Mike Kenn—Never A Hall of Fame Finalist?

OPINION
By John Turney

Art Credit: Chuck Ren

There has been some good publicity for Mike Kenn recently, the Talk of Fame Network has done a couple of fine pieces on his career for example. But since this is his final year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame as a modern day player, perhaps a review of his case is in order.

Back in the day, when we first began to follow the Hall of Fame process, longevity in career was considered a plus. The theory was sustained greatness was a tremendous thing. Yes, it did leave out some players who had shorter careers for a while, but when Dwight Stephenson was rightly voted in it showed that quality was important, as well as quality.

When the de facto battle between Stephenson and Mike Webster for the Hall of Fame occurred, we spoke to Will McDonough after the Class of 1996 was announced and Webster was not included, likely because of the strong support of Stephenson and the thought that at his peak he was superior to Webster. When I mentioned Webster to McDonough he just shook his head and muttered, "seventeen years".

All's well that ends well because Webster got in in 1997 and Stephenson in 1998. One note is though Webster played 17 years, he started for 15 years. Which brings us to Mike Kenn.

Kenn played for and started for 17 years. Other tackles have played for more years, namely Jackie Slater. However, Slater was groomed for three years before starting and his final year was kind of a gimme, 1 game, 1 start, 17 plays. Yes, it counts but was it meaningful? Not really. Kenn, though, started all of his 17 seasons and that kind of longevity for a tackle is unheard of, unprecedented even. No one has more starting seasons as a tackle in the history of the game.

Seventeen years as a starter. Think about it. Munoz's total was 13. Walter Jones, Jonathan Ogden and Orlando Pace, the three most recent tackle inductees started for 12 or 13 or so, depending on how one counts injury seasons.

The following is a compilation of information collected by us and sent to us from other researchers and writers about Mike Kenn's career. Our view is it makes a strong case for his candacy for the Hall of Fame and time is of the essence in that if Kenn does not make it this year (Class of 2019) then he goes into a pool of names not so kindly dubbed "the Senior Swamp", where there are scores of great names with little chance of making the Hall of Fame.

Kenn was a rookie starter and though he struggled some, he was an All-Rookie selection. In 1979 he was gaining national notice with Gannett News Service's and Pro Football Weekley's  Joe Buchsbaum writing, “Tall, long-legged, rawboned youngster with great speed, very quick feet, and superb blocking skills”. Buchsbaum rated him as the 9th best tackle in the NFL for that year.

In 1980 Kenn was All-Pro, and was rated 5th in NFL by Proscout, Inc. and 6th by Buchsbaum. Here are Buchsbaum's pre- mid- or post-season comments, year-by-year about Kenn.
1980—"Great pass blocker with quick feet and long arms. Keeps getting better and better”
1981—“Kenn is a great athlete with quick, quick feet and tight end’s feet”
1982—"Anthony Munoz, Marvin Powell, and Mike Kenn are the premier players. Kenn is the best pass blocker but not as strong as the others. Kenn is an excellent pass blockers with quick feet and excellent balance."
1983—"The finest pass blocking skills in football, Kenn is a superb athlete with long arms and quick feet."
1985—“Not as physically overpowering as some but as difficult to beat as any. Pass protection is Kenn’s forte."
1986—Bauchsbaum stated Kenn "should have been in the Pro Bowl" and was “snubbed” from the Pro Bowl.

Here’s where Joel Buchsbaum ranked Kenn in his pre-season or mid-season ratings:
1978 – Rookie
1979 – 9th
1980 – 6th
1981 – 1st (Marvin Powell was 2nd; Munoz, 3rd)
1982 – 2nd
1983 – 2nd
1984 – 1st (Powell was 2nd;; Munoz, 3rd)
1985 – 1st (Munoz 2nd)
1986 – 2nd
1987 – 9th
1988 – 26th
1989 – Not ranked among 15 tackles listed
1990 – Not ranked among 25 tackles listed
1991 – 12th
1992 – 5th
1993 – 7th
1994 – 13th

Things did slow down for a couple of years. In the late 1980s, Kenn didn't garner post-season honors such as Pro Bowls and was not rated as one of the top few tackles in the game.

However, in 1990, Proscout, Inc., ranked him as the 3rd best tackle in the NFL. In 1991 he was a consensus First-team All-Pro. Here is a complete list of Kenn's post-season honors:

1980—Consensus All-Pro (AP, PFWA, NEA, PFW, SI, Gannett)

1981—Also named First-team All-Pro by Boston Globe

1982—Also named First-team All-Pro by Sports Illustrated and Gannett News

1983—Also named First-team All-Pro by PFW, Los Angeles Times and Gannett News

1984—Also named First-team All-Pro by Gannett News

1986—Named Second-team All-Pro by Gannett News 

1988—Named First alternate to the Pro Bowl

1990—Named First-team All-Pro by Sports Illustrated

1991—Consensus All-Pro (AP, PFWA, NEA, PFA, SN)

1992 —Named to Boston Globe and Milwaukee Journal

Additionally, he was the NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year by the NFLPA in 1981 and 1982.

At Pro Football Journal we count as semi-official the AP, PFWA, NEA, Sporting News, Pro Football Weekly All-Pro teams. They are the ones who are used in Total Football: Official NFL Encyclopedia and are accepted by the NFL CBA. However, looking at esoteric teams chosen by the likes of Will McDonough, Paul Zimmerman, Joel Buchsbaum is informative.

Using just the "semi-official" All-Pro teams here is how Kenn compares to Hall of Famers and a few other tackles who have been on the Hall of Fame finalist list.

As can be seen, Kenn's honors compare favorably to Tony Boselli and Joe Jacoby, as well as Slater and others. He does lack the All-Decade designation. Jacoby and Boselli were both Second-team selections on the official Hall of Fame All-Decade teams. But it is worth noting that Gary Zimmerman was a 1980s Second-team selection and it's questionable to whether he should have been because he only played four seasons in the 1980s. He would have been a lock for the 1985-95 mythical team, but four years in the 1980s seems a bit light and either Kenn or Slater would have been a better fit for the decade of the 1980s.

Here is a list of the official team and some other publications as we published here:

So, it's arguable that the lack of an official All-Decade team shouldn't really be a big negative for Kenn, just as it wasn't for Slater who also didn't make the official team.

To us, a HOF should have it all, Honors, statistics, and what we call "testimonials" or "what they said" comments. Those are quotes from opposing players or coaches about the skills of a player. Also, there could be intangibles in a player's case as well. What are the intangibles? Well, if they were definable they would be tangibles. Leadership and playing with pain are two examples.

Here are some quotes about Kenn that seem to indicate he was one of the best and that his greatness led to being All-Pro in his third year and in his fourteenth year.

Dan Hampton 
“I would like to make a few comments on behalf of Mike Kenn, the fine left tackle of the Atlanta Falcons. Over the 1980’s the Bears had many games vs Atlanta and their excellent offensive line. In my estimation, Mike was the best player on maybe the best line in football.

"Equally adept at run or pass blocking, he was a fixture as a starter in the Pro Bowl for countless years. He, Munoz, and Covert were simply the best left tackles [easily the more difficult position of the two OT slots] in all of football. In a humorous way, he would force me to bring my “A” game every time we played because I knew Richard Dent would have his hands full all day, a fantastic player for well over a decade.”

Chris Doleman
"He was the prototype at the time. He moved well, great technique. He had great success against some great players. Hall of Famer? Yes, in my opinion."

Clyde Simmons
"Mike Kenn is a player who didn’t get the recognition he deserved. When he played he was one of the top five left tackles in the game. Rarely making a mistake on a pass set and a better run blocker than given credit for. If Mike was in a major media market like New York, the world would have known of how great a player he was. He wasn’t a flashy player which draws so much attention, but consistency was Mike Kenn."

Steve Bartkowski
“Mike Kenn should be in Canton,” Bartkowski said. “He was the best offensive tackle in football, if not the best, one of the top two or three for 17 years."

Art Shell 
When asked about the Hall of Fame and Mike Kenn Shell said, "Does he fit with that group? You're damned right he does. When he came into the league, he was the trendsetter of sorts. You know, tall, angular guy with a big wingspan. Then the game sort of gravitated toward the 300-pounders, "The Hogs" and people like that, and he was still excellent. And now it's come back his way again, and he's still good. My only question is, why's he leaving? On film, he looks damn good to me."

(In 1994 Shell has studied Kenn in person and on film this year and calls his play "among the best" he's ever seen.)
"He's a future 'Hall' guy, sure. If the folks who do the voting have any sense about them, he'll walk right in when it's his time. He's a master at some forgotten skills, a guy who still pays attention to the detail stuff that's foreign to a lot of linemen nowadays.''

Leslie O'Neal 
It was like playing against a human textbook"

Al "Bubba" Baker 
(Kenn) became the best tackle I ever faced, technically perfect. Kenn was No. 1, Anthony Munoz second, Jim Lachey third."

Pat Swilling 
"I am not talking about Mike Kenn this week, I'll talk to you about anything but Mike Kenn. People have created a monster, and each time we play Atlanta, this monster seems to get bigger and bigger."

"It was tough going up against him but it was fun because it was such a challenge, he always knew what I was trying to do, whether it was making a move on the inside or blitzing on the outside. He's definitely a dying breed, a lot of the younger guys just don't prepare like Mike does. Every trick in the book? To tell you the truth, he might have written the book."

Bill Walsh (Offensive line coach)
 "Mike is not a power blocker, but he has real quick feet and is able to force his man to the outside, I've never seen anybody with his agility or quickness".

Fred Dryer 
"Kenn was a very fine player; big, smooth, with very good feet and balance with great technique and focus, very tough-minded and very mean."

Jackie Slater 
"He's always been considered by my teammates to be a very formidable foe, he's always brought more to the table than just athleticism. The thing I've been most impressed with is his adaptability. He played well when they were primarily a running team and he has played well in this wide-open offense."

John Madden (When picking his ultimate team in early 1980s)
 “I’d put Atlanta’s Mike Kenn at one tackle. He may be the best technical pass blocker in the league right now.”

 Len Pasquarelli 
"Members of the NFL's influential Competition Committee, which proposes rules changes and decided on areas of emphasis for on-field officiating, have frequently used video of Kenn to demonstrate pass blocking techniques."

Bill McPherson 

“Mike Kenn was something else. We played against him in the same division. You talk about a big sucker who could play. He was tough. Run block. Pass block. We didn’t know how the hell we could get by this guy. Fred Dean did it some. But Kenn was a hell of a football player. I’d say just a step below Anthony Munoz.”

(McPherson said that he thought Gary Zimmerman unquestionably should be in the Hall of Fame, but he’d give Kenn  a slight edge if he was comparing the two)

Jim Hanifan

“No question about it (that he’s a Hall of Famer). I coached Michael for three years. The guy was a great fricking football player. He was a great pass protector. As tall as he was, 6-7, I’d look at him and think, ‘God, he’s like a quarter horse.’ He could bend his knees so well. And he used his hands so well. He really struck, really punched. 

"How he could get so low and have leverage was amazing to me. He had longevity. He had durability. And he could pass protect out of his mind. He was great.”

"I just took out some film of him today to look at and, while I marvel at what he's done this season, I probably shouldn't be shocked by it. You're talking about a guy who knows and thoroughly understands his craft so well. If someone ever sits down to write a textbook about all the little intricacies and components of pass-blocking, for instance, they'd have to start by talking to Mike. Someone ought to put the films from this year into a time capsule. His career ought to be bronzed."

Mike Giddings Sr. 

“I’ve been doing this 32 years and if a guy is in the top 10 four or five times in his career – and it’s usually a short span – he’s worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. With that in mind, here’s a comparison of Kenn and (Anthony) Munoz. Kenn is nine times among the top eight tackles. Munoz is 10 times in the top 10. 

"We also do colors and blue is our top color. Those are your playmakers. Then reds are your solid starters. But years of blue is extremely important. Munoz 10 times with a blue. In nine years, Kenn had blue boxes. And I’ve always considered Munoz the best modern tackle of all-time. So Kenn has to be right there. 

"(Gary) Zimmerman is a left tackle who ought to be in the Hall of Fame. I could look up how many times Zimmerman was in the top 10, but he was a softer run blocker than Kenn. With Kenn, four of his first five years was a blue run-blocker. I’m not sure Zimmerman was ever a blue run-blocker. He was an elite pass blocker. Another thing about Kenn was that we had him at 287 and our 40 time was 4.8. These are outstanding P.Q.s.”

Here are the rankings and colors Giddings was referring to.

Statistically, it is hard to quantify offensive tackles. So many things go into it. Stats, LLC, since 1994 began to track sacks allowed and penalties committed by offensive linemen in the NFL. Their numbers are sort of a neutral observer and are often higher than the same stats given in offensive lineman coaches charts. But, it's the best we can do.

The following chart shows Kenn's totals by our research and the Stats, LLC numbers for other recent HOF and HOF caliber tackles:

The above numbers are per sixteen games. Kenn averaged just under 2 holding penalties and 4 total penalties per season and just under 5 sacks allowed per season. Orlando Pace didn't hold a lot but had an issue with false starts, Ogden and Jones were excellent at avoiding penalties. All averaged about 5 to 5½ sacks a season as per Stats, LLC. So, in a rough comparison, Kenn is right there with those guys.

Our own film study of about 25 Falcons game show what the comments, stats, and honors show. With his right hand down, Kenn was light on his feet, and was very quick. He didn't get confused on stunts by the linemen when they'd twist or cross. Didn't seem to get beat, especially when games were on the line, which is saying a lot. We don't suppose our study would supplant what Giddings or Shell or Hanifan have said, but we do concur with what they said, for what little that is worth.

Closing thoughts
We are very aware that there is a push for Tony Boselli's candidacy to be the first Jacksonville Jaguar to be inducted. Boselli is worthy and will get it. However, if it happens this year rather than in the very near future what cost will it come with it? It already, in our view it cost Joe Jacoby a slot in the Hall of Fame. With limited slots and many good candidates sometimes positions get stacked and wide receivers compete with wide receivers and safeties compete with safeties and tackles compete with tackles.

Right or wrong, it is our view that this kind of things a happens. And that kind of debate knocked Jacoby out of the finals and now into the senior pool.

Now, if Kenn were to make it to the Final 15, if he does not get past Boselli (again, HOF-worthy) he will be in the same position as Jacoby. In a big pool of great players who were overlooked. Not exactly an Island of Misfit Toys for close. Kenn had too good a career to be relegated to that (So did Joe Jacoby but that ship has sailed).

But if it comes to fairness and an apples to apples comparisons, here is Boselli's complete career compared to the first seven years of Kenn's career.

So that chart begs the question this begs to be put to those who honestly feel Boselli's deserves to go in before Kenn is this—Was Boselli really so superior that he deserves to leapfrog Kenn when their first seven seasons are nearly the same and then you add ten years of starting NFL football, including what was All-Pro-level football for Kenn in those ten years?

The solution is simple—vote Kenn in this year, keep him out of the swamp and vote Boselli in next year. He has time. And the evidence is, and even in my own research, these are very similar in terms of their peak. And in terms of longevity, Boselli had the bad luck, and there is no comparison.

When a player plays for and starts for 17 years, and is at an All-Pro level as early as his third year and as late as his 14th year, who ranks very near the tackle many (including us) call the G.O.A.T (Munoz), who is a technician, who players like Bubba Baker call the "best he faced", who outpaces other players at his own position who are currently up for the Hall of Fame (Boselli), whose stats are similar to other Hall of Famers in terms of penalties and sacks allowed, what is the holdup?

Just asking.

JOHN BRODIE: A 17-Year Journey

LOOKING BACK
By T.J. Troup

Art Credit: Merv Corning

When you play seventeen years in the NFL you must have enough ability to keep your position on the team. Before John Brodie's career is explored in detail, let us start with the situation he is entering into. The 1956 San Francisco 49ers have a new coach who happens to be a novice as a head coach, but knows the organization since he was once upon a time their quarterback.

The Niners struggled in 1955 under one-year head coach Red Strader, and the belief is that Frankie Albert can lead them back to prominence. He has a quarterback in Y.A. Tittle, and in the draft they take Earl Morrall. By midseason of  1956 and Morrall gets a chance to start, and though he has his moments, his rookie season is not what was expected.

San Francisco has never had a strong linebacker corps, and the trade of Morrall to Pittsburgh brings in outstanding outside linebacker Marv Matuszak. Someone has to back up Tittle and in the first-round of a very talented group of youngsters in the draft comes Stanford All-American John Brodie.

The 1957 Western Conference race is very contentious with the 49ers fighting to stay at the top thus Brodie watches from the sidelines the first six weeks. Late in game seven in a loss to the Rams John attempts his first pass late in the game. Incomplete on a long pass for Conner. The next week the contending Lions also beat San Francisco and late in the game Brodie completes 5 of 6 for 71 yards, and his first touchdown toss (20 yards to Billy Wilson). December 1st, and the Niners are in New York to battle the Giants in a game both teams must have to stay in contention.

When the Giants have the ball there are two men watching from their respective sidelines; right corner Dick Nolan of New York, and back-up quarterback John Brodie. Phil Bengston's defensive game plan is superb in blitzing Conerly into defeat. This will not be the last time Brodie & Nolan will be linked. San Francisco returns home and Tittle is injured late in the game. Brodie enters with the Niners knocking on the winning touchdown door at the Colt fourteen-yard-line. McElhenny convinces Brodie to throw a deep out in the end zone and he will be there to catch it. He does!

John Brodie gets his first start in the final game of the campaign against Green Bay at Kezar. Just one win away from meeting the Lions in a divisional play-off. Brodie struggles; Tittle comes off the bench and San Francisco wins. The disheartening home loss to Detroit in the play-offs is another lesson for John to learn as he watches the big lead evaporate. Frankie Albert decides to start Brodie instead of first team all-pro Y. A. Tittle to begin the '58 season. John plays well in the victory over Pittsburgh (quarterbacked by Earl Morrall), but the Rams hammer the Niners the next week, and for one week Tittle is back in the saddle as the starting QB.

Watching the complete game on film of the 49er victory over Philadelphia in week four shows what a young John Brodie is all about. When the Niners come out of the huddle in their tight slot formation Brodie stops, puts his hands on his hips stares at the defense and then puts his hands under center. Brodie gains 276 yards passing on 13 completions in the victory.

His first completion of the game San Francisco is tight slot left and the slot receiver R.C. Owens runs an out pattern as left split end Clyde Conner runs a slant and catches the ball for a 13-yard gain. Conner about to be tackled laterals to Owens who strides down the sideline for an additional 48 yards and Brodie's longest completion of the year. Later John fires over the middle to McElhenny for a 59-yard touchdown.

His outstanding performance allows him to start the next three games. The Rams again beat the Niners easily as Brodie again struggles. Though he throws passes in three more games he is again replaced by Tittle as the starting quarterback. 1959 begins with a new head coach in Howard "Red" Hickey. Hickey makes bold promises as San Francisco jumps out to a commanding lead in the western conference. Brodie does not attempt a pass in the first seven weeks, but late in the year he starts against both Cleveland and Baltimore as the 49ers fade to fourth place.

Hickey again states emphatically that San Francisco is a contender in 1960, and in the first game against Detroit Brodie comes off the bench and passes San Francisco to victory. He starts against the Bears in Wrigley the next week but this time the loss does not send him back to the bench. John starts the next week against Green Bay and the Phil Bengston Packer defense blankets his receivers and pressures him into an 0 for 13 performance and back to the bench.

Editor Don Schiffer put out a handbook during this time, and he would have thumbnail sketches of the players. These are quotes from Schiffer on the early part of Brodie's career. 1959 he states "nifty passing quarterback who spells Y.A. Tittle". 1960 he states "saw limited action in '59—top gunner in '58 with 59.9 completion percentage". October 30th, 1960 is a turning point for John as he again comes off the bench and guides the Niners to victory over the contending Bears. He will start the rest of the season.

San Francisco is 3-4 after the loss to Detroit, and then has two weeks to prepare for the expansion Cowboys. Brodie does not have one of his better passing games against the Landry led Cowboys (they will face each other again), but in the first half Brodie takes off and runs for gains of 25 & 30 yards! Though not considered a runner, he sure shows his athleticism and has also proven he is effective rolling out to his right. One of his top skills is his ability to fake the run and throw.

November 27th, 1960 is a fateful day in 49er history as Hickey has a so-called new game plan to limit the pass rush of the defending champion Colts. Hickey calls it the "shotgun", and is basically a form of a spread offense with wingbacks who can run or go out for passes. Much has been written about this game, yet so much more could and should have been told about this game. The Colts punt on their first possession and San Francisco on their first play from scrimmage aligns in the spread as Brodie completes to Owens for 10 yards. The Niners drive to the Baltimore fourteen before Tommy Davis kicks a field goal. First blood to the 49ers. A clipping penalty on the punt return has the Colts starting from their own six-yard line.

The master himself Johnny Hightops drive his steeds 94 yards and the lead on a pass to Berry. The next time Baltimore has the ball they drive 54 yards and score to take a 13-3 lead. San Francisco starts on their own thirty-yard line. In the spread on first down at their own forty-one, a bad snap from center in the spread formation has Brodie scampering to not only get the ball but avoid the onrushing Colts—he can't and a sack for a loss of 38 yards.

The next Baltimore drive ends with strong safety Dave Baker intercepting at his own fourteen. Brodie from the spread pitches to Owens for 29, and then Conner for 19. Last play of the half and John lofts the ball high for Owens in the end zone (let's call it the alley-oop re-visited) for 38 and a touchdown. Folks, we have ourselves a ballgame at 13-10.

During the third quarter the Niners revert back to the t-formation and drive for a touchdown by J.D. Smith and the lead. Next 49er possession back to the spread, and eventually a punt. Unitas completes two straight for 65 yards and retakes the lead 20-17. Early in the 4th quarter deep in San Francisco territory, a fumble recovered by Matt Hazeltine stops the Colts. This next drive by the Niners is the one that should have been covered in-depth, and has not been TILL NOW.

San Francisco switches from the T-formation to the spread more than once on this drive, and the key play is the 51-yard completion to Conner from the T!

Second down and eleven at the Baltimore fourteen with Brodie in the spread. The Colt defense has adjusted to the spread by going to a 3-4 look spaced evenly across the formation with Eugene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb as a stand-up linebacker to the strong side. Brodie cannot find a receiver and darts up the middle for 5 yards until a sledge hammer forearm shot from the Big Daddy knocks him out of the ballgame.

Tittle enters the game, and Davis kicks a 15-yard field goal. Unitas long pass is intercepted by Mertens on the 49er seven. Aligned in the T-formation Brodie back in the game gives to Roberts who is tackled by the Big Daddy for a safety, and the lead at 22-20. Myhra misses a field goal and with 2:32 left in the game San Francisco has one last chance. Tittle is at quarterback for two plays, and is then replaced by Bobby Waters at quarterback in the spread. The youngster completes to Dee Mackey for 20, and then again for 19, but on this second completion Mackey laterals to Owens who sprints down the sideline for the remaining 22 yards and the winning touchdown.

When Dave Baker intercepts again on a Colt flea flicker it is not Brodie at quarterback, nor Waters, but Tittle under center in the T-formation running the ball into field goal range. Davis kicks the 17- yard field goal to put the game out of reach at 30-22 with just 19 seconds left. No writer has ever written that Hickey went back to the T-formation when he was emphatic that the spread was the only way to win the game?

San Francisco beats the Rams the next week as Brodie is sensational with a short passing game setting up the showdown in Kezar against the Lombardi Packers. Brodie plays poorly, and the Packer mudders take over first place. The rematch with the Colts at Kezar is another 49er victory, but Brodie again in inaccurate.

Entering the 1961 season Hickey has decided that Brodie will be the starter. Tittle is traded to New York, and the Niners draft tailback Billy Kilmer to rotate in at quarterback with Brodie in the spread. Much has been written about the '61 campaign, the ups and downs of the Niners, and Hickey's statements of why he abandons the spread? The second half of the year in the T-formation the 49er offense is a yard gaining machine because J.D. Smith runs for yards behind an excellent offensive line, and John Brodie has matured into a quarterback that can throw accurately and shred a secondary.

The last five games of the year he completes 73 of 137 for a whopping 1,364 yards! R.C. Owens gains over 1,000 receiving, yet is the first 1,000 yard receiver in league history to not be chosen for the pro bowl. Schiffer's 1962 handbook he states "quietly coming to the top of his performance" and " not likely to run club when it shifts to the shotgun".

What a foolish statement since Hickey has decided not to be bombastic on any predictions for 1962, and though San Francisco may on occasion align in the spread, the Niners are a T-formation team with Brodie as the starter. John plays well late in the year and throws for a career-high 18 touchdowns, but San Francisco with a record of 6-8 is under .500 for the first time in Brodie's career.

The 49ers entering '63 are not only not contenders, they are void of talent at too many positions. John Brodie has recovered from his spring auto accident, and starts the first three games of '63, but his arm injury sidelines him for the rest of the season. Hickey is replaced by Jack Christiansen, and the woeful last-place 49ers are at the bottom. One final quote from Schiffer " too many varying offenses have delayed the development of John Brodie". By far the best publication in this era is Street & Smith's Pro Football. Billy Kilmer is now a running back only, and the new young talent brought in the challenge Brodie for the quarterback position is quick, hard-throwing George Mira.

Bernie Casey has improved each year and by 1964 is one of the top wide receivers in the western conference, and is joined by Dave Parks to give Brodie the best targets he has ever had. Parks needs polish and experience, yet he is the complete package: swift, sure-handed, can run every route, and is tough as nails, and relishes the opportunity to run after the catch.

Christiansen, like most coaches, would relish having a balanced offense, but the Niners are lacking talent in the running game. The offensive line is a team strength and will only get better. San Francisco begins 1964 with a 2-2 mark and Brodie is poised and accurate. San Francisco drops four straight, and Christiansen gives Mira a chance for two games, but late in the year it is back to Brodie. There are trades and drafts that re-vitalize a team.

Abe Woodson was a fine combination corner/kick returner for the Niners, yet he is traded for tough running John David Crow of the Cardinals. When healthy Crow is a lethal combination of a power runner who can catch, and block. The draft brings Ken Willard in to play the other running back position. One of the best offensive lines in football opening holes for two relentless power runners, combined with a two excellent receivers in Parks & Casey.....for the first time in many years John Brodie has weapons.

Quoting Bob Oates in the '63 Street & Smith's Yearbook "John runs well, handles the ball smoothly, and is a clever passer though is arm may not be the strongest in the league". "If he has a glaring weakness it is that he seems subject to "off" days, a distinction which is not exactly unique". For the preview of '65 Oates states "Brodie is a quarterback who can do everything a quarterback has to do pretty well. He can throw short with reasonable accuracy, he can throw far enough and he scrambles decently. The problem with John is that he isn't great at anything".

The 49ers in 1963 scored only 198 points. The 49ers in 1965 will score 421 points. Amazing what happens if you give a quarterback some weapons. Problem is the 49er defense with only a handful of decent defenders allow 402. While passing stats don't tell the complete story, they are an indicator. Brodie completes 30 of 40 for 505 yards with 5 touchdowns and no interceptions the first two games of the year. Though no quarterback in this era can maintain such gaudy numbers, he sure gives it his all. The Detroit Lions in 1965 still have a strong defense, but a substandard offense. The Minnesota Vikings have a terrific versatile offense, and a pathetic defense.

There are three very strong contenders in '65; the defending conference champion Colts led by John Unitas, a revitalized Packer team led by Bart Starr, and the surprising Chicago Bears led by rookie sensation Gale Sayers, and aided by passing champion Rudy Bukich. These three teams have defenses that can limit or even stop an opponent. Brodie does not, yet San Francisco leads the league in scoring.

John has so many excellent games that choosing which one to detail is difficult. November 28th in Minnesota Brodie gains 209 yards on his 10 completions, with 5(his all-time high) touchdown passes in a 45-24 win. Last day of the season is the game to be discussed. Brodie is coming off a decent performance in the Wrigley Field loss to the Bears where the porous defense allowed 61 points, and the team now has a 7-6 record. The opponent are the men from Green Bay who know they cannot lose since the Colts won the day before to finish 10-3-1. Brodie throws into the right flat early and larcenous Adderley left corner par excellence pilfers the pigskin and trots into the end zone.

John must not get down since he knows the Niner defense cannot stop Green Bay. Brodie does throw two more interceptions, but he also completes 26 passes against the best secondary in the league. Those 26 completions gain 295 yards, and 3 scores as San Francisco ties Green Bay forcing a playoff.

For the season Brodie sets a new standard with 242 completions. For a moment lets reflect on how many accurate passers have come before and during Brodie's career, yet he ranks first for a season in this key category. A true evaluation though must ask the question; did Brodie attempt the most passes ever in a season? The answer is no. Six times a quarterback had attempted more than 400 passes in a season (Brodie attempted 391).

Attending the Pro Bowl was always a joy for me in those days, but John had one of those days a quarterback never wants to have. Against Eastern Conference all-stars  he completed 14 of 29 for 180 yards, with 6 interceptions in the 36-7 loss. What can we expect for the 49ers in '66?

One of the publications of that era was the Pro Football Almanac (the caption at the top "The Biggest, Best Pro Football Magazine"). Who is our cover boy?  None other than John Brodie. The story on our cover boy begins with a quote from Johnny Lujack, "He seems to get better every year. He can become one of the best in the league". The story details how Brodie went to the official as team captain after Dave Parks called a timeout against the Rams. Brodie did not want the timeout and let the clock run before calling time. Davis kicks the game-winning field goal as the Rams now had only six seconds to work with.

The main question for 1966 was simple yet incisive—could the 49er offense duplicate 1965? November 13th of 1966 and we are in Chicago as the 49ers with a 4-3-1 record take on the floundering Bears. George Allen has left the Bears and is now head coach of the Rams, and as such Jim Dooley calls the defense for Chicago. He rolls the coverage to Dave Parks since Parks was prolific in '65 and off to a strong start in '66. Brodie realizes this and pinpoints Bernie Casey on the other side. Casey gains 225 yards on 12 catches in the 30-all tie.

The NFL goes through realignment in 1967 with four divisions with four teams each. The Coastal division has the low flying Falcons, but two juggernauts in Baltimore & Los Angeles. Christiansen has San Francisco off and winging with a 5-1 record, before the bottom falls out. Brodie struggles the second half of the year, and both rookie Steve Spurrier, and George Mira play down the stretch(Brodie starts just one of the last four games of the year). The highlight of the year is the victory over the Rams in the Coliseum (their only loss) as he gained 269 yards against a George Allen coached defense with 3 touchdowns. Christiansen is dismissed, and the new man in town is taciturn Dick Nolan.

Christiansen, with his background on defense, was supposed to strengthen that part of the team, and never did. Nolan also has a defensive background, and he has a systematic plan to do so. Mira plays very little, as Dick Nolan knows that Brodie can lead his team. Parks has left for New Orleans, and Bernie Casey is a Ram. A trade with Cleveland has brought in pencil-thin Clifton McNeil and Brodie instantly builds a strong connection with the former bench player as he leads the league with 71 catches for just under 1,000 yards.

The victory over the Falcons in Atlanta to close the season gives the Niners a 7-6-1 mark. For a moment lets take a look at the overall record for the last 86 games. San Francisco has won just 33. Will the Niners ever be a contender before Brodie retires? 1969 is more of the same as they win just 4 of 14. Nolan painstakingly is building the defense, and there is improvement in the pass rush, and linebacking play, but the secondary is still a work in progress.

John Brodie has another new receiver in 1969 in the rookie from Stanford Gene Washington. The youngster displays quickness, speed, and route running ability—he just needs experience.

Quoting Street & Smith's in 1970 "watch Brodie. Football has seldom presented a better pure passer". His arm injuries from '69 have supposedly healed, and the secondary with rookie Bruce Taylor and Roosevelt Taylor for his first complete season in the city by the Bay—John Brodie in his 14th season might have a contending team again? November 8th, 1970 in Wrigley Field where Brodie has won just once in his career. San Francisco enters the game with a 5-1-1 record, with the Allen Rams nipping at their heals at 5-2.

The passer rating is a tool that has served me well over the years, and Brodie's for this game is 147.5. Having the play by play and watching the highlight film though is the real indicator that John Brodie has reached the pinnacle of his career. Half-time and the Bears lead 13-10. Brodie has completed 8 of 12 for 94 yards. Chicago takes the second half kick-off and drives to the Niner twelve. Percival kicks a 19 year field goal to up the lead. The rest of the half is all Brodie at his best. He completes 13 of 16 for 223 yards. He reads the Bear blitz and delivers a deep strike to Gene Washington for 79 and a touchdown. Twice in the red zone a man who has been knocked for inability to read coverage throws to the open man for scores. During this game Brodie completed his 2,000th pass to join only three other men in this category.

In late November Brodie struggles on successive weeks in the losses to Detroit and Los Angeles, but the 7-3-1 San Francisco 49ers win their last three as player of the year John Brodie throws for seven touchdowns. The improved Nolan defense does their part, and for the first time Brodie has led San Francisco to top. The road victory over the Vikings on a frozen field in Minnesota sets up the NFC title game in the last game at Kezar. Brodie's long strike to Washington convinced Landry to roll coverage and Dallas with Thomas running sweep after sweep into the boundary (short side of the field) advance to the Super Bowl.

Being on the cover of Sports Illustrated is an achievement, and the Pro Football Issue for 1971 has John Brodie standing with hands on his hips calling out what he sees. "Here Come the 49ers". San Francisco starts 6-2 but the Rams who have beaten Frisco twice are in a position to win the division on the last day of the '71 season. Tom Brookshier & Pat Summerall commented on 31-27 win over the Lions at Candlestick on the outstanding show This Week in Pro Football—that it was one of the best games of any season. Brodie uses his ground game superbly as Ken Willard at one point carries eight of eleven plays to eat up the clock, yet the key plays are completions by Brodie to his now star wide receiver Gene Washington who torches right corner Al Clark of the Lions twice. On the Lion ten yard line Brodie drops back and runs a quarterback draw for the winning 10 yard touchdown. No doubt everyone except John was surprised that he ran on the well-executed play.

Beating the Redskins at home set up another showdown with the Landry Cowboys, and again the future Super Bowl champion Dallas played suffocating defense. The years have taken their toll, but having Spurrier is a godsend as Brodie misses plenty of playing time with injury. San Francisco is 4-4-1 with five games to go in '72. The 49er defense, with assistance from Spurrier are now at home in Candlestick to play Minnesota before 58,502 with the division title on the line.

Watching the highlights of John warming up on the sideline rotating his now ancient arm and then entering the game is moment that will be captured for all-time. Can he bring the 49ers back? Of course he can as he throws to open receivers underneath, in-between, and behind defenders. He throws 15 passes, and the Vikings snare two of them, but the sure-handed Niner receivers grab 10 for 165 yards, and the two touchdowns to win a 3rd consecutive division crown. Roger Staubach will long be remembered for his pinpoint accuracy in bringing Dallas back from the dead to beat San Francisco at Candlestick 30-28, yet Brodie has now guided San Francisco to three straight division titles. John Brodie is the starter at the beginning of '73 in his 17th campaign, but he is just not the passer he once was.

Art credit: Chuck Ren

He plays well in the October victory over New Orleans, but has very poor games against the Rams and Lions. Nolan starts him for the Saturday nationally televised game against the Steelers, but John wobbles a pass downfield that John Rowser intercepts and returns for a touchdown. He completes 6 of 12 for 79 yards in his final game.

No quarterback wants his pass to be intercepted, let alone returned for a touchdown. Brodie while he did throw his fair share of interceptions was not victimized nearly as often as many other quarterbacks in throwing a "pick six". Only 13 times in his career (five by the Rams). John Brodie attempted 1,395 passes in his career against the Lions, Bears, and Vikings, and only two were returned for scores.

Before going any further it is time to go back to quotes from publications. From '69 through the mid '70's a new football magazine came on the horizon; Pro Quarterback.  The magazine was at times insightful, and sure had some strong opinions. February of '71: "John Brodie always has had a style which impresses people, whether they're teammates, rivals or professional observers". "If I had an obstacle course for passes" said one scout, "where they had to throw a variety of passes, I think Brodie would rank right up there at the top. Maybe behind Joe Namath, but right in there with Unitas and Jurgensen".

October of '71 Brodie is on the cover and the story on him: A Championship for San Francisco? A quote from John himself: "I always thought if the pieces were put together properly, our direction would be up. And it is. We're in a better position now than we were even at the close of last season".  1972 Super Bowl issue there is an evaluation of the quarterbacks and he ranks at the top with a "4" in set-up speed & throwing ability, but just 2.5 for reaction under pressure. The article states that scouts saw deficient areas, thus he failed to convince them of his ability overall.

That said, as a man who coached receivers at the college level, and worked with quarterbacks—my view of John Brodie's career watching film of him is as follows. He is just a cut below being a Hall of Fame quarterback due to his inconsistency. What stands out about Brodie is simple—R.C. Owens gained 1,000 yards receiving with Brodie, and did nothing after he left San Francisco. Parks & Casey had standout seasons and games catching passes from John. Parks in particular has stated that he should have never left Frisco.

Casey, though he played well with Gabriel and the Rams, was at his best in Frisco. Clifton McNeil had one monster year with Brodie, and did very little anywhere else. Gene Washington was on his way to superstardom with Brodie, yet when John was injured and then retired Washington just did not catch as many passes. John Brodie could build a synergy with a receiver that only the greats can do. A receiver can run a sharp route, get open, and have sure hands, yet he has to have someone to throw the ball with timing and accuracy. John Brodie displayed that over and over.

Issues with Recent Owners and the Pro Football Hall of Fame

OPINION
By John Turney

For the last couple of years, in my memory anyway, there has been plenty of media about how Pat Bowlen has been disrespected because a few other owners/contributors have made the Pro Football Hall of Fame before him. Much of it came from the Denver media but possibly from elsewhere.

In 2014 the Pro Football Hall of Fame added a contributor category to honor those who didn't play or  coach but who significantly contributed to the NFL. I am told it wasn't supposed to be a defacto "owner" slot and so far it's been split between owners and general manager types.

It would be a solid bet that this year, since there are two slots, that Pat Bowlen will be one of them. Media reports stated that he's been close for the last few years so I expect him to make it over the top in a couple of weeks when the contributor committee meets.

In my view, and this is simply me, it's nothing to get excited about one way or the other. Modern owners in the Hall of Fame is a contrivance anyway. I have been told that with the massive investments the NFL made in the past 5-10 years that the owners wanted to be remembered with Hall of Fame Gold Jackets. Now, we cannot prove a quid pro quo but it seems pretty close at least in terms of the timing. Just follow the money the NFL has moved into Canton and the decision the HOF Board made to add contributors does make a little sense, though, as I said, impossible to prove.

Another issue is that I am also told plenty of the players don't like the fact that the owners get the same Gold Jacket they do, that they think it's fine for them to be in HOF but that there should be a distinguishment between players and coaches and even general managers and ownership.

Sure, you will get former players like John Elway will not say that in fact, Elway says "No one has given more to the game than Pat Bowlen". I don't know how to measure that but Chuck Hughes and Kory Stringer may have something to say about that. But the point remains, there are Hall of Fame players who don't think owners should get the same accolades as players and coaches.

Former Cowboy and author Peter Gent captured what some of the former players may feel in this scene from the film North Dallas 40.

Protagonist wide receiver Phil Elliott, speaking to Dallas head Coach B.A. Strothers and the North Dallas Ownership—"Chrissakes B.A. WE'RE not the team. They're the TEAM. These guys right here. They're the team, We're the equipment, the jock straps, the helmets,  and they just depreciate us and take us off the goddamn tax returns, that's what that is."

Gent's groundbreaking book (of the same name as the film) portrayed transparent and unflattering portraits of Dallas owners Clint Murchison, Tex Schram, Gil Brandt, Tom Landry and others and those caricatures did, at the time, illustrate how many players felt about ownership. And while fiction, Gent's said he tried the capture the essence of what he saw while with the Cowboys. And it's likely that many or most teams were run in the same way at the time.

There is less enmity, in my view, now, though the kneeling for the National Anthem issue is causing a stir lately. So, for these and other reasons what owner and what committees he served on and what writers he fed information to does not make up for the fact that he's not a player or coach.

Also, I find it ironic that based on the website Your Team Cheats the owners in and being considered for the HOF score pretty high–

Click on the name to follow link:

Edward DeBartolo (in)

Jerry Jones (in)

Pat Bowlen (likely to get in this year)

Robert Kraft (likely to get in in next 4-6 years)

Certainly, things are better between owners and players now than they were in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s (and before). But are they where they need to be? Perhaps. But as strictly an observer whether an owner makes the Hall of Fame or not has little effect on the Hall itself.

In my view, the question fans and writers should ask is not "Are there enough representatives in the Hall of Fame from my team or the team I cover?". The question should be "Is the Hall of Fame less for not having a certain player in the Hall of Fame". It's shouldn't be a validation of a particular team or but a validation of a particular player's career as one that stands out amongst his peers. Again, that's my view.

Additionally, it begs another question why was Carrol Rosenbloom ignored? Because he died? He was a major part of three championships, part of hiring Pete Rozelle as commissioner, was part of the AFL-NFL merger, even traded a franchise. Do I care? Not really, other than to point out the recent DeBartolo, Jones, and soon to be Bowlen choices smack of recentism—things without an aim toward a long-term, historical view.  There seems to be recentism in the HOF selections anyway and the contributor category is not an exception.

Here’s a look at the owners who are already in the HOF (source Pro Football Hall of Fame). Does anyone really care about folks on this list, other than the founders of the league and those vital to the AFL-NFL merger? I can think of a couple I'd like to kick out, even. But even those who are in, as compared to those who are out, there seems little difference.

• Bert Bell: Former NFL commissioner, owner of Philadelphia Eagles (1933-1940), and co-owner of Pittsburgh Steelers (1941-1946).
• Charles W. Bidwill Sr. Owner of Chicago Cardinals (1933-1947)
• Al Davis Owner of Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1966-2011), former head coach of Oakland Raiders, commissioner of American Football League.
• Edward DeBartolo Jr. Owner of San Francisco 49ers (1977-2000)
• George Halas Founder and owner of the Decatur Staleys/Chicago Staleys/Chicago Bears (1920-1983), former head coach of Bears and co-founder of NFL.
• Lamar Hunt Founder and owner of Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs (1959-present)
• Jerry Jones Owner, president and general manager of Dallas Cowboys (1989 to present)
• Tim Mara Founder and owner of New York Giants (1925-1959)
• Wellington Mara Team administrator and owner of New York Giants (1937-2005)
• George Preston Marshall Founder and owner of Boston Braves/Boston Redskins/Washington Redskins (1932-1969)
• Dan Reeves Owner of Cleveland/Los Angeles Rams (1941-1971)
• Art Rooney Founder and owner of Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers (1933-1988)
• Dan Rooney Team administrator and owner of Pittsburgh Steelers (1955-present)
• Ralph Wilson, Jr. Founder and owner of Buffalo Bills (1960-2014)

I know some who are partisan will say this team has had its success and that merits more Hall of Famers, including the owner. And the owner was on this committee and that committee that "made the NFL what it is today". Please. I have access to some owners meeting notes going back for many years and it's pretty dull reading. It doesn't seem like the things they discuss are the stuff of the Hall of Fame. It seems like doing good "committee work" is more in line with being a good businessman rather than a Hall of Famer. It is still the Pro Football Hall of Fame not the Business Man's Hall of Fame, right?

If an owner bought teams in the 1980s or 1990s all they had to do was keep the NFL juggernaut on the rails, at least compared to what was going on in the first 50-60 years of the league. Back then teams actually folded. That hasn't happened since the early 1950s. So, compared to now, the league is extremely stable and ownership is important but not worthy of the praise it gets from the supporters of particular candidates for the Hall of Fame. It seems like there is a LOT of hyperbole.

A lot. Of. Hyperbole.

Aaron Donald is a Defensive Tackle, Not "Technically" a Defensive End

OPINION
By John Turney

From time to time we see the suggestion that Aaron Donald is a defensive end and if it comes to that juncture the Rams would have to franchise him as a DE rather than a DT. Over the years the franchise number for ends is higher than the number for tackles, though the gap is closing.

Regardless, but all standards Donald is a defensive tackle, not an end. Yes, the Rams play a 3-4 defense and traditionally there is one nose tackle and two defensive ends in that scheme, but this is not your father's 3-4 defense. It's 2018 and not 1985.

As we reported when Wade Phillips was hired this 3-4 is not one that uses two defensive ends. Phillips has wrinkles that he calls Will Wink and Sam Sink which "reduce" a defensive end to a 3-technique. Donald plays that position, the outside shoulder of a guard, which is a defensive tackle, not an end. Donald is the 3-technique and is almost always on the weak side as he flops from side
to side depending on where the tight end lines up (or which side of the offense is the three receiver side).

So, if he is franchised tagged it will be as a tackle for the $13.9 million tag. For 2018 the defensive end tag number is $14.2 million.

Now, that won't mean Donald's people won't try to make the case because if they pull out the defensive playbook it may show that "sink" end is called an end.

So there is that case to be made, on paper, anyway.

However, this is how the defense is listed on the official NFL gamebooks, with Brockers at DE and Donald at DT—

 And the final piece would be the film. In almost all cases, Donald is lineup over a guard, which makes him a tackle, not an end.

ENSHRINEMENT: Brian Dawkins

By T.J. Troup

This weekend former Philadelphia Eagle Brian Dawkins will be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Have had many discussions over the years concerning what are the responsibilities of a safety, and who has played the position at an elite level. Brian Dawkins is very deserving of enshrinement. The folks at the Pro Football Hall of Fame have been helpful and respectful of my work on the history of the game, and sure like to help them out when I can.

A few days ago I sent them some stat info on Mr. Dawkins. Before 1950 many players caught a touchdown pass and intercepted a pass in the same game. From 1950 through 1956 this accomplishment happened only 15 times. In the last game of the 1956 season for Pittsburgh Jack Butler did it for the 4th and last time in his career.

Since that game, only four men have accomplished this feat. Rookie Ed Sutton of the 'Skins did it against the Eagles in December of '57. Outside linebacker Jim Houston of the Browns did it in December of '66 against Philadelphia. Fifteen years later stellar athlete Roy Green of the Cardinals accomplished this in '81.

There were many games played between 1981 and 2002, and sure looked like it would never happen again, yet in the 35-17 win over the Houston Texans on September 29th, 2002 Brian Dawkins became the latest player to join this fraternity. In the second quarter his interception and 27-yard return set up a field goal, and in the 3rd quarter Brian Mitchell tossed to Dawkins for a 57-yard touchdown.

The second subject for today is a personal one, yet feel strongly in sharing the following; over the years has been struggling to convince teams/companies to invest in my historical statistical research. Was told by bitter/angry Bob Carroll years ago that "you will never make a dime selling research". Well, Bob, you were wrong. I hired an agent three years ago, and Mr. Shane Holmes has done yeoman's work in contacting folks and completing deals. The most recent was a mega-deal like no other. My hope is that someday there will be a site the pro football fan can go to and view a complete and accurate box score (like baseball).

Bronko Nagurski's All-Time Eleven

LOOKING BACK

By John Turney

Mel Hein, Cal Hubbard picked All-Time teams we featured as did Merlin Olsen in an interview we did in Pak City, Utah in the mid-2000s. 

Today, we list the Naguski team:

End—Bill Hewitt

End—Lavvie Dilweg

Tackle—Cal Hubbard

Tackle—Joe Stydahar

Guard—Ox Emerson

Guard—Mike Michalske

Center—Mel Hein

Back—Dutch Clark

Back—Cliff Battles
Back—Ernie Nevers

Back—Ken Strong

WILLIE DAVIS and the 1962 Packers

LOOKING BACK
By T.J. Troup

Willie Davis by Christopher Paluso

When writing my book "The Birth of the Modern 4-3 Defense" one of the goals was to detail who played what position and how well for each of the twelve teams in the '50's. This saga of one of the best teams of all-time will continue that format. John Turney's superb and in-depth story yesterday on the best 4-3 defensive ends of all-time fits well since today is Willie Davis birthday, and he is a key factor for the success of this team.

Perspective is a key element when a team is evaluated and discussed. Eleven-year-old boys in '62 living outside of Chicago look forward to Chicago Bear road games on TV. The Bears started 2-0 that year and then came the devastation in Green Bay as the Green & Gold took this so called rivalry to a new height or depth depending upon your viewpoint. Twice more I saw the Packers that year, the Thanksgiving day massacre in Detroit, and the 1962 title game at Yankee Stadium.

Now, all these years later having coached, and devoured film of the Packers brings a true perspective of just how powerful this team was. Ready? The 49ers and Colts are flawed teams that really are not contenders in 1962. The two teams in the Western Conference that believe they are contenders are the Bears & Lions. Willie Galimore's early season injury limits the Bears running game, but Bill Wade can fire that football. He has some outstanding games during the year, yet still forces throws into coverage.

How does Wade fare against the Green Bay defense? The Chicago defense is in transition, and to this day no one really knows when Shaughnessy is striped of his defensive co-ordinator role and George Allen takes over. The youthful talented Bear secondary is improving, and the d-line and linebackers can and do make plays, but can they limit the Packer attack? The Bears are too inconsistent to win the west. Detroit has finished second in back to back seasons and has an outstanding defense.

The question that is asked each year in the Motor City is where is the quarterback to take us back to the championship game? Milt Plum proves he cannot rise to the level of elite quarterback. The Lion running game is very limited as hard running fullback Nick Pietrosante gained just 204 yards rushing the last five games of '61, and struggles during the '62 campaign.

Coach George Wilson like so many coaches wants a balanced attack, but the Lions cannot dominate the game running the ball. What the attack does have is a truly gifted receiver who makes key catches all year; team MVP Gail Cogdill(44 catches for 797 yards in 11 victories). The toughness, and talent of the defense coached by Don Shula coupled with Cogdill just might be enough most years to win the division, but not this year. Defining greatness can be a real challenge, we know it when we see it, but how do we state it?

The 1962 Packers are one of the greatest/best teams of all-time! Vince Lombardi knows his defending champions are primed to repeat, and his excellent coaching staff returns. Much has been written about this man, and he is complex in some ways. He is the best combination chemistry teacher/offensive line coach during his time in the league. Lombardi understands how to put the right ingredients together in just the right amounts and then send that motivated ingredient on the field to lay waste to the opposition.

His defensive coordinator Phil Bengston finally has every position filled with a quality player. Willie Davis is in his third year starting in Green Bay. He is durable, quick, sheds blocks, and is finally a force as a pass rusher. He is not chosen for the Pro Bowl, yet is voted Second-team All-Pro. Dave "Hawg" Hanner has survived the lean years in Green Bay and is still a strong run defender at left defensive tackle. Second year man Ron Kostelnik fills in capably off the bench during games for Hanner. Henry Jordan is quick, savvy and is a master at shedding blocks. He is not chosen for the Pro Bowl, yet he also earns All-Pro recognition at right defensive tackle. Veteran Bill Quinlan is not much of a pass rusher, but is strong at the point of attack at his right defensive end position.

Ray Nitschke by Merv Corning

There have been many seasons where a player receives recognition though it is based upon past performances, and Dan Currie at left linebacker is a vivid example. He has lost his ability to pursue, and moves poorly due to injury. Though he can still make a play, he is not near the player he once was. Ken Iman fills in admirably for Currie, and makes key plays during the campaign. Veteran Bill Forester is at the peak of his career at right linebacker, and is simply the best in the league at his position. A very strong run defender, who can blitz when called upon, and is always where he is needed to be during the year. He is All-Pro and Pro Bowl bound. Ray Nitschke was having his best year in '61 until the Army called, and he struggled late in the year. There was no struggle in '62. This IS the year when he puts it "all together". Ray is a savage very motivated tackler who excels at zone coverage. His speed in pursuit for a man his size is very impressive. The middle linebacker position in Packer land is finally a strength.

Herb Adderly by Merv Corning

There are still books that list Herb Adderley as the starting left corner for his rookie year in '61. He was not, but in '62 he not only is the starter, he earns all-pro recognition. Athletic, swift, with the ability to make the big play this youngster is destined for stardom. Hank Gremminger survived at left corner for years, though he did not have the skills for the position. Mike Ditka's performance in '61 in Wrigley against the Pack creates a void a strong safety(left) for the Packers, and Gremminger finally is playing the position he was meant to. Tough, and a fine pass defender on underneath routes. Hank is fortunate to have Adderley on his left and Willie Wood on his right. Wood leads the league in interceptions, but just as important he almost never misses a tackle. He learned his lessons well from Emlen Tunnell and now in his third year is the best in the league, though Patton & Lary are voted First-team All-Pro. Add to his resume that Willie is one of the better punt returners in the league. Jesse Whittenton is headed to the down side of his career, but he is still a stellar right corner who knows all the tricks, and is rarely out of position.

This group is durable, capable, and at their peak. The Green Bay defense allows just 14 offensive touchdowns in fourteen games, and records 36 sacks. Vince Lombardi wants to dominate opponents defenses, and at times the offense so controls the clock and the scoreboard that there is very little for him to do on game day but watch. No team in this era is as well prepared for Sunday as the Lombardi Packers. Ron Kramer has size and athleticism but rarely has he been the tight end that everyone in the league knew he could be. That situation changes in '62 as he is All-Pro and a real asset to the attack as both a blocker and downfield receiver. McGee & Dowler have size and speed and run the pattern needed for all successful teams.

Bart Starr by Merv Corning

The era of the 50's and '60's the square-in route (called a 'dig' these days) is the staple of every quality team. The quarterback must have pin point accuracy and enough zip on the ball to make this throw. McGee and Dowler run the pattern exceptionally well. Yes, they run other routes well also, but throwing down the middle in front of the free safety is vital to setting up the other plays in the Packers arsenal. Bart Starr does not have the passing stats of other quarterbacks in the league. Twelve touchdown passes seems like a small number for a dominant offense, yet that stat is very impressive. Could Green Bay have utilized their passing game in the "red zone"? We will never know, simply because no team runs the ball in the red zone like the Packers. Starr is basically mistake free, accurate, and at this point in his career a very capable leader on the field. He is voted Second-team All-Pro.

Jim Taylor by Merv Corning

Jim Taylor has a season for the ages. A record setting 19 touchdowns, and averaging over 100 yards a game on the ground. He runs with a fury, and refuses to be tackled by the first defender that he comes in contact with. Taylor is a willing blocker who can catch.

Paul Hornung by Merv Corning

Hornung's early season injury gives Tom Moore an opportunity to play. He runs hard, will block, and can throw the halfback option pass. He is a pedestrian talent at best. Watching game film shows massive holes to run through, and he seldom gets away from tacklers. Moore gives effort, and is a solid back-up, but nothing more. Rookie Earl Gros, and youngster Elijah Pitts actually show more promise. Film clips of Lombardi often show him with "a seal here, and a seal here"—detailing his sweep. The film clip of him on the blocking sled calling out "look at me, look at me" tells us all we need to know. He understands every aspect of how to block a defense, and though he has an offensive line coach, he is the master at this aspect of the game.

Jim Ringo by Merv Corning

Not sure the "G" on the side of the helmet stands for greatness, yet greatness is in the offensive line. Bob Skoronski is the nominal starter at left offensive tackle, and performs well. Norm Masters still sees plenty of playing time there, and is a better drive blocker. Skoronski has grown as player would now be viewed as a strength. Jim Ringo is First-team All-Pro and at the pinnacle of his career. Undersized, but quick he makes the cut-off block on the middle linebacker better than anyone can imagine. Green Bay will cross block on up the middle plays, and Ringo capably takes out the usually much bigger defensive tackle.

Forrest Gregg by Merv Corning

Forrest Gregg is by far the best strong-side offensive tackle in football. He has every attribute you would want in a tackle and is consensus All-Pro. Finally, the guards—Vince's boys Thurston & Kramer. Film footage of them out in front leading a sweep, cross blocking up the middle plays, the trap, the counter, and of course pass blocking. They both are voted 1st team all-pro. Adding in Kramer's ability to pick up the slack of an injured Hornung and kick effectively just adds to his resume. Jerry Kramer should have received votes as the MVP of the league.

Max McGee struggles when asked to punt during the year, but Dowler has a fine year as the number one punter. The Packers are excellent in the kick return game, and with the exception of Abe Woodson cover punts and kick-offs with savage proficiency. Nelson Toburen before his injury was a stellar special teams bomber. You now know the line-up, shall we take a look at the season? Of course we will.

Three straight home victories set up the first Lion game. Besides Alex Karras throwing his helmet at Plum in the locker room after the game for his ill timed inaccurate pass, how about credit to youngster Adderley for zipping into position to pilfer the pigskin? The Packers win three more before their annual pilgrimage to Wrigley Field. Lombardi is going for his third straight victory in the lair of the Bear. Green Bay was at one point 1 win 16 losses and a tie in 18 consecutive games at Wrigley.  The Packers have outscored the Bears 96-41 in their last three games against Chicago, and though the Bears come out fired up they are humbled 38-7. How strong is the Packer running attack you ask? The Bear defense many times lines up in an 8-man front with Petitbon as the lone safety in the middle of the field. Could Starr have thrown against this defense?

Of course, but the Green Bay offensive line with precision, and power opens hole after hole, running lane after running lane. The Packers are off to Philadelphia, kind of a homecoming for Jersey boy Lombardi and scene of his championship loss in '60. The Eagles of '62 are a weak club, and have defensive limitations. Does Lombardi feel pity for the Eagles? A league record setting performance for 1st downs, and looking at the box score, and film the Packers are at their peak. Two weeks from now the Packers will journey to Detroit for the rematch with the one loss Lions, but first is the November 18th home game against Baltimore, and the game that will be examined in depth. The 5-4 Colts have won four of their five road games, and though it is not his best year still have Johnny "hightops" Unitas. Weeb Ewbank has his steads ready, and they really play inspired physical football for much of the game.

Baltimore kicks off with a 3-0 lead and Adderley weaves his way through the Colts for 103 yards and the lead. Adderley intercepts and the Baltimore turnover leads to a field goal and a 10-3 lead but here comes the Colts down the field. Weeb is pulling out all the stops today as holder Bobby Boyd on a fake field goal dashes to the Packer one yard line. On 4th and goal deep in Packer territory Unitas attempt to fool the Bengston defense goes awry as Bill Forester records his second sack of the quarter. Just before the half Unitas pitches to Orr in the corner and a 10-10 tie.

Third quarter and a 52 yard Baltimore drive sets up a field goal and a 13-10 lead. Fourth quarter and Baltimore is forced to punt, and Wood zips to the Colt thirty-one yard line on the return. Tom Moore runs through a massive hole on trap play to the right and a 17-13 lead. The tension mounts as both teams fumble, but this is the field general himself John Unitas and he marshalls his hosses down the field and when he sees daylight he is off and running inside the Packer ten. Jimmy Orr has a step on Adderley but we will never know the outcome since left linebacker Ken Iman leaps to block Johnny's pass. Out played and out gained by 266 yards, yet resilient enough and with enough big plays the Packers are 10-0 before the inevitable massacre in Detroit.

The highlights of the final two games of the season on the west coast are worth a mention. John Brodie has had some impressive games against Green Bay, but also some duds as well. The Packer pass rush overwhelmed the Niners earlier in the year, and Brodie struggled the entire afternoon. Today though at Kezar the Niners in a "trips" right alignment cause havoc and have a 21-0 lead as slot receiver Bernie Casey torments the Packer secondary. The Green Bay offense is up to the challenge and win 31-21.

The division crown is clinched and a meaningless game in the Coliseum against a Ram team that has won just one game. Max McGee fumbles the center snap from punt formation, and in his feeble attempt to roll right is under pressure from young defensive end David Jones. McGee's end over end pass winds up in the hands of rookie defensive tackle Merlin Olsen, and the big man rumbles 20 yards for a score in the Green Bay 20-17 win.

Back to perspective. My two historical mentors answered questions from their persective on the championship game in Yankee Stadium. Paul Lionel Zimmerman is a fledgling writer who know offensive line play. He stated to me more than once how impressed he was with the Packers o-line and blocking combinations. My other mentor a young 20 year old small college football player helping his dad out on the camera crew for upstart Blair Motion pictures told me of his day filming the title game rematch of the Giants against the Packers.

Looking back now at the Giants strategy on the windy frigid day—should Allie Sherman have aligned the Giants in a "trips" right offensive formation and continually thrown short passes with the weather conditions being what they were? Give credit where it is due, Green Bay's defense shut-out the Giants. Even with the huge special teams play by New York, they just were not going to beat the Packers. Workmanlike and consistent Green Bay survived the elements and a motivated New York Giant team to win their second in a row 16-7. Eric Goska is one helluva writer and historian on Packer history, and quoting him from his super book,"Vince Lombardi preached perfection. Of all his teams, the '62 edition came the closest to attaining it".