Who Are the Top Senior Defensive Tackles That Could be Considered for the HOF Centennial Class?

LOOKING AHEAD
By John Turney

As we've recently discussed there are a number of players that will be considered for the expanded 2020 Centennial Class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In this post we preview the defensive tackles.

Alex Karras

Karras was as good a pass-rushing tackle as there was in the 1960s, maybe was the best. He played on a fine defense that was good at stopping the run and getting to the quarterback year-in and year-out.

He had a 'hop-and-d0dge' style, like a basketball player using short-step footwork to get by an opponent—which was a unique style. Karras paired with Roger Brown in the early-to-mid-1960s and were as formidable pair of defensive tackles as there have ever been in the NFL. The Lions didn't get much edge pressure, what they did have was from right outside linebacker Wayne Walker. If they had defensive ends that were even Pro Bowl level the Lions 1960s defensive line would be remembered as one of the best ever.

From 1960-70 the Lions were top three is fewest yards rushing allowed and in total sack yards and were second in yards per rush allowed.

He played a dozen seasons and was a 1960s All-Decade pick and was a four-time First-team All-Pro and was a Second-team All-Pro five additional times. We have his career total for sacks at 98½ but records are spotty for his first couple of seasons, so we are convinced he had over 100 sacks, maybe as many as 105, 110. But the exact total is unknown. However, that number of sacks in 12 seasons makes him among the best pass-rushing tackles ever.

Tom Sestak

A big man who was like a combination of Bob Lilly and Merlin Olsen of the AFL but a knee injury felled him. He was not as big as Olsen not as quick as Lilly, he was right in between. 

He was very solid versus the run and could get after the passer, totally 17½ sacks one season.

Sestak only played seven seasons, was a First- or Second-team All-AFL pick in six of those seasons and three of them he was a consensus First-team All-AFL pick.

In the mid-1960s the Bills were the top defense, especially against the run and in getting to the quarterback. In his career, the Bills were top five in top run defenses in pro football.

They would vary their fronts, using a goodly amount of 3-4 defensive looks putting Sestak at the end sometimes and on the nose sometimes. It would have been great to see what kind of career he might have had, if healthy.

He may be the best AFL player (peak value anyway) not in the Hall of Fame.

Eugene Lipscomb

Big Daddy could have been the best All-time, or at least the best of his era. Effort on the field and drinking off the field spoiled that. He began as a Ram and played both tackle and end but got released.

The Colts picked him up and being surrounded by Gino Marchetti, Art Donovan and Don Joyce brought out the best in him. He was All-Pro in 1958 and 1959 and according to Coach Weeb Ewbanks' statistics, he led the Colts in tackles both seasons. He would even, at times, play inside linebacker in a quasi 3-4 look. In that era when teams played a 3-4 they usually dropped one of their ends as an outside linebacker. Not so with the Colts, they moved the Daddy to linebacker and the ends stayed put. 

With the Colts he was a sideline-to-sideline player (a cop or 'policeman' as it was called), often running down plays from the backside of the play. When he when to the Steelers, his play changed into more of an up-the-field player, evidenced by his 1961 season when he had 17½ sacks, leading the NFL (unofficially) and would have been a great candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, though such an award didn’t exist. He followed that up with 10 sacks in 1962, his final year. 

In all, Lipscomb played ten seasons and 112 games. He was a four-time First-team All-Pro (three consensus).

Joe Klecko

Joe Klecko wasn’t a pure defensive tackle, like Dan Hampton he moved around. He played defensive tackle as a rookie then played a year as a 3-4 defensive end then back to defensive tackle. He played 1980-82 as a defensive end and then 1983-84 back inside. In 1985 he moved to nose tackle and stayed there the rest of his career, but again, when he played in nickel he played on a guard rather than a center. 

He was All-Pro as an end in 1981 and as a nose in 1985. He also went to the Pro Bowl as a tackle. So, in the end, we put him with the tackles and included his nose tackle work as part of the evaluation—making him the exception to our rule. Regardless, he was a fine player and deserves Hall of Fame consideration.

A closer look at his Proscout, Inc. scores does show that Mark Gastineau was very close to Klecko, however. Gastineau bears the brunt of the criticism for that but Kelcko (and Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam) also deserve some of the blame. One man cannot make a run defense as bad as the Jets were in 1984 in stopping the run, for example.

23. Roger Brown

Brown would be a star today. Massive size, good quickness. He might be compared to a Ndamukong Suh or Jerome Brown. He had six sacks in the famous 1962 Thanksgiving massacre of the Green Bay Packers and was also great the rest of that season. He was named the LA Times NFL Lineman of the Year and he also got AP and UPI Player of the Year award votes (rare for a defender in those days).

Brown played ten years and 138 games and was a First-team All-Pro twice, a Second-time All-Pro three times and was a six-time Pro Bowler.

Larry Brooks

Also overlooked. Was a dominant player versus the run, he was a master of the “butt technique” where he just slam a guard’s momentum. And if pass showed he’d convert to a pass rush move. He also could twist his upper body and quickly slip (usually swim) a guard a move that impressed his teammates.

The Rams defense from 1972-81, then ten years he started the Rams led the NFL in sacks and allowed the second-fewest rushing yards and allowed the second-fewest points in that span. 

In all, he played eleven seasons and 131 games, was a First-team All-Pro twice and a Second-team pick one additional season. He went to five Pro Bowls and was a First- or Second-team All-NFC pick six times. He led the Rams defensive linemen in tackles from 1973 through 1980, except for 1975 when he was out half the season with a knee injury.

“A fine interior rusher with fine moves and body control. Guards swear it is impossible to block him” according to Buchsbaum.

We are not suggesting he will get any Hall of Fame support because that's very unlikely, but we are saying he was as good a defensive tackle, if not better than then any listed here and the same applies to a few who are in the Hall of Fame according to him study.

Ernie Ladd

The Big Cat who was a pro wrestler as well, was 6-9, 335 pounds. At times he was dominant (he had a 4½-sack game) but also didn’t always seem to give full effort. He, at his peak, could have been the best, but gripes about pay and other issues held him back, he was an all-time talent but not quite an all-time great.

Ladd played eight years and was an All-AFL choice three times (1961 and 1964-65) and was an AFL All-Star from 1962-65 giving him post-season honors in all five seasons as a Charger. He played for the Pilers for a year and a half and the Chiefs a year and a half to close his career.

31. Wally Chambers

Chambers played a bit of defensive end early in his career but moved to tackle and was a dominant one from 1974-77 (hurt a knee mid-season 1977). He was traded to the Buccaneers where played left DE until the knee gave out for good.

Chambers won some Rookie of the Year Awards in 1973 and was the UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1976 and the NFLPA NFC Defensive Lineman of the Year in 1975 and 1976. 

He had 14 sacks in 1975 for his career-high and had nine in 1973 six in 1974 and eight in 1976. In 1973 the Bears credited him with seven forced fumbles and in 1979 the Bucs show his total was also seven. From 1973 through 1976, pre-knee injury, he averaged about 85 tackles a season and in 1975 he was credit by the Bears with 11 tackles for loss and in 1976 the number was nine.

Jerry Sherk

Another player who had knee issues. A solid player who often totaled over 100 tackles a season ended his career with 69½ sacks and was the 1976 UPI AFC Defensive Player of the Year. He was First-team All-Pro that year and went to four Pro Bowls. He reached double digits in sacks four times (1972, 74, 76 and 79) and was credited with 6 blocked kicks/punts (one was a tackled punter which is the same as a block).

Sherk was a prolific tackler averaging just under 90 tackles a season from 1970 to 1979. He missed significant time in 1977 with the knee injury and almost all of 1980 with it. In 1981 he came into games as an inside rusher in the nickel defenses of the Browns. In the mid-1970s some writers like the respected Cliff Christl felt that Sherk was the most consistent defensive tackle in the game.

Dave Butz

At 6-7, 295 (or more) Butz was a classic 4-3 tackle for the George Allen scheme. Much like Ndamukong Suh, he’s one who opposing guards judged by how sore they were the days after the game rather than the tackles or sacks they gave up.

Butz began his career as a defensive end with the St. Louis Cardinals, making him one of the biggest players at that position for his era. He injured a knee and signed as a free agent with the Redskins (Redskins had to give two first-round draft picks as compensation) and was a backup for a year with the Skins before taking over the left defensive end spot in 1976. He was a Second-team All-NFC pick in 1979 and a Second-team All-Pro in 1984 but 1983 was his ‘career year’. He was also a Second-team selection on the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-1980s Team.

That year he totaled 69 tackles and 11.5 sacks and forced five fumbles and was a consensus All-Pro. Notes from George Allen’s playbooks note that Allen loved Butz’s play versus the run but wished he would perform the “Jet” technique better. This was just after the 1977 season, his second as a starter when he totaled just one sack after having 3½ sacks in 1977. Perhaps it was communicated to Butz because from 1978-86 Butz averaged 6½ a season, not a stunning total, but an excellent one for a man of his size.  Butz ended his career with 63 sacks and deflected 40 passes at the line of scrimmage.

Butz's teammates felt he was the ideal left tackle for the George Allen/Richie Petitbon defense—"he played defensive tackle the way it was supposed to be played".  He was also hard to move. Right guards and even tackles always mentioned that when we asked them about Butz—he was a "mountain of a man" they said.

Rosey Grier

With the Rams fearsome foursome, he was the “cop” or “piano player” who watched from draws, screens, and traps while Jones, Olsen, and Lundy got up the field.

Grier began with the New York Football Giants in 1956 and played there through 1962. As a Giant, he was a First-team All-Pro once and a Second-team selection twice and counting Pro bowls and All-Eastern conference selections garnered post-season honors in six seasons. With the Rams he was an All-Western Conference pick and Second-team All-Pro. It was with the Rams that he made history with the Fearsome Foursome. 

Grier was a big man for the day, 6-5, listed at 290 but was like heavier, especially with the Rams but had excellent quickness. It’s said that he taught the head slap to Deacon Jones, who then perfected it. 

Grier was a HOF Finalist in the past but his active candidacy was short-lived.

The challenge for the Blue Ribbon committee that will come up with the list of ten senior players is how to rank the candidates. Do they go by peak value or career value? 

In this case, we'd say the top peak players are Tom Sestak and Big Daddy Lipscomb but Lipscomb's career did have the period of lack of effort and Sestak was felled by an injury. Karras likely has the highest career value, being very good for a long time and also some high peak seasons.

Klecko is unique in that he played three positions well, actually more than that but he was First-team All-Pro and two of those positions and a Pro Bowler at one more. However, his peak does not match that of some others and he didn't have the career value of Karras.

The rest are in-between, Brooks and Ladd had high peaks but Ladd, like Lipscomb there were some negatives. Chambers and Sherk both won AFC/NFC Defensive Player of the Awards and Chambers career was cut short by injury and Sherk's was, too, though he was able to come back to get a few more years but really, only 1979 was to his previous level and that was injury marred, too. 

Gino Cappelletti's HOF Credentials—Are They There?

LOOKING BACK
By John Turney

Credit: 888

For years AFL fans and Patriots fans alike have sung the praises of Gino Cappelletti and say he deserves a place in the Hall of Fame one writer even posting this, "Needless to say that Cappelletti is deserving of the (HOF) honor, and now is the voters’ best chance to show that they agree and recognize him as the all-time great he is."

They cite that he was a good receiver and a kicker for eleven seasons for the Boston Patriots and then was a beloved broadcaster for 28 seasons years (from 1983 through 2011).

Cappelletti was a five-time AFL All-Star and was the AFL MVP/POY in 1964. He was a Second-team All-AFL in 1961, 63, 64, and 66. He is a rare MVP who was not All-Pro in the season he was voted the top player.

However, it needs to be asked, how good was he?

The AFL was a passing league and there were some excellent receivers, some worthy of the Hall of Fame. On that last Cappelletti would rank behind AFL receivers Lance Alworth (already HOF), Don Maynard (already HOF), Art Powell, Charley Hennigan, Lionel Taylor, Otis Taylor and maybe even Chris Burford. To be fair, often Cappelletti was taken out on third down because head coach Mike Holovak wanted him to be fresh on forth down in case the needed to kick a field goal. That reportedly frustrated Gino, so that is one factor that was beyond a player's control and shouldn't be held against him but the question still remains: Should the seventh or eighth best receiver in the AFL be in the HOF?

"But wait", the Cappelletti supporters would say, "He was also a great kicker".

Well, he was a kicker. Great? No. Good? Not really. Average? Yes, to be fair, maybe above average for holding the job so long.

From 1960-70 NFL and AFL kickers converted 53% of their field goals (3872/7299). That was the average of both leagues in the eleven years Duke Cappelletti kicked. In that span, Gino converted 53% of his kicks—exactly average. He also didn't have much range, kicking just 2 of 18 field goals from fifty yards or beyond. Now that is not a knock, few kickers had any range in that era.

He was not worse than average or a bad kicker. He just did not stand out. He did have excellent moments, he led the AFL in field goal percentage in 1965 and was close to the league lead in 1964 as well. But is that the stuff of the Hall of Fame especially since he was really an average kicker overall?

In terms of team success, the Patriots had some good teams but never won an AFL title, so there isn't that "chip" for Cappelletti supporters to play. He should get some intangible "chips" for being a position player who also kicked. Though not rare in that era by any means, to do it for so long wasn't exactly common either. it was when there was a transition into kicking specialists so some teams had guys who played a position and kicked or had a kicker/punter combination. To overall, it's a net plus that he did both and was good enough to do it for quite a while.

So, if there is a checklist, one that lists the accomplishments of players it seems Gino falls short. His honors are good (1 MVP, 4-time Second-team All-AFL, five AFL-All-Star games) but not great. He missed the AFL All-Time Team for example and was never First-team All-AFL. The MVP award is the crown jewel if you will.

His stats are okay in receiving and kicking but not great—not head and shoulder above average.

His intangibles are okay, no AFL title but he was a good two-position player.

All told, it seems the Pro Football Researchers Association got it right by voting to their Hall of Very Good. Duke Cappelletti does not seem like a Hall of Fame player.

Coaches and Contributors—HOF Class of 2020

LOOKING AHEAD
By John Turney

Yesterday the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that a Blue Ribbon Panel will choose a group of 20 senior players eight coaches and ten contributors that will then be narrowed to ten seniors, three contributors, and two coaches. Then, that final group of 15 will be voted on, up or down, but the full committee.

We don't care that much about coaches and the Hall and even less about so-called contributors. Some players in the Hall of Fame don't like it that owners like Eddie DeBartolo, Jerry Jones, and Pat Bowlen wear the same jacket as they do. These recent owners are not pioneers like the Maras or Rooneys, for example. And to some degree, not 100%, we agree with those Gold Jackets who are a bit dubious of recent owners getting in the HOF with such frequency.

Regardless, here is a list of names to look for in media reports and 'chatter'.

So, who might compose the preliminary list of eight coaches?
Tom Flores—2 Super Bowl wins, first Hispanic coach, will get 'trailblazer' credit.
Don Coryell—Innovator in offensive football.
Buddy Parker—Two championships, some innovations.
Clark Shaughnessy —Innovator in offensive football.
Jimmy Johnson—Two Championships, innovator.
Mike Shanahan—Two championships, known as excellent offensive coordinator.
Dan Reeves—Went to four Super Bowls, high on the all-time wins list.
George Seifert—Two championships, known as excellent offensive coordinator.
Mike Holmgren—One title, two losses, known as an innovative offensive coach.

George Young

Contributors

Art McNally—Gets lots of ink, a representative of the officials' contributions.
George Young—Many time NFL Executive of the Year.
Steve Sabol—The driving force behind NFL Films.
Carroll Rosenbloom—Key player in hiring Pete Rozelle, AFL-NFL merger, 3 titles.
Bucko Kilroy—Scout and player, successful in both.
Art Modell—Owner who is credited
Ralph Hay—Recognized as driving force in formin the APFA (NFL)
Robert Kraft—The most successful recent owner. Personal issues will delay induction but induction, at some point is inevitable.
Seymour Siwoff—Head of Elias Sports, the godfather of NFL statistics. If it has to do with the numbers (fantasy football, metrics, etc.) then Siwoff is responsible.
Paul Tagliabue—He's getting some press attention but much if it is negative. We will see.

Carroll Rosenbloom

If we were to guess we'd say George Young is a lock, and McNally will be the one with the next-most support. Sabol is our favorite for the third spot but Tagliabue could surprise. Siwoff deserves a fair hearing but we're not sure the Blue Ribbon Committee will give it to him. Too few of them know what Siwoff and his company did for the game in the 1960s-2000s.

As far as coaches we'd rate Flores as a front runner, but for those who think he's a lock, we'd say that to promote only the positives and ignore the so-so seasons he coaches is a mistake.

Jimmy Johnson's ability to scout talent, the fact he took a team at the bottom to the top and perfected the draft value chart works well for him. Siefert and Flores kind of 'gravy-trained' their first titles—taking over a competitive team.

It will be an interesting process and we will follow it for you.

Carl Storck's 1939 Greatest Players of All-Time

LOOKING BACK
By Chris Willis, NFL Films

Carl Storck, former NFL Executive, 1921-1941

In 1939 Carl Storck named his 11 greatest NFL players of all-time. Storck was the former manager of the Dayton Triangles- a charter franchise of the American Professional Football Association (the forerunner of the NFL). He served as the NFL's secretary-treasurer from 1921-1939, then after the death of Joe F. Carr became NFL President from 1939-1941. So Storck had seen tons of early NFL players to name a qualified list. No big surprises as he named:

Tackle- Turk Edwards

Tackle- Cal Hubbard

Center- Mel Hein

QB- Sammy Baugh

HB- Jim Thorpe

HB- Red Grange

HB- Dutch Clark

HB - Cliff Battles

FB- Clarke Hinkle

FB- Bronko Nagurski

FB- Ernie Nevers

The Relentless Pursuit For Perfection—The 1964 Green Bay Packers

LOOKING BACK
By TJ Troup and Eri Goska

Many times it has taken me days; in fact, even weeks to watch film, collect my thoughts, and attempt to write about aspects of pro football history that interest me.....and hopefully fans across the country. My good friend the distinguished Packer historian Eric Goska refers to me as "Bear Dude", and when I leave this earth will be buried in navy blue & burnt orange.

So why write a story on a Packer team? Easy question to answer since this team is one of the most fascinating teams I have ever researched. Since I have publications, film, and most importantly Eric's superb insightful book on the Packers—this story has both of us as author's. There will be many quotes, yet Mr. Goska will be quoted quite often.

Where to begin? Again easy to answer with a quote from Oliver E. Kuechle of the Milwaukee Journal writing in Petersen's 9th Annual Football Magazine for the upcoming '64 season. "Sunday November 17th, 1963—that was the day. In Green Bay they won't soon forget it. It was the day in Chicago that the Packers played the Bears for the second time. It was the day that the Packers lost to the Bears for the second time. It was the day that the Packers stepped down from their throne, or, to put it correctly, were pushed down. The score was 26-7."

Twelve-year-old boys laying on their back on their bed on a November afternoon listening to Jack Brickhouse announce the game on the radio have a very skewed view of the world, and of their team. The crowd at Wrigley was unusually boisterous, and why not since Green Bay in '62 beat the Bears 87-7 in the two games played.

The victory on opening day set a pattern for Chicago all season; conservative offense, and a very well-coached defense by George Allen that was consistent, tough, ball-hawking----aw hell you name it, the Bears did it. Now in the rematch, the Bear defense again stonewalled Green Bay, yet most important the Bear offensive line kicked the hell of out the Packer defense.

The Bears were World Champions, but the Packers had an undeniable strong season losing just twice in fourteen games. A long winter for St. Vince, but one and all know they will be ready for '64.

Eric begins his chapter on the '64 Packers with "mediocre, a word not found in Vince Lombardi's vocabulary, summed up the Packers first half of 1964." Since Lombardi prides himself on his offense; let us begin there.

The publications and even the Packer media guide has attempted to list who started on offense for Green Bay in '64. It is just too bad that it is not accurate and in-depth.

Playing virtually every down at split end and flanker are Max McGee and Boyd Dowler. Crafty McGee still has a burst of speed and can run every route. Dowler leads the team in receptions, is a strong blocker, and is very sure-handed. Ron Kramer ranks near the top as a blocker at his tight end post, and he can still be a viable option in the passing game.

Paul Hornung has returned and though he is aging; he is motivated and has been a spark in the past for his team. Additionally, he is one of the few halfbacks in the league who really can and will block. Don't believe me? Ask Ernie Clark of the Lions on the Taylor 84-yard touchdown run. Paul does not throw the halfback option pass as much as in the past, but he has his moments running the ball when he is in the line-up. That statement takes us to Tom Moore and Elijah Pitts who get plenty of playing time at the running back position.

For years Green Bay lined up with the backs aligned away from the tight end in a traditional fullback/halfback set. Not so as the season progressed in '64. Green Bay backs are aligned much more in a "split" set, and usually wider behind the tackles. Thus, Jim Taylor is more of a running back than fullback in '64.

He is still as tough as can be, yet the years are beginning to catch up on the seven-year veteran. Taylor has some health issues, yet still gains over 1,000 on the ground, and is a reliable receiver out of the backfield.

Bart Starr will be a central figure in this saga, and as a man who relishes enhancing his stories with stats—have one for ya. When Starr returned from his hand injury in '63 through the first three games of 1965 (21 games) he completed 260 of 432 for 3,697 yards, with 25 touchdown tosses, and just 4 interceptions. Yes, you read that correctly; FOUR.

He was not a "dink and dunk" passer. His completions averaged 14.2 yards. Bart can and will run, is very savvy at reading defenses. The Lions in November tried a double A-gap blitz, and Starr calmly hit the receiver on the "hot read" over the middle. He mixes his plays well as there is no doubt about his preparation, and belief in himself at this point in his career. He was not chosen for the Pro Bowl in '64, but he had one helluva damn fine year.

Though Jim Ringo had given Green Bay over a decade of superb play at center he is traded to Philadelphia to fill a need in the Packer defense with Bill Forester retiring. Bob Skoronski will move from left tackle to center. Big Bob does an adequate job in run blocking, but is not near as skilled pass blocking in picking up the blitz. Skoronski starts seven games a center, then is moved back to left tackle where he starts the remainder of the year.

Starting at center for the second half of the year is unheralded rookie Ken Bowman. Though he receives no "ink" he is clearly far superior to Skoronski. Quick, unyielding and combative, he has a very bright future ahead. He is the Packers rookie of the year.

Fuzzy Thurston has been an all-pro at left guard, and he starts the first eight games at left guard before injury (he returns to start in the season finale at Los Angeles). He still is a fine pass blocker, but he is on the downside of his career. He is replaced at left guard by Dan Grimm. There are high expectations for the big quick youngster. Dan pulls well, is adequate at the trap block, but is not near the pass protector that Thurston is.

Jerry Kramer begins the campaign at right guard, but during the loss to the Colts in week two takes himself out of the line-up. This tough minded man has been playing for years with wood splinters in his abdomen, and his body tells him it is time for surgery to save his life. Can Jerry Kramer be replaced?

The starting right tackle is All-Pro Forrest Gregg. When Kramer goes down Grimm becomes the starter, and though he gives an effort, he just is not capable of filling in for Jerry. Lombardi understands offensive line play like no one else, and he has an answer. Hall of Fame coaches always have an answer. Gregg moves to right guard the last seven games of the year. He may not be as smooth as Kramer, but the tough Texan drive blocks, pulls, traps, and pass protects. Forrest Gregg is no doubt the offensive MVP of the Green Bay Packers. Repeatedly on film you see him making key blocks down field on screens, and sweeps. He just does not miss quick athletic defensive backs who are trying to avoid him.

Norm Masters had lost his job at left offensive tackle to Skoronski in '62, but now in the twilight of his career he gets to start again at right offensive tackle. His experience helps him, but he is a far cry from what he once was. Green Bay allowed 369 yards in sacks in '64, after giving up just 178 in '63! Vincent T. knows that there must be adaptations made during '65 as this is his province. His classic line of "look at me, look at me" while he is on the blocking sled with his boys tells all. Yes, Eric the Packer offensive line was mediocre in '64.

Quoting Bob Oates in Street & Smith's '64 Annual "the offensive line is no longer a clear choice as best in the NFL." Eric Goska in his must-have book states "it owned the best defense—and best pass defense--in the circuit."

So who played where for the Pack on defense in '64? Bill Forester earned All-Pro honors more than once at right linebacker, yet in his last year in '63 everyone could see he was just not an all-pro. Lee Roy Caffey arrives from Philadelphia to attempt to replace Bill. Caffey has size, athleticism, and runs well. He is an adequate tackler, and though not near the pass defender Forester was, he is not a weak link in coverage. Caffey does show he can blitz and is effective in Bengston's red dog schemes.

Ray Nitschke is coming off an arm injury from late in '63, and is ready, willing, and very able at middle linebacker. Watching him in the Pro Bowl at the close of the '64 season was eye opening. The man can run, takes excellent pursuit angles, and is a savage tackler. Ray is now at the mountain top of middle linebackers. Though that will be short-lived (a story for another day), he will continue to wreak havoc against offenses the remainder of the decade.

Sports Illustrated was not the be all end all publication in the mid-'60s, but being the cover boy was still an honor. Only three times did a Packer grace the cover from '61 through '62. Starr in September of '61, Taylor in September of '62, and Dan Currie in December of '61. Currie was an outstanding left linebacker in 1961 and '62, but his leg injuries have limited his ability to cover ground. Though he is the starter for all of '64, he has a very poor year, and is sometimes painful to watch him on film. He is just a guy. Waiting in the wings is young athletic Dave Robinson.

Big Dave gets some playing time, but his lack of experience kept him on the bench. The subtle nuances of outside linebacker play are just not the same as stand-up defensive end at Penn State. His time will come, but not in 1964.

Almost every year there is at least one rookie receiver who garners headlines and has a world of talent who explodes on the scene in the NFL. Paul Warfield of the Browns is that receiver in '64. Watching him destroy Jesse Whittenton on a post pattern in November for a long touchdown convinces Lombardi and Bengston that it is time for a change.

Enter Doug Hart. Whittenton is another former First-team All-Pro who vanishes during '64. He does not cover well in man to man, is barely adequate in zone, and misses tackle after tackle (once a strength for him). Though Hart is a neophyte, he sure gives effort, and he does survive as he starts five games at right corner, and even fills in at left corner for Adderley in the early season loss to Minnesota when Herb is shaken up.

Hank Gremminger is a survivor who somehow lasted at left corner no matter who tried to take his job until Adderley takes over in 1962. Hank is moved to left safety(usually strong), and plays the position he was meant to play, and play it well for two years. Not so in '64. Blown coverage against the Colts, when Johnny Hightops victimizes him in a single back alignment and sends Lenny Moore rocketing past him on a 52-yard touchdown strike. Gremminger is out of position, misses tackles, and as the year wears on a former baseball player Tom Brown sees more and more playing time and plays well. Brown has speed and will hit and tackle.

Herb Adderley ranks as one of the handful of left corners who can do it all. Cover, tackle, force the sweep, and make the key interception.

Right safety Willie Wood is simply the best in the game. Though some might attempt to rank Larry Wilson of the Cardinals ahead of Willie—Wilson is just not as talented or consistent as Wood. Willie Wood just does not miss tackles, he is always around the ball. He makes key interceptions and has a game for the ages in December of '64 in Wrigley Field.

Though Whittenton and Gremminger are at the end of the line the Packers again finish second in the defensive passer rating with a mark of 63.9 (league average is 71.7). The Green & Gold allow the fewest touchdown passes in the league with just 11. A strong pass rush no doubt can mask secondary deficiencies, and the Packer front four is outstanding.

Lionel Aldridge improves upon his rookie performance in '63. His quickness and pursuit skills are excellent, and he ranks among the league leaders in opponent fumble recoveries. Hawg Hanner begins '64 as the starter at left defensive tackle, but by mid season he is on the bench. Replacing Hanner is Ron Kostelnik, and he is rock solid in stopping the run. He will push the pass pocket, but is not one of the better pass rushing d-tackles in the league, yet his buddy at d-tackle Henry Jordan is.

A consummate pro, who always makes big plays—Jordan stops the run, sheds blocks, and his quickness gets him into the quarterbacks face time and again. He also ranks among the league leaders in opponent fumble recoveries.

Each year Topps has a difficult decision to make for the better teams in the league since only so many players from each team get a card. Willie Davis had to wait until the Philadelphia Gum Company took over in '64 to get his card. Davis improved each year from 1960 through 1963. John Turney and myself believe there should be an award for the offensive lineman who faces the toughest foes for the year.  In 1964 the award should have been named for the fine young right offensive tackle of the 49ers; Walter Rock. Eight weeks during the year he faced Hall of Famers David "Deacon" Jones, Gino Marchetti, rookie Carl Eller, and Willie D.

1964 was the coming-out party for the Deacon, and rightfully so; any man who can garner over 20 sacks is a force. Jones has a couple monster games in '64 and virtually destroys Norm Masters in the Coliseum to end the season and his career. Willie Davis ranked among the league leaders in sacks, but much more important was his consistency. Sure wish I could state emphatically that Davis set a record that will never be broken—I cannot, BUT and hope that everyone who relishes defensive line play and rushing the passer reads this:  Willie Davis recorded at least one sack in TEN CONSECUTIVE GAMES! Might even be more if he had one of the two sacks against the Bears in Wrigley in December.

Willie was strong against the run, a master at shedding blocks, and pursuing on the correct angle. Always hustling, and now literally a master at rushing the passer. Davis is by far the defensive MVP of the Packers for 1964.

The Packers were excellent at returning punts & kick-offs, and their kick coverage while not as good as years past was still adequate. Jerry Norton was a consistent punter, which leaves us with the Packer dilemma for '64. Kramer is injured and Hornung has returned to kick, or at least attempt to put the ball through the uprights. Eric quotes Lombardi "we'll sink or swim with Hornung"—the Packers sunk.

The Golden Boy's image was tarnished in '64 as he missed 26 of 38 attempts. Some are blocked, and as such laying blame may not fall squarely on his goat shoulders. Hornung also missed extra points.

Shall we take a look at some of the games during this up and down season? Here we go. Over the course of thirteen years (1946 through 1958) Green Bay would begin their season at home twelve times but won just three. Lombardi has a record of 2-3 on opening day, including a loss to the Bears in '63. Packer fans must have relished with zeal a chance for revenge opening day against Chicago. Green Bay wins easily, and film study shows they looked strong in doing so.

Lombardi's record against the Colts is 6-4 entering week two, but while the Packers rally to close the gap to 21-20 late in the 3rd quarter; the 4th quarter interceptions aid Baltimore and scrambles the western conference standings after two weeks. Bart Starr completes all six of his passes in the 4th quarter; four to the Packers, and two to the Colts. One of the two interceptions looks like an early form of cover 2 with Jerry Logan leaving the hash and darting in front of McGee to tip the ball to himself. Monday night football in September?

Of course, yet keep in mind it is 1964, but here we are in Detroit, and it is not Thanksgiving? Green Bay pulls out a narrow win, and now faces a team they have never lost to in Minnesota. The Vikings under Norm Van Brocklin always play a hard nosed game against Green Bay, but historically make a number of mistakes. Not today as the key play late in the 4th quarter is Fran Tarkenton on a 4th down and 22 to go play pitching far down field to right tight end Gordie Smith for 44 yards.

Cox kicks the field goal with just 18 seconds to play for the win. Green Bay can ill afford a loss to the 49ers, and additionally, Vince is 9-1 all-time against San Francisco. Bengston still has not forgotten being passed over for the head coaching job in '59 and the Packer defense plays excellent football in the 24-14 victory in Milwaukee.

Off to Baltimore and a chance to get back in the conference race. Green Bay is ahead 14-7 late in the first half, and after a Colt punt takes over on their own twenty. The Packers eat up clock, run off 13 plays, but do not score? Green Bay has a first and ten play at the Colt thirty- one but a holding penalty changes the situation to 1st and 33!, due to spot of the foul. Three straight Starr passes go nowhere, but the Pack is ahead at the half.

A Willie Davis sack on Johnny Hightops forces a Colt field goal to narrow the gap,  and now on 2nd and ten from their own 25 Starr completes to Kramer who laterals to McGee and the 73-yard play has the Packers on the scoring doorstep. To no avail as a Marchetti sack, and a missed 17-yard field goal by Hornung give Baltimore hope. The Colts drive 80 as Moore scores again.

Hornung is not the only kicker who struggles, as Michaels misses twice late in the 3rd quarter, but Hornung misses again early in the 4th. The Packers have played championship football for five years now, and champions make plays as Elijah Pitts scores on a spine-tingling 65-yard punt return. Go Pack Go!

Green Bay stops the Colts as Davis again sacks Unitas, and the Packers can put this one away, but yet again Hornung's field goal is not only blocked but Jerry Logan dashes upfield on the return to the Packer thirty-four. Moore scores again, and the last Packer play is Bart being sacked again. Green Bay is 3-3 but has the Rams coming to town.

Though improved, Los Angeles falls behind 17-0. Lombardi's first home loss in '59 was to a Ram team that would finish 2-10. No way Green Bay stumbles at home with a 17 point lead right? Right? Josephson trundles 53 yards off left tackle through the Green Bay defense, so now 17-7. Starr is sacked, Norton punts, and on 2nd and eight from their own forty-five the Catawba Claw Bucky Pope streaks into the end zone at the end of a 55-yard scoring play from Gabriel.

Middle of the 3rd quarter and the Packers have driven forty-seven yards as Hornung lines up to kick a 36-yard field goal and increase the lead. The other Pro Bowl right safety in the Western Conference Eddie Meador knifes in and partially blocks Paul's kick. Swift Bobby Smith takes the ball on the six, and weaves his way through the scattered Packers to score.

Bart cannot bring Green Bay back, and one of the keys is the fact he is sacked three more times. Los Angeles kicks two field goals—yes the ball can be kicked between the uprights. Rams 27 Packers 17. Lombardi has been here before.

Mid-season 1955 Vince with help from his offensive line coach adjusted the blocking scheme in New York, and the Giants closed strong to finish third. The next year New York played for the championship. After a 3-0 start in 1959 the Packers lost five straight, yet Lombardi never flinched, he just kept his young team together as Green Bay closed with four straight wins.

The next year Green Bay played for a championship. Green Bay is 3-4 at mid-season, and one of the aspects that I truly enjoy about Goska's book is the insight you cannot get anywhere else...."emotions boiled over in week 7 after the Packers blew a 17-0 lead against the Rams.

After the 27-17 loss, Lombardi closed the locker room to all but himself and his players. After seven minutes ge permitted his assistant coaches, trainers, and equipment men to enter. He didn't let the media in until another three minutes had passed." As a former chemistry teacher (and a damn fine one at that), it is possible Lombardi was discussing science with his players, yet most likely he discussed what needed to be done the rest of the year.

The rematch with Minnesota was an impressive Packer victory. Bart Starr for the first time in his career has a four-touchdown game, and as my boy Bill Walsh says he was decisive and accurate. The Packers built a 20-0 halftime lead at home against Detroit, and the Davis led pass rush records four 2nd quarter sacks.

Starr is knocked out of the game early in the 2nd quarter in Kezar and the last place 49ers upset Green Bay 24-14.

A 5-5 team is about to take on a Cleveland Browns team that will eventually win the title, but not today as Green Bay overcomes a 14-7 deficit as Jordan and Davis again pillage the pass pocket. Late in the 4th quarter down by a touchdown Ryan is intercepted by Wood to seal the deal. The victory in the Cotton Bowl over Dallas is filled with big plays as three times fumbles are returned for touchdowns.

The 7-5 Packers journey to Wrigley Field to take on a Bear team that has won three in a row in a losing season. Lombardi's Packers have won convincingly in Wrigley before (1960 and 1962), and for the first time in his five-year career, Willie Wood is awarded the game ball for his heroics. His punts returns have set up both touchdowns, and now late in the 3rd quarter Wood pilfers an errant Rudy Bukich pass. He returns 28 yards to the Chicago forty-six. Green Bay eats up clock, Hornung kicks a field goal and the Packers win 17-3.

Entering the last Sunday the standings in the west have three teams with a chance to visit Miami for the annual play-off bowl. Lombardi just cares about winning, not "hinky dink" games. Detroit is 6-5-2, Minnesota is 7-5-1, and Green Bay is 8-5.

The tie game in the Coliseum is a prime example of the '64 campaign for the Packers. The play-by-play lists play after play of sacks, and turnovers. When the Packers tied the game at 24-all with two minutes left the Rams have one last chance to drive down the field. The last offensive play by the Rams is Munson being sacked by Davis. A fitting end for a team that will accomplish the following over the next three years.

A championship trophy awarded to St. Vince and his boys every year. The pundits and prognosticators usually picked the Packers to win the division. More importantly than what the writers thought was what Lombardi did at the close of 1964 leading up to 1965.

New starters at key positions including Robinson, Jeter, and Brown on defense, and two outstanding trades that brought in Chandler to kick, and Carroll Dale to replace McGee.

Bob Oates in Street & Smith's states " despite the frayed edges in the offensive line, and defensive backfield, the Packers are still the best-balanced team in football. They are solid. They don't beat themselves. They hit you 60 minutes a game." Most fans and historians can tell you all about the '65 Packers and the wild race in the western conference, and an impressive title victory over the defending champion Browns, but how many can relate what happened in the locker room on October 25th, 1964? Thanks Eric.

Looking at the Senior Pool Defensive Ends

LOOKING BACK
By John Turney

We read a lot of ink about Jim Marshall being deserving of the Hall of Fame. The thing cited most is his seasons (20) and his consecutive game streak (282) which are both impressive. However, what is not mentioned as much in the pro-Marshall articles we see is that he made just two Pro Bowls in those 20 seasons and was never a First-team All-Pro (he was Second-team three times and a Second-team All-NFC once). He recovered 29 defensive fumbles so that sometimes is thrown in there.

However, the Vikings media guide lists his sacks and they total 127 (we think it's likely closer to 130) but still, that is an average of between 6½ and 7 sacks per season—which is not that great. And in the years he was amassing his consecutive streak, 1972-79, he had a total of 29½ sacks or an average of about 3.7 sacks a season. So, he was just kind of  "there" for 40% of his career.

The positives for Marshall are that he was a tough, undersized player who was a fascinating off-field wildman. He was a favorite of Steve Sabol and was featured a lot in NFL FIlms features giving him legendary status in some ways. But while he has some of the boxes checked his honors and stats seem to be lacking for a Hall of Famer and we didn't find tons of testimonials for him, either.

LC Greenwood seems to have a better case than most senior defensive ends. He has the four rings and was great in postseason games (credited with 12½ sacks in playoff games). He was only All-Pro twice and had no other Second-team All-Pro seasons to augment that but he did get voted to six Pro Bowls, however, in the 1970s there was not a lot of competition for Pro Bowls (Elvin Bethea went to the Pro Bowl in 1979 in a season he had 1½ sacks)

Greenwood's candidacy is perhaps a matter of how deep the voters want to go for 1970s defensive ends. Currently, there are four 1970s ends in the Hall—Jack Youngblood, Carl Eller, Claude Humphrey, and Elvin Bethea. Greenwood could make it five. He was All-Pro more than Bethea but less that the others. He went to fewer Pro Bowls than Bethea, though.

The Steelers list him with 73½ sacks but we have him at 78 or so. He was Pro Bowl-quality in 1971 but also was likely not Pro Bowl-level in 1979 when he did go, so his six selections is about right. But no matter you slice it, Greenwood was not a slam-dunk Hall of Famer. He's a classic borderline case whose postseason play will be the difference if the ever gets in—much like Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. He was a solid all-around end, but not the pass rush demon (averaged about 6½ sacks a season) that he is sometimes purported to be.

One player who does not get much mention for the Hall of Fame is Gene Brito. He's been a finalist before but a long time ago. In the 1950s he was a four-time All-Pro and also a Second-team All-Pro one additional season. He also was a CFL All-Star in the one season he played north of the border. His career was cut short by Lou Gehrig's disease and he passed away because of that illness.

According to us at PFJ (TJ Troup, Nick Webster, Chris Willis and myself) we think had there been an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award back in the day Brito would have earned it for 1955. And film study shows he had several big-time sack seasons. He was lighting quick off the ball and had a nice inside spin move—rare for that era. He really out to be in the discussion of the best defensive ends not in the Hall of Fame.

Jim Katcavage would have likely been the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1963 when he had 20 sacks. He was also All-Pro in 1961 and 1962 and was part of the 1956 NFL championship enjoyed by the Giants. In his non-All-Pro seasons, he was very solid and part of those great Giants defenses of the late-1950s.  He was also All-Conference in 1964 and 1966 making a total of six seasons he received postseason honors of some sort.

A pair of AFLers are intriguing.—Rich Jackson and Earl Faison. Jackson was a favorite of Paul Zimmerman the famed Sports Illustrated writer and Zim advocated his election to the Hall of Fame. Jackson began as a linebacker for the Raiders in 1966 and almost ended as a nose tackle for the Patriots (in a deal that never happened but was close). But Jackson did end with the Cleveland Browns in 1972 and there he was a shell of himself.

Jackson was as good a defensive end as there was in Pro Football from 1968-70. He was a dominant run defender and was a great pass rusher as well. The Broncos moved him around some but he was predominately a left defensive end and has tremendous power—he was a strong as any defensive lineman ever. He averaged double-digit sacks in that 1968-70 window and then in 1971 he blew out a knee.

Faison was an amazing physical specimen, he was 6-5, 270 pounds and ran a 5.8 fifty-yard dash which translates to maybe a 4.7-4.8 forty. He had the strength of a powerlifter and had long arms—he deflected a lot of passes and picked off six. He could get to the quarterback regularly but film study does show a lack of effort at times.

In the Chargers scheme the defensive ends would sometimes standup in a two-point stance creating a 3-4 front and it was pretty impressive watching Faison play that spot at 270 pounds.

Faison was a four-time All-AFL pick and was a second-teamer once. Like Jackson, his career ended early. His back went out on him and he finished as a Dolphin and like Jackson as a Brown, he was a shell of his former self.

We posted about Mark Gastineau recently. He has the All-Pros/honors (Four All-Pro, one Second-team) and the stats (averaged about 11 sacks a season) and even some good testimonials. But the knock was he didn't play the run well. And we think that is accurate, however, it wasn't as bad as it was made out to me, it's not like he was worse than other great rushers of the 1980s and 1990s. So, fairness would dictate that he's part of the discussion.

Curly Lambeau's 1955 All-Time Team

LOOKING BACK
By Chris Willis, NFL Films

In 1955 Curly Lambeau selected an All-Time Team. The future Hall of Fame coach had just recently concluded a 33-year NFL coaching career (Packers, 1919-1949, Cardinals, 1950-1951, Redskins, 1952-1953) in which he won 229 games and 6 NFL Championships. His all-time squad had a blend of older and newer players at the time.

His ends were Don Hutson and Tom Fears or Elroy Hirsch; tackles were Link Lyman and Joe Stydahar; guards were Dan Fortmann and Mike Michalske; center was Mel Hein. His backfield consisted of halfbacks George McAfee and Hugh McElhenny; fullback Clarke Hinkle and quarterback Bob Waterfield.

1955 Curly Lambeau All-Time Team