Evening star., 1949-10-24
Redskins Comeback Hopes Blasted by Eagles
Defeat Raises Issue
OF Whether Coach or
Material Is Faulty
By Lewis F. Atchison

W 6SWtS !. VtSutSOu
The National Football League
race reaches the halfway point
Sunday and for the first time
since they pitched their tepee on
the banks of the Potomac the
Redskins are virtually out of the
running at this early date. Yes
terday's 49-14 debacle at Phila-
delphia, the Skins third defeat in
five games. ostensibly shattered
their dream of a comeback this
season.
Few experts, if any, would have
dared predict the Eastern Divi-
sion would be a contest between
the once dis-organized Pittsburgh
Steelers and the mighty Philadel-
phia Eagles when the season
opened. But barring sudden
Steeler collapse they'll fight it out
for the crown, meeting in head
to-head competition for the first
time Sunday.
Anybody picking the Eagles to
breeze to their third Eastern may
be undertaking a hard-hitting and
hungry Pittsburgh team. The
Bears did good job Of stopping
Steve Van Buren a week ago and
Mr.. v. B. didn't run wild yester-
day. Maybe he still felt the ef-
fects of the Bear game. but he'll
get the same rough treatment
from the Steelers.
Goode Pulls q Nifty.
Van Buren played only one
period against the Redskins yes
terday but the Eagles didn't need
him. From the time one-eyed
Tommy Thompson pitched rs
yard scoring pass to Bosh Pritch-
ard for their, first touchdown the
Eagles were complete masters.
They had 81 points before the
Tribe counted, and the Redskins
first touchdown was partly luck,
partly quick thinking ON the part
OF ROD COOQe.
The big Texans number came
up on a driving tackle play but
he found no hole there and veered
to the wide open outside. With
Goode doubled up and apparently
charging aimlessly ahead, nobody
knew he had the ball-including
Frank Reagan. Philadelphia S
safety man-until he was well on
his way for the touchdown.
The Eagles had IS points before
Washington scored again. this time
on 23-yard pass play from Sam
| my Baugh to Pete Stout in the
third period. BY that time it was
only a question of how wide the
final margin would be.
The heavy scoring gave Cliff
Patton the chance, which he ac-
cepted, to hang up an all-time
National League record for kick
ing consecutive extra points.
Patton booted seven for a total
of II, which. broke "Automatic"
Jack Manders' mark of u made
between 1888 and '37 while Man
ders was with the Chicago Bears.
Patton started his streak Novem-
ber II, 1947, at Boston.
Marshall Is Irked.
The Redskins were a sick
looking bunch yesterday and
Prexy George Marshall is in no
mood to tolerate the continued
swift, downward fight. Whether
the trouble Is coaching or the
quality of the material is for him
to decide. but the Redskins had
more than their share of injuries
this season. They had three key
men, Ed Quirk. Joe Tereshinski
and Jim PEBBLES on the bench
yesterday. although PEBBLES
played briefly.
The heart Of tho trouble seems
to lie in the selection Of players.
The Redskins have clung to dead
wood too long, wishfhlly hoping
1t would develop into Grade-A
material. They do have some
rockies who should develop. but
they haven't replaced the ma
terial traded, sold or simply given
away In the last five years.
AS for the coaching. Billick
Whelchel undoubtedly has made
some mistakes his first year in pro
ranks. He wasn't too familiar with
the T-formation. with his rivals
tricks and strategy when he came
into the league, but he's smart
enough not to continue making
the same mistakes and to pick up
the knowledge he needs. In Her.
man Ball the Tribe has one Of
the best T strategists in the busi-
ness and certainly Wilbur Moore
can't get out and run or block
for his backs.
Line Material Lacking.
From one viewpoint the trouble
seems to stem from the lack of
top-grade material. particularly
in the line. Thompson. like Car
ley Conerly of the Giants, had all
afternoon to pick out . receiver,
and Bosh Pritchard and the rest
of Greasy Neale's ball-carrying
brigade found plenty Of holes to
go through when running the ball.
The Redskin line was outplayed
(see REDSKINS, Page A-16)
Driver, 1OSpectators
HsH r.. ~ MIL.