Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-11-20
By PERIAN CoNERLY

North American Newspaper Alliance
1.-THE author Is the tDite OF |
Charlie Conerly. NetD York |
Giants quarterback
NEW YORK, Nov. 1s.- Few
fans remain who think the
professional football player
earns his salary only on Sunday.
though at one time, before the
sport captured the magma
ton Of the public. I was re-
peatedly asked: what do the
boys do with themselves be-
tween games?"
Down through the years foot
ball has become increasingly
complicated, necessitating more
and more study to solve the
reflnements Of offensive and
defensive maneuvers. And more
and more practice to master
their execution. 81
School" begins in July, when
players report to q designated
training site located, in the
case of the Giants, in a cool
climate. During this period they
lead a regimented, almost SPAR
tan existence, which is as
exhausting mentally as it is
physically. Field workouts are
scheduled morning and after
noon. with strategy meetings
sprinkled generously in between.
Movies are shown at night, but
not for entertainment. They are
football movies showing last
years team in action.
Emotional strain is an oc-
cupational hazard. Imagine the
inner turmoil Of q boy who
looks at the unwieldy 6O-player
squad and wonders as it is
pared down day by day if he
will be one of the SO remaining.
Wifes UNDERSTANDABLE are taboo
at this stage. Training camp is
no place for family life.
Squad Shrinks
After three weeks, the pre-
season exhibition games begin,
and the monotony is relieved
somewhat as the team breaks
camp and travels to each of
the six cities where the games
are played. The squad becomes
smaller and smaller as the inept,
unwilling. unneeded or lazy are
weeded out.
The first league game is met
with a general sigh of relief
for though the demands of the
regular season are by no means
meager, most players consider
them trivial compared to the
rigors of training camp. Prac-
tice schedules during the sea-
son vary slightly from team to
team, but most Of them par
allel that Of the Giants.
Since the boys don't close
shop on Sunday. Monday is
their day off. Tuesday is a
light practice day that begins
at $50. Movies of the previous
Sundays game are shown, With
the offense and defense meet
ing separately for an hour and
Is minutes or so. Unfortunately
for those who didn't commit
themselves particularly well in
the game, the projectors are
equipped with backup gadgets
which allow the coaches to call
for certain plays to be run over
and over until the reason for q
plays failure-or its success
can be pinpointed.
Walt Yowarsky. the chief
scout. then gives his report on
the team 10 be played the fol-
lowing week. The players spend
an additional 80 or 40 minutes
on the field; and since we live
in the shadow Of Yankee Sta
dunn. Charlie arrives home in
time for lunch.
Brown Bag" Days
Wednesday and Thursday are
what we call the brown bag"
days. Since the players meet
from 10 in the morning to $3.50
in the afternoon, they usually
take lunches to practice. Most
of us pack the sandwiches in a
brown paper bag-hence the
name. In a strategy meeting
the offensive team goes over
plays the coaches think will be
most effective against the type
Of defense employed by the
team coming UP, with emphasis
on circumventing strength and
exploiting weaknesses of indi-
vidual opponents. The defense
studies the opposing offense in
another room.
Players then don sweat
clothes and remain ON the field