1972 Denver Broncos Cold-Weather Hand Pouches

LOOKING BACK—UNIFORMS
By John Turney

Late in 1972, the Denver Broncos had orange cold weather hand pouches sewn on their home uniforms. Oddly, they were a different shade of orange from the jerseys which were more of a red-orange. 

Now, this is not a criticism, we are not going after the equipment manager, to the contrary, we think it's kind of cool. It is a reflection of a more fun, simpler, less corporate time in the NFL.

Here are a few shots of the pockets, enjoy:

We love things like this whether it is uniform jersey color or facemasks oddities.

Ernie Nevers Booklist

LOOKING BACK
By Chris Willis, NFL Films

Ernie Nevers, fullback, Chicago Cardinals
(Color image courtesy PFJ)



On this day (June 11th) Ernie Nevers was born in Willow River, Minnesota. The six-foot, 205 pounds fullback played just five seasons in the NFL for two different teams- the Duluth Eskimos (1926-1927) and the Chicago Cardinals (1929-1931). But during those five seasons he was one of the best players in the NFL, being selected 1st Team All-Pro all five years. Playing in just 54 games Nevers finished in the top 5 of scoring in the NFL three times; 2nd in 1926; 1st in 1929 and 2nd in 1931.

In 1929 Nevers had a game for the ages for the Chicago Cardinals by scoring an NFL Record, 40 points, in a game on Thanksgiving Day against the cross-town Chicago Bears. He scored 6 touchdowns and kicked 4 extra points. The record still stands.

Nevers was selected to the NFL 1920's All-Decade Team and was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

Over the years only two books have been written exclusively about Nevers.

The first was one written in 1968 by Jim Scott as part of the Dension's Men of Achievement Series published by T. S. Denison & Company, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN). The series was for young readers and adults that also had books published about Walt Disney, Carl Sandburg, Herbert Hoover, and Ronald Reagan.

Ernie Nevers: A Football Hero was 175 pages in length, had 13 chapters and featured 9 photos. It was your standard biography covering from childhood to his post-football career. It contained quotes from Nevers, as well as his comtempories such as Jimmy Conzleman:

"Ernie shoots bullet-like passes on a flat trajectory that leads a receiver just right. He also analyzes enemy plays so well and makes more tackles than any other man on the field."

Nevers talks about the current game (1968) and perferring to play both ways:

"I wouldn't care for it. All the clubs have two teams- one for offense, the other for defense. In my days, eleven men were about enough. No, I wouldn't like it. I couldn't stand to spend half the time on the bench."

The second book is Leatherheads of the North: The True Story of Ernie Nevers of the Duluth Eskimos. Written by sportswriter Chuck Frederick in 2007, the 176-page book was published by Zenith City Press. This book covers the two years that Nevers played for the Duluth Eskimos, especially the 1926 season when Nevers played 24 games for the Eskimos, a traveling team that went 6-5-3 in 14 NFL games. It was reported that Nevers played 1,714 out of 1,740 minutes on that tour.

Both books are worth the read, but more could be told of this great early NFL pioneer. Happy Birthday, Ernie Nevers!

Wes Bradshaw, Kicker, Buffalo Rangers, 1926

LOOKING BACK
By Jeffrey Miller

Wes Bradshaw, who played for the Rock Island Independents and Buffalo Rangers in the 1920s, is, to me anyway, a bit of an anomaly. Let me explain …

Bradshaw was a star halfback during his college days at Baylor University, where he was the first player in Southwest Conference history to score 100 points in a single season (119 points in 1922).  Two years later, the man known as "Rabbit" played in seven games at halfback for the Independents, Rock Island, Illinois’ entry in the early days of the National Football League. After sitting out the 1925 season, he was lured back to pro ball in 1926 to play for the Independents in the newly-formed American Football League.  Bradshaw suffered a knee injury in the early part of the season and seemed done for the year.  But Jim Kendrick, coach of the Buffalo Rangers, a team composed entirely of players from the Texas-Oklahoma region of the United States, was able to lure Bradshaw out of hibernation.  Rabbit was not available at first while recovering from his injury.  However, when the Rangers faced the Kansas City Cowboys in a mudbath at Bison Stadium in Buffalo on November 21, he was coaxed into action. 

Midway through the second quarter, the score was knotted at 0-0, and the Rangers found themselves in field goal range. Kendrick sent starting left guard Cop Weathers to the sideline and called Bradshaw onto the field to attempt the kick. But Bradshaw’s kick fell short, and he returned to the bench, where he remained not only for the remainder of this game but for the remainder of the year.  This would be his one and only play as a member of the Buffalo Rangers.

So here is my issue:  every reference book lists Bradshaw as a back for the Rangers in 1926, but he never played a back position! Yes, he was known as a back, but in this game, he replaced a guard, and the only position he actually played was kicker.

Seems to me it makes more sense that Bradshaw should be the first NFL player listed simply as a kicker, even if it’s just for the 1926 season. Who do I have to talk to?   

Len Ford in the Slot

LOOKING BACK

By John Turney

Tommy James (L), Len Ford (C), Otto Graham (R)

In the early 1950s, defensive ends were almost akin to current-day 3-4 linebackers. They often (not always) lined up in two-point stances and usually rushed the passer when they read 'pass' but not always. In the by the mid-1950s, as teams moved to 4-3 defenses from the 5-2 defenses the defensive ends put a hand in the dirt and played from a three-point stance.

Len Ford was the best defensive end of the early 1950s, call it 1950-55, and he was usually in a two-point stance on the right side of the Cleveland Browns defense. By 1955 and after he was moving more to a three-point stance but he was still mostly a stand-up defensive end.

However, here, in the following two still shots from the 1955 NFL Championship game, Ford steps out to the slot and chucks the slot receiver and threw his hand up and forced a Don Paul interception who returned it for a touchdown.

Again, here is Ford in the slot, essentially playing slot corner. Tha ball went to the outside receiver and Ford chased down the receiver and made the tackle.

Here is Ford in a four-man line in a three-point stance.

 This time Ford is in a two-point stance in a five-man (52) line.

Early 1960s Packers Stocking Caps Had Numerals On Them

LOOKING BACK-UNIFORMS
By John Turney


A nice touch—In addition to nice sideline jackets, which were blue, by the way, the early 1960s packers had watch caps/stocking caps that had their uniform numbers on a patch stitched to the cap.

Here are a couple of examples:

Well done, Packers, well done. In addition to being the dominant NFL team in the 1960s your uniform game was top notch. Proof you can look good while also being focused on winning.

BOBBY MITCHELL & The Blanton Collier Trophy

LOOKING BACK—What If?
by T.J. Troup

Have always enjoyed writing articles for the Journal, and almost always they are under the title of "looking back". Today will also look back, yet for the first time am stretching out and doing revisionist history. Ready?

Here goes...today is Bobby Mitchell's 83rd birthday, and as one of my favorite players of that era, believe it is time to attempt to bring to life all he accomplished, and what could have happened in his career. Halfback Chet Hanulak struggled during the 1957 season, and Lew Carpenter did not have one of his better seasons. Mitchell is drafted by Cleveland with the 84th pick, and after sparkling in the College All-star game he is ready to help the Browns return to the title game in '58.

Mitchell scored four offensive touchdowns during the year, all in the first four games. Bobby is proving to be a terrific compliment to Jim Brown as he gains 370 yards rushing on just 42 carries in those four victories to start the season. Jack Clary's book "The Cleveland Browns" (Great Teams, Great Years series) he addresses the so-called issue of the fumbles. Though Clary has the number wrong; Mitchell does fumble twice in the mid-season loss to the Giants (both fumbles are recovered by teammate Pete Brewster). These are the only two fumbles by Bobby all year. Mitchell is listed as playing in all twelve games, yet for the next few weeks, he watches Cleveland's commanding division lead dwindle.

November 23rd against Philadelphia Mitchell joins that exclusive group that returns both a punt & kick-off for a touchdown in the same game. Bobby demonstrates he is also a viable option as a receiver out of the backfield, but the second half of the season he gains just 21 yards rushing on 14 attempts. Mitchell has proven he can play at an elite level in his rookie season, but how much will he play in 1959? The Browns put together a five game win streak to push their record to 6-2 and are back in the division race.

The Washington Redskins look helpless in trying to stop Bobby in the two games in '59. In October Mitchell records his first 100 yard receiving game, and in the re-match he has a game for the ages with 232 yards rushing. His style is unusual, and he is both fascinating and interesting to watch on film. Mitchell has blazing speed, yet he "shifts gears" when weaving his way through defenses. Bobby cuts back against the grain, and sure can shake & bake a defender, but when a tackler is about to bring him down from behind...Mitchell finds another gear to elude the defender.

The season-ending victory over Philadelphia is the rare game where Mitchell carries the ball often as he gains 127 yards on 24 carries, and keeps Cleveland above .500 for the campaign. He finishes fifth in the league in rushing as he gains 482 yards on just 67 carries the last five games of the season. Bobby scores the only touchdown for Cleveland on a 78 yard punt return when the Browns are destroyed by the Giants 48-7. He also catches at least one pass in every game. His outstanding season should have garnered a Pro Bowl selection, but did not.

The Cleveland roster is revitalized in 1960 with young talent in the secondary as the Browns bolt out to a 3-0 start. Mitchell gains 254 yards rushing and 152 yards receiving in these three games while scoring six times. Film study shows he follows his pulling guard much better (usually All-Pro Jim Ray Smith), and he is still a speedy, elusive runner with his galloping style gait. The disappointing loss in the re-match with Philadelphia starts the downward spiral as the Browns win just five of their last nine games to finish second. The shoot-out against the Giants 48-34 to close the season is a harbinger of things to come as Mitchell gains 133 yards receiving on 9 catches, and 2 touchdowns. Bobby Mitchell is selected to represent the Eastern Conference in the Pro Bowl.

The most asked question in Cleveland before the 1961 season is simple; are the Browns still contenders in the eastern conference? The answer is a simple no. Cleveland wins eight games to finish in third place, and Paul Brown is searching for an answer. Mitchell starts slow in '61 as he gains just 90 yards rushing on 24 carries in the first five games of the year, then in the next two he explodes for 223 on 33 carries. During the eight victories during the season he gains 491 yards on 66 carries, but in the six games Cleveland does not win he gains just 57 yards on 35 carries. He again scores on both a punt & kick-off return (both in victory). Bobby is not selected for the Pro Bowl, and he fumbles a career-high eight times. Stuart Udall under the guidance of Jack & Bobby Kennedy have stated emphatically that the Washington Redskins will integrate for '62. This is where my revisionist history begins.

The Redskins needed an elusive African-American running back that can electrify the crowd. George Preston Marshall and George Halas have known each other for years, and they make the block buster trade. Since the Bears have made running back Ronnie Bull their number one draft choice, and fullback Casares is not the powerful back he once was.....the Bears get Ernie Davis, and Washington receives Willie Galimore. Mitchell is not traded, the Browns struggle all year, and Paul Brown is dismissed. Blanton Collier is a teacher/communicator who has vast knowledge of strategy and schemes both offensively & defensively.

The Browns are contenders in 1963 but no team was going to take the division title from the prolific pass proficient Giants that year. Collier must upgrade his passing attack in '64 and thus Paul Warfield enters the picture. Though many plays and diagrams can be drawn; picture for a moment the following formation: Warfield split left, Collins flanker right(thus tight end is on the right), Jim Brown is single back directly behind Frank Ryan, and in the slot to the left is Bobby Mitchell. The myriad of alignments/formations and plays that can be used by this dynamic talented group is almost never ending.

The NFL in 1964 usually has the right or free safety taking the back out of the backfield man to man or playing deep centerfield. Sometimes in the past teams would go to zone and "roll" the coverage weak to attempt to stop a deep threat split end (Harlon Hill & Del Shofner come to mind). Questions now arise, the responsibilities and alignments defensively when Jim Brown flares either right or left, and is used on a screen play. Mitchell goes in motion from slot left to the right (wide side of the field), the ball is given to Brown on a toss sweep to the right, while Mitchell reverses course, and takes the ball from Brown on a reverse. Who can stop this? Coach Collier would wreck havoc with defenses all over the league.

The St.Louis Cardinals relished the blitz and were viable contenders in '64. How often do you blitz, and if you do—who takes Mitchell man to man when he is slot left inside of Warfield? Anyone can do this for hours, and we know the results! The Browns are champions in 1964 and repeat as conference champions in 1965. The second half of the Championship game in 1965 at Lambeau CHANGES. Collier sees that strong safety Larry Benz in his last game as a pro cannot stop Hornung & Taylor. Reading the play-by-play that actually happened—Green Bay dominated time of possession in the second half, and now back to revisionist history. Collier does not let that happen as he outwits Bengston, and  Cleveland defends their title with a 22-20 win at Lambeau (Green Bay was ahead 13-12 at the half).

Jim Brown does not retire because he is still a champion. Cleveland's versatile attack continues to cause problems for Landy and the man to man coverage Cowboys in 1966. The Browns defeat the Chiefs 35-10 in SB I, and the silver trophy today is the Blanton Collier trophy. Ok, back to what did happen. Mitchell IS the Redskin attack for two seasons, and he is prolific as a flanker. His stats speak for themselves. I was able to finally see him play in person at the Pro Bowl in January of 1965 in the Coliseum. Bobby Mitchell has now played in 92 games in his career and ranks 7th all-time in touchdowns scored with 68 (38 with Cleveland & 30 with Washington).

He is joined by Jurgensen, Taylor, and Smith to form a truly dynamic pass offense under Graham. Though improved, this is by no means a complete team. From November 22nd, 1959 through September 24th, 1967 (102 games) the Washington Redskins had just ONE 100 yard rusher. Graham moves Mitchell back to running back and on October 1st, 1967 against long time rival New York. The ten-year veteran pounds out 110 yards rushing on 21 carries, and his longest run is just 16 yards. Amazing, simply amazing the versatility in this man.

Mitchell is eventually moved back to flanker and finishes 4th in the league in receptions. Film study shows he can run every pattern as a receiver, has reliable hands, and is clutch in the "red zone". Early in the game of November 12th of 1967 is where this saga ends. Washington will beat the 49ers this day 31-28 and Bobby gets the 'Skins off to a promising start as he blazes by Pro Bowl cornerback Jimmy Johnson on a streak for 52 yards. James Buckley's book on the top 100 players of all-time has a feature on the 10 most elusive runners. Buckley states that Mitchell #5 on the list "excelled in the open field, often leaving tacklers grasping nothing but air as he headed for the end zone." Mitchell was one of the most versatile players of his generation, and he sure earned his gold jacket.

Remembering Dwight Clark (1957-2018)

LOOKING BACK
By Chris Willis, NFL Films

Dwight Clark making "The Catch" in the 1981 NFC Championship Game
(Courtesy: Sports Illustrated, current news story)

On January 10, 1982, I was 11-years old sitting at home in Columbus, Ohio watching the Dallas Cowboys play the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Growing up in the Buckeye State I became addicted to football, mainly watching the Ohio State Buckeyes. But in the NFL the Bengals and Browns took a back seat to my favorite player Joe Montana and my favorite team the 49ers. Cheering on the 49ers was doubly enjoyable that day as my older brother was rooting for the Cowboys. So when "The Catch" happened it made me a 49ers fan for life and made my brother miserable for a decade.

So hearing the news yesterday that Dwight Clark, one of my heroes growing up, had passsed away from ALS at the young age of 61, my heart broke.

Dwight Clark (1957-2018) was drafted in the 10th round out of Clemson in 1979. New 49ers head coach Bill Walsh saw him at Clemson while he scouted Tigers quarterback Steve Fuller in a pre-draft workout. Instead of taking Fuller he took Joe Montana in the 3rd round of out Notre Dame and Montana-to-Clark became the West Coast offense key receiving threat for the 49ers.

Clark played 9 seasons with the 49ers (1979-1987) and won 2 Super Bowls (XVI, XIX). He finished with 506 catches for 6,750 yards and 48 touchdowns.

When NFL Films started to produce the series "America's Game" back in 2005 Dwight Clark was one of the first people we interviewed. His interview was featured in the 1981 49ers show. Watching that show again showed Clark as such a down-to-earth person who genuinely was just happy to be playing in the NFL and happy to be in the right place, at the right time.

America's Game: 1981 San Francisco 49ers
(Courtesy: NFL Films)

"The Catch" will live on for 49ers and NFL fans everywhere. As for me, I'm happy that he made "The Catch," giving me one of the most special moments of my life as a football fan. He's one of the main reasons I'm a die-hard Faithful fan for nearly forty years.

Thank you, Dwight Clark!! RIP.