Evening star., 1938-04-11
NEW RULE AIMED
At SKINS KICKOFF
No Longer Worth While for
Edwards to Boot Oval
Out of Bounds.
BY BILL DISMER, JR.


One of five new rules adopted by
the National Football League at Pitts
burgh yesterday may have been aimed
directly at Turk Edwards, captain Of
Washington's champion Redskins, but
two others work to the distinct bene-
mt OF Edwards most illustrious team
mate, Slingin' Sam Baugh.
Although all future out-of- bounds
kick-offs by Edwards will be brought
back to the opposing 45-yard line in
stead Of the 35, Baugh's role as a
passer will be protected and en-
hanced-if that is possible-by a
pair of rule changes.
Realizing that passers like Baugh
and Arnold Herber of Green Bay have
come in for some pretty rough han
ding by opposing linesmen, the legis-
lators provided protection by en-
powering the referee to penalize IS
yards for deliberate roughing of a
passer after the ball has left his hands.
The change whereby Baugh's out
standing skill is enhanced is in the
rule which now makes passes incom-
pleted in the end zone touchbacks
only on fourth down. Hitherto any
pass landing incomplete in the end
zone went to the opposing team, re-
gardless of down.
Substitute Rule Altered.
A fourth rule adopted by the COM
mittee was the result of an incident
in Washington's final home game last
fall with Green Bay in which Ed
Janowski, Packer back, was forced to
continue play. although injured, be-
cause rules prevented the return of a
player who had been taken out in the
fourth quarter The change permits
any two players withdrawn from a
game during the fourth period to re-
enter once.
The fifth and final new rule
changes all penalties against defensive
teams within the 10-yard line to one
half the distance to the goal-line.
No rule regarding punts was
changed, but official scorers next fall
were ordered to keep a record of all
kicks originating inside the 4O-yard
line which 60 out of bounds. The
committee, composed of the coaches
Of five teams, stated that they and
their fellow mentors felt it was not
difficult for any kicker to boot the
ball out of bounds inside the 2O-yard
line If he has to kick only 25 or 80
yards. II next seasons statistics
prove their contention. all such punts
may be ruled touchbacks and put in
play on the 20.
Marshalls Plea In Vain.
That Owner George Marshall did all
he could to bring the Chicago Bears
here next fall for the scheduled game
with the Redskins has been proved to
the complete satisfaction of this writer.
Not only were letters and kilograms
written to George Halas, owner coach
Of the Bears, imploring the playing of
the game here. but an odicial request
was made to Joe Carr, president of the
league.
Carr agreed with Marshall that the
scheduling of the game at Griffith
Stadium would benefit four other
league members, in addition to the
Bears and Redskins, inasmuch as the
Washington season ticket sale would
be boosted, could it insure a peek at
the Redskins priced victim last year.
Because so many fans would be anxious
to obtain a seat for the Bear game,
more season tickets would be sold and
the Eastern teams share Of the gate
receipts would be increased simultane-
ously.
Marshall pointed out that Chicago
will have seen the Redskins twice be-
fore the 1888 season opens as the ALL
Star game will be played there on
September l, President Carr, however,
had no power to order the transfer of
the game which was matter between
the club managements and Halas re-
fused to accede to Marshall's request.