The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-09-08
Coach Quarterback of De- trOit Lions Considered Better Than Thorpe; Pros Say He Is COm-
 pOsite of Stars
BY HARRY CRIMSON

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 Detroit, Sept. 8.-Football men agree that Earl (Dutch) Clark comes closest to being a composite of stars. Since 1881, when he made his pro- fessional bow with the Portsmouth Spartans, Clark has been hailed as the most versatile and valuable player in the history of the modern money game. National league rec ords on yards gained, forward pass- es completed, drop-kicks made, touchdowns scored, and other de- partments prove this contention in black and white.
 This fall Clark makes his debut as coach of the Detroit Lions, but will continue his quarterbacking.
 Marty Brill of Notre Dame gen- erally was considered the finest blocker of modern college football, unless Earl Britton, who paved the way for Red Grange;s deeds for Illinois, deserves that accolade. Grange usually is called the top runner, just as Charley Brickley of Harvard was the most brilliant drop kicker, Bronko NagurSki of Mime. sota the most powerful ine-breaker. and Benny Friedman or Harry New. man of Michigan the most accom-. plished forward passer.'
 Clark Is a Peerless Leader
 But ask the next 10 coaches or professional players you meet what man in their opinion best combines the features of these remarkable specialists, and the answer will be Dutch Clark.
 Add to that the fact that he is a peerless general, both on attack and defense, and you'll have a fair idea of why Clark today is rated the greatest player in the history of football.
 Graybeards of the gridiron used to date things from the era of Jim Thorpe. But as they see more of the Blond Blizzard of Colorado they are capltulating admitting that Clark does more things well than even the immortal Indian.
 The blond "Dutchman," whose nickname is shrouded in mystery because his dominant racial strain is English, has had coaching experi- ence at Colorado College, where he also played.
 Clarks installation as the Lions coach, as well as their most spec tacular back, has added interest 70 what promises to be the most suc- cessful campaign professional foot ball has had. In the Western group, the champion Green Bay Packers are certain to be strong once more along with the Chicago Bears, aug mented by Sam Francis of Nebraska.
 The addition of the Cleveland Rams to the Western group, under the coaching of Hugo Bezdek, the old Penn State mentor, and Carl Brum- Daugh, adds potentially strong out fit in fcotball-hunery city. Eastern Half Is Stronger In the East. which was the weaker Side of the circuit year ago. the situation definitely has been strengthened in Brooklyn, where Patsy Clark. erstwhile Lions straLe- gist. has a vastly improved outfit in the making.
 The New York Giants, now pre- pairing for their preseason engage ment with a team Of eastern college ail-staTs, Sept. 8, look formidable, and the Washington club appears as well of as 1t was in l036 when 1t cleaned up in the Eastern division as the Boston Redskins.
 With college opposition virtually wiped out as a result of a self-Teliant organization which has demonstrat- cd that the professional game is Of definite benefit to the gridlron scene, the business apparently is launched on It's most prosperous era.
 Lou Little, Gus Dofais, Chick Meehan. and other top.notch college coaches are among those who have been influential in the new trend ol thought among academic people.
 Little and Meehan are two leading college coaches WilO make weekly practice of sitting In at professional games with their varsity squaas They consider these the most effec' tive coaching afternoons that tAe, possibly Man put tA
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