The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-10-17

lnston a week ago Saturday.
The Blocking of Iowa in 1884 and
1885 never was any cause for flag
waving. The sluggish Hawkeye for
ward wall, despite its abundance Of
beef, had a habit of being pushed
around. Because of the great Duke
Slater's reputation, it was expect
ed he would be able to drill into
them the fundamentals of blocking
and tackling. Maybe he will, given
time, or possibly the linemen simp-
ly are not the type. l don't know.
But l do know that white dick
Crayne is sorely missed. Crayne
worked with Simmons like ham
with eggs. Both could carry the
ball. Both could block. Both could
pass. Opponents never knew which
one would lug the oval or which
would make a touchdown jaunt.
But this year there is no Crayne.
Thus far Oxe's tire backfield COM
panions have been just some fell
lows to fill out the team. If Sim
mons makes run, it is purely be-
cause of his sheer brilliance and
not because of help from team
mates. And it's rather difficult for
one man, no matter how great, to
singlehanded whip IL others.
I'll always wonder just what the
Hula Hippod Hawkeye Hog Hide
Handler would do if he were play
ing for Ohio State or Minnesota or
some other team which gives its
players blocking. Probably his
yardage compiled in each game
would look as if he had gone in for
marathon running.
But it's very hard for a player
on weak team to make ALL
American recognition. In the case
of a Negro, it is well nigh impos-
sible Simmons is still the best run
ming back these eyes have ever
seen and they have witnessed col
lege and professional football for
many seasons. Oze runs as if he
were lathered in greese and has
the mechanical perfection of a
Rolls Royce motor. A flip of the
hip and he slides past tacklers
like water through a sieve. That is
if his alleged team mates can gel
him to the line of scrimmiage or he
has fe few feet in which to get a
flying start. Blocking or no block
ing, Oze is a terror on returning
kicks. And yet, despite all this
I Simmons may get no higher than
second or third place when ALL
American time rolls around.
But there is one ray of hope for
all Simmons fans who want to see
what Oze can do with practically
] perfect support. That is the annual
All-Star College game with the
professional champs at Chicago
late next summer. For 1887, the
Sepia Sprite will be eligible. 1t is
at the moment inconceivable that
he will be left off the squad. And
he has set his heart on playing.
But that rest of the fall season
is a problem. Simmons and COM
pany take on Illinois this week.
Oze has good chance to strut his
stuff Temple will be met in Phil
adelphia on Nov. 81. Outside of
these encounters, it ylooks dark for
the Simmons chances unless the
team starts behaving like one, for
Indiana, Purdue and Minnesota
must be met and on successive
Saturdays.
ODDS AND ENDS
The Chicago American Giants
Football club, a professional team,
look as If they will develop into a
mighty fine aggregation. The have
weight, speed and power. Shag
Jones, former Morris Brown star,
mas been reducing to near his col
, lege weight. Jack Hart is as good
as in his Wilberforce days. But the
gem of the backs thus far is Nile
Andrews, from Texas college, who
hits a line like a Mack truck bound
for destruction. Something has to
give Tiny Smith, at end, was weak
in the opening game but he is ex-
pected to soon return to form.
Meanwhile Jack Thornton has
been playing enough flank for two
men.
London "Brutus" Cant this year
has taken over all the kicking for
the University of Cincinnati. The
senior Enthusiastically one Of
the best in the country-kicks off,
punts, and tries for point after
touchdown-Cronell had been try