Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-19
Lions and Rams
10 Use
SneakersSunday
Los Angeles Coach
Not Concerned About
Weather, He Says
BY the AssscIcted Press

Angelo Rams drilled today on the
frozen turf of Briggs Stadium fol-
1.-THE first time. And the feeling
grew that all players may have tc
wear rubber-sol basketball shoes
in order to maneuver in Sundays
big pro football game.
Coach Buddy Parker said his
Detroit Lions would shun regular
cleated football shoes and use the
sneakers if the ground stayed hard
in this sub-freezing weather.
Coach Hampton Pool shook the
shivers out of his bones today and
put his warm-weather Rams
through a drill-maybe their only
one before the game. If the Lions
wear basketball shoes, the Rams
will too.
The Rams, at the most a one
point underdog in the tie-break-
ing National Conference playoff
hadn't had it so cold since Novem-
Der 16.
Rams Coach Unconcerned.
"We're not concerned about the
weather and whatever it is Sunday
is good enough for u.s." said Pool,
who few here last night after his
Rams had spent four straight
weeks in milder California.
It was 101 degrees in Los Angeles
last Sunday when the Rams beat
the Pittsburgh Steelers to gain a
season-ending f1rst-place tie with
Detroit. The winner of Sundays
game plays at Cleveland Deem
Der % against the American Con-
ference champion Browns, with
the National Football League title
hinging on the outcome.
Parker'S talk of using sneakers
recalls one of the most dramatic
of all NIL title games.
1t was 1884. the Polo Grounds
at New York had frozen turf and
the New York Giants trailed the
Chicago Bears, 1873 at halftime
During the halftime intermission,
Steve Owen the Giants coach,
sent messengers to nearby Man
haitian College to get basketball
shoes.
The sure-footed Giants had an
easy time in the second half and
won, 1918. although the Bears
tried to counterfeit the strategy
by stepping on the New York
players toes.
Both Bothered by Injuries.
Both the Rams and Lions are
handicapped by two injuries. The
Rams don't expect Dick might
Train) Lane, holder of the league
pass interception record, to play.
Another defensive ace, Herb Rich,
may recover from a smashed toe
by Sunday.
Thus weakened, Pool is going
ahead with plans to use Elroy
Hirsch. star offensive end, at a
defensive halfback spot to help
stop Cloyce Box, the Detroit end,
who has caught nine touchdown
passes in the last three games
and Is this season.
The Lions will be without Half
back jug Girard, their No. l re-
placement at both sides. Girard
said yesterday he wouldn't be
ready to play December % in
event the Lions win and go to
Cleveland.
This is ironical. It's his sixth
year as a pro CHS first with the
Lions) and he's never been this
close to title game before. It
was his stellar work during the
nine-game absence of Doak Wal
ker that helped the Lions to tie
for the lead.
Sherwin Gandee, defensive end,
lis out because of a bone chip.
Bobby Layne to Start.
Coach Parker said a report that
another defensive end, Jim Doran,
might not play was premature.
He seid Doran had a slightly sore
back but was in good playing con-
|dition.
Quarterback Bobby Layne, al
though still not able to cut hard
on his injured leg, will start for
the Lions.
Approximately 5000 of the So
900 seats remained unsold this
morning. Sunday morning 5000
or more standing room tickets
will go on sale, in case all the
seats are sold.
The game will be nationally
televiSed. In Michigan and To-
Iledo, Ohio, it was scheduled to be
Ihlacked out. In case of a sellout,
the blackout will likely be lifted,