Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-28
FAMOUS QUARTERBACK
PRAISES NEW RULES

CHICAGO, December 28.-Walter Ecker
sail. the great quarterback OF the Chicago
University team and twice all-American
star, is an enthusiastic supporter OF the
new foot ball rules and is emphatically In
favor Of leaving them just as they are.
Capt. De Tray Of the same team Is OF the
same mind as his great player. and both
believe that the new rules as they now
stand will pave the way "for the best game
in the kingdom of sports"
Many reports of displeasure over the
new rules were heard last season, especially
in regard to the ten-yard rule said Ecker
sail in a recent interview. Il am mighty
glad the committee refused to listen to the
appeal for another down in which to make
the necessary distance. This would have
demoraized the game completely and set
back every advance made.
We now have an open game. in which
there are possibilities undreamed Of. The
coach who has the head now will be the
coach Of the future. It no longer Is a
question of reteaching what one already
has learned from the old game. The coach
must figure and think. and 1 believe ac-
cOrdingly some of our so-called best coaches
soon may take a back seat.
Mr.. Stage got a long way with the new
game last fall, but as he himself admits,
he came nowhere near solving half its
possibilities. From what saw l would not
hesitate to say his was the best style of
play from practically every viewpoint.
Next year We can expect great things from
Mr.. Stage, and 1 believe he will make
good with our expectations.
There Is only one criticism which l
would have to make, and this Is in regard
to the forward pass. believe the forward
pass should be encouraged more. Most
players and coaches feel that there Is too
much risk in trying it. This risk should
he m nm n l
perhaps, one way Of reducing it would be
to substitute penalty of fifteen yards for
loss Of the ball when it strikes the ground.
This however, Is not a serious objection.
If the quarterback is wise enough to know
when to use the forward pass he never
should fear taking a great risk. The time
not to try it, Of course. is when the ball
is in too close proximity to your own
goal
Il believe with Eckersall in general, but
1 believe something should be done to
Capt. De Tray. This rule should be re-
written and probably enlarged SO that there
can be no doubt as to just what it limits.
Otherwise l am greatly pleased with the
decision of the rules committee.
Chicago suffers nothing from the no
changes We got along quite well last
fall and we will go surprisingly further
next year. Mr.. Stage has many plays
cred the season just closed largely in the
light of a season of experiment, and SO has
much to work on for next year.
Il look for every team OF Importance.
major or minor. to play the game for all
it is worth, and 1 think practically every
team will use the open game to good ad-
vantage. There is no reason why any one
should play old style foot ball any longer.
1t was found to be a losing game last fall.
There will be great deal of initiating
next fall by the various coaches. Those
who stood the outside last season and
were content to let the others try the ex-
perimenting will have many plays to use
next fall. If they cannot invent they can
initiate, and this is what they will do