Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-11-26
IKUHARIcH DEFENDS STRATEGY
LeBoron's Poyoff PIoy
Takes Coach off Hook
By q star stan cOrresp0nasnt

BY q star stan Correspondent !,
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. Is. -
Joe Kuharich knew he was lay
ling himself open to criticism
by starting Eddie LeBaron at
quarterback against the Browns
lin Cleveland yesterday, but the
Redskins coach defended his
STRATEGY as necessary to Le-
Baron's football future.
II didn't know who would
start until we came in after
warming up" Joe said, but
Eddie looked good in practice
all week - looked very good =
and he earned the chance.
people don't realize how
badly AL Dorow vas shaken up
last week." the coach continued.
HE didn't throw a ball for
three days. But Eddie might
have dried up on the bench If
1 hadn't given him a chance.
He might have gone just like
this"
Kuharich made a dipping
motion with his hands.
Makes Own Decisions
"And that might have been
the end of his football career.
Believe me, he looked as good
in that fourth quarter as he
did in the Pro Bowl game last
January. He came through for
us."
The Redskins coach said he
realized he was on the spot in
using LeBaron, especially after
Dorow's brilliant performance
against the Giants and Lions,
He knew. he said, that a lot Of
fans wouldn't like it and that
one, in fact. had telephoned to
protest against it.
But I made up my mind when
I came into this league that ]
wouldn't be swayed by opinions
of the fans or the press. If l
have to lose I'm going to get
beat my way, making my own de-
Icisions, he added.
Both LeBaron and Dorow said
the choice made no difference to
them las long as we win," but
there wasn't much doubt that
both were anxious to play.
Passers Average 500
Oddly enough, all three quar-
terbacks in yesterdays game had
500 passing averages. LeBaron
completed eight of 16 throws for
I108 yards and his game-winning
touchdown to Johnny Carson.
IDorow hit on two out of four for
80 yards, and Tommy O'Connell
Iof the Browns connected on six
Iof IL for 48 yards.
Dorow. who started the second
half, moved the Redskins within
range for Sam Bakers first field
goal, a 34-yard shot. The former
Michigan State star also started
the 53-yard march later in the
third quarter that paid of in
Bakers second three-pointer
from the l9-yard line. But AL
was hurt during the advance, in
Ijuring his hip. and left the game.
LeBaron, who directed the
game winning. 71-yard touch
down drive, said he didn't see
Carson catch the ball for the
deciding touchdown.
WED been throwing toward
the sideline," Eddie explained;
land Carson told me he thought
he could get open for a pass
down the middle. I didn't know
he caught it until I saw the play
ers on our bench jumping up and
down"
Penalty Concerns Brown
Carson made a beautiful catch
with Don Paul and Kenny Konz
lighting him for the ball. It was
the tricky ends second touch
down Of the season.
Paul, discussing the play after
the game with Otto Graham. re-
tired Browns quarterback, said
he thought LeBaron had over
thrown Carson and that he
dropped back to try to intercept
the ball in the end zone.
Coach Paul Brown said the
pass shouldn't have fooled the
Cleveland secondary.
"They didn't show us anything
new" Brown said. I'VE knew that
they would throw to Carson
he's their clutch player"
Brown was more concerned
about the 5-yard penalty called
against big Don Cole for run
ming into Baker on his fourth
period punt. 1t was the turning
point Of the game.
Cleveland writer's, who can't
air their views because the towns
newspapers are shut down by a
strike, didn't think Cole should
have been penalized. They
thought Sam deserves an Oscar
for his acting"
Brown Didn't See II
Baker said he didn't feel the
bump, or. at least, nothing worse
than usual But Backfield Coach
Mike Nixon, who watches such
things, said Cole definitely hit
the kicker with a shoulder block
on the thigh.
Brown didn't express an opin-
ion.