TUESDAY TIDBITS: "The Movie Projector Whirred in Vince Lombardi's Darkened Office"

 By TJ Troup

1952 NFL Championship Game

Another week in what so far has been a fascinating season in the NFL. Could always focus on the standings, and will go there briefly—with so many AFC teams at 6-3, there are some upcoming games that sure should shed light on who the final seven are going to be in the AFC. Today though am going to focus on November 15th in league history, and the passing of a legend. 

When the Browns lost back to back title games in 1951 & 1952 Paul Brown became even more intensely motivated than ever before, and the classic game against San Francisco in 1953 was hard-fought between the best 49er team ever (to this point in team history), and an undefeated Cleveland team. During the game, Graham left his protective pocket and ran towards the right sideline. As Otto went out of bounds Art "boom boom" Michalik delivered an elbow shot to Graham's jaw. One tough hombre Graham did return to the game and delivered a victory for Brown. 

The result of the shot by Michalik was a new type of face guard; thick clear plastic about two to three inches wide that was used by many teams and players the next couple of seasons. This past Sunday the Browns had teammates rush for over 100 yards in the win over the Texans, and though that is impressive----pales in comparison to November 15th, '59 when second-year halfback Bobby Mitchell gained 232 yards rushing against Washington. Though Cleveland struggled to stay in the eastern conference race that year; Mitchell and his compadre in the backfield, Jim Brown established a record that few ever thought could be broken. Mitchell and Brown carried the ball 421 times and combined to lose just three fumbles. 

Yes, folks just THREE! Later in this saga, though you will read about a duo that did break the record. Have always enjoyed revisionist history....you know....what if? Green Bay and the Chicago Cardinals did a coin flip for the "bonus" pick for the '57 draft. Imagine for a moment if the Cardinals had won the toss? Simply, that Paul Hornung would have been in Pop Ivy's double-wing offense with Ollie Matson in 1958. Difficult to imagine "the golden boy" in that uniform, and as such let us head to Wisconsin for Hornung's rookie campaign of '57. 

Paul Hornung

Opening day in new City Stadium and Hornung got to carry the ball twice. Second quarter and on a first and ten play he lost a yard, then on second down and eleven he ran right and looked like he was going to throw the halfback option pass, and lost nine yards. The official scorekeeper counted the play as a run, when probably should have been a sack—thank you Mr. Eric Goska! Three games and the rookie has carried the ball eight times for 12 yards. November 3rd, 1957 was the turning point in Paul's career. After three quarter's he has carried the ball eleven times for 51 yards, then from the fullback position he breaks loose for the longest run of his career—72 yards to the New York Giant eight-yard line. The staunch Giant defense stonewalls Hornung in a goal-line stand in the New York victory. 

Watching Hornung from the other sideline was the offensive coordinator of the Giants Vince Lombardi. Much has been written about Lombardi's first contact with Paul, yet this story is about aspects of Hornung's style that has not been developed or even mentioned? 

The Packers have a chance to open the '59 season with three consecutive victories if they can beat San Francisco. Jim Taylor does not play(listed incorrectly that he played in every game that year), and during the week St. Vince challenged Paul with the concept that he was going to get the ball repeatedly. He set the then Packer record of 28 carries, and pounded out 138 yards! Learned that Hornung was sore as hell, but Green Bay won, and both men proved their point. We all know that Paul set the scoring record in a twelve-game season in '60 with 176 points, but today teams play 16 games, so over the course of 9-25-'60 through 10-8-'61 Hornung scored 240 points. 

Let that number sink in! There were some that believe Paul was not a true Hall of Fame player—240 points in 16 games IS a Hall of Fame player. The above title quote from Dave Anderson in an old Dell Sports magazine tells the tale—Lombardi knew this was a man who could help him win. Paul Hornung had an upright running style, and at 6'2" he was a target for hard-hitting defenders. Though he did make a move on a defender now and again, basically he shifted, and bounced off of tacklers. Hornung had tremendous leg drive, and that was paramount in goal line offense for St. Vince. 

Green Bay not only ran sweeps, but goal line trap plays, and Paul was exceptional at reading the stout blocking of the Packer guards. Very few times was the Packer running game stopped from '59 through '62, yet on December 17th, '60 with the western conference crown on the line the lowly Rams stonewalled the Green Bay running game (30 carries for just 58 yards).  

With so many defenders bunched at the line of scrimmage, Bart Starr played actioned passed the Packers into the lead, and Hornung as he did many times was dead on accurate on his halfback option pass in the game Green Bay had to have. So many folks talk about the Packer sweep, yet it is the companion play—the fullback slant to the weak side that must be run effectively. The left halfback blocks either the outside linebacker, or defensive end (guard pulls or drive blocks), and the ball is given to the fullback Taylor. Paul Hornung was an excellent blocker, runner, passer, and kicker, but what about as a receiver. 

He was also productive when called upon, but only once in his career did he catch two touchdown passes in a game—December 12th, 1965 in a must-win situation in Baltimore Hornung catches two passes for 115 yards. Though he did not have much left in the tank, he had it when his team needed it. Paul Hornung struggled against the Detroit Lion defense running the ball; 124 carries for just 366 yards, yet he is one of the few backs ever to average better than 5 yards per carry (minimum of 100 carries) against an opponent. When Paul saw those horseshoes on the side of the Colt helmet he galloped down the field to the tune of 651 yards on 130 carries. 

My upcoming book (best stuff have ever done) on the season of 1961—will have in-depth detail on Green Bay. Hornung and Taylor carried the ball 370 times and lost just two fumbles, yes folks they broke the Mitchell & Brown record. Paul also began the campaign with his best season kicking as he made 11 of 14 field-goal attempts in the first six weeks. His military commitment to our country limited his place kicking down the stretch. RIP Paul Hornung you were truly one helluva halfback, and watching you toss the ball into the Wrigley Field bleachers on December 4th, 1960 on the highlight film is still a vivid memory. 

Packers are LaFleurishing since 2019

 By Eric Goska

The obvious: Matt LaFleur is a winner.

Less obvious: the Packers’ head coach has been notching victories at a pace far superior to most NFL coaches in their first tour of duty.

Green Bay outlasted Jacksonville 24-20 at Lambeau Field to garner its seventh win of the season. The game is the latest example of LaFleur’s charges coming out on top.

The hiring of a new coach comes with no guarantees. Each season brings a new round of firings as those who fall short are relieved of duty.

LaFleur, who turned 41 earlier this month, became the Packers 15th head coach on Jan. 8, 2019. An NFL assistant for 10 years—including six as quarterbacks coach and another two as offensive coordinator—the native of Mount Pleasant, Michigan has possessed the keys to the most storied franchise in league history now for nearly two years.

Landing the job was an accomplishment. Making a name for himself in a role once held by Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi, Mike Holmgren and others would be another matter entirely.

According to Pro Football Reference, just over 500 men have been head coaches since 1920. Some—George Halas (Staleys/Bears), Don Shula (Colts; Dolphins), Bill Belichick (Browns; Patriots)—are held in high regard. Others—Coonie Checkaye (Muncie Flyers), Ed Kubale (Brooklyn Tigers), John Fassel (Rams)—came and went with little fanfare.

Sunday was LaFleur’s 25th regular-season game at the helm. The milestone provides an opportunity to compare his record against those who came before him.

Getting to Game 25 is a feat in and of itself. Roughly 40 percent of the 500 men on the all-time list never made it that far.

Of the 300 or so who did, few have been as successful so early in their careers as has LaFleur. The second youngest head coach in team annals (Lambeau) has won 20 of his first 25 regular-season games.

As a rookie in 2019, he guided the Packers to a 13-3 record and a division title. In doing so, he joined George Seifert (49ers), Steve Mariucci (49ers), Jim Caldwell (Colts) and Jim Harbaugh (49ers) as the only men to win 13-plus games in their first season as head coach according to the team’s media guide.

This year, LaFleur’s outfit is 7-2 and leads the NFC North Division by two games over the Bears. His club has yet to lose two in a row.

LaFleur is easily off to the best start of any Packers’ head coach. Mike McCarthy had been the standard bearer (16-9) followed by Lombardi (15-10) and Mike Sherman (15-10).

With his team downing Jacksonville by four, LaFleur became the 11th head coach in NFL history to win at least 20 of his first 25 regular-season games. Of the 11, he is only the second (Chuck Knox in 1973) to have gotten there after inheriting a team with a losing record.

Green Bay went 6-9-1 in 2018.

Seifert (23 wins), Guy Chamberlain (22) and Paul Brown (22) got off to the best starts of anyone in their first 25 games. The remaining eight on the list won 20 of their first 25.

In a number of ways, win No. 20 for LaFleur didn’t resemble many of his previous triumphs. Green Bay failed to score on its opening possession for the first time this season. The team was on the wrong end of the turnover differential for the seventh time since 2019.

The 91-yard punt return by the Jaguars’ Keelan Cole was the first special teams touchdown allowed by the Packers under LaFleur. In addition, Green Bay overcame a fourth-quarter deficit for only the third time in the last season and a half.

Yes, the Packers’ win was ugly. Yes, the outcome remained in doubt with less than two minutes remaining.

But Jacksonville’s resolve and refusal to back down only strengthens the notion that winning consistently in the NFL is anything but easy. Even the most downtrodden of clubs can rise up and threaten the best-laid plans of the opposition.

So don’t let this narrow decision over the Jaguars minimize what LaFleur has done. Through 25 games, the offensive mastermind has put the Packers in a position to compete for championships. Perhaps like five of the 10 previous coaches who got to 20 so quickly, he’ll come through with at least one league title before he calls it a career.

Extra Point

James Robinson became the sixth running back to log all carries from scrimmage by a Packers opponent in a game. The undrafted rookie from Illinois State carried 23 times for 109 yards, but did not reach the end zone. Others who have shouldered the entire rushing load against Green Bay are Ted Brown (11-28-1) in 1981, Barry Sanders (12-38-0) in 1992, Eric Lynch (30-115-2) in 1993, Edgerrin James (17-71-0) in 2000 and DeMarco Murray (18-134-1) in 2013.

25 Will Get You 20

NFL head coaches who won 20 or more of their first 25 regular-season games.

        Record       Coach                           Years                 Team           Year Before

          23-2-0        George Seifert               1989-1990          49ers                    10-6-0

          22-0-3        Guy Chamberlain         1922-1924           Bulldogs                5-2-3

          22-3-0        Paul Brown                   1950-1952           Browns                 9-1-2*

          20-2-3        George Halas                1920-1922           Staleys/Bears       NA

          20-2-3        Tommy Hughitt           1920-1922           All-Americans      NA

          20-4-1        Dick Rauch                   1925-1926           Maroons                NA

          20-5-0        Chuck Knox                  1973-1974           Rams                    6-7-1

          20-5-0        Barry Switzer                1994-1995          Cowboys             12-4-0

          20-5-0        Steve Mariucci              1997-1998          49ers                    12-4-0

          20-5-0        Jim Caldwell                 2009-2010          Colts                    12-4-0

          20-5-0        Matt LaFleur                2019-2020          Packers                6-9-1

*In 1949, the Browns were a member of the All-America Football Conference and not the NFL.

NA = not applicable

1963 AFL Defensive Players of the Week

By Jeffrey J. Miller 

Week 1 – September 7, 1963

Tommy Morrow of the Oakland Raiders registered three interceptions in leading the Raiders to a surprising 24-13 victory of the Oilers at Houston. Morrow, who played his collegiate ball at Southern Mississippi, picked up where he left off in 1962 when he led the Raiders with 10 thefts. It was the first opening-day loss ever for the Oilers, winners of the Eastern Division crown in each of the AFL’s first three seasons, and the first-ever opening day win for the Raiders, who were coming off a dreadful 1-13 campaign.

Week 2 – September 14, 1963

San Diego’s Chuck Allen was a one-man wrecking crew in leading the Chargers to a 17-14 squeaker over the Patriots at Balboa Stadium. The six-foot, one-inch, 225-pound middle linebacker was credited with 22 tackles (12 unassisted) to go with two passes defensed to keep the game close until the Chargers’ offense could put up the winning points on a George Blair field goal midway through the final frame.

Week 3 – September 22, 1963

The Oakland Raiders were a bit of a surprise, starting the 1963 campaign at 2-0 after finishing 1962 with the worst record in the league at 1-13. A new attitude imported by new head coach Al Davis resulted in impressive victories over Houston and Buffalo. The Boston Patriots, on the other hand, were still trying to establish an identity, starting the season at 1-1. Going up against the emergent Raiders in Oakland did not appear to be a good place to start a march toward a post-season berth, but there is a reason why the games are played on the field and not on paper.  Led by a stingy defense that sacked Oakland quarterbacks nine times, the Pats eked out a 20-14 win to improve to 2-1. Middle linebacker Nick Buoniconti led the way with a sack and two interceptions, the second pick coming late in the fourth quarter off Tom Flores as “The Iceman” was driving the Raiders toward what could have been the game-winning score.

This might very well have been Boston’s most important win of the entire season.       

Week 4 – September 28, 1963

Lucky for New York’s Dainard Paulson, thievery on the football field is not only legal, but it is strongly encouraged. The hard-hitting cornerback from Oregon State registered four thefts in the Jets’ 10-7 defeat of the Oakland Raiders at New York’s Polo Grounds. Paulson recorded a takeaway in each quarter of the game, including interceptions in each of the first three stanzas, then a fumble recovery in the fourth as the Jets improved to 2-1 on the season, while the Raiders dropped to 2-2.   

Week 5 – October 5, 1963

Having started the season at 0-3-1, the Bills were looking to get off the schneid against the 2-2 Oakland Raiders in this Week 5 contest at Buffalo’s War Memorial Stadium. Rookie safetyman George Saimes, starting just his third game on the defensive side of the ball after beginning the season as the backup to star fullback Cookie Gilchrist, was determined to keep the Bills’ playoff hopes alive. The Canton, Ohio, native came through like a Hall-of-Famer, registering a pass interception, one pass defensed, a fumble recovery, and a half a sack in leading the Bills to their first victory with a 12-0 shutout. 

Week 6 – October 13, 1963

The Buffalo Bills were coming off their first win of the season with the previous week’s drubbing of the Raiders, but at 1-3-1 were still desperate for wins. Staying on the beam this week would be no small task as the Bills traveled to Kansas City to face the defending AFL champion Chiefs, who were coming into this contest at 2-1-1. Cornerback Booker Edgerson, drawing inspiration from defensive backfield mate George Saimes’ Defensive-Player-of-the-Week performance a week earlier, was all over the field, registering four unassisted tackles, seven assisted tackles, one fumble recovery and one pass defensed to pace the Bills to a 35-26 upset victory at Municipal Stadium. 

Week 7 – October 20, 1963

With six weeks now in the books, the race in the East was still anybody’s call. Houston and Boston were deadlocked at 3-3 with Buffalo right behind at 2-3-1, making this weekend’s game between the Oilers and Bills at Jeppeson Stadium the league’s featured game. But the game did not live up to its hype as the Bills came out flat and never seemed to get into a groove. Houston’s All-Pro cornerback Freddie Glick led by swiping two Jack Kemp passes and providing strong run support as the Oilers breezed to a 28-14 win. 

With the victory, the Oilers improved to 4-3, and maintained their tie for the Eastern lead with Boston, who were also victorious this weekend.

Week 8 – October 27, 1963

The Houston Oilers entered Week 8 at 4-3, needing a victory to keep pace with the Eastern Division rival Boston Patriots, who bore an identical record.  Fortunately for the Oilers, this week’s opponent was the Kansas City Chiefs, who were coming into this contest at Houston with a disappointing 2-3-1 mark. The result was still in doubt as the third quarter began with the Chiefs ahead 7-0. But Houston’s veteran outside linebacker Doug Cline earned this week’s DPOW honors by picking off two Len Dawson passes as well recovering a Dawson fumble that thwarted a Kansas City drive deep into Houston territory late in the second quarter, keeping the Oilers within striking distance as the second half got underway.  

Week 9 – November 3, 1963

The Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs were teams heading in opposite directions.  The defending AFL-champion Chiefs were coming into this weekend with a 2-4-1 mark, having dropped their last three contests. The Raiders, on the other hand, were riding a two-game winning streak that brought them to 4-4 on the season, the first time the Raiders had been at .500 this late in a campaign since 1960. Oakland’s defense, led by veteran defensive end Dalva Allen, kept the Chiefs offense in check well enough to allow the Raiders to escape with a narrow 10-7 win. The six-foot, four-inch, 245-pound Allen, who played collegiately at the University of Houston, registered two quarterback sacks (totaling 21 yards) and also recovered a fumble in support of the cause.     

Week 10 – November 10, 1963

Heading into Week 10 of the 1963 season, the Eastern Division was still up in the air as the Oilers and Patriots were locked in a dead heat with identical 5-4 records. Needing to stay in the win column to keep pace with their division rival, the Oilers took care of business by defeating the New York Jets 31-27 at Jeppeson Stadium. Starring for the Oilers was cornerback Bobby Jancik, who intercepted two Dick Wood passes. Jancik’s first theft stopped a New York drive in the end zone in the second quarter. The second came late in the fourth, leading directly to a Houston touchdown that ultimately provided the margin of victory.

Jancik, by the way, provides the answer to the trivia question, “Who was the first player from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, to play professional football?”

Week 11 – November 17, 1963

The second-place Buffalo Bills (5-4-1) welcomed the Western Division-leading San Diego Chargers to War Memorial Stadium needing a win to keep pace with the Eastern co-leader Oilers (6-4) and third place Boston Patriots (5-5). Unfortunately for the Bills, the Chargers were involved in a race of their own, needing a victory to keep pace with Oakland, who boasted a similar 6-4 mark. Defensive back Dick Harris, a two-time All Pro, played brilliantly, swiping three of former teammate Jack Kemp’s passes. Two of Harris’ picks led directly to San Diego field goals, while the third came on the final play of the game, as the Chargers held on for a hard-fought 23-13 triumph. 

November 24, 1963

Games postponed as the nation mourned the passing of President John F. Kennedy.

Week 12 – November 28, 1963

This year’s surprising team, the retooled Oakland Raiders, who at 6-4, found themselves just two game behind the division-leading San Diego Chargers (8-2) with four games remaining in the regular season. If Al Davis’ crew were to have any chance to catch his old team, they could not falter the rest of the way.  The Denver Broncos, at 2-7-1, had little to play for at this point, other than pride. The inspired Raiders, behind a stingy defense that surrendered just 46 yards on the ground and 187 via the pass, gave their beloved head coach and fans something to be very thankful for this Thanksgiving Day, steamrolling the Broncos 26-10 at Denver’s Bears Stadium. The Raiders’ standout performer was six-foot, three-inch, 218-pound linebacker Clancy Osborne.  Playing his first season with the Raiders after spending his first four pro campaigns in the NFL (1959-60 with San Francisco and 1961-62 with Minnesota), Osborne came through with a dazzling performance, registering two sacks and one interception in helping the Raiders to improve to 7-4.

Week 13 – December 8, 1963

With the division crown at stake, the 6-5-1 Boston Patriots traveled to Jeppeson Stadium in Houston to take on the 6-5 Oilers. In a game that certainly lived up to its billing, the Patriots prevailed in a 46-28 shootout.  Boston’s All-Pro linebacker Tommy Addison earned this week’s Defensive Player of the Week honors with an outstanding performance that included two-and-a-half sacks, six solo tackles, and a forced-fumble that Nick Buoniconti returned for a touchdown.

The victory put the Patriots in the driver seat at 7-5-1 with one game remaining on their schedule.  All they would have to do is win their final contest the following weekend against the Chiefs, and the division would be theirs

 Week 14 – December 15, 1963   

Because of a weird scheduling anomaly resulting from the AFL’s decision to postpone the games from the weekend following President Kennedy’s assassination, the two teams vying for the Eastern Division pennant, Boston and Buffalo, were playing their final regular-season games this weekend, the penultimate week of the AFL season. Buffalo came into the weekend with a record of 6-6-1, needing a win over the Jets and a Patriots loss to the Chiefs in order to force a divisional playoff game, while all the Pats had to do was beat the Chiefs or hope the Jets beat the Bills. 

The Chiefs, already mathematically eliminated from the post-season, were eager to play the role of spoilers and laid a 35-3 walloping on the slumbering Pats. The Chiefs’ defense was nearly impenetrable, allowing a paltry 74 yards on the grounds and a mere 85 yards through the air. All-Pro cornerback Dave Grayson led the way for Kansas City, recording two interceptions and four passes defensed, while contributing three tackles. The Patriots’ loss, combined with the Bills defeat of the Jets in New York, resulted in the first-ever divisional playoff game in AFL history.

Week 15 – December 22, 1963

Though it was a meaningless game with both teams already eliminated from playoff contention, the Kansas City Chiefs were still the defending AFL champs and were not about to let the season end on a sour note.  Bobby Hunt, Kansas City’s All-Pro left safety, was all over the Municipal Stadium field as the Chiefs totally dominated the visiting New York Jets. The Auburn grad registered four tackles (3 unassisted), batted down two enemy passes, intercepted two passes, and topped it all off with a fumble recovery in leading the Chiefs to a 48-0 skunking. The shutout of the lowly Jets meant the Chiefs surrendered just three points in their two final regular-season games. 

Remembering Charles "Ookie" Miller

LOOKING BACK
By Chris Willis, NFL Films

Charles "Ookie" Miller, Purdue, 1931

On this day, November 11, former NFL center, Charles “Ookie” Miller was born in 1909 in Marion, Indiana. After playing his college football at Purdue, Miller went on to play 5 years with the Chicago Bears (1932-1936), then one year each with the Cleveland Rams (1937) and Green Bay Packers (1938).

During his seven-year career Miller won 2 NFL championships, 1932-1933 Bears, and played in some of the most famous games in NFL history. Miller started at center for the Bears in the 1932 NFL Playoff Game played in indoors at Chicago Stadium between the Bears and the Portsmouth Spartans, winning 9-0. The followed year he started at center again as his Bears played in the first NFL Championship Game (1933) as his Bears defeated the New York Giants, 23-21.

Miller followed that up in 1934 when he played in 12 games for the undefeated Bears (13-0), but did not play in the famous “Sneakers Game,” watching Chicago lose 30-13.

"Ookie" Miller, Bears center (Color: PFJ)

Last summer, when PFJ listed the best Pre-World War II players (two-way era), Miller was listed as the number 13 center.

13) Charles “Ookie” Miller (1932-1938)- Miller played 7 years (82 games) with 3 teams the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Rams, and Green Bay Packers…Bears starting center in 1932-1933…the 6-0, 209-pound pivot man was a member of 2 NFL Championship teams with Bears (1932-1933)…had best year in 1933 earning First-team All-Pro honors from Chicago Daily News, Collyers, UP and Green Bay Press-Gazette. In 1935 and 1937 Miller was named Honorable Mention All-NFL. Helped anchored a Bears line that led the NFL in rushing in 1932 and in 1934-1935…in 1934 was back-up center on team that helped block for Beattie Feathers, who became the NFL’s first 1,000-yard rusher (1,004).

“Ookie was a good center. He could block and he could tackle. And he could move.”—George Musso, former Bears teammate and Hall of Famer, said in a 1999 NFL Films interview.

“Ookie Miller is the center and his exhibition in the playoff game against (Mel) Hein, New York, left no room for doubt. Miller is a superb passer, follows the ball closely and slashes through consistently when on the defense.” —wrote G. W. Calhoun of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, in naming Miller First-team All-Pro in 1933, selecting him over Hein.

"Ookie" Miller, Packers, 1938 (Color: PFJ)

Over twenty years ago I was fortunate to interview Miller for one of our NFL Films shows. On March 30, 1999, I traveled to Bayonet Point, Florida (about forty miles northwest of Tampa) to sit down with Miller to talk about his NFL career. At that time Miller was 89-years old. When he greeted us, Miller was still in tremendous physical shape, had a nice Florida tan, and was in great spirit to talk about his pro career.

Top: Charles "Ookie" Miller, author, March 1999. Bottom: Miller sitting for interview. 

I was astounded by Miller’s recall of events some six decades earlier. I interviewed him for two hours and he was more than willing to answer all of my questions. He didn’t need a break and could’ve gone longer. Some of his answers included the following topics:

 He told me about his unique nickname from an early age:

“When I was quite small I couldn’t say ‘cookie’. My three-year old brother made fun of me and he said ‘ookie’. Everywhere I’d go he’d call me ‘ookie.’ It hung on even into high school. That’s the way I got the name.”

On George Halas:

“I liked George. He was one of the boys. He’d been an athlete. He was athletic. He treated you like an athlete. He had rules, I have the payments to show for them. He’d fine you for being about it. I enjoyed playing for Halas.”

On playing on an 80-yard dirt field in Chicago Stadium for 1932 NFL Playoff Game (Bears vs Spartans)

“It was stinking and dirty…One of our players got sick in the stomach and threw up. Oh, it was bad…There’s a lot of disadvantage to a small field like that, because you couldn’t your repertoire is limited. One of our best passers couldn’t be used at all because he threw the ball as long as the field was, he doesn’t have the accuracy.”

Opening kickoff, 1932 NFL Playoff Game, Bears vs Spartans. In middle, "Ookie" Miller, wearing number #76. 

On Playing both-ways:

“I liked it. I didn’t like to be out of the game. I didn’t like to be taken out. When they’d take me out I was like that guy I saw the out there to play…”

On game-winning touchdown in 1933 NFL Championship Game (Bears vs Giants):

“That’s spontaneity. It wasn’t planned. (Bill) Hewitt is a really imaginative individual. He and (Bill) Karr may’ve worked that out together, but I’d never seen it in practice.”

On being remembered:

“I felt that I did the best I could when I was on the field, and contributed as much as I could. That’s about all. I was a good teammate, nobody hated me. I don’t think anybody would ever think that I didn’t give all when I was in a ball game. I played 60 minutes. I feel I contributed to every game that I played in. That’s about it.”

I’ve always cherished my time interviewing Miller back in 1999. Even after our interview, we corresponded, by letters, a few times as the interview was used for a piece on the first NFL Championship Game. Over the years Miller has appeared in several of our shows and his 2-hour interview will exist forever in our vault, which makes me feel very gratifying.

"Ookie" Miller letters to author, 1999 

On August 7, 2002, Miller passed away in Florida at the age of 92.

Even after twenty years I always look back with fondness of my time interviewing the man they called "Ookie."

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "We Wanted to Come out Today and Pick up the Tempo"

By TJ Troup

Here we are at the halfway point of the season. So many storylines with thirty-two teams, and some of those teams exceeding expectations, and others...well, the power rankings at the bottom tell that tale. Two teams this weekend did not allow a sack and did not lose a fumble, and both won. 

Both Pittsburgh and New England trailed and looked on the precipice of defeat...yet victory beckoned, and when your quarterback is not sacked, and your players hold onto the hog hide you increase your chances. Over the years have trumpeted the defensive passer rating, and this season is no different. The top five teams in pass defense efficiency beginning with the league-leading Colts at 78.5 have won 32 and lost 10. 

The bottom seven teams with the porous Houston Texan secondary the worst at 111.2—no they never cover anyone, yet the phone has not rung? Thought possibly they would ask me to join their secondary at age 69 and slow as hell, to try and stop the top triggermen of the league. At least would go to the proper zone. The record of those bottom seven teams you ask—19-40. No pass defense, no victories. There are many games each weekend that intrigue me, and next Monday night the suddenly red hot Vikings go to Soldier Field to take on a Bears team that has lost three straight. 

Gibron. Credit: NFL Films

Steve Sabol in 1973 had coach Abe Gibron miked....and he came up with a comical line that has stayed with me for years. Ready? "watch the pass, watch the draw, watch the flea-flicker, ah hell watch everything"....now that is cutting edge coaching. 

Never, ever told my defenses anything as comical. Coach Nagy has taken one from Abe's playbook....he stated after the loss to Tennessee...."trust me I'm going to look at everything"....wow Matt? look at everything? Wonder if other coaches in the league might possibly look at everything? If Covert, Bortz, Hilgenberg, Thayer, and Van Horne are available....maybe Coach Nagy will suit them up? They might be ancient, but damn those boys could block. 

Today we are going to journey back to November 8th, 1992. The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the road game before over 80,000 at Rich Stadium with a record of 6-2. Barry Foster behind a fine offensive line has gained 865 yards on 195 carries...very impressive. Buffalo is attempting to win the conference and return to the Super Bowl for the third straight season. A daunting task, yet they have weapons on offense, and a much-improved defense from '91.

The Bills dominate the first half and lead 21-6. The creative Buffalo offense even uses Mitch Frerotte as a receiver and score. The score would probably have gotten out of hand, but two Steeler fumble recoveries staved off Buffalo. Pittsburgh on their first possession of the second half scores and the margin is now 21-13. Foster has been hammered all afternoon by Bruce Smith and his cohorts as he gained just 78 yards on 22 carries. Smith's quote after the game "I think we definitely made a statement today". 

Buffalo drives 80 yards to score, as Jim Kelly completes to Lofton. Kelly on the day had a passer rating of 133.6 as he shredded the Black & Gold secondary. The Bills get the ball back after O'Donnell throws a touchdown pass to Hoge...Buffalo 28 Pittsburgh 20. The fans look up at the clock and see 8:04 remaining in the game as the "red gun" offense comes out of the huddle. Pittsburgh never gets the ball back as Thurman Thomas carries 11 times for 52 yards. On the day Thomas gained 155 yards on 37 carries as the Buffalo offense registered 31 first downs (tied for second-most in team history at this point). 

We probably will never see a team eat up clock and run the ball at this blistering tempo ever again, the game as we all know as undergone an evolution. Both these teams earned a playoff berth, and the rematch was at Three Rivers, and the Bills took the measure of the Steelers again 24-3. Here we are 28 years later, and these two top-notch teams are both probably headed to the play-offs and they play in December, and you never know...possibly another January rematch? Before closing, was honored at a Hall of Fame gathering to see Ted Marchibroda sitting by himself at a table. 

He was gracious enough to allow me to seat with him, and ask questions. Those that know me, came to a quick realization that I can sure hold up my end of the conversation, yet there is a time and place to ask thought-provoking questions, shut up, and let someone like Coach Teddy talk, and boy oh boy did he. One of my favorite talks ever. Stories on the Redskins, Rams, Redskins, Colts, and the "red gun" in Buffalo. Stay safe.

Michael Dean Perry and Aaron Donald—Statistically Comparable

 By John Turney

In a recent Monday Night Football profile some Hall of Fame defensive linemen were asked to compare Aaron Donald to a player from their era and the name John Randle came up the most and stylistically and physically that makes the most sense.

However, Randle, in his 14-year Hall of Fame career only had 44.0 run stuffs (tackles for loss) a number Donald surpassed in 2018.  

Using basic numbers, a player that is more comparable as a combination run stuffer and pass rusher might be Michael Dean Perry. Of course, Perry is not the pass rusher Randle was or Donald is. Randle averaged 10 sacks a season in his career, and in his first six seasons, Perry averaged eight. Donald is averaging 13 per 16 games, an unheard-of number for a defensive tackle. But one thing to note is that Perry was quicker off the ball than either of those two—which is saying something given the takeoff of Randle and Donald.

Perry though, hurt a knee in 1990 and didn't get it repaired until 1992, he played on it for two years. Perry also had other injuries that hampered his production later in his career. Randle was relatively healthy and so far Donald seems indestructible. 

But consider the stuffs. Donald, in his first six seasons, averaged ten stuffs, Perry averaged eight per season in his ten-year career, including his rookie season when he was really only a third-down rusher and his last season when he was a role player, really. His "real" average was about nine stuffs a year. 

So, while we don't put Perry in Donald's class as a year-after-year consensus All-Pro, he was a consensus All-Pro twice and a First-team All-Pro three times, and a Second-team All-Pro one additional season. In all, he received post-season honors eight times in ten seasons. Not bad. 

Perry's career as a two-way defensive tackle is worth nothing we think. Here is a chart with his career numbers—

Deshaun Watson Closing in on 1500 Attempts

 By John Turney

To qualify for the NFL career leaderboards a quarterback must throw 1,500 passes. Why they chose that number we can only speculate. We think it is because Otto Graham threw 1,565 NFL passes (he had more when AAFC passes are counted) when the new NFL passer rating became the measuring stick for quarterbacks in 1973. Also players like Bob Waterfield and Sid Luckman were between 1,500 and 2,000 attempts as well.

Regardless, that is the number.

In the next couple of weeks Deshaun Watson will qualify for those boards and he will rank very high in several of those categories. 

here is a chart with touchdowns to interceptions ratio as the sorting data point, but as can be seen, Watson is quite high in a number of other categories and he has a healthy winning percentage despite a rough year in 2020 so far. 

We cannot help bu think he will be an MVP in the NFL soon if the Texans can get their ducks in a row.