season for the ages. Yes, he gained over 1,000 yards receiving, but a closer look tells us much more. The NFL plays 16 games in a season now, and if we take Benton's last eight games and double his totals he would have 88 passes for 2,116 yards! He is not explosive-fast, yet his height, long strides, and superb hands give rookie Waterfield a target to go to.

The 4-0 Rams journeyed to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles before the largest crowd ever at Shibe Park (over 38,000) and we will cover that game in some detail.

The Eagles kickoff and early in the game but neither team could move the ball consistently. Philadelphia uses a unique strategy against the Rams in that number 51 (defensive lineman Enio Conti) will leave his position and go with the halfback that is in motion to assist in coverage. Right defensive tackle Al "Ox" Wistert from his stand-up position will crash down into the left offensive guard and create havoc all game. His strength and quickness allow him to pursue with a vengeance as he makes tackle after tackle and usually draws more than one blocker.

In the following two clips you can see Conti cover the HB from his tackle position and see Wistert (number 70 at right tackle) in a two-point stance and him drawing double-teams. These are typical plays from the Eagles scheme that day:

Cleveland receives the first opportunity with Konetsky recovering a fumble in Eagle territory, but West gives the ball back. Early in the second quarter the Rams again have excellent field position, but again they turn the ball over on a faulty exchange between Waterfield and Gehrke. The defenses continued to dominate, until late in the quarter when Gillette gains 13 on a counter, and Greenwood on a delay/draw pounds out 24.

Jim Benton

Waterfield then completes to Benton for 18 yards. Next, Cleveland motions into a single back wing alignment but Waterfield misfires incomplete. Benton is split left, and Pritko stays in to block with a full house backfield, thus max protection. Big Jim gets behind right corner Mel Bleeker and safety Steve Van Buren is too late to make a play on the well-thrown pass by Waterfield. Benton stretches and makes a finger-tip catch inches above the ground and a Cleveland 7-0 lead.

Then, LeRoy Zimmerman rolls right and heaves a pass 60 yards in the air to a wide open Jack Ferrante who has gotten behind George Koch. They were tied at the half.

Van Buren did a little lugging the leather in this game, as Rattlesnake Matheson again makes open-field tackles, seemingly all day. Van Buren led the NFL in rushing that season, but that day gained only 22 yards on 14 carries.

 An exchange of punts brings about a new strategy as Zimmerman flips to Ferrante over and over again on short tosses between the linebackers. The drive culminates with Zimmerman crashing into the end zone behind fine block by Vic Sears.

The rest of the third quarter is much of the same with neither team moving the ball consistently. Cleveland's drive early in the 4th quarter runs out of gas, and again after an exchange of punts the Rams are backed up deep in their own territory on fourth down. The Eagle rush blocks the punt and takes over on the Cleveland seventeen yard-line.

Mel Bleeker carried three times inside the ten yard-line, and then, behind Bucko Kilroy's block gave Philadelphia a commanding 21-7 lead.

Reisz comes in at quarterback and gives to Gillette and who fumbles the ball to the Eagles. This time the Cleveland defense rose to the occasion and forced a punt.

With Waterfield back in at quarterback the Rams begin an attempt at a comeback but his errant pass is pilfered by Zimmerman who returns to the Ram twenty-one yard line. Left handed Allie Sherman is in at quarterback, and his mobility allows him to fire down the field to Flip McDonald for 21 yards and a touchdown. *An interesting side note from this game; Hickey would pass rush after Sherman, and fifteen years later Hickey would trade an aging Y.A. Tittle from the 49ers to Sherman's New York Giants.

A hustling Pat West nails McDonald at the wall outside the end zone. That caused fans, police, and players converge on the area until order is restored which, as you can see, too a while

Reisz will finish the game at quarterback for Cleveland and pitch a beauty down the middle to Harvey Jones for a 44-yard touchdown (Pro Football Reference incorrectly lists this as a Waterfield touchdown pass). The Philadelphia victory puts them back in the race with Washington, while the Ram loss gives hope to both Detroit and Green Bay.

After the Eagles game, the Rams stayed on the East Coast, and win in New York 21-17. They finally return home and take care of Green Bay 20-7 in a game where the Ram secondary intercepts 7 passes (three each by Waterfield and Gillette). Waterfield was a precision-passer at this point in the season as he completes 11 of 15 passes for 229 yards and 3 scores in the victory in Chicago over the Cardinals.

At five minutes to eleven in the morning on Thanksgiving Day as the captains met for the coin toss for the Western conference showdown between the Lions and Rams. Cleveland goes nowhere to begin the tilt but the Fenenbock's long pass on first st down is intercepted by Gillette.

Third down for the Rams and Benton runs an out pattern and catches the well-timed throw from Waterfield. Right corner Dave Ryan is late on the tackle, and the long-legged receiver gallops 46 yards to the Detroit seventeen yard line before Tassos and deShane can haul him down.

Gehrke sweeps right for 17 yards and a touchdown on the well-blocked play (again PFR there is an error as the run was not 23 yards).

Hickey puts pressure on Fenenbock, but the agile tailback escapes and fires over the middle. The tipped ball is intercepted by Matheson. Cleveland cannot capitalize as Damon Tassos intercepts and returns 22 yards to the Ram twenty-two.

Jack Matheson then drops a sure touchdown pass, and Detroit has to punt and that is followed by a Cleveland punt and Andy Farkas returned the kick to the Cleveland forty-nine before Pritko can make the tackle. On the ensuing drive, Fenenbock bounces off tacklers, and as he runs to the Ram seven before the ever-hustling Steve Pritko brings him down from behind. Lions used an unbalanced single-wing formation as Bob Westfall scores from the three and the score is knotted at 7.

When Detroit has the ball next coach Gus Dorais uses one of his classic plays as fullback Westfall lofts a pass up the sideline to tailback Fenenbock for 30 yards. Gehrke then intercepts deep in Ram territory to quell the drive. His 14-yard return puts the ball on the Cleveland thirty, and Waterfield who has by this time in the season built a synergy with Benton fires to him down the middle on a crossing route. On the pass defensive back Chuck DeShane goes for the ball and missed and it was a touchdown for the Rams.

Dick Weber entered the game for Detroit on the next drive and is very inaccurate on his passes. The Lions punt, and in the next Rams drive Benton makes a brilliant diving catch for 31 yards to put the ball on the Detroit forty-three. Waterfield then rolled right and lofted the ball deep to Benton for 38 yards to the Lion one yard line. Waterfield bootlegs beautifully and Cleveland leads 21-7.

Four minutes remain in the half and the resilient Lions run a reverse on the kickoff. Weber again misfires with Mo Scarry intercepting in Cleveland territory on his deep zone drop.

In the third quarter and Gehrke records his second interception of the day and returns to midfield. Waterfield again finds Benton open; this time on a crossing route for 32 yards to the Lion sixteen. Again Tassos and DeShane make the tackle. Detroit staves off the Rams with a fumble recovery, but a short punt after the offense went nowhere had Cleveland in striking distance again.

The film shows the Lions tried to align and take away Benton but that move leaves Pritko is wide open in the end zone on his corner pattern and a Cleveland lead of 28-7.

Nine minutes left in the 3rd quarter, and the Rams are driving again when the get the ball. Linebacker Damon Tassos makes a one-handed interception inside the five-yard line.

In the fourth quarter  no. 51 Dick Booth makes a spectacular and miraculous catch of a long pass, and trundles into the end zone allowing that the Lions could make a game of it. The Lions next drive, though, ends with a fumble recovered by Gil Bouley.

Cleveland, now staying on the ground, cannot keep the ball. One of the best match-ups of the game is between center Mo Scarry and middle guard Bill Radovich during this sequence of plays. Farkas returns the Cleveland punt to the forty-six-yard line. Fenenbock, on a wing reverse, sweeps right and gained 26 yards to the twenty. Anvil Andy Farkas then gains 23 to the three-yard line. Right end Ed Frutig delays after his down block and is open in the end zone for the touchdown as Detroit narrows the gap to seven.

Two minutes then remained but Cleveland recovers Westfall's onside kick. Cleveland is now the Western conference champion! The Rams dispatch Boston 20-7 to finish 9-1 as Waterfield again has an excellent day passing.

Waterfield in the 1948.

James Sulecki details the Championship game so well there is no need for me to do so. Sammy Baugh won a championship as a rookie in 1937 and in 1945 faced a rookie in the title game under arctic conditions. What does stand out are the passing stats for these two T-formation quarterbacks during the campaign of 1945. Baugh played in all ten games of the season and his passer rating in the eight Redskin victories is an amazing 123.8! Cleveland receivers, led by Benton, average 18.7 yards a catch for the last eight games of the year as Waterfield truly was a difference maker for Adam Walsh and the Rams.

Waterfield was voted the NFL MVP as a rookie and was awarded the Joe Carr Trophy. Ask yourself how many rookie quarterbacks were both a starter on an NFL championshio team and also the NFL MVP and led his team the the NFL's bext record?