Packers by the Numbers Update: #64

64 has been worn by some very popular Packers, but there have also been six gaps of at least four years when the number was not worn (1935-39, 1951-56, 1973-79, 1988-92, 1998-2001 and 2008-11). It was first worn by center Nate Barragar in 1934, then by guard Howard “Smiley” Johnson (1940-41) and fullback Ted Fritsch (1942-50).

In the modern era, it has been worn by one linebacker, six guards, three tackles and four nose tackles.

LB: Ernie Danjean (1957).

G: Jerry Kramer (1958-68), Syd Kitson (1980-81, 1983-84), Alcender Jackson (2002), Tony Palmer (2006-07), Greg Van Roten (2012-13) and Justin McCray (2017-18).

T: Kevin Hunt (1972), Steve Collier (1987) and Bruce Wilkerson (1996-97).

NT: Vince Villanucci (1987r), John Jurkovic (1993-95), James Lee (2004) and Mike Pennel (2014-16).

While recently-elected Jerry Kramer is the one Hall of Famer to wear the number, Barragar and Fritsch are both members of the team’s Hall of Fame. Both Fritsch and Jurkovic, as well as Kramer of course, were fan favorites during their time in Green Bay. Wilkerson is notable for helping to save a championship season by stepping in at left tackle in the middle of the 1996 season. Johnson made the supreme sacrifice for his country as a Marine on Iwo Jima in 1945.

 

 

 

 

First six custom cards are colorized.

National Chicle Style for the 90s

Another installment of National Chicle style cards with Goudey baseball backgrounds. These are all players from the Ron Wolf era.

 

 

 

 

No custom cards are colorized.

My Greatest Thrill, College Version

I previously posted some of the greatest thrills related by Packers in the 1936 official publication Who’s Who in Major League Football. The remainder of Green Bay players recalled thrills from their college careers.

Bob Monnett:

In 1931 and 1932 when I was adjudged the second highest scorer in the United States.

Monnett is correct in his recollection. He scored 127 points on 16 touchdowns and 28 extra points in 1931 and 80 points on 10 touchdowns and 20 extra points as a senior in 1932. Add in the 53 points he scored in 1930 and his varsity total is 260 points. If you check the Michigan State Media Guide, however, he is not listed among the all-time Spartan scorer although their list goes down to 252 points. The school has chosen to ignore pre 1945 records it seems. Incidentally, Monnett’s coach at Michigan State College was Green Bay native Sleepy Jim Crowley.

George Sauer:

Scoring two touchdowns and intercepting a forward pass, or two, for the East in the East West game in 1934.

Sauer scored on two first quarter runs for the WEST in the 1934 East-West Shrine game, won by the West 12-0 on January 1, 1934. He also intercepted one pass in the fourth quarter.

Clarke Hinkle:

Scoring 50 points for Bucknell in three quarters against Dickinson College and my good fortune in totaling 128 points in 1929.

Sophomore Clarke scored five touchdowns and two extra points in the first quarter and added three more scores in the next two quarters for 50 points on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1929. Bucknell beat Dickinson 78-0.

Ade Schwammel:

In 1933, while with Oregon State, I kicked a 48-yard field goal in the last minute to beat Fordham on the Polo Grounds, 9-7.

News accounts differ as to the length of the field goal on this muddy November 18th, anywhere from 43 to 47 yards, but they do agree that it took place in the second quarter not the fourth. Oregon State scored first by returning the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, with Schwammel missing the extra point. Fordham tied the game before Ade booted the winning points before half time.

Don Hutson:

Catching eight or nine passes for Alabama against Stanford in the Rose Bowl game at Pasadena in 1935.Two passes netted touchdowns, each gained more than 50 yards.

According to the Play-by-Play in the Los Angeles Times the next day, Hutson caught six passes for 165 yards against Stanford in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 1935. Five came in the second quarter, including a 54-yard touchdown that made the score 22-7. His final reception came in the final period and was a 59-yard touchdown play that boosted the score to 29-13. In the second quarter, Don also lost one five-yard catch to a penalty and dropped one other pass.

Hank Bruder:

In the Wisconsin-Northwestern game of 1929, I punted out of bounds three times in succession on Wisconsin’s end of the field, on each occasion within the 10-yard line. Later in the game, I broke my leg.

Bruder pinned Wisconsin to their 18, 4 and 6 yard lines in the first half of the October 12, 1929 showdown won by Northwestern 7-0. The three punts were not quite in succession, in that they were interrupted by the lone score of the game, with Bruder kicking the extra point. Hard Luck Hank broke his leg in the third quarter that day.

George Svendsen:

Intercepting an Iowa pass in 1934 and running it 40 yards to the 18-yard line. Though a center by trade, I felt like a backfield man for the first time in my life.

On October 27, 1934, Minnesota rolled over Iowa 48-12. Svendsen intercepted a pass on his own 40 in the second quarter and rumbled 42 yards to the Hawkeye 18. That led to the Gophers’ fifth touchdown of the day.

Frank Butler:

While with Michigan State in 1932, I intercepted an Alma pass and carried the ball back for a touchdown.

The Spartans began their 1932 season with a tuneup against little Alma College on September 24 and rolled up a 93-0 win in which Butler scored on a pick six. A few years later, future Hall of Fame coach George Allen would enroll at Alma, although he would not finish his education there.

Joe Laws:

Beating Purdue with two Iowa touchdowns in 1933, once on a 30-yard run and again returning a punt 60 yards for the Boilermakers only defeat of the season.

O November 18, 1933, Iowa upended undefeated Purdue 14-6 with Joe Laws providing both Hawkeye scores…on a 27-yard end run in the third quarter and a 55-yard punt return in the fourth.

All custom cards are colorized.

Packers by the Numbers Update: #63

63 is a very consistently worn number in Green Bay. Since it was first worn by guard Mike Michalske in 1934, there has only been one gap of longer than three years when it was not donned–from 1935-38. Michalske was followed by fellow guard Gus Zarnas (1939-40), fullback Ben Starrett (1942-45) and tackle Urban Odson (1946-49).

In the modern era, 63 has been worn by 10 guards, five centers, one tackle, linebacker and one nose tackle.

G: Ray Bray (1952), Al Barry (1954), Joe Skibinski (1955-56), Fuzzy Thurston (1959-67), Francis Winkler (1971), Ernie Janet (1975), Perry Hartnett (1987r), Adam Timmerman (1995-98), Raleigh McKenzie (1999-00) and Bill Ferrario (2002).

C: James Campen (1989-93), Jamie Dukes (1994), Scott Wells (2004-11), Jeff Saturday (2012) and Corey Linsley (2014-18).

T: Don Stansauk (1950-51).

LB: Marv Matuszak (1958).

NT: Terry Jones (1978-84).

Hall of Famer Mike Michalske and Fuzzy Thurston, a member of the Packer Hall of Fame, wore the number with the most distinction, and Fuzzy wore it the longest, 9 years. Raleigh McKenzie capped off a 16-year NFL career in 63 when his twin brother Reggie was the team’s Director of Pro Player Personnel. Don Stansauk later achieved greater fame as wrestler Hard-Boiled Haggerty. James Campen coached the Packers’ line for many years under Mike McCarthy.

 

 

 

 

 

Custom cards of Michalske, Starret, Odson, Stansauk and Jones are colorized.

Initial Thoughts on Matt LaFleur

So what to think about the Packers hiring a head coach with a relatively thin resume who is part of the burgeoning tree of coaching sensation de jour, Sean McVay? There are certainly caveats to mention. McVay has had great success so far, but it’s too soon to nominate him for Canton. He’ll face increasing challenges and scrutiny as time goes on and how he reacts will determine his legacy. What his youthful charges have learned from the boy genius is yet to be determined.

As to McVay already sending offshoots around the league, that’s a testimony to how the pace of things has quickened in recent years. Mike Holmgren spent six years in San Francisco, the last three running the offense as offensive coordinator, so I felt very good about his hire in 1992. Of course, I felt very good about Lindy Infante, too. Lindy had run the offenses with imagination in both Cincinnati and Cleveland for several years, but he didn’t have what it took to be a head coach. He was a clear example of the Peter Principle, rising to his level of incompetence (head coach). Holmgren did so in Seattle when he added general manager to his responsibilities.

You have to be in the interview room to really have an idea of whether a candidate has the right stuff to move up to a head coaching slot, and you have to know what to look for. Ron Wolf generally did. Ted Thompson made a good choice in Mike McCarthy (I was hoping for Sean Payton at the time, but McCarthy did very well and delivered a Super Bowl to Green Bay). However, even Wolf blew it with Ray Rhodes, who anyone living in the Philadelphia area at the time (like me) could have told him was a disastrous choice. Rhodes had established himself as a tough talker but ultimately a pushover for players. At least, Wolf quickly recognized the error and corrected it.

Murphy and Gutekunst have made their choice, and it is shows them to have a gambling side. High risk, high reward, as Favre used to say. I am approaching this hire with as much hopeful optimism as I can muster. If LaFleur is who they think he is, Aaron Rodgers’ final years won’t be the wasted opportunities the last few years have been.

 

 

Custom cards in Topps and Fleer styles.

Cullen Jenkins Turns 38

One of the keys to the decline of the Packers defense in 2011 after winning the Super Bowl was the departure of underrated lineman, Cullen Jenkins, via free agency. Cullen was the younger brother Pro Bowl tackle Kris Jenkins, and has been a solid and versatile defensive lineman in the league for over a decade. He signed with Green Bay in 2004 as an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan and earned a starting job at defensive tackle as a rookie.

In 2006, he replaced slight speed rusher Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila as starting right defensive end and that immediately improved the team’s run defense. On passing downs, the 6’3” 290-pound Jenkins would move inside to tackle and KGB would come in at end to rush the passer in a more effective use of resources. When the team switched to the 3-4 in 2009, Jenkins stayed at right defensive end, even with the different focus that the position entailed in the three-man front.

Jenkins had some injury issues in 2007 and 2008 and missed five games to a calf injury in 2010, but was ready for the team’s postseason run that championship year. He was steadfast against the run and was the Packers’ best inside pass rusher with an effective spin move. Using quickness and power, Cullen recorded 29 sacks in his seven years in Green Bay before leaving for Philadelphia as a free agent in 2011. He spent two years there, three with the Giants and one with the Redskins before retiring after the 2016 season. On the Packers, Jenkins was a skilled role player who helped make his teammates better.

Custom card in Topps style.

Packers by the Numbers Update: #62

62 was first worn in Green Bay by end Al Norgard in 1934. In the Lambeau era, he was followed by guards Russ Letlow in 1936 and Francis Twedell in 1939.

Following a 12-year gap, 62 was worn next by guard Dick Afflis in 1952. It has since been worn by 13 more guards, three linebackers, two defensive ends a tackle and a center.

G: Dick Afflis (1952), Buddy Brown (1953-56), Norm Amundsen (1957), Andy Cvercko (1960), Bill Lueck 1968-74), Pat Matson (1975), Dennis Havig (1977), Buddy Aydelette (1980), Rubin Mendoza (1986), Guy McIntyre (1994), Marco Rivera (1997-2004), Junious Coston (2005-07), Evan Dietrich-Smith (2009, 2011-13) and Patrick Lucas (2017-18).

LB: Joey McLaughlin (1979), Marl Merrill (1982) and Jim Laughlin (1983).

DE: Lionel Aldridge (1963) and Matt Brock (1989-93).

T: Jim Meyer (1987r).

C: Kani Kauahi (1988).

Marco Rivera’s eight-year tenure was one season longer than that of fellow guard Bill Lueck in 62. Rivera, Lionel Aldridge and Russ Letlow are all members of the team’s Hall of Fame and are the top players for the number in Green Bay.

 

 

 

Norgard and Brown custom cards are colorized.

National Chicle Style 80s

These players all began their careers in the 1980s. The backgrounds are again from the Goudey baseball card sets.

 

 

 

  

Custom cards of Ellis, Murphy, Hallstrom and Harris are all colorized.

My Biggest Thrill Circa 1936

In 1936, the NFL published a delightful, lavishly illustrated yearbook titled Who’s Who in Major League Football. One of the features in the book was a listing of the biggest thrill of scores of players, including 15 Packers. While nine of the Green Bay entries focused on college heroics, six recalled special moments in the pro game.

Buckets Goldenberg:

Intercepting a Philadelphia Eagle pass in 1933 and running 80 yards for a touchdown, plunging through the line, 12 yards for a second touchdown, then grabbing a pass and dashing 45 yards for a third touchdown.

Buckets exaggerates. While he indeed did score three touchdowns at home against Philadelphia on October 29, 1933, the scores were a bit different than his recollection. He scored on a two-yard plunge in the first quarter, on a 15-yard pass from Bob Monnett in the fourth quarter and completed the trifecta by returning a punt blocked by Lavvie Dilweg 34 yards for a third score in the final stanza.

Arnold Herber:

Punting 65, 70, 85 and 75 yards in succession and completing three passes for two touchdowns of 65 yards each against the Southern California All-Stars at Los Angeles in January 1933.

Following the celebrated post-season trip to Hawaii at the start of 1933, Green Bay returned to California in mid-January and played in two more exhibitions. The second took place on February 4 in Los Angeles against Erny Pinkert’s All-Stars and was a 19-6 Packer victory. Red Grange played for the Pack in this game, but Herber was the star according to the Los Angeles Times game story. He is credited with several booming punts, including one of 72 yards. He also threw two TD passes–one of 14 yards and one “from midfield.”

Al Rose:

In the Brooklyn game of 1932, I intercepted one of Benny Friedman’s passes for Green Bay’s first touchdown. It was my initial appearance as a Packer. Friedman had refused me a Brooklyn contract, and I was out to show him I had the old stuff.

Rose’s 16-yard interception return in the first quarter did help lead Green Bay over Brooklyn 13-0 on October 23, 1932. However, Rose had already appeared in several Packer games that season.

Lon Evans:

Against the Boston Redskins in 1934 when I played four different positions for the Packers. I was at both guards and both tackles.

The game took place in Boston on November 4, 1934.

Tiny Engebretsen:

Kicking a field goal for the Chicago Bears against Green Bay in a deep snow in 1933. Final score 9-0.

The game was the finale of the 1932 season in which the Bears victory propelled them into a tie for first place with the Portsmouth Spartans and knocked the three-time defending champion Packers into third place. Tiny’s 14-yard fourth quarter field goal in the snow on December 11 was the initial score of the game.

Swede Johnston:

Punting 82 yards from behind the St. Louis Gunners’ goal post in a game with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1934.

The Gunners were a semipro team that finished out the NFL season for the Cincinnati Reds who folded in November. Johnston did play for the Gunners that year, but the Gunners did not play Brooklyn in an official NFL game. However, Johnston was in the lineup when the Gunners hosted the Dodgers in an exhibition on November 15, just four days after St. Louis played its first official NFL game against Pittsburgh.

All custom cards are colorized.

Packers by the Numbers Update: #61

61 has been worn by just 20 Packers since being inaugurated by end Lavvie Dilweg in 1934. He was followed by tackle Ernie Smith in 1936, and these two members of the Packer Hall of Fame are still the most distinguished players to have worn the number in Green Bay.

Following a 15-year gap from 1937-51, the number was next worn by guard Steve Ruzich in 1952. He has been succeeded by ten guards, one tackle, one center, one long snapper, two defensive tackles and three linebackers.

G: Steve Ruzich (1952-54), Jack Spinks (1955-56), Jerry Smith (1956), Hank Bullough (1958), Dave Bradley (1969-71), Bruce Van Dyke (1974-76), Dave Drechsler (1983-84), Blake Wingle (1985), John McGarry (1987r) and Tom Neville (1992).

T: Scott Curry (1999).

C: Charlie Ane (1981).

LS: Brett Goode (2008-17).

DT: Herb McMath (1977) and Jerry Boyarsky (1986-89)

LB: Nelson Toburen (1961-62), Gene Breen (1964) and Davie Simmons (1979).

Bret Goode wore the number the longest with a ten-year tenure. There were three other extended gaps when no Packer wore 61: from 1965-68, 1993-98 and 2000-07. Draft choice Cole Madison, a guard, was assigned the number in 2018, but spent the season on the reserve list.

 

 

 

 

 

All custom cards but Toburen, Van Dyke, Boyarsky and goode are colorized.