Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-07-29
A CH|SON'S
AN GIL f
Speaking of the Middle Man
BY LEWIS r. ATcHIsoN

LOS ANGELES, July 29-"The toughest Job in foot
ball said the big speaking with the authority of
traffic cop, "is backing up the line don't say that be-
lnebacker myself, but because that's
the way it is"
The speaker was Chuck Cherundolo, a Penn State
graduate who later spent 10 years in pro football knock
ing down opponents for the Pittsburgh Steeers Chuck
here in response to SOS from Coach Mike Nixon who
shudders at the thought Of the Redskins lnebackng
faux pas of last year Nixon decided his weren't prop
erly coached, observation shared by Phil Perlo
successful rookie hafback from Maryland, who had that
complaint about the Redskins preseason work.
There is nice looking material here" Cherun-
dolo said looking at group warming up that included
Larry Morris, newcomer from the Los Angeles Rams
Stan Flowers, Georgia Tech rookie who handicapped
by bad knee year ago. and the veteran Chuck
vch. They're good-Sized boys and of them seem
light enough their feet but mostly depends what's
up there" Cherundolo went on, tapping his skull
**&
THE MIDDLE LINEBACKER has the most important
defensive job of ALL" Chuck continued Hes your coach
the field He calls the defense and keys the others to
where the play is going He's got to be able to take pun
iShment He's got to have football savvy be quick his
feet and have good reexeS It's like asking for super
man. but he's got to be combination lineman and back
He ought to have the best qualities of both"
Drazenovch has been the Redskins middle so
long he looks out of place at the wing where Nixon hopes
to keep him. Charlie, Mike calls him. is rated of
the leagues better backSopperS But he's being moved to
make for Tavern Torgeson former wingback who
idle last year because of ang knee Mike decided
to try the switch after Drazenovich did smashing job
in the last Pro Bowl game and said he liked the work
Togeson who in the past has called defensive signals
for the team regarded of the real "od pros of
the game Mike thought about using him a player
COACH but decided the combination wouldn't permit him
to do his best in either role Mike doesn't doubt forge
will make the grade in his assignment especially
with his knee sound again.
YOU WOULDN'T SUSPECT Cherundolo of being the
worlds fastest human did he claim to be during his
playing days When he covered the Philadelphia Eagles
Bosh Pritchard sowpoke Cherundoo retreated far
he got lost
Jock Sutherland made his inebackers pass
receivers Chuck explained land tried to keep them be-
tween me and the goal line One game BoSh toward
the other side of the field and yelled, Wher'n the hell
you going? I'm here
Tommy Thompson could have completed 100 short
ones against me that day. playing Deep but they
kept trying to throw the bomb and kept missing"
Cherundoo didn't have much luck against George
McAfee former Chicago Bears star. McAfee Duke alum
and of the leagues most brilliant halfbackS in his
heyday caught 10 in row against him.
CHERUNDOLO RATES MEL HEN as the finest line
hacker he played against in the single wing Hen
big center from Washington State, spent his entire Is
year pro career with the New York Giants.
Dale Dodr the best linebacker in the country right
now" Chuck said "He knows much defensive football
as any coach"
Dodrl, mere slip of 21O pounds starting his ninth
with the SteeerS long has been hairShrt the
Redskins back.
Joe Schmidt, the Detroit Lions chunky lnebacker,
is high Cherundolos list and ditto for Chuck Bednark
of the Eagles
"Bednarik is particularly good in 54 defense /"
Aerundolo noted.
Alex Wojciechowiczs name was mentioned as having
been good one for the Eagles.
"He before he slowed downs Cherundolo said,
and after he did he murdered those pass receivers
Remember how he'd knock down the and
break the pattern when they tried to pread?
Wolfe" would be hard to forget The Redskins could
use couple like him.