Evening star., 1960-12-26
WIN, LOSE OR
DKAW By FRANCIS s1AnA
A Stake in the Game

PHILADELPHIA DEC. 26.-Maybe the New York Giants
were little too hopeful and naive about the National
Football League payoff today but obviously felt hey had
stake in this between the Green Bay Packers and Phil
adelphia Eagles.
The fellow whom they would like return to New York
as Their head coach was running the Vince Lo-
oardf the name He is this morning the hottest
pro coach in the business
How the Giants propose to reclaim lombard is the
puzzer The Brooklyn genius only three years
TO go on his contract Green Bays general
manager And pro contracts for reason seem more
binding than the college variety.
Ever since Jim Lee Howell announced wear ago that
he intended to retire in favor front-office job the
Giants have been in the market for a coach Naturally
Jack and Wellington Mara Of the Giants
lombard or Tom Landry to succeed Howell The Maras
usually set store by hiring alumnus.
LOMBARD WAS OFFENSIVE coach of the Giants for
five years when the Packers job opened up years ago
Green Bay in such sad shape with l-l0-l record
that only tradition to stand in the way of other
cubownerS booting out the little Wisconsin town But
head coaching job there to be filled and Vince was
eager to spread his wings.
Lombardi laid down the conditions: OA he was to be
coach and general manager 2 he wanted $4,000 year.
Cd he insisted on longterm contract and a. he
be gvep total authority
Green Bay made all the concessions Now assuming
that he would like to return to New York. how would
about begging off? OF course he may not even want
out but he is citybred and his wife is Yorker and
it's quite change from the Big City to the Fox River
Valley hamlet (pop $1,000
Another considerations: IN Green Bay he's got an i'm
proving team, squad the rise In New York the Giants
going the other way. They're old and badly need re-
placements
VINCE SHREWDLY has kept his silence He attended
to the first order of business which mailing down the
Packers first divisional title 1914 1t was the Mara
duo that suggested that lombard might as result
of an understanding"
Not long ago President Mara sent up trial bal
loon perhaps by indicating that Vince could be recalled
Howell quit The Green Bay board directors didn't re-
member any such understanding Mara then retreated
II don't want to get mixed up in this business he said
Il haven't talked to lombard about coming New York
... it's a decision only he make"
Yet the invitation in everything Mara has said is
unveiled The Giants hurting for top man.
Howell with three divisional titles and one league cham
ponshp in years. the most successful coach in
their history but the big guy from Arkansas feels he's
had it.
LOMBARDI WAS ONE assistant and Landry was
another who developed into head material during
Howes regime Landry the crack defensive expert was
picked up by the Dallas Cowboys and the Giants sud-
denly find themselves tre short logical successors
Although the Maras might be accused of coming pretty
close 10 tampering depending upon how sincerely they
believe an understanding had existed they can't be
much blamed for having the red carpet out for Lom
bardi There isn't club in the National League that
wouldn't like to have the fellow
The rise of the Packers from a nothing team to
title winner had to be summarized in one word Iom-
oarol Wnen Vince took over that 1101 squad 1858
ana posted 75 record in his rookie he was working
his wonders with the veterans who couldn't cut the
mustard Only three rockies had been added
This season he picked up little more help and most
OF MS veterans appeared to be reaching their peaks This
IN contrast to the Giants odmers notably Charlie Con-
ery who going on 40 The picture in New enough
to give guy pause Especially when his name already is
signed to another contract