New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-11
ON COLLEGE GRIDlR0NS
Importance of Selecting a Quarter
back EarIg an the Season.

Importance of Selecting Quarter
back Early IN the Season.
With the advent of new football under the re-
vised code three years ago the so-called practice
games for the leading elevens changed materially
from what amounted to a slaughter of the inno-
cents to something approaching real competition
Since then the smaller colleges have taken advan
tage Of the open game and learned 50 much foot
ball that the elevens representing the big six are
in constant danger of being defeated. This was
emphasized on Saturday to marked degree, and
is quite likely to be impressed even more force
ably before the season is From now on in
terest will grow, a number of games must be
played in the future which will have di-
rect bearing on the championship battles in No
vember. On Saturday. for instance Yale must
take the field against West Point for something
more than mere practice game. while Pennsyl-
vana Will line up against Brown in what promises
to be real fight and with the outcome in doubt.
Further than that Fordham and Williams will be
in the limeltght once more the former. which
held Princeton to a to 0 Saturday, will
meet Cornell, and thus furnish good line for
comparison between the Ithacans and the Tigers,
while Williams which gave Harvard a scare. must
take issue with Dartmouth. team that will face
Harvard later in the season. IL is for con-
graduation that New York will have the OppOr-
tunity to a really important game on Saturday,
when the Carlisle Indians take the warpath against
Syracuse at the Polo Grounds. So far as be
judged, the two elevens well matched and
both are thoroughly versed I'm the points of
the game, so that hard fought and exciting game
is in prospect.
In all probability Howard Jones, head coach at
Yale. and his associates will profit by the mistake
If mistake 1t can be called, made year. of
waiting until the last minute to settle upon the
makeup of the varsity eleven. Circumstances
| were such year ago that 1t was deemed advisa-
| Die on the eve of the Princeton game to move
Coy from fullback to the end of the line make
other changes of a drastic nature. Further than
| that nobody ever knew who the regular var
| sity quarter. the coaches were experimenting
with Johnson Murphy and Corey right up to the
Harvard game. This in my opinion was a mis-
take, even though the circumstances were such
that 1t could not be avoided. The Importance of
settling upon the general makeup of the eleven
and on the quarterback in particular, as early
possible in the season cannot be overestimated
Uncertainty and constant changes tend TO lack
; of cohesiveness and to lack also Of confidence.
which is so important the gridron. At this
writing the Yale coaches appear to be undecided
between Johnson and Howe for quarterback. l
was greatly impressed with Johnsons work last
year up to the Princeton game, when there
some excuse for his poor showing he was
kicked in the head early in the struggle. l
told that Howe. who the freshman team last
year, Is much In favor present, and has all the
qualifications for a good field general Either man.
in all proba bility, is capable of filing the important
position, and while competition is necessary
II
the coaches decide on one or the other and devote
every energy to his proper development the better
il will be for Yale football The quarterback is the
key to the attack and the other members of the
team must learn to depend on him and TO ugder-
stand his every
After talking with Cornell man who knows
football and who the Observation-Disclosures
Institute game at Ithaca October 2 l am in
clined the belief that Cornell will be we'll repre-
gridi
Troy may not have been a thoroughly good trial
horse. to speak. but he tells that the Cornell
players showed plenty of speed and charged and
blocked better than they did at midseason year
ago The interference, too formed quickly, and
the followed il well. Smith is quite likely
to develop into good running mate for Captain
Tydeman, who by the way is playing better, if
anything, than he did last season, in spite of his
extra responsibility. Smiths work is cause for
satisfaction among the coaches as ii was thought
that Move would be sadly missed. Hoffman and
Krutsch back on the freshman team last year,
are also playing well enough to insure good sub
stitutes for the halfback positions. Wood appears
to have the call for quarterback at present
Baker seems to lack decision and judgment Frank
ORourke. a brother of Cornelrs AI-America tackle
gives promise of being quite good man. while
Seagraves. bow on the varsity crew last spring
be pointed out even now as a candidate for
the All-Amerca team at centre, if he goes on as
| he has begun. AT this time he is considered the
find Of the year at Ithaca. The line. the whole
| quick and fast that the loss of weight may not
| be felt. Crosby, who have the call at
! right end, impressed favorably last year. al
| tn ough he Is almost light to be thoroughly
| effective. Under the circumstances. II might be
| good idea if Captain Tydeman moved to the
right side to lend him support. Hurlburt, at
| left end. is not heavy man either and in all
probability the coaches will keep Captain Tydeman
where he is. because he appears to better from
the left side of the line. What Cornell needs more
els s. a mai a 10 he
| shoes Walders. who tower OF strength
! last year Pope is a hard worker, but hardly
! rugged enough to do the punting if called upon
| for much line punging SimsOn had trial in the
Oberlin game on Saturday and made favorable
| impression.
1t is hoped that Captain Siegling of Princeton.
| will take heart his punishment of Wednesday
when the referee felt called upon to send him to
| the side lines for rough work in resenting being
| held by the foot when tackled. II struck last
fall that Siegling disposed to adopt methods
under stress of the excitement of play that
accordance with either the spirit the let
ter of the rules II is bad enough for the player
of any team he ruled off rough or unfair
tactics. it would be far for a captain to
be disciplined in one of the big games it would
reflect his team and on his college. | have been
told on good authority that the trainer at Prince
ton was a strong advocate of boxing part of
the training of football candidates last season.
Boxing is exercise and develops quickness and
! speed but in my opinion it is not a good form Of
training for football men, for the simple reason
that under the conditions of the game there is
more or less az man to man conflict all the time.
wherein boxing and sparring have place. II a
is trained TO boxing he is bound to assume
nstinctvey positions that Indicate pugistic ten
denotes, which creates bad impression IL no
blow is struck. There other forms of exercise
| in which speed and quckness can be developed