Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-07-26
ATCHISON'S
ANGLE
It's About That Time Again
BY LEWIS +. ATcHIS0N

for the beach or golf course when small army of big
guys laced on their football equipment yesterday at
Occidental College They paraded before battery Of
recording the start of another Washington Red
skin training camp. They displayed remarkable form
and agility, and they still have it in November it will
be even more remarkable.
For the next three weeks they'll be painting and puff
ing as Coach Mike Nixon probes for the to
tcklish questions. Will Don Bosseler and Jim Podoey
regain the bacarryng form that made them Standout
rockies two years ago? Can Eddie LeBaron ward of
Ralph GuglelmiS challenge for the No. quarerbacking
job? Is Nixon serious about making offensive end out of
Sam Baker, his kicking star? Will the pass defense be
better?
The old phraSe-it's wide open-has special signif
canoe this year, less than eight members of last
years squad gone The q rockies in camp will have
good shot at their jobs Two oldtimerS Gene Bro,
with the Los Angeles Rams and Dick Stanfe assistant
at Notre Dame, will be hard to replace Others like Gen.
ter Johnny Allen traded to Detroit and Hafback Scooter
Scudero also coaching at Nore Dame, will be missed
only shade less There may time when Mike
wishes he had all four back
THIS CAMP ALSO HAS particular Importance for
small group that just missed making the squad for
another last year. This includes George Wash
ngtonS Mike Sommer, not quite polished enough year
but whose two punt return touchdown runs against
the Chicago Bears prolonged his stay. There is Jack
Davis Maryland guard who spent most of the 1858
in Canada after near-miss the year before Frank
Kuchta'S nexperience linebacker his downfall
last while Stan Flowers OF Georgia Tech looked good
in that role but had trick knee.
One can see newcomers mentally measuring them
selves against these well the veterans Rockies
like to know the battling them for the same job
They make careful note of their height weight attitude
etc, and they'll be testing another when they don
the pads next week.
Nixon making tardy debut as head coach after an
apprenticeship of IA years. welcomed his athletes with
short talk at dinner Mike is stepping into tough job
with confidence. His talk wasn't fre-and- birthstone
Grafton like some coaches 1t BRIEF almost fathery
but laced with meanngfu phrases that the old pros have
heard time and again and accept gospel Laggards
will discover that Nxons bite is much than his bark
$3.50
BY THE END OF THE WEEK, there may be wonder,
possibly serious doubt in the coachS minds whether he
made the right draft picks and good o-season trades
There will be with all the desire in the world to
make good but lacking in ability Therell be others with
the physical equipment who won't reach their full po
tential. The latter keep a coach up nights.
Injuries word coaches dread above all others, will
be key factor in the teams progress The Redskins
had many casualties last year the camp long
nightmare Seldom had team been afflicted, begin
ming almost the first day. Some observers thought, per-
haps uniustly that Joe KuharchS rigorous training
program was partly responsible for score of minor
injuries that followed. 1t wasn't necessarily true but
Nixons routine will be more lenent
Nixon shouldn't have to worry about this squads
attitude. year ago Scudero hodout of Sorts and
two years ago Stanfel and Quarterback Al Dorow had
serious differences their contracts Mike signed up
this squad in record time The only unsigned player is
Baker, who has agreed to terms.
INTERESTING" is THE ONLY way to sum up the
outlook for the next three weeks at Occidental while
team is rounding into shape for its opening
game at San Francisco August 16. Whether Nixon and
his aides mold winner from the material at hand
remains to be Some 10000 season ticket holders
will be roofing for the Redskins and Mike doesn't return
with winner it won't be because he didn't try
But even the most base spectator can't help feeling
tngle of excitement about this squad If the three
weeks produce something spectacular besides fireworks
could be big season for the team.
We're hopn'.