Evening star., 1939-12-03
Edwards, Knee Hurt,
Cant Start for D. T..
Team in Title Tilt
$4,000 to See Struggle
For Sectional Crown
At Polo Grounds
BY BILL DISMER. Jr.,
star eta6 Correspondent.

BY BILL D1SMER, Jr.,
star staH Correspondent.
RYE, N. Y, Dec. 2-With the best
record ever compiled by an Eastern
champion awaiting the winner and
only oblivion the loser, Washington's
Redskins and New York's Giants will
clash at the Polo Grounds tomorrow
before the largest crowd ever to see
a game in the National Football
League.
Upward Of 60000-one-fourth Of
whom will be Washingtonians-will
pack every seat and all aisle space
in the historic Polo Grounds for the
rubber" game between the tradi-
tional rivals since the Redskins have
Washington. The kick
of is at 2 O'Clock. Each side has
won two and tied once since Sep
tember, 1887.
Never since the National League
was split into Eastern and Western
divisions In 1888 has any Eastern
champion finished with less than
two defeats against it. The Giants
losing only two games last year.
But tomorrow, barring a tie. either
the Redskins or Giants are destined
to end the season with a new all
time low in the defeat column, with
each team now carrying identical
records of'eight victories, one defeat
and ore tie into the combat.
Redskin Stars Crippled.
Should the game end in a dead
lock, ofiicials Of both teams will be
called together and a coin tipped
to decide whether the deciding game
next Sunday shall be played in New
York or Washington. Victory would
send the winner into the play-on
game a week from today at Mil
waukee against the Green Bay
Packers, provided, of course, that the
Packers defeat the Detroit Lions.
Conquerors of the Lions just a
week ago, the Redskins will enter
today's game still bearing marks Of
the clawing given them by the De-
troit players which has reduced the
Redskins from betting favorites to
almost even money.
Capt. Turk Edwards definitely is
out of tomorrow's game, his bad
knee having failed to respond to
treatment. Hope was held out for
the big leaders participation until
this morning, but he failed to don a
uniform for the final workout, and
his only service will come when he
limps out to meet his old team
mate, Capt. Mel Helm Of the Giants,
for the opening ceremonies.
Barber Faces Big Task.
His absence means that Tackle
jim Barber may be forced to play
the full 80 minutes tomorrow, Bill
Wilkin and Bo Russell substitute
ing for Edwards. Wilkin is slated to
start at left tackle.
Anxious eyes also are being cast
at the physical condition of three
key players-Sammy- Baugh, Andy
Farkas and Charley Malone, all suf-
fering with severe charley horses.
Baugh had trouble lifting his leg to-
day, limps perceptibly and took
little part in the short drill, but
Coach Ray Flaherty said Farkas
and Malone would be ready.
But if the bodily perfection Of the
Redskins is questionable. even 50 is
that of the Giants, who have been
advertising their "cripples" since
early this week. To what extent
both teams really are disabled prob
ably will not be determined until
the game Is well under way.
If the issue were to be decided
strictly on mental attitude of the RI
walls it would end In a tie. Reports
from the Giants quarters
indicate the champions are in an
extremely sullen mood. disposed to
knock the teeth down the throat of
any team attempting to usurp their
Capital Players Edgy.
Here, at Westchester Country
Club, the Redskins have turned into
a touchy. irritable band of few
words, unlike the jovial, happy-go-
lucky personalities their Washing
ton acquaintances have come to be-
friend. To Coach Flaherty that is a
healthy sign, indicating that the
players are storing up grievances
which they will take out on the
Giants.
A huge sign, painted by one of
the players, appeared In their dress
ing room as they stalked in from
their final practice, with the figures,
$780," painted in blood red. It
referred, of course, to the score by
which the Giants walloped them last
year.
Before injuries and rumors of in
juries started to dissolve the differ
ence between the teams, we liked
the Redskins by anywhere from one
to three touchdowns. We foresaw
Sammy Baugh and Frank Filchock
each throwing touchdown pass and
Andy Farkas and Dick Todd run
ming for 6-pointers, with the Giants
scoring through the Redskins rookie
line once, maybe twice.
Justice to Start Game.
We still think the Redskins will
win, II for no other reason than
hat their backs pack more scoring
punch than those possessed by the
Giants. But the New Yorkers' Sec
ond-string line figures to outplay the.
Redskins reserve forwards and if
The Giants find Malone's and Ed
wards replacements vulnerable, they
nay make a shamble of the Indians
starting line.
Unless (and this may be the de-
;iding factor) some of the Redskins
reserves like Clyde Shu-
CART, Bill Young and Johnny Spirida
.ise to the occasion and play in
;pired ball. They have done 1t
his season
Flaherty is making only one other
change besides Wilkin for Edwards
n the lineup which started against
= Ts~- -