Evening star., 1953-10-07
Abundance Of Talent
In Giants BackfieId
BaIancesLo Of Rote
By Lewis +. Atchison

The New York Giants will
present a flock Of fancy backs
against the Redskins Sunday.
So many, in fact, they probably
won't miss Kyle Rote, who isn't
expected to play because of an
injured knee.
One of the best is Everett
(Sonny) Grandelius, one of the
clubs two 'thousand-yard" run
ners. Another is Eddie Price,
who beat out Washington's Bob
Goode for league nd-gaining
honors in 1851. Price hasn't
been lower than fourth in this
department since coming into
pro ranks four seasons ago.
Add to them Randy Clay,
back in football after two years
IN the Army: Buford Cutter
Long, one of the National Foot
ball Leagues Speediest backs.
and Butch Avinger, a left-footed
punter who puts reverse English
on the ball. and you or the
Giants-have a potent backf1eld.
Canadian Fugitives' Back.
In fact Coach Steve Owen had
so much ball-carrying talent this
season he didn't utter a word
of protest when Halfback Joe
Scott refused to report for the
start of training. The Arkansas
farmer went to Canada when the
Giants gave him the cold Shoul-
der but eventually returned to
the club as end. That's where
you'll see him Sunday.
Avinger is another fugitive
from Canadian football. In eight
kicks in one game last year,
Avinger averaged 588 yards for
a new Canadian league record.
Receivers accustomed to taking
right-foot kicks find Butch's
boots difficult to handle. The
6-foot-1. 215-pound former Ala
bama star also is an invaluable
"sWing" man in the Giants
backfield. He can play every
position, offense and defense,
and has performed at every spot
but quarterback.
Grandelius to Lead Attack.
GrandeliuS. a power runner
with speed, probably will spear
head the Giants offense. The
Michigan State All-American is
just beginning to find himself
after year of serious business"
in Korea and could wind up as
one of the leagues best ground
gamers.
Sonny gained l034 yards for
Biggie Munn's SpartanS in his
senior year and scored IL touch
downs. Although not supposed
to be an outstanding pass re-
ceiver, nevertheless, he grabbed
a vital pass in States 14-to-7
victory over Michigan in 1850.
Owen likes his spirit and hustle.
calling him a natural leader.
The 23-year-old Grandelius and
Rote each stand an even 6 feet
and tip the scale at 1875 pounds
Clay is a youngster who gained
Is pounds and grew 2 inches
while in the Army. A rookie
with the Giants in 1850, he is
we'll remembered as a key figure
in New York'S victories over
the Philadelphia Eagles and
Cleveland Browns. Randy
scored the Giants winning
touchdown on two runs in their
7-to-3 triumph in the first meet
ing with the Eagles, and made
good on the first field goal at
tempt of his career to beat 'em
again, 9 to 7, in the return
meeting.
Helped Set Up Winning Score.
In the 6-to-0 victory over
Cleveland, which came as a rude
shock to the experts, Clay made
a run that helped set up the
touchdown, then played a bang
up defensive game to protect his
teams margin.
Put them all together and they
spell TROUBLE for the
Redskins. especially if Owen can
get his line to working properly.
Meanwhile, the Redskins have
released Dave SuminSki, rookie
guard, to get down to the 33-
player limit. It was a reluctant
decision on the part of Coach
Curly Lambeau, who liked Su-
minski's work. But Curly de-
cided End Francis PolSfoot.
picked UP from the Cardinals,
will be of more help to the team
this Seac0T1