Evening star., 1948-11-16
Thompson, Van Buren,,
Statistical Leaders,
Pose Redskin Problem

National Football League StAuSlcS
today confirmed Redskin fears that
they'll have to face Steve Van
Buren, at his red-hottest pace Sum
day at Philadelphia. Latest figures
show stampeding Steve way out In
front of rival ball carriers with 65a
yards on l53 trips and hitting
blistering pace almost certain to
eclipse his record 1,008-yard per-
formance Of year ago.
Prof. Greasy Neale has outstand-
ing pupils in every bracket Of en-
deavor, including Tommy Thomp-
son, currently ranked No. l among
the pass throwers. Redskin fans
may dispute whether Thompson ID
better than Sammy Baugh, who Is
third, but all will agree that Thomp-
son will do in q pinch. The Eagle
quarterback has thrown ISL passes
and completed s8 for ], l,2o4 yards and
IS touchdowns. Only six throws were
intercepted.
The figures give Coach Turk Ed
wards of the Skins reason to pause
and ponder the situation. Fred
Enke and Clyde lie Force showed
the Tribes pass defense still vul-
nerable last Sunday, and with
Thompson aiming at Pete Pihos-
currently fifth among the leading
receivers-Bosh Pritchard and Neil
Armstrong, Philadelphia could give
the Tribe an awful tanning in the
air.
BauEh Third Passer.
Warrington has no back In the
top II sround-gainers, although
this doesn't worry the board Of
strategy. It can get by With short
marches by the infantry, If Col,
Baugh's artillery is on the target.
Tony Canadeo Of Green Bay Is
second In the league with 4s4 yards
on 100 attempts. scant four yards
in front Of the Chicago Cardinals
Charley Trippi. who has 400 yards
on rs tries.
Baugh ranks third In passing be-
hind Thompson and Jim Hardy OF
the Rams, although the sweet singer
from Sweetwater has completed
more passes Q1O out Of more tries
(180), for more yards Q,63D and
IL touchdowns. Hardy has COM
pleted IS Of his ITO tosses for 1,101
yards and nine touchdowns.
Dick Poillon. whose work haa
picked up noticeably with more
regular working hours on o6ense
may find himself in . couple Of
duels with Philadelphia's Joe Muha
and Jack Patton. Muha's punting
average Of Ats yards is the leagues
best, while Poillon is fifth with 43:7.
Patton has scored So points, rank
ing third, on six field goals in nine
attempts and "a consecutive extra
points without a miss. Poillon is
fourth with 81 points, kicking "a
extra points In n attempts and
five out Of six field goals
Crisler Third Receiver.
Hal Crisler Of the Tribe is third
among pass receivers with "a
catches, but Philadelphia's Pete
Pihos has caught only one less and
has SIC yards to Crisler's 463 and
eight touchdowns to Halls four.
Rookie Tom Fears Of Los Angeles
still tops this department with 50
receptions for 439 yards and one
score, but the real No. 1 seems to
be Hal Kutner of the Cards, who
has caught 80 passes for 6s4 yards
and nine touchdowns.
Dan Sandifer's record-tying II
pass interceptions is best in that
field. Dick Humbert and Ernie
Steele have four each for the Eagles
Da1zlin' Dan also is second in kick
of returns, running back IS fol
3S4 yards. New York's Joe Scott
Is tops with 42l yards on II returns
Philadelphias Pritchard Is second
best behind the Bears George Nc
Afee in punt returns. while sandi-
fer Is fifth.