Evening star., 1961-08-01
Blocking Gets
Priority in
Redskin Drills
BY LEWIS F. ATCHISON
Star Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES, Aug. l.
The Redskins turned their at
tention to blocking today, par
ticularly by the backs, to off
set their lack of offensive
speed.
"We've got to have good
blocking to get the ball-car-
rier around end" Coach Bill
McPeak said, "and we're going
to spend a lot of time on that
this week. Blocking is more
important than speed"
McPeak isn't unduly wor-
ried about the situation, but
with the opening exhibition
game against the Rams only
IL days away he's got to stick
to a strict timetable. He's sched-
uled scrimmages today and
Thursday, with the last big
one, again under game condi-
tions. Saturday. After that the
squad will cut back to one
workout daily.
James Outstanding
We've got good blockers, /"
McPeak said. Dick James is
outstanding despite his size. 3"
James is 5-foot-9 and weighs
ITS pounds, but hits like a
wasp and stings just as badly.
Don Bosseler and Johnny
Olszewski are good. too," the
coach continued. But we've
got to work on our timing and
coordination. It's got to be
letter-perfect. Anything less
isn't good enough"
In the offense introduced by
McPeak, everybody except the
quarterback carries the ball
and everybody blocks, and he
expects a 100 per cent effort
in both roles.
THE blockers have got to
clean out the linebacker and
the end" the coach said.
They're the boys who stop the
running plays and break up
your offense."
Makes First Cut
| Sam Horner, second-year
halfback who was used chiefly
on defense last season out Of
sheer necessity, and Ed Vereb.
a veteran used only sparingly
after being hurt early in the
season, also will come in for
attention this week.
Behind them are Rockies
Jim Cunningham, a 220-pound
fullback from Penn State;
Ralph Morelli, a shifty, So,
215-pound halfback from
Youngstown, and Jim McGin-
mis-. the surprise package from
Richmond. This may be a key
week in the football careers of
all, for McPeak probably will
drop several more players after
reviewing Saturdays results.
Bill made his first cut yester-
day, giving up on George Sher-
wood, a defensive halfback who
had a trial with the Philadel-
phia Eagles in 1858. Sherwood,
who was signed as free agent,
is from nearby Long Beach.
NOTES.-The Redskins got
three players out of Hollywood
Presbyterian Hospital yester-
day and put one in. Vince
Promuto. regular offensive
guard, was admitted after COM
planning of stomach disorder.
DR.. John Perry said Vince
probably would be there only
a couple of days for diagnosis
and treatment, unless something
serious develops. End Pat
Heenan, who suffered a frac-
tured collarbone in Saturdays
scrimmage, was due in Wash
ington by jet plane today. He'll
be under the care of DR.. George
Resta until he rejoins the
squad, probably late in Sep
tember. i. Tackle Bill Presser,
whose legs were temporarily
paralyzed, is back, more deter
mined than ever to play pro
football, and so is Tackle Dick
Jakotowicz, who suffered a
badly bruised leg last Saturday
Presser has been advised to
rest for several months, but
probably will take light exercise
with the team.
Lew Luce pulled a groin
muscle in yesterdays warm-up
drill but says it's not important.
Trainer Joe Kuczo thinks Lew
will have to take it easy for a
week. Ben Scott had a
surprise visit from Billy Mad
den, captain of the Yale basket
ball team who is attending the