Evening star., 1947-10-29
Competition Is KeeneI
In West Than East,
Pro Figures Show

National Football League statis-
tics announced today point up the
wide difference between the West
ern and Eastern divisions, with the
West evidently much more evenly
matched.
Johnny Clement of Pittsburgh, an
unknown, while Bill Dudley was top
man with the Steelers, took over the
ground gaining lead from Steve Van
Buren, of the Eagles, 406 yards to
Steve's 404. In the West the Cardi-
nails Charley Trippi, Dudley and
Tony Canadeo are as closely
punched as a string Of pearls, with
Kenny Washington Of the Rams
rounding out the first four, but none
of these is close to the Eastern pace
makers.
Trippi has 270 yards to his credit,
Dudley, 261; Canadeo, 252, and
washington, 201. Critics accept this
as evidence that competition IS
keener out West, and. until the
Eagles knocked off the Rams last
Sunday 1t appeared that the all
Western clubs, Detroit excepted,
could spot the Eastern teams a
couple of touchdowns and win 60
ing away.
Baugh Retains Lead.
Sammy Baugh held on to the
No. 1 passing position, although
Sid Luckrnan had the edge in their
head-to-head duel last week, run
ming his record for the season to
SO competitions In 146 attempts Tor
1907 yards and IL touchdowns.
Luckman has completed II tosses
out of ,12e for. 1892 yards and II
touchdowns.
Little Eddie Saenz, who con-
tinues to be the Redskins hardest
working back, held on to the No.
2 pass-receiving spot behind Pitts
burgh's Val Jasante, with Bob
Nussbaumer and Hugh Taylor trail
ing in that order. Eddie has 18
catches for 1862 yards and two
touchdowns, while Jansante has held
onto 81 for BIT yards and two
touchdowrs.
Saenz dropped behind frankie
Seno of Boston in kickoff returns,
but was sixth in scoring with "a
points, fifth in punt returns, and
second In kickoff returns.
The figures also give another good
reason, in addition to Clements
work, for Pittsburgh's No. position
In the Eastern Division race. That
would be Jansante Clement is the
divisions third best passer, behind
Baughs and Philadelphia's Tommy
Thompson, with "a completed in II
tries for 699 yards and five touch
downs. It is significant that two
payoff pitches have gone to Jansante
and that he has been Clements
favorite target.
Tie for Scoring Lead.
Dudley and Steve Lach of the
Steelers were deadlocked for the
scoring lead. each with seven touch
downs and AZ points. Pat Harder OF
the Chicago Cardinals held the third
spot with 40, while Dick Poillon of
the Redskins was fourth with 81.
Jim Keane Of the Chicago Bears
paced the pass receivers with a
total Of 81 successful catches good
for 430 yards and five touchdowns
Sene was the top pass interceptor
with six thefts, good for 66 yards.
Dudley was second with four inter-
ceptions which he lugged rs yards.
The Eastern Divisions .punting
leader was Howard Maley of Boston
with 43s average, while JEFF Bur-
kett of the Cardinals topped the
Western Division with 474. Burkett
was killed in the recent crash of
an atriiner in Utah white flying to
rejoin his team.
Kingpin on punt returns was Walt
Slater Of Pittsburgh with total of
291 yards gained on 16 receptions.
The Western Division leader was
Dudley, with seven runs for IA
yards.