Evening star., 1953-08-02
So Redskins Nodded
To Bear ResembIanc
To Old Packer Teams
BY Lewis F. Atchison
Stor Stoff Correspondent,

LOS ANGELES. Aug. 1.-The
1853 Redskins football team
being assembled here by Coach
Curly Lambeau will bear a strong
resemblance to the old Green
Bay Packer elevens turned out
by the veteran mentor during his
long tenure in the Wisconsin
city.
The squad will be heavy, If
not particularly fast. Lambeau
hopes 1t will find the rough work
to its liking, but it won't be
coddled once the season gets
underway. The old-time Packers
played a listed game, and
that's what Curly expects of this
team.
The Redskins speed is an un-
known factor, for Lambeau took
the squad through its first weeks
work at a slow pace. He elimi-
mated pre-practice calisthenics,
a radical training camp depar-
ture.
He has excused the entire
squad from practice tomorrow,
marking the first time the team
hasn't at least had light drill
on a Sunday afternoon. Every
thing, thus far, is sweetness and
light.
Many Face Weight Problem.
Whether Lambeau's theories
pay of remain to be seen, but
the abolishment of calisthenics
apparently didn't help some men
with overweight problems. Only
three or four lost poundage and
most gained. There are some
noticeable bay windows to be
shed within the next three weeks,
but Curly served notice that if
it isn't done voluntarily he'll
take steps to correct the trouble.
Lambeau has made more
changes in personnel assign
mentS than a new administration
in Washington. Some should
help the Redskins. The wisdom
of others is questionable. Johnny
Papit's switch to fullback on
offense and Tackle Jim Ricca's
transfer to defensive end seem
to be smart moves. But it's
doubtful, on the other hand, if
Curly can make ends out of
Halfback Harry Dowda or Walt
Ashcraft, rookie tackle. The ex-
periments will continue. of
course. until Lambeau hits on
what he believes will be his best
all-around combination.
Squad Appears Stronger.
AS whole. the Redskins look
stronger than last year when
they won four games and lost
eight. The line looks more
rugged and added weight in the
backfield should help the block
ing. Curly last year cured the
Redskins weak pass defense.
Now he is trying to doctor the
offense.
While there is no binding
speed in the backfield, the Red
skins should have a more pow
erful brand of running. Papit
figures to help in this depart
ment after being unable to get
started in two years because of
injuries.
Hall Haynes return. plus the
acquisition of Paul Barry and
Sam Baker from the Rams will
help. but Lambeau warns that
all three will need time to hit
their best stride.
The Redskins have no out
standing punter. Charlie Justice.
Eddie Lebaron and Haynes will
kick we'll enough. At long last
they seem to have come up with
a dependable placekicker in Bob
Dean of Maryland, to handle
the kickoffs.
With Harry Gilmer to back up
LeBaron and Jack Scarbath at
quarterback, more versatility
among the new backs. and some
good prospects in the line, the
Redskins should have greater
depth than last year. They
shouldn't blow as many leads as
they did in 50.
The end situation is far from
satisfactory and Lambeau may
find he needs more help at
guards. He'll always be able to
use a good, break-away back and
a good blocker to help the ball
carriers.
But after a week in training
camp, the outlook generally
seems brighter than it did a year
ago at this time, the coaches
admit it in guarded phrases.
Best of all, the veterans. espe-
cially those who have suffered
through some mighty lean years
with the club, feel that the squad
is irnnroved They know proba-