Mike Henry—August 15, 1936–January 8, 2021

By Jeffrey J. Miller

Mike Henry's 1962 Post Cereal card

Most people who remember Mike Henry at all remember him as the titular character in three Tarzan movies from the 1960s, but we here at the Pro Football Journal—and some of the more knowledgeable football fans, of course—recall Henry as a decent middle linebacker who played six NFL seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1959-61) and Los Angeles Rams (1962-64).  It was with great sadness that we learned of Henry’s passing on January 8, 2021 at the age of 84. 

During his career, the six-foot, two-inch, 220-pounder appeared in 76 games, 54 as a starter.  He had his best statistical season in 1963 with the Rams, picking off five passes and recovering one fumble.  For his career, Henry accounted for nine interceptions and six fumble recoveries.             

Henry played his college ball at USC but was selected by the less-than-glamorous Pittsburgh Steelers in the 9^th round of the 1958 college draft. After three seasons in the Steel City, Henry’s desire to pursue a career in acting resulted in his requesting a trade to the Los Angeles Rams, knowing several Rams had made appearances in movies, television series and commercials. It wasn’t long before Hollywood studios recognized the potential in the ruggedly handsome native Californian. He began appearing in bit roles in film and television the early 60s, but his signature role signaled the end of his football career.  

Mike Henry (53) in action as the Los Angeles 
Rams take on John Unitas (19) and the 
Baltimore Colts, November 22, 1964.

With his chiseled physique, Henry was perfectly fit for the role of Lord of the Jungle.  Between 1965 and 68, Henry appeared in three Tarzan flicks, including Tarzan and the Valley of Gold, Tarzan and the Great River, and Tarzan and the Jungle Boy.  

While filming Tarzan and the Jungle Boy, however, Henry was bitten on the jaw by the chimpanzee playing Cheetah, requiring 20 stitches to close the wound. The actor subsequently sued the production company (Banner Productions). The case was settled for an undisclosed amount, but Henry refused to continue in the role. Ron Ely took over as Tarzan in the TV series.

Mike Henry as Tarzan (1966)

Henry moved on to forge a successful career as a character actor, his most notable role as the son of Buford T. Justice, Jackie Gleason’s character in the Smokey and the Bandit trilogy.  He also appeared in two films with John Wayne, as Sergeant Kowalski in The Green Berets (1968) and as a corrupt sheriff in Rio Lobo (1970).  

Henry put his experience as a football player to good use, too, appearing alongside Charlton Heston in the commercial and critical flop Number One in 1970, and as a football-playing prison guard in the wildly popular Burt Reynolds vehicle, The Longest Yard (1974).  His last film role was a bit part in the 1987 comedy Outrageous Fortune, which starred Bette Midler and Shelly Long.

Mike Henry as Rasmussen, a crooked prison 
guard/football player in The Longest Yard (1974)

              

He retired from acting in 1988 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He passed away in Burbank, California, on January 8 due to complications from both Parkinson's and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).     

Charlie Krueger—January 28, 1937–February 5, 2021

By John Turney   

The man whose face represented the epitome of pro football has passed away—49ers defensive tackle Charlie Krueger. He was 84. According to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle Krueger passed away of heart and kidney failure.

Krueger began his career with a flash, recording a safety in each of his first three seasons, and tying an NFL mark, one he held a piece of until Ted Hendricks and Doug English surpassed him with four.

He was a Second-team All-Pro as a second-year defensive end with the 49ers in 1960. In 1961 he unofficially set his career-high with 8½ sacks as he transitioned to defensive tackle. 

He hurt his knee in 1963 and according to Sports Illustrated, "Krueger was in acute pain from 1963 on...he was regularly anesthetized between and during games and endured repeated, questionable steroid treatments administered by the team physician." Still, he played and played well. 

The next season, 1964, he went to a second Pro Bowl and the following season of 1965 he was a Second-team All-Pro (when he totaled 7½ unofficial sacks). In 1966 he was an honorable mention All-Pro by the AP. In 1968 and 1969 he had fine back-to-back seasons—in 1968 he had 5½ sacks and 6 tackles for loss and in 1969 his tackle total was 50 with 7 tackles for loss and 4½ sacks. 

The next season, 1970, according to SI, "(D)uring a game, pieces of Krueger's left femur and tibia broke off. He was given codeine for the pain and finished that game and the season—there were five games remaining—before the fragments were removed from his knee". Still, as the 49ers won the NFC West for the first of three consecutive seasons Kreuger was a Second-team All-NFC selection

Kreuger's number 70 was retired in 1974 and among the dozen retired by the 49ers. He's also a member of the 49ers (Edward J. DeBartolo) Hall of Fame. In 1964 Krueger was voted the 49ers Len Eshmont Award, what the 49er organization calls its most prestigious annual honor.

In 49ers history, only John Brodie (17), Jerry Rice, and Jimmy Johnson (both 16) played more than Krueger's 15 seasons and he still stands seventh in most games played for a 49er (198). And though unofficial, he ended his career with 53½ sacks. 

Kreuger, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame (Inducted 1983), was the 1955 Sophomore Lineman of the Year in the Southwest Conference, and then was a two-time All-American at Texas A&M where he played for the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant. After his senior season, he was the captain of the 1958 College All-Star team, who beat the Detroit Lions 35-19 and then was the eighth overall pick in the 1958 NFL Draft. Krueger also was named to the Southwest Conference 50th Anniversary Team, covering 1919-68, and a member of the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame (Inducted 1972)

His younger brother Rolf Krueger also went to Texas A&M and a decade after Charlie was taken in the first round Rolph was a  second-round pick in 1969 for the Cardinals and played six years in the NFL, including in 1972 and 1972 with the 49ers as a teammate of his older brother. 

He served 10 years in the Army Reserve, retiring as a captain.  He was known for his work with Easter Seals, March of Dimes, and Max Baer Heart Fund. 

The 49er organization released this statement after his passing, ""One of the longest-tenured players in franchise history, Charlie was known as the 'Textbook Tackle' for his reputation as a technician and his tremendous strength. He was a tough, resilient, and smart player who looked out for his teammates, both on and off the field. We extend our condolences and prayers to his wife, Kris, and the entire Krueger family."

However, most who remember him won't remember the accolades the honors, and the like. They will likely remember him because of his grizzled face, scarred and beaten. They will remember him as a  defensive tackle wearing a two-bar facemask, the same kind his quarterback John Brodie wore. 

He exemplified what many thought of as the "old NFL" that represented toughness and character and he wore it on his face, his soul, and sometimes that is worth more than the fame and accolades. 

R.I.P. Charlie. 

The Best Play in NFL History You've Never Seen

 By John Turney  

Jack Manders motions from his right halfback position to the left flat, Bernie Masterson (#33) gets rushed by Barney McGarry and loses his helmet as he throws downfield to Hamp Pool (#76) who makes the catch despite being defended by All-Pro fullback Johnny "Zero" Drake. Pool then laterals to Bob Nowaskey at the 20 and he runs it in the rest of the way for the touchdown.

The Associated Press described it this way—

United Press was very similar, dry, to-the-point—

Nothing about the hit to the head, the helmet pulled off, the quarterback standing tough in the pocket just a pass to Pool then a lateral to Nowaskey. Times have changed.

PFR scores it as a 20-yard pass to Nowasky from Materson which is how it may have been scored in the day. 

Fun stuff

Are ACTUAL Politics Really Necessary in the Hall of Fame Process?

 By John Turney

Today, as reported by KEWQ Channel 3, Sacramento, California Latino Legislators voted on a resolution calling on Tom Flores to be inducted into the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

This is silly on a couple of levels. We've known there have been small "p" politics in Hall of Fame voting fora long time. But never (or rarely) have actual politicians tried to taint the process. That has changed.

First, the vote was already taken. The voters met on the 18th of January, 2021, met and voted up or down on Flores' candidacy. No one knows the vote. Well, some do—like Coach Flores who has surely been told by now by the Hall of Fame s president that he will get a Gold Jacket. 

We are simply sure (though we've not been told anything) that Flores been voted in. It will be announced this upcoming Saturday at the NFL Awards Ceremony the day before the Super Bowl.

So, there is nothing these self-serving politicians can do about the Hall of Fame vote in any case. Nothing. They can pass a resolution calling on Peyton Manning's election to the Hall of Fame, too. But it will do zero good. NONE. At least in many resolutions, there may be something pending that a resolution can actually change. In this case, the horse is long gone and these people are voting to close the barn door. 

In fact, the Coors Light campaign had more of a chance to impact voters (it didn't) than this resolution. But at least Coors Brewing Company ran the commercial BEFORE the vote. 

Second, the resolution is not accurate. Tom Fears, who was the head coach of the New Orleans Saints from1967-70 was the first Hispanic/Latino to be a head coach in the NFL. Fears was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, of an Angelo father and a Mexican mother. 

Next, they mention his being someone with a Super Bowl ring as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. And yes, that is technically true, but of course, misleading since he was a bench warmer in 1969 for Hank Stram's Super Bowl-winning Chiefs. In political discourse (when these folks know well), that would be known as "spin". And it's also not relevant because Mike Ditka is not in the Hall of Fame (the other player with those achievements) is in the Hall of Fame because he was one of the best players at his position in the history of the NFL. Not for his time as a head or assistant coach. 

Also, this resolution mentioned, "Of the thirteen coaches in the NFL's history to win two or more championships, Flores is one of only four who have not yet been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame along with George Seifert, Mike Shanahan, and Tom Coughlin."

Have these politicians heard of Buddy Parker? or to them does the phrase "championships" mean Super Bowl wins? Again, in political parlance, this is dissembling. 

Is politics needed in the Hall of Fame process? Certainly, this kind of thing has been done before for the candidate, we've not looked it up. But if so, then and now, it's a poor idea. And even if it were a good idea, at least be accurate, though politicians are not known for being accurate with facts, so there is that. 

Politicians and non-binding, none-of-their business resolutions matter as much as this SNL clip from the 1990s—

video clip: SNL, Fair use claim

Also, as we mentioned, it's a done deal, no matter the outcome (and those for Flores can rest assured, his two wins as the head coach of the Raiders are enough to have gotten him in this year's class of the Hall of Fame and overrides the negatives in his "second-act" failures in Seattle. 

Just give it a handful more days and everyone can celebrate Coach Flores' career. He will be happy and so will his fans. 

Rams, According to Rumor, Make a Splash by Trading for Matthew Stafford

By John Turney 

This CBS Tweet says it all

Last year when the Rams acquired Jalen Ramsey we posted that the Rams have never been shy about making big-time deals. If the InterWeb rumors are accurate they have pulled the trigger on another blocked buster trade once again. 

Many sources are reporting that the Detroit Lions are dealing QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two future first-round picks, a third-round pick plus QB Jared Goff.

So, they get: Matthew Stafford

They give up: Two #1s and a #3.

The Rams paid a heavy price for Jared Goff in dollars and in draft capital. 

In 2019 Goff signed a four-year, $134 million contract with $110 million of that guaranteed. In 2016 the Rams traded a bundle to get Goff. We've detailed it before but here it is again—

In April of 2016, the Rams sent a 2016 first-round pick plus two second-round picks and a third-round pick plus another first-round pick (2017) and a 2017 third-round pick to the Titans in exchange for the #1 overall pick, a fourth-round pick, and a sixth-round pick.  With that #1 overall the Rams took Jared Goff.

So they got: The #1 overall (Jared Goff), a #4, and a #6

They gave up: Two #1s, two #2s, and two #3s.

The Rams 2016 Draft chart looks like this

(round, overall, player, pos, school)
1 #1 Jared Goff, QB, Cal

1 #15 (Choice to Tennessee)
2 #43 (Choice to Tennessee) Pick from Philadelphia for Sam Bradford
2 #45 (Choice to Tennessee)
3 #76 (Choice to Tennessee)
4 #110  Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky
4 #113 (to Chicago) from Tennessee
4 #117  Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina (From Chicago)
5 # (155)   (Used for Isiah Battle in Supplemental draft)
6 #177 Temarrick Hemingway, TE, South Carolina St. (from Tennessee)
6 #190  Josh Forrest, MLB, Kentucky
6 #206  Mike Thomas, WR, Southern Miss (from Chicago)
7 #235 (Choice to Tennessee for Case Keenum)

 

The top of the 2017 draft looks like this

(round, overall, player, pos, school)

1 #5 Choice to Tennessee for Jared Goff

2 #37 (Choice to Buffalo plus #149 for #44 and #91)

2 #44 Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama (Choice from Buffalo)

3 #69 Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington

3 #91 John Johnson, S, Boston College (Choice from Buffalo)

3 #100 (Choice to Tennessee) Compensatory pick for Janoris Jenkins

The Rams got Goff and the fourth, which the split, in essence, and got Pharoh Cooper and Mike Thomas. A good little draft move, a Les Snead special, getting two for one, and both were good special teams players but neither could play wide receiver in the NFL and both are gone. They used the sixth-rounder on Temarrick Hemingway. But what can be expected from a late-rounder? Hard to criticize that, really.

To get the extra second-rounder and third-rounder the Rams used the draft capital they got for sending Sam Bradford to the Eagles and the compensatory pick they received when  Janoris Jenkins signed with the Giants.

So, all told, outgoing picks are four #1s, two #2s, and three #3s

Incoming players are Matthew Stafford in 2021, Jared Goff (#1 overall in 2016), Pharoh Cooper, Mike Thomas, Temarrick Hemingway.

And now the "outgoing column" adds Goff to Cooper, Thomas, Hemingway (and Jenkins and Bradford two premium picks that could have been used elsewhere). 

Stafford in Rams uniform--Photoshop via Twitter

So, all of that falls on Stafford, himself a 2009 #1 overall pick. Invested in him in this trade string are the 2010 #1 overall pick (the Rams got Foles and a #2 for Sam Bradford and some change) the 2016 #1 overall pick (which the Rams paid and additional #1 and two #3s to swap their own 2016 #1 pick for) for a total draft capital of the four #1s, two #2s, and three #3s we mentioned.

Ironically, due to other trades for Brandin Cooks and Jalen Ramsey, the last time the Rams drafted in the first round was in 2016 when they grabbed Goff, though in 2019 they could have but they traded out of the first round to gather additional picks. Now, it seems it will be 2014 before they do so again unless they trade back into round one the next few years which certainly is possible for Trader Les.

They are rivaling Washington's run of not having a first-round pick from 1968 (when they took Jim Smith who lasted a year) until 1980 when they took Art Monk who went to the Hall of Fame. That's eleven years in the desert for Washington...if the Rams do draft in the 2024 first-round as they are currently scheduled it will be just seven years out of the premium round. 

Stafford is a good fit. He's always impressed with his toughness (playing on that hurt shoulder as a rookie. It was a gutty performance that sold us). He still has a great arm but is he going to be productive from 33-35, 36, 37, and on like Brady or Rodgers? 32 is the new 29 for quarterbacks, and the way they are protected Stafford should be okay, health-wise. 

Bert Jones in 1982

But what are they going to use to draft premium players to protect him or to give him the weapons he needs? Not to mention other needs that always seem to come up. It's hard to always plug them with second-rounders or third-rounders. 

But, the Rams are just being the Rams. Go big or go home. They hit a homer on SoFi Stadium, it's amazing and t looks great. They swung big on the uniforms and struck out. 

Maybe this will be the trade home run? Will Stafford be more Brady's is now with the Bucs or like others who have left their original team and done well. Peyton Manning comes to mind, and there are others. 

Or, will he be more than Bert Jones? One short stint and then the Rams have no quarterback. 

In all cases, that's a lot to pay for a quarterback. It didn't seem that Jared Goff was THAT bad. We thought we saw him in the Super Bowl in February 2019. That's just two years ago, right? Just checking.

As for Goff being told he's been traded to the Lions has to be like this—

SATURDAY SAGA: Interceptions for a Touchdown in Ram History

TJ Troup

Since there are no games this weekend, there will not be a "Tuesday Tidbits" next week, rather today to celebrate Nolan Cromwell's 66th birthday some detailed statistical info on Ram history. First up though, a thank you to Mr. John Steele for responding to last week's article. 

Have been asked more than once who would be my receivers in a four-wide alignment with a single back in the backfield? Jerry Rice, Lance Alworth, Paul Warfield, and the fourth is always a toss-up for me...the finalists are Raymond Berry, Steve Largent, and Marvin Harrison. Mr. Steele mentioned Warfield, and when evaluating receivers and you watch film of Alworth or Warfield you see the complete package. Name a trait that you want in a receiver and these two men had it. 

The Cleveland Rams had a record of 6-21 before putting a winning streak together in late 1939 under coach Dutch Clark, and on December 3rd in a victory over the Eagles linebacker Jerry Dowd returned a Philadelphia pass 24 yards for a touchdown. 

No doubt Jerry Dowd in his only year in the NFL did not realize how many more times a Ram would return an interception for a score.

How many you ask? Why 139 and counting—by far the most of any team in history, and many teams have not even recorded 100 pick-sixes—let alone 139. 

How many in victory you ask? An impressive 117 (84.2%).

The Rams have had so many outstanding defensive backs in team history, yet surprisingly very few have been finalists for the Hall of Fame. Cromwell will likely never get in though he was the best of the early 1980s of all the safeties in the NFL (Bud Carson, at the time, called him the NFL's best-ever free safety). 

The only other Ram that should get real strong consideration is Eddie Meador as a senior candidate. Eddie and LeRoy Irvin hold the team record for most interceptions returned for a touchdown in team history with five. Cromwell is one of a handful with four. 

Years ago worked with Ryan Anderson in "correcting" errors in the Ram guide, and he was a joy to work with. Since Anderson now works for Carolina the Ram front office has no one to correct the errors that still exist. You want an example? Page 264 of the 2008 Media Guide lists the most opponent fumble recoveries in team history, and at the top is Johnnie Johnson with 19 but that errantly includes a few offensive recovers and are not "opponent fumbles recoveries" thus that is stat is incorrect as the team record is held by Eddie Meador. 

Closing this saga with thoughts on the final game of the season as the Buccaneers and Chiefs battle for the Silver Trophy. 

Last weekend both of these teams displayed an impressive pass rush; which raises the question of which of these two teams can continue to sack the quarterback. Though Tampa Bay and Tommy B. were able to survive turnovers last weekend if he turns the ball over to the Chiefs next Sunday night they will lose. Statements about the Buccaneers playing at home just might be meaningless since the won/lost record this year for home teams was not near as strong as years past. 

We all have can list aspects to the game we believe are vital for success and will end this with two. Travis Kelce caught 13 passes against Buffalo, and if the talented tight end comes anywhere near that number the Chiefs win. 

Second, will the Chief's secondary play as well as they did against the Bills? 

Andy Reid has an opportunity to put his name with some of the coaching legends of the game with back to back SB wins...will he join that elite group? Yes. 

TUESDAY TIDBITS: The 1963 World Championship Game, The 2000 Club, and "Bad Henry"

By TJ Troup

We are down to two teams for the Silver Trophy, and tied to the two teams that are playing is a background story. Successful coaches need experience (sometimes hard lessons), and a valid reason for what they call. 

You are not about to read about my playing career, yet having played both corner and safety there is no doubt the inherent challenges in playing both positions. As a young coach had a thirst for knowledge and relished the on-the-job training on both the practice field and game day/night. 

Can never thank coach Tom Hayes enough for his guidance in 1981 and answering my many questions on coverages----especially all aspects and variations of Cover 2. Now the background story; summer of '82 and in a passing league game my dedicated, smart, and disciplined Mater Dei secondary played "lights out" pass defense all night against a strong team coached by a man who had won more than 200 games. 

They have a chance to win but must go deep. My secondary knows what I will call, and WHY....and we have practiced this situation. We are in man under two deep, as I never, EVER played "prevent" or man with a single high or free safety in this situation....just too much field to cover. I can hear the parents and booster club screaming at me before the snap....which of course I ignored. 

The young quarterback lofts the ball deep and is accurate to the end zone. My corner is trailing the receiver yet is arms-length from him, and my cover 2 safety is coming forward to perfect position to play the ball....incomplete, and victory. The successful head coach asked Wayne Cochrun who was the d-coordinator and secondary coach, and we walked off and he asked me pertinent questions; did I always call this coverage? did we practice this situation? did I have prevent? After my answers, he smiled, shook my hand, and told me emphatically that I would have a long successful coaching career, and don't ever change. Thanks, Bob Lester! 

Will Redmond failed his teammates in Green Bay on Sunday, and boy oh boy when you actually have a chance at an interception, don't drop the damn ball. The touchdown by Tommy B. was dead spot-on accurate, and the easily beaten corner had no help? Will Mike Pettine have a job for 2021? Will he call the same coverage? Only time will tell. 

"Not so fast, says Troup"

Have been asked before about the Chargers vs. Bears in the first "mythical" AFL-NFL Championship Game, and though there are gonna be some folks very unhappy, here is the breakdown. 

The 1963 Chicago Bears defense has been pared down by George Allen, and he has painstakingly eliminated fronts, blitzes, and coverages that Clark S. ran that are suspect in design. You assign responsibilities as a coach to players that can be done and done well. 

George Allen and his defense

The Bears have the individual talent and relished playing for Allen after the profane, vulgar, disrespectful way they were treated by Shaughnessy. The 1963 Chicago Bears allowed one touchdown in the first quarter all season...that's right—ONE. That touchdown came in their only loss. San Francisco had a powerful ground attack and gained 333 rushing in the two games against the Bears, so in the other twelve Chicago allowed 91 yards a game rushing. 

Much has been written about the Bears ability to pursue, hit, force, and takeaway the ball from opponents, and yes that is why they won. San Diego hired Walt Hackett to coach the defensive line, and as such Chuck Noll is now in his second year coaching the secondary. 

When you go to websites that are supposed to have accurate starting line-ups, and then watch film and see the websites are not accurate? Noll faced a dilemma that Allen did not in that the Chargers best defensive back was injured during the season, and is a key to this game. 

Bud Whitehead did not start all 14 games at left corner, but yes he was the starter most of the time. Rookie Dick Westmoreland started many games at right corner, and received a baptism by fire, until former starter Dick Harris took over. Harris also started at left corner, and played some at right safety. George Blair started each week at strong or left safety. 

Though all of these men had their moments, each of them was deficient in at least one area of secondary play. The key man for the Chargers and one of the best of his era is Charlie McNeil. Though undersized, the fleet instinctive former Grambling free agent was a ballhawk and an effective tackler. 

Gary Glick lost his job in Pittsburgh, Washington, and Baltimore, but who else could Chuck Noll have taken off the streets to play? Glick once intercepted Unitas three times in a game and was a willing tackler, but he was woefully slow, and way past whatever prime he once had. Blair and Glick would be responsible for Mike Ditka, and the deep pass. 

Sid Gillam, offensive genius

Watching the Chargers offense, and especially the talents in their personnel is a joy. Let's start with the running game; Lincoln & Lowe gained 404 yards rushing in the first four weeks, but the last 10 games gained 1,432. Any attack that has two men averaging 143 a game on the few carries they got is not only productive, but quickly gets a d-coordinators attention. 

Rote and Mix

Charger o-line is rock solid, and has an all-time great in Ron Mix. San Diego has a balanced attack. Tobin Rote had played against the Bears defense many times, and from 1955-59 he went against the Sid Gillman Rams. He may be in the twilight of his career, but he can make every throw, and understands coverage.....but can he "read" the disguised coverage that Allen had and was the best in the NFL? 

Don Norton was once an all-star, but now is just average, and though Dave Kocurek is talented, he was not utilized much in '63, and is matched against Richie Petitbon----a major advantage for Chicago.

Lance Alworth

In the first twelve games of '63 Lance Alworth caught 57 for 1,173 (20.6), but in the last two games four catches for just 32 yards? Not sure why. Alworth makes my roster as one of the four all-time best when using that alignment. McRae against Alworth is a worthy match-up, but Gillman is much too smart to align Lance flanker right. 

Doug Atkins

Split end left (he was aligned there when he beat Bob Suci) he goes against Davey Whitsell. Whitsell will need help from First-team All-NFL right safety Roosevelt Taylor. Both teams have a defensive end who is a nightmare for offensive tackles; either Bob Wetoska or Steve Barnett would have to try and block Earl Faison, and Ernie Wright draws the "meanest man in football" Doug Atkins. 

Earl Faison

Many of the other match-ups are fairly even. Though Chuck Allen is rock solid playing for Noll, the outside linebackers for San Diego are pedestrian at best and shared the position during the season. The Green Bay Packers are the only team that has a trio of linebackers that compares with Chicago. Larry Morris (who played for Gillman), Joe Fortunato, and legendary Bill George are a veteran gang of hardbitten savvy men who can "red dog", drop into zone or man coverage and fill any gap in the running game. 

They had better be at their best since they face one of the best tandems in all of football in the law firm of Lincoln & Lowe. Sid Gillman fired George Allen after one season in Los Angeles. Allen was motivated no matter the situation, yet maybe some revenge? Gillman went 2-8 against the Bears from '55-'59, but possibly that is even more motivation for El Sid? 

Billy Wade

San Diego in their three losses allowed 125 points when opponent passing attacks were very successful. The kicking game favors San Diego on placements since Roger LeClerc is "iffy" at lest, and Blair is rock solid. Bobby Joe Green gives Chicago a decided advantage since we know the Bears will have to punt. Finally, the Bears so-called attack. Billy Wade has adjusted his game, and can make every throw(he also had played for Gillman), and he is very effective on rollouts to the right and quarterback sneaks. 

Marconi and Bull don't make mistakes but pale in comparison to the Charger duo. Casares is past it, but he can pass block better than any other back on the field, and that leaves Willie the Wisp.....he has proven to be a game-breaker as both a runner, and receiver, and that is the final piece as Galimore makes a play as a receiver against the inadequate Charger outside linebackers or safeties. Final score you ask? Of course you ask...Chicago 24 San Diego 19. 

Still believe was very fortunate to see so many of the all-time great baseball players of the late '50s and decade of the ''60s. For me being a member of the 2,000 club is the ultimate hitting fraternity. Only four men amassed at least 2,000 total bases over the course of six consecutive seasons in the last 65 years. Frank Robinson, Ernie Banks, Willie Mays, and Henry Aaron. 

Simple to explain, you have to be durable, hit for power, for average, and not get many walks. Many folks relish the study of the history of baseball and was honored by SABR to speak in Los Angeles years ago. Very impressed by the other men that spoke that afternoon, but back to the subject at hand. Milwaukee won the pennant in '57 and '58, but let's go back to the second to last day of '56. Henry Aaron goes 3 for 5, yet the score is tied 1-1 going into the 12th. 

Rip Repulski doubles home Musial to beat the Braves (Spahn tried to go the distance), and as such Milwaukee finished a game behind Brooklyn. The playoff in '59 was all Dodgers, but if, somehow the Braves would have won the pennant in '56 and '59 Mr. Aaron would have been the center of attention in baseball. During 1959 Hank Aaron had a 22 game hit streak (April 23rd through May 18th) where he got 44 hits in 94 at-bats with 9 homers. 

Though he could not maintain that production, multiple by seven, and see what you get? The last four games of '63 the Braves won twice when Aaron hit a home run and stole a base—he finished with 44 homers, and 31 steals. Listening to a broadcast when Bobby Bonds became a member of the "30/30" club...the announcer raves that Bonds is the first to do it? Geez, look at Aaron? 

July of '67 saw Aaron play twice in person, first as the starting centerfielder for the National League in the all-star game, and then one week later in Wrigley when the Cubs beat the Braves. Drysdale and Koufax gave Henry Aaron his nickname, and the stories you read about how they attempted to pitch to him are sure fun to read..."Bad Henry" hit 7 home runs off of Sandy, hit .372, and had a slugging percentage of .664. 

Aaron hit number 715 off of a Dodger left-hander, but how come no one ever mentions that "Bad Henry" hit 14 home runs off Dodger left-hander Claude Osteen? He was one of the few/rare hitters ever that changed his stance, and style during a career, and continued to be elite. Watch the film of him in Milwaukee, and then in Atlanta, and you will see him go from line drive to pull power to left and the quest for 715. His dignity, class, and dedication rank him with every so few. RIP Hank. 

As for my historical narrative of past football games, the only game of January 24th worth mentioning was San Francisco against Cincinnati...and man was that a damn fun game to watch.