Evening star., 1959-12-23
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAV By FRANCIS sTANN
About the Pro PIoyoff

YEAR AGO the football Giants having done the
impossible" by surviving five straight do-or-de games
IN order to achieve payo found themselves the Nations
pets new and novel role for team representing New
York
The Giants thin blue line-not thin in a
physical sense but in depthand against the rested
up and favored Baltimore Colts the weary and battered
Giants were only seconds away from taking it ALL
Eventually they lost in the sudden-death playof that
ranks with the greatest of all football dramas
The Giants are coming up to their game on Sunday
with the Colts in Baltimore in better condition
This they the Division earlier than the
Colts won the Western and they in better shape
although the personnel has not been changed much
Neither has Batmores for that matter except that on
couple OF occasions the Colts showing their
ages.
THE COLTS LOST to the Bears Browns and Redskins
this season. although implausbe victory of Washing
ton could be explained away Playing by far their best
game OF the maybe couple of Seasonshe
Redskins tied at PAPA with only second remaining
We were willing to settle for tie Redskin Coach Mike
Nixon freely admitted later Whats wrong with tvng
the world championSP"
But the Colts weren't cautious Johnny Unitas
Tleo go-tor-oroke pass in his territory was
intercepted by Tom Braatz, setting up winning field goal
by Sam Baker 1t WashingtonS britest moment in
dolorous season. but the Colts kissed it off They were
pretty confident of reaching the payo wn or draw
In New York the other day. Jim Lee Howell the tall
graying ex-end who is head coach of the Giants was
talking about the Colts THE study their movies
the more respect that club Howell said johnny Untas
is one of the great passers Bamores offensive line is
great Their Hnebackers intercepted passes this season.
That's better than most clubs with everybody working to
intercep-and I'm only talking about three guys Dick
szymanski Bill Pelington and Don shinnick"
DURING THE RECENT Redskin alumni banquet when
Chuck Drazenovch calling it quits after 10 years
at the same table asked him to compare
the 1859 Giants and Colts.
Characteristic of head knocker Chuck replied. "The
ans nave the better defensive ne the Colts the better
offensive one. Does that answer your question:"
WE'LL yes and no. Drazenovich airily dismissed such
oacked figures Frank Clifford Alex Webster Charlie
Conery and Mel Trplett of the Giants and Unas Lenny
Moore, Alan Ameche and Qest forgetD Mike Sommer
of the Colts
Nobody must be reminded that each of these GENTLE
men is capable of stealing show Clifford who must be
the countryS handSomeSt and most muscular snorts
columnist also could be the worlds best a-around foot
he 28 ~
Webster, Moore, Ameche and especially Unitas are
too tabled to bear comment
THERE is BIT of irony in connection with this
pro Title game that dwarfs all the January college
ooWI games The Redskins owned title to Clifford but
they did to Conery and Webster the New York back
nelo ana TO Sommer in the Baltimore ba-carryng group
are otnerS on both sides whom the Redskins allowed
70 sup away, but to list them all might prove painful
The high irony would be if sommer of all people
shouo hep win the Battle of Baltimore Because Sommer
you See was drafted by the Redskins couple of wears
ago and was twice cut from the squad
The RedSkin coaches-frst Joe Kuharich and later
NXon-Were quoted that Sommer from George Washing
Con university couldn't grasp his assignment The Young
man. SpeedSter who relied heavily upon instinct gradu
ally orltted to Baltimore and when L. G. Dupre was hurt
left halfback slot '
Mike has done some good for the Colts land win or
-oSe presumably he'll do better financially than if he'd
SdVeo WIN the RedSkinS) but that's powerful lot of
opposlson hell be encountering for the heros role
still you never can tell