Evening star., 1945-10-21
Eagles Promise Tribe Trouble
In Capitals S Pro Grid Opener
BY LEWIS F. ATCHIsON.

Three Natiopal Football League
teams lay their unbeaten records
on the line today, but the top game
will be played at Griffith Stadium
where the Redskins and Philadel-
phia Eagles collide at 2 pm. in the
District teams first home game OF
the season.
It shapes up as q duel between
Sammy Baugh's passing and Steve
Van Buren's running, although 1t
may be the other way around. The
Eagles have a pretty fair tosser in
Roy Zimmerman, once Redskin
property, and the Tribe has a couple
of mercury-footed backs in Steve
Bagarus and Bill DeCorrevont, who
could steal individual honors.
1t is one of the most important
games of the season for both teams,
that broke even in their first two
games. A win for the Redskins
would establish them as bona fide
fcontenders for Eastern honors, while
a defeat would set 'em up for a
knockout blow. The Eagles need
to win, too. Their upset by Detroit
last week was serious blow to their
title hopes and another loss would
put them on the ropes.
1t will be a shooting match and
the Eagles figure to win by couple
of touchdowns. But football Is one
sport that cannot be gauged by past
performances. The final whistle
may find Washington out in front
by a comfortable margin, but we
wouldn't bet on it.
Eagles Appear Formidable.
Van Buren is only one problem.
The Eagles last week regained Tom
my Thompson, a rugged all-around
back, and Fred Meyer, regarded as
one Of the best pass -snagging ends
on the West Coast when he played
for Stanford in 1941. Both are
fresh out of the Army.
Thompson will team with Zim-
norman and Al Sherman al the
ball-handling spot in the Eagles
T-formation. He ranked fourth in
the league in passing in 1941 and
AZ, gaining 1884 yards in two
years and tossing a total of l6
touchdown passes. He will be dis
tinct threat every time he touches
the ball.
The Eagles have at least one
more back who'll have to be
watched in Sonny Karnofsky, a
feet-footed carrier whose prestige
has increased with each succeeding
game. Around this group Coach
Greasy Neale has woven one of the
most explosive running attacks in
the circuit.
The Eagles biggest edge today,
however, lies in the line where their
husky forwards will have big ad-
vantage in experience. The Red
skin rockies, particularly Earl Audet
and Johnny Adams at tackle, and
AL Lolatai at guard, have come
along we'll, but there is no substi-
tute for experience. Vic Sears and
AL Wistert, 225 and 2l5, will start
at tackle for the Eagles and prob
ably will be as immovable as the
grandstand. Bruno Banducci and
Eddie Michaels, a couple of 2l0-
Founders, give the visitors a wide
margin at guard where the Skins
have shown glaring weakness.
L Z. Skins Need Best Offense. =
The Redskins more than hold their
own at the tanks, although there
have been some complaints about
their wing play in the last couple
Of games. But with such vets as
Joe Aguirre. Wayne Millner, Doug
Turley and Tom Miller around the
customers may expect something
better than the average. Les Dye also
figures Importantly in the days
plans, although his debut as a de-
fensive halfback may be deferred.
The Skins will have to show their
best offensive performance of the
season to win, but they have been
handicapped in their preparations.
Bob Seymour has been nursing an
ailing finger and Wilbur Moore
missed two days of practice because
of an attack of food poisoning. Sal
Rosato, rookie fullback who was
counted on for an important role,
missed the entire week because of
Army duties and DeCorrevont is