Blood and Guts Football

[legendsport]

On the heels of the 1974 college football replay, and in the spirit of the 1985 NCAA sim I'm running alongside my Alternate Universe Football League, I'm going to start a dynasty that will turn into either a FOF multiplayer league of its own, or at least move into FOF for a solo dynasty.

Here's the idea: I start in 1956, simming the NFL, NCAA and even the Canadian Football League. Once I get to 1960, I move this into FOF. I'll have built-in college and CFL stats to help round out real players for a 32-team league. The makeup of the big league will be determined later. If this seems popular, maybe it becomes a MP-league (I think it'd make a good one), otherwise it gives me a chance to be creative.

I'm even going to put together a website for this thing, do it up nice from the get-go.

Stay tuned for the first update....

[Athleticsfan2k8]

Can i do baseball too?, and can we add 11 fictional teams to fill it out for the NFL determine by the suggested by the users when we get to 1960?

[legendsport]

Originally Posted by Athleticsfan2k8

Can i do baseball too?, and can we add 11 fictional teams to fill it out for the NFL determine by the suggested by the users when we get to 1960?

I'm not sure what you mean about baseball - are you asking if I can run a baseball sim alongside the football league? I certainly could, and even briefly considered trying to do a multi-sport dynasty in the 50s with football, baseball, hockey & basketball (maybe even racing too), but I was leaving that for another project.

As for the fictional football teams, your idea is something I am considering. I don't want to commit to anything yet because I haven't decided if I'll just fold the CFL in with the NFL/AFL to make the new league, or go with completely fictional teams in U.S. cities, or fictional teams in U.S. and Canadian cities. I want to let things shake out a little before committing.

[legendsport]

NOTE: We'll kick this thing off with a look at what to expect from the 1956 NFL season (simmed with Second and Ten - I won't be switching to FOF til 1960).

GRAHAM GONE, TIGHTER NFL RACE LIKELY
With Otto Graham having hung up his cleats after a stellar career (if the NFL had a Hall of Fame, ol' Otto'd be a shoo-in) causing the Browns to suddenly look vulnerable, the grid game is looking for its next leading man, and there's no shortage of contenders.The league itself is looking much more balanced these days, but the smart money's on the Bears or Packers in the West and the Giants or 'Skins in the East. Here's a team-by-team look at the start of the big league's 37th season:

CHICAGO BEARS
Graham's not the only old NFL warhorse who's gone out to pasture. The Papa Bear himself, George Halas has stepped down from his coaching job, but will remain behind the scenes to orchestrate the Monsters of the Midway solely from the owner's chair. Halas left his team with a prized rookie, having found a gem in Perry Jeter, back par excellence from California Poly.

Halas leaves former assistant Paddy Driscoll at the wheel of the Bears ship this season. Driscoll is leaning towards the sometimes shaky Ed Brown to man the QB position, with able backup George Blanda in the shadows. Jim Haluska, drafted out of Wisconsin in '54, is the third-stringer. QB might be the Bears' only weakness.

In the backfield, Chicago possesses an arsenal of epic proportions with Rick Casares, Bobby Watkins, John Hoffman and now Perry Jeter as well. Harlan Hill and Gene Schroeder are talented ends. The "wall" of protection for these weapons is comprised of 250-lb center George Strickland, guards Stan Jones and Herman Clark (255 apiece) and "light" tackles (235 pounders) Bill Wightkin and Kline Gilbert.

The veteran defensive line is made up of ends Doug Atkins and Jack Hoffman, tackles Bill Bishop and Fred Williams and middle guard Wayne Hanson. Bill George and Joe Fortunato are solid linebackers and the defensive backfield is strong as well.

BOTTOM LINE: The Bears look like the team to beat in the Western Conference.


LOS ANGELES RAMS
In most any other front office, losing six solid veteran starters (including standouts like Andy Robustelli and Dan Towler), panic would be setting in right about now. But the Rams are old hands at filling holes with former backups and promising rookies, and 1956 is no different.

Sid Gillman has three good QBs in incumbent starter Norm Van Brocklin, backup Bill Wade and the recently discharged from Uncle Sam's service Rudy Bukich. The backfield features halfback Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (moving from end) and fullback Tank Younger, which will present problems for opposing defenses and the ends are Tom Fears and Bob Boyd - both proven, and accomplished, players of note.

The line is average overall, with only guard Duane Putnam a very solid player, but will get the job done. On defense, the Rams are very strong - the backfield features two players who combined for 20 interceptions in 1955 in Will Sherman (11) and Don Burroughs (9) and Jim Cason is also a ball hawk. Les Richter is one of the league's top backers and Bud McFadin and Art Hauser are stalwarts of the defensive front.

BOTTOM LINE: If the Bears falter, the Rams are ready to step in and claim the Western crown.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

When Lisle Blackbourne moved from Marquette to take over the Packers two years ago, he inherited a team in disarray which had just finished 2-9-1 in '53. He's improved them each season since and Green Bay was 6-6 in 1955. Can he make them title contenders? Possibly...

Much hope rides on the shoulders of the team's top draft pick, the speedy Jack Losch who also runs with power. Blackbourn traded for tackle John Sandusky and drafted a good one with his second pick, SMU's Forrest Gregg to provide running lanes for Losch. Kyle Rote remains the quarterback, but Alabama alum Bart Starr looked impressive in camp and could be ready to take over soon. Howie Ferguson was second in the league in rushing from the fullback spot and Blackbourne hopes he can form a potent one-two punch with Losch.

The line and ends are nothing special, and the defense will have to rally around talented defensive back Bobby Dillon and linebacker Roger Zatkoff if the Packers are to contend.

BOTTOM LINE: Getting closer, but the Bears and Rams have more talent, so the Packers may be looking at no better than third place.

BALTIMORE COLTS

Coach Weeb Ewbanks' Colts can be title contenders if the offense can match the level of play of the team's outstanding defensive unit. The Colts possess the "Ferocious Five" on defense: ends Gino Marchetti and Don Joyce, tackles Art Donovan and Tom Finnan and middle guard Joe Campanella. The backers are Bill Fellington and Tom Eggers. The secondary features Don Shula and Carl Taseff at the corners and Bert Rechichar and Jesse Thomas at the deep spots. As an aggregated whole, this is arguably the league's best defense.

It's on offense where the Colts must show a steadily solid performance if the team is to be championship calibre. The backs are strong with Alan Ameche, the top runner in the NFL in '55, returning and now supported by top rookie pick Lenny Moore of Penn State, a slashing, speedy runner. Quarterback George Shaw can also run, but he must pass if the team is to be successful. Backing up Shaw and ready to step in is John Unitas, who may be the better passer of the duo, though he is less accomplished afoot than Shaw. Jim Mutscheller and unproven Raymond Berry are the ends. The offensive line is weakened by the service call-up of center Dick Szymanski, but will "soldier" on without him.

BOTTOM LINE: Could be a champion if the offense is efficient and the defense continues to be dominating.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

This team is maddening for fans. They have the league's youngest coach (36-year-old Frankie Albert), the league's leakiest defense and finished just 4-8 a year ago. But there is talent and if the team improves its play, this team could contend in the West. Albert's credo for '56 is "desire and defense."

The talent is there - especially on offense where the quarterback is Y.A. Tittle, one of the best in the league, and the backfield is stocked with top-notch runners, but two of the trio are coming off injury-riddled seasons and a bounce back to their forms of old must occur for this team to succeed. Hugh McIlhenny lacked his explosive speed in 1955 and had surgery on his balky right foot last winter to try to regain the form that saw him average eight yards per rush not too long ago. Joe Perry remains a good offensive weapon and if John Henry Johnson returns from his injury woes, the 49ers have a trio of runners no other NFL team can match.

Tittle may feel the hot breath of top rookie pick on Earl Morrall on his neck if he doesn't perform well right from the get-go. Morrall was an outstanding passer at Michigan State and the 49ers believe he can be one of the NFL's best passers in the not-too-distant future.

The offensive line's hopes are pinned on Albert successfully convincing retired center Bill Johnson to lace 'em up again for the Niners. If Johnson returns, he gives the team a solid anchor with tackle Bob St. Clair. The defensive front features Leo Nomellini at tackle, but Clay Matthews will be missed at end where Bruce Bosley and Charley Powell are Albert's hopes. The backers and secondary are nothing special - or at least have failed to show anything yet.

BOTTOM LINE: The 49ers will likely improve over their 4-8 mark in '55, but they're probably not going to be able to contend with the top teams in the West.

DETROIT LIONS

The Lions finished last in the league in '55 and that earned them one bright spot: overall top pick Howard "Hopalong" Cassady from Ohio State. The college game's top star will bring a fresh face and some hope to Detroit. But the team's ultimate success rests on the shoulder of Bobby Layne. That's shoulder and not the plural because Layne has a balky right shoulder and if the "100-TD Man" can't throw, the Lions will be facing a long season of disappointment once again.

Cassady will be trying to step into the shoes of the legendary Doak Walker, the great Lion game-breaker who has ridden off into the sunset of retirement. Good news comes in the return from Uncle Sam of Yale Lary, Gene Gedman and Oliver Spencer. All were a part of the Lions' championship team of 1953 and bring leadership and experience - as well as talent - to a team sorely needing all three.

Lou Creekmur, one of the best tackles in the business, anchors a decent offensive line with center par excellence Charlie Ane, while the defense features middle backer Joe Schmidt - also one of the best - if not THE best - in the league at his position. The return of defensive backfield phenom Lary can not be underestimated either especially when paired up with fellow ball hawk Jim David.

BOTTOM LINE: These aren't the Lions of yesteryear, whether that's 1953 or 1955. They will be improved - dramatically - over 1954, but probably aren't quite at the level of the Bears, Rams or Colts... yet.

NEXT UP - The Eastern Conference Preview

[legendsport]

CLEVELAND BROWNS

How do you replace the greatest player in football history? That's a question that is likely to haunt the Cleveland Browns in 1956. Otto Graham, the man who revolutionized the quarterback position, has gone into retirement, leaving a huge hole in the lineup of a team that has not lost a game in its own division in TEN years.

Coach Paul Brown has proven veterans at all spots except that crucial one formerly held by Graham. The QB position will be manned by either George Ratterman or Babe Parilli. Parilli was Tobin Rote's backup in Green Bay and is Brown's choice to succeed Graham, if he proves up to the challenge. Ratterman, who's played in Canada as well as the old AAFC, has served as Graham's backup the last few years and should be ready to take over, though undoubtedly with less effect than Otto had.

Top backs for Cleveland are promising youngster Preston Carpenter and veterans Ed Modzelewski and Curly Morrison. The ends are all superb: Darrell Pete Brewster, Dante Lavelli and Ray Renfro grew accustomed to pulling in Graham's beautiful passes. The line is centered by Frank Gatski and has Herschel Foster and Abe Gibron at guard with the extremely talented tandem of Lou Groza and Mike McCormack at tackle. Groza, dubbed "The Toe" by team mates, also serves as the team's kicker.

Defensively, the Browns have an excellent backfield of Warren Lehr, Don Paul and Ken Konz, with Johnny Petitbon the only possible weakness. The line is made up of ends Len Ford and Carlton Massey and tackles Don Kolo and John Kissell. Walt Michaels, Chuck Noll and Galen Fiss are a terrific trio of backers.

BOTTOM LINE: If Ratterman or Parilli can perform even half as well as Graham, the Browns will still be the Beasts of the East. If not, an opening will be there for the Giants and/or Redskins to step into.

NEW YORK GIANTS

Jim Lee Howell, coach of the New York Giants, believes his team has the makeup of a champion, especially with Otto Graham out of the picture. Howell has reinforced his veteran offense and a trio of veteran defenders from other clubs to bolster his team's chances at an Eastern title.

In trade from the Rams, the Giants have improved the defense by adding all-world defensive end Andy Robustelli and proven veteran back Ed Hughes. Howell also grabbed Dick Modzelewski, a big and talented defensive tackle, from Pittsburgh. With those moves, the Giants' defense was greatly improved, possibly to championship calibre.

The offense is already championship calibre. The quarterback is 35-year-old Chuck Conerly, ably supported by back Don Heinrich. The backfield possesses the versatile Frank Gifford, who will line up at both halfback and flanker and has the skill to hurt defenses from either spot. Also in the backfield is fullback Alex Webster, the thunder to Gifford's lightning. End Kyle Rote is likely to be Conerly's favorite target when Gifford's in the backfield and Ken McAfee is the other end.

The offensive line is outstanding with tackle Rosey Brown, guard Jack Stroud and center Ray Wietecha all among the best at their positions. The other two men, guard Bill Austin and tackle Dick Yelvington are no slouches either.

Defensively the Giants now possess a solid unit - Jim Katcavage joins Robustelli on the ends while Rosey Grier is the immovable object at tackle, and now has Modzelewski lining up beside him. The backers include the promising Sam Huff with proven commodities Harland Svare and Bill Svoboda beside him. And the backfield features Emlen Tunnell, one of the best, with Dick Nolan, Jimmy Patton and Ed Hughes also strong performers.

BOTTOM LINE: This team is ready to become a powerhouse. The pieces are all there and unless Howell fails to coach or injuries destroy the lineup, the Giants are the team that could supplant the Browns as the East's top squad.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Coach Joe Kuharich was correctly lauded after taking a 3-9 Redskins team of 1954 and turned it into an 8-4 contender in '55 with a lot of spare parts and no name players. And the team looks improved over that surprise squad of a year ago.

Rookie end Steve Meilinger of Kentucky is expected to improve the air attack with Johnny Carson and Ralph Thomas the other ends. Shifty Eddie LeBaron is the quarterback and though his passing skills need work, his running gives the Redskins attack an added dimension. Backing him up is more traditional passer Al Dorow. The backfield is a question mark with the injury to Vic Janowicz probably removing the most talented player from the equation. The 'Skins will attempt to get by with Tom Runnels, Leo Elter and Billy Wells sharing the load.

The line features all-world guards Dick Stanfel and Red Stephens. There are question marks at the other three spots though, and that could prove a crippling weakness with the ground game already questionable.

Defensive end Gene Brito is superb, so is linebacker Chuck Drazenovich and back Norb Hecker. Otherwise, the defense is fairly ordinary and certainly not up to the standards of its competitors in Cleveland and New York.

BOTTOM LINE: Still improving, but unless breakout seasons come from unexpected sources, the Skins don't have enough to catch the Giants or Browns.

CHICAGO CARDINALS

The Cardinals have super-back Ollie Matson and a strong offensive line and therefore must be considered a dark-horse candidate for the Eastern title in '56. Coach Ray Richards enters his second season with the team hoping to improve on the 4-7-1 mark of a year ago.

Lamar McHan is the quarterback, and he had a dreadful season in '55 with a bare 39 percent completion percentage and fully 9 percent of his passes were intercepted. Richards tapped SMU signal-caller John Roach in round three of the draft and will have a short lease on McHan.

Fans at Comiskey Park can expect to see the Cards feature a heavy dose of Matson on offense, supported by rookie fullback Joe Childress of Auburn in the ground game and ends Don Stonesifer and Gern Nagler in the passing game. Jack Simmons anchors a strong offensive line with John Dittrich and Doug Hogland at the guards and Jack Jennings and Tom Dahms at the tackles.

The defense is led by the very talented Dick "Night Train" Lane and Lindon Crow, a pair of defensive backs who are unequaled in the league. The best player on the line is end Pat Summerall who also does the kicking. The backers are solid - Stan West, Leo Sanford and Carl Brettschneider.

BOTTOM LINE: Definite improvement over disappointing '55 season, but unless McHan performs better, not a championship contender.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Coach Hugh Devore is an acknowledged offensive technician and assistant Steve Owen a master of defense. So the mental side is there, but the question is: do the Eagles have the physical talent to succeed?

On offense the team has a pair of capable quarterbacks in Bobby Thomason and Adrian Burk. Ken Keller and Don Schaefer can carry the mail in the backfield. End Bobby Walston is top notch. But the offensive line is ordinary on its best day and there's little depth among the receivers and backfield.

Defensively, the Eagles possess the game's top backer in middle man Chuck Bednarik. A punishing hitter, Bednarik's nasty streak makes the Eagles tough on opposing offenses. Able support comes from fellow backers Marion Campbell and Wayne Robinson and linemen Tom Scott and Jim Weatherall. The secondary is a weakness that opposing quarterbacks hope to exploit.

BOTTOM LINE: The Eagles won't soar in '56, but if they can put some talent around players like Bednarik and Walston, they may make their mark in the near future.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

The Pittsburgh Steelers were the East's worst team in 1955 and there's little reason to expect much improvement in '56. The big weakness is at quarterback where the team will be forced to go with a trio of Ted Marchibroda (the expected starter), Jack Scarbath and Maury Duncan. That's not going to get the job done in the Eastern Conference.

Coach Walt Kiesling and owner Art Rooney did not know at draft time that incumbent QB Jim Finks would retire to coach at Notre Dame. If they had, they undoubtedly would have selected Earl Morrall to replace Finks. Instead they picked up defensive halfback Gary Glick of Colorado - a good player, but not at the position they ended up needing most. Rooney also tried to get Bill Wade from the Rams, but Los Angeles decided to hang onto Wade as backup.

The Steelers have some backfield talent otherwise, with Fran Rogel, Sid Watson and Lynn Chadnois sharing the burden capably. End Elbie Nickel, though growing long in the tooth at age 34, is an exceptional receiver. The offensive line is game, though unspectacular.

On defense, the Steelers have an outstanding line with tackle Ernie Stautner emerging as one of the greats, and ends Joe O'Malley and Bill McPeak also above average. The backers are solid and the secondary features Jack Butler, an excellent coverage back.

BOTTOM LINE: The weakness at quarterback is crippling for an otherwise decent team. Unless a trade can be made, the Steelers are looking at the basement once again.

[legendsport]

CAN THE SOONERS REPEAT?


The University of Oklahoma, with the makings of a formidable line and a "dream" backfield, is poised to win its ninth-straight title in the Big Seven Conference, where the team has not lost a game since 1947, leaving the other six members to vie for 2nd place.


The fact is that Coach Bud Wilkinson's bunch can add a couple of firsts to their long line of achievements in 1956. They are poised to win a second consecutive national championship - something they've never accomplished before - after convincing the collegiate world of their supremacy in 1955 which saw them undefeated and victorious over Maryland in the Orange Bowl. One large hurdle remains for Bud's men to clear - a match with the University of Notre Dame, which Oklahoma has never defeated, stands prominently on this year's schedule as the headliner of the October 27 slate of games.

The offense is built around a pair of top-notch halfbacks in All-America Tommy McDonald and Clendon Thomas, an excellent quarterback in Jimmy Harris and fullback extraordinaire Billy Pricer as well as another potential All-America in center Jerry Tubbs. The defense is strong as well and there's no doubt that the Sooners are still the team to beat.

IRISH LOSE EIGHT STARTERS, STILL STRONG

Notre Dame coach Terry Brennan lost eight starters from his sterling '55 club, but he has a couple of outstanding returnees in quarterback Paul Hornung - a Heisman fave - and halfback Aubrey Lewis. The gaps will be filled by outstanding sophs such as the tackle tandem of Angelo Mosca and Bronco Nagurski, Jr. and former reserves who could have started on most other teams a year ago.

OTHER POTENTIAL TITLISTS

Oklahoma and Notre Dame are the consensus for one-two, with the winner of the big October 27th matchup looking like the National Champions, but there are a handful of other teams who could contest with the power duo for that top spot come January 1st.


Michigan State, with 16 holdovers from a team that won the Rose Bowl last January, including potential All-Americas Walt Kowalczyk and Clarence Peaks; Texas Christian with the extremely talented Jim Swink; Georgia Tech, where coach Bobby Dowd is assembling another powerhouse; and Maryland which lost coach Jim Tatum (he's in North Carolina now, running the Tar Heels) but maintained most of his roster, round out the contenders. Ohio State would likely be on the list as well, but has been disciplined by the Big Ten after it was found that Coach Woody Hayes has been loaning money to his players.

HEISMAN RACE

The hopefuls for this year's Heisman Memorial Trophy include the usual assortment of top quarterbacks and halfbacks, but also a pair of linemen and an end.


Leading the list is Notre Dame's Hornung. The versatile QB can run, throw and catch, and also kicks for the Irish. Truly a do-everything kind of player - and does them all well. Tennessee back John Majors is a rugged player while Oklahoma back Tommy McDonald is a speedy and sure runner who can pick up large chunks of yardage on each run. McDonald's center, Jerry Tubbs is the best lineman in the country and will get some consideration as well.

Syracuse back Jim Brown is also a possibility. Largely unknown, Brown is a breathtaking combination of size and speed. As large as a lineman and fast as the quickest back, Brown can run past - or over - virtually any defender. Michigan's Ron Kramer is the lone end on the short list, but he's versatile and may see some time at back as well. Other quarterback consideration will go to Stanford's John Brodie and Iowa's Kenny Ploen with Duke's Sonny Jurgensen a possible dark (very dark) horse. Guard Jim Parker of Ohio State is the lone challenger to Tubbs' rep as the best line player in the nation and back Jim Arnett of Southern California is the last likely candidate.

[legendsport]

Did a little Photoshop colorizing to come up with this possible Bn'G banner:

[legendsport]

Chicago Bears @ Baltimore Colts

The Colts raced ahead to a 21-0 lead through three quarters as Lenny Moore scored two touchdowns and Johnny Unitas hit Raymond Berry for a 40-yard scoring strike. But the Bears, expected to vie for the Western Conference title with the Colts, rallied to score three TDs of their own in the fourth quarter to pull out a 21-21 tie. Ed Brown and Harlan Hill connected for all three Bear scores, earning Hill Player of the Game Honors.

Cleveland Browns @ Chicago Cardinals

The Cleveland Browns began the post-Graham era with an easy victory over the Chicago Cardinals at Comiskey Park. Lou "The Toe" Groza lived up to his nickname by booting four field goals and though new Browns QB Tommy O'Connell struggled, completing just 5 of his 15 passes, two of those were for scores. Browns fullback Ed Modzelewski was game MVP for 106-yard rushing performance.

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers

Two of 1955's weaker teams kicked off their 1956 campaigns at Green Bay's City Stadium. The Packers came out on top, winning 31-13. Detroit jumped out a 7-0 lead before Green Bay ran off 31 unanswered points, including an interception of Bobby Layne returned for six by Jim Capuzzi. Bart Starr threw two touchdowns for Green Bay.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Rams

Eddie Bell scored on a 79-yard interception return but it wasn't enough for Philadelphia as the Eagles fell to the Rams 21-14 at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Billy Wade, nearly traded by Los Angeles this offseason, was outstanding for the Rams, tossing three touchdowns and throwing for 215 yards to earn Player of the Game honors.

Washington Redskins @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers gave their fans at Forbes Field a treat on Sunday, demolishing the favored Washington Redskins by a 48-9 margin. The Steelers led by 34-0 at the half and the 'Skins had no chance. Washington committed turnovers on three straight drives - with one of those being an interception returned for a TD - and was never in the game. Pittsburgh quarterback Ted Marchibroda earned Player of the Game honors for his 4-touchdown, 229-yard performance.

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers

The New York Giants unveiled their new defense against the 49ers at San Francisco's Kezar Stadium and though they didn't win the game, they did perform well in a tight defensive game. The game featured many big plays, with Frank Gifford scoring on a 67-yard run and Hugh McElhenny tearing off two long TD runs of 46 and 51 yards, with the second proving the difference in a 21-16 49er victory. McElhenny earned player of the game marks for his 161-yards and pair of scores.

WEEK TWO MATCHUPS:

Oct 6	Detroit
	Baltimore
	Washington
	Philadelphia
	Cleveland
	Pittsburgh
Oct 7	NY Giants
	Chi Cards
	Chi Bears
	Green Bay
	Los Angeles
	San Francisco