Monday Reading

Giants

Traina Forbes.com: A Very Early New York Giants 53-Man Roster Prediction
https://www.forbes.com/sites/patriciatraina/2020/05/31/a-very-early-new-york-giants-53-man-roster-prediction/amp/

WR

Schwartz NYP: Amani Toomer unloads on ‘lacking’ Giants wide receivers
https://nypost.com/2020/05/31/amani-toomer-unloads-on-lacking-giants-wide-receivers/

Clemons SI.com: Giants Player Profile | Cody Core, WR/Special Teams
https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/news/giants-player-profile-cody-core-wr-special-teams

DB

Lombardo NJ.com: Does 2nd-year defensive back hold key to rebuilt Giants secondary? Examining Julian Love’s potential role in 2020
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/06/does-second-year-defensive-back-hold-key-to-rebuilt-giants-secondarys-success-examining-julian-loves-potential-role-in-2020.html

NFL

King FMIA: NFL Power-Ranking Surprises (Bucs 5th? Raiders 8th?!) Take Back Seat. Our Country Is At A Crossroads

“But I did get an interesting view of it from Peyton Manning the other day. I wondered what advice he’d have for players—quarterbacks in particular—in such a lonely offseason.
Manning had a good story about his brother, Eli, pertaining to this.
“I did a Zoom call with Eli for a buddy, an investment banker,” Peyton Maning said. “It was a Q& A. Someone asked your question—how would you handle this situation as a quarterback? Eli talked about during the NFL lockout—nobody makes any comparisons to what’s going on right now—but, the NFL lockout was somewhat similar in the fact that it was truly a lockdown. Couldn’t talk to the coaches. Couldn’t go into the facilities. Maybe even tougher because you couldn’t have communication with the coaches. Eli talked about organizing their own workouts and taking some ownership. Eli got practice scripts, like blitz walk-through drawings, diagrams, he got practice jerseys, he organized workouts at a high school. He was kind of the head coach/coordinator and they were doing full routes and doing 7 on 7 and blitzes at practice. He was really thorough.
“Sure enough, they were in the Super Bowl that year. They beat the Patriots...”

“30. New York Giants (4-12)
Steelers, Niners, Rams, Cowboys in the first month, and Seattle, Baltimore and Dallas in the last month: Welcome to the new job, Joe Judge. The Giants are pretty far removed from being any sort of factor in the NFL. The last playoff win was the Super Bowl trimming of the Patriots nine seasons ago. The Giants appear to be in good shape at the most important position, with Daniel Jones coming off a good freshman season (despite 23 turnovers) as Eli Manning’s heir; Saquon Barkley’s obviously an impact running back. But questions abound everywhere else.
The pass-rush and secondary are both lacking, with or without 2019 first-round cornerback Deandre Baker, a suspect in an armed robbery in Florida. New York allowed the 30th-most points per game last year, gave up a passer rating of 101.4, and their leading returning pass-rusher, Oshane Ximines, had 4.5 sacks. New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has a big job, figuring out where to get pressure and how to cover up holes in the secondary. The Giants need Nate Solder to play to his late New England level; he slipped last year. It’s likely GM Dave Gettleman drafted New York’s long-term tackles this year—Andrew Thomas and Matt Peart, in the first and third rounds. But if the Giants are this low in the NFL hierarchy come the new year, Gettleman might not be around to see the futures of Thomas and Peart. I trust the Giants to score. I don’t trust them to defend.”

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/06/01/nfl-power-rankings-fmia-peter-king-2/

Breer MMQB: MMQB: Richard Sherman on Players’ Social Responsibility; How QBs are Prepping for 2020; Meet Trey Lance
Richard Sherman talks about the ability athletes have to use their voices—specifically the white quarterbacks who spoke up this week. Plus, how top QB coaches are getting players ready for 2020, how the rule changes were discussed this offseason and getting to know North Dakota State's Trey Lance

https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/06/01/richard-sherman-player-voices-trey-lance

Jason OTC: Four teams set to pick up salary cap space tomorrow when the June 1 cuts become official
https://overthecap.com/teams-set-to-pick-up-cap-space-on-june-2/

BUFFALO
Parrino Syracuse.com: Inside the Buffalo Bills’ Florida workouts: How Stefon Diggs broke ice with Josh Allen
https://www.syracuse.com/buffalo-bills/2020/05/inside-the-buffalo-bills-florida-workouts-how-stefon-diggs-broke-ice-with-josh-allen.html

Belson NYT: For Sidelined N.F.L. Brothers, Training Is a Snap
Reid and Blake Ferguson are long snappers, housemates and training partners during an off-season that, so far, has no end date.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/01/sports/football/reid-blake-ferguson-long-snapper-coronavirus.amp.html

CHICAGO
Potash Chicago Sun Times: Bears GM Ryan Pace anxious to see what he’s got
https://chicago.suntimes.com/platform/amp/bears/2020/5/31/21276129/bears-gm-ryan-pace-anxious-to-see-what-hes-got

Finley Chicago Sun Times: Bears’ Matt Nagy: ‘How do you not get excited’ about Cole Kmet?
https://chicago.suntimes.com/platform/amp/bears/2020/6/1/21276596/bears-draft-2020-cole-kmet-matt-nagy-excited-notre-dame-virtual-otas-ryan-pace-tight-end-gronkowski

CINCINNATI
Dragon Cincinnati Enquirer: 'The Last Dance' inspires Lou Anarumo, Cincinnati Bengals to use their time creatively
https://amp.cincinnati.com/amp/5300408002

CLEVELAND
Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Baker Mayfield buying into Kevin Stefanski’s program, Joe Woods open-minded at LB, other Browns takeaways
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/05/baker-mayfield-buying-into-kevin-stefanskis-program-joe-woods-open-minded-at-lb-and-other-browns-takeaways.html

GREEN BAY
Wood Mil JS: Aaron Jones putting his trust in the process with hopes of being a 'lifelong Packer'
https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2020/05/27/green-bay-packers-aaron-jones-putting-his-trust-process/5267058002/

HOUSTON
Wilson Houston Chronicle: J.J. Watt wants to prove he’s worth his Texans contract
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/J-J-Watt-wants-to-prove-he-s-worth-his-Texans-15306982.php

NEW YORK JETS
Costello NYP: Jets finally doing their part to deliver the best Sam Darnold
https://nypost.com/2020/06/01/jets-why-the-sam-darnold-believers-are-ready-to-double-down/amp/

PITTSBURGH
Adamski Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Once rare for Steelers, games vs. former Heisman QBs now the norm
https://triblive.com/sports/once-very-rare-games-vs-former-heisman-qbs-now-the-norm-for-steelers/

WASHINGTON
Cadeaux NBC Sports Washington: There's one word to describe new offensive coordinator Scott Turner's offense in 2020
https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/redskins/theres-one-word-describe-new-offensive-coordinator-scott-turners-offense-2020


Colleges/Draft

LB
PFF College: Highest graded LBs against power-five offenses in 2019:

1. Micah Parsons, Penn St - 90.9
2. Nick Bolton, Missouri - 90.5
3. Isaiah Simmons, Clemson - 86.5
4. Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech - 86.2

PFF College: Highest graded run defending safeties against power-five offenses in 2019:

1. Lamont Wade, Penn St - 91.9
2. Garrett Taylor, Penn St - 90.1
3. Nigel Warrior, Tennessee - 88.5
4. Julian Blackmon, Utah - 86.6

History

Macy Phillyvoice: Ten of the weirdest, wackiest stats about college football in Philadelphia
https://www.phillyvoice.com/weird-college-football-stats-philadelphia-temple-villanova-penn/

Giants Birthdays 6-01

Joe Biscaha E D27-Richmond 1959 NYG 1959 6-01-1937

NYT: (10-10-1973)

“LITTLE FALLS, Oct. 9—Unless your name, is Buddy Dial, you probably don't remember a former New York Giant named Joe Biscaha, pronounced BA‐SAN‐HA, because Biscaha disappeared from the world of pro football as quietly and mysteriously as he arrived. The boy from Pope Pius High of Passaic played one season with the Giants—1959 — then was gone.
But before he left, he scored one of the greatest upsets in the history of preseason football camps. The littleknown end from Richmond University, drafted on the 27th round, beat out Buddy Dial, the all‐America end from Rice and the Giants' No. 2 draft choice.
Dial went on to become an all‐pro receiver with the Steelers, setting records that still stand. Nobody seemed quite sure what became of Biscaha, although his name still turns up in sports columns, and in sports trivia sessions around the country.
In spite of that kind of abuse, Biscaha, now 36 years old, has turned up quite well‐adjusted and happy as the head football coach at Passaic Valley High with a 3‐0 wonlost record in his first season.

Needling Taken In Stride
“I still hear it at parties now and then when I'm introduced,” Biscaha said, but I'm not sensitive about anymore. When they say, ‘Hey, aren't you the guy ... ?’ I say, ‘Naw, that was my older brother,’ and laugh.”
But it was no laughing matter in 1959.
“I haven't laid eyes on Joe since the day the Giants kept him and put me on waivers,” said Dial, now a realestate broker in Dallas, “but I'll never forget him. He whipped my tail. I came to camp abbot three weeks late because of the All‐Star game, and when I got there, Biscaha knew as much about the Giant system as anybody in;camp. And he looked pretty doggone good, too. I was a scared little old kid from Magnolia, Tex.”
Dial roomed with Lee Grosscup, the quarterback from Utah who was the No. 1 draft choice that year, and every morning they “cut the squad” over breakfast., “We never cut ourselves, of course,” said Dial, “but one morning Coach [Jim Lee] Howell tapped Grosscup on the shoulder and Said he wanted to see him in his office, and we knew what that meant. Lee screamed like he was hit with an ice pick and I started giggling. Then Coach Howell looked at me and said, ‘You, too.’ We were the last two put on waivers.
“Biscaha and I weren't very friendly because I was jealous. I was the all‐American and he stole my thunder, but I sure respected him. He was intelligent and took adadvantage of every opportunity.”

Determination Goes Far
In spite of the jokes that followed — Dial caught eight touchdown passes that year for the Steelers and was second in rookie‐of‐the‐year voting—Biscaha left the Giant camp with a sense of pride. Perhaps he wasn't as talentblessed as Dial, but he had given everything that was him and he had proved that preparation and determination can take a young athlete a long way. It's the kind of story that high school athletes listen to. If Coach Biscaha says Passaic Valley can win, the players never doubt him. His teams take the field physically conditioned, mentally prepared and with the Biscaha determination.
“I learned a lot from my experience in the pros,” Biscaha says now. “I really don't know what happened except that I was the spare end behind Kyle Rote and Bob Schnelker. I had a total of three passes thrown my way. But was a rookie and I kept my mouth shut.”
After brief visits to the camps of the Boston Patriots and New York Titans (“I never unpacked my bags or sent out any laundry”), Biscaha launched his coaching career an aide at Paterson Central. Now he's the head coach at school with an enrollment of 2,500 and has no regrets.
Buddy Dial?
One regret: “I always wondered what I could have done with Y. A. Tittle throwing to me,” he said.”

https://www.nytimes.com/1973/10/10/archives/trivia-makes-good-new-jersey-sports-needling-taken-in-stride.html

SI.com: A SUCCESSFUL TRADER IN GIANTS (11-20-1961)

“The Giants have, of course, made mistakes. Probably the most egregious of recent years was the decision to let Buddy Dial, an offensive end from Rice, go to Pittsburgh, in favor of keeping Joe Biscaha, an offensive end from the University of Richmond. Biscaha played only briefly with the Giants. Dial has gone on to become one of the four or five best pass catchers in the NFL.
"We just blew that one," Mara says philosophically. "We made a mistake. But we got Dial late from the All-Star football game and Biscaha had spent the whole training camp with us. He had looked good and we thought he was a better player."

https://vault.si.com/.amp/vault/1961/11/20/a-successful-trader-in-giants

A SportsLifer’s Webblog: Don’t Forget Your Playbook: Glory Days

“It was 1959, the caboose of the 1950s, a simpler time in a different world. President Eisenhower was finishing out his second term, the Barbie Doll was launched, and Castro was running wild in Cuba.
Pro football was a simple game in 1959. A dozen teams in the NFL played 12 games apiece. The AFL was still a dream away.
No playoffs. No Super Bowl. One championship game.
In a rematch of their “greatest game” in the 1958 NFL title game, the Colts were looking to defend their championship against the New York Giants in Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium.
Two days after Christmas, in the midst of a tight defensive battle, Giants wide receiver Kyle Rote suffered an apparent concussion. His replacement was Joe Biscaha, a 27th round draft out of the University of Richmond.
Almost A Touchdown
“Near the end of the first half, (Giants quarterback Charlie) Conerly tried to connect   with me on a corner route, but slightly overthrew the pass and I cou

ldn’t quite make the catch, even with a diving attempt,” Biscaha, right, recalls more than 50 years year. “If completed. it would have resulted in a touchdown, but it unfortunately fell incomplete in the Colts end zone.
“I continued to play in the third quarter without making any significant contributions to our efforts, and was later replaced by a somewhat ‘foggy’ Rote during the fourth quarter. The Colts had trailed throughout the game by a 9-7 score but eventually scored 24 points in the final quarter to defeat us, 31-16.”
It was the second straight title for the Colts, who beat the Giants 23-17 in a memorable overtime classic to win the 1958 championship.
“In our post-game locker room there was disappointment, but there were also words of encouragement exchanged,” said Biscaha. “And even Charlie Conerly commented to me on the overthrown pass that ‘we almost had one.’.
“Given the fact that he had thrown my way and even had spoken to me, I had felt as though I would be a part of the Giants plans for the coming year. We returned to New York by train that same evening amidst local friends and fans sharing many drinks in commiseration of the loss.”
That would be the last game of Biscaha’s Giants career. When he signed with the Giants he went from $25 a month laundry money at Richmond (part of a football scholarship) to a $7,500 contract.
In eight games that year, he caught one pass for five yards and recovered a fumble.
Playing in The Original AFL
Biscaha failed to make the Giants roster in 1960. He was substitute teaching and making about $100 a week when the Boston (now New England) Patriots of the AFL offered him $4,500 for the last month and a half of the season. So Joe played for that first Patriots team in the AFL’s inaugural season, calling the Kenmore Station Hotel on Commonwealth Avenue home.
“The head coach was Lou Saban, a former Cleveland Brown, who seemed to have been influenced in the ‘General George Patton mentality,'” Biscaha recalled, “while my
position coach was Mike Holovak, a likable gentleman from the Boston College coaching background. It seemed like most of the players were from a Boston College or Syracuse (1959 championship team) playing pedigree.
“I was being tried out as a wide receiver and needed to learn the skills to compete against the bump and run techniques utilized by the AFL defensive backs. Having played with the Giants as primarily a tight end, those were skills that I never had to acquire.”
In September of 1961 Biscaha, realizing his playing days were over after a tryout with the New York Titans (now Jets), “signed a teaching contract with the Paterson (NJ) School District for $4,500 for the year and got  $400 more to assist in coaching football.”
His teaching career continued for more than 25 years and was highlighted by three New Jersey State Championship seasons, 1975,1979 and 1980, at Passaic Valley High School, as well as numerous coaching honors. After an eight-year retirement from education, while working in financial services, he returned to serve ten years as a school administrator at Passaic County Technical Institute until his retirement in 2005.
More than 50 years later, he wonders if his career might have taken a different path if Conerly, the NFL MVP in 1959, had not overthrown him in the end zone. “Had I caught that pass would my life have turned out differently?”
Joe’s blog is called “don’t forget to bring your playbook,” a commonly used expression players heard when they were about to be cut. Postings on the blog include his childhood experiences and memories of his pro football career and beyond.”

Kenny Daniel CB FA-OAKLAND WFL 1984 NYG 1984 6-01-1960

UPI (3-16-1984)

“SAN LEANDRO, Calif. -- Oakland Invaders cornerback Kenny Daniel has become the first U.S. Football League player to jump to the National Football League.

Daniel, 23, in his second year with the Invaders, said Thursday that he has signed with the New York Giants and will join them at their pre-season camp in July.
His current contract expires Nov. 30, and Oakland coach Chuck Hutchison said he expected Daniel to honor it. Hutchison said USFL contracts 'are written so we won't serve as farm teams for the NFL so, if it's true, he'll miss a season and a half.'
Daniel earned $22,000 in his first season with Oakland and had asked to renegotiate his option year. Steven Zeigen, Daniel's agent, said he was unable to reach agreement on a new pact with the Invaders.
Daniel was originally signed by the Washington Redskins as a free agent in 1982. He was released in August and signed two months later by the Invaders.
Daniel said it ould be 'a tough adjustment' in the NFL. But, he added, 'I probably won't begin thinking about it until I'm finished here. Then it'll sink in.'
With the Giants, Daniel probably will get a chance to replace Terry Jackson, who was traded to the Seattle Seahawks earlier this week.”

In Memoriam

Saul Mielziner LG UDFA-Carnegie Mellon 1929 NYG 1929-1930 Born 6-01-1905 Died 10-14-1985

Was friends with Benny Friedman which led to his opportunity with the Giants. He would also join Friedman in his later pursuits:

1934

JTA: “Benny Friedman is wondering how his C. C. N. Y. eleven is to be expected to find the right path leading to enough touchdowns to beat Lowell tomorrow

Big Mielziner, former Carnegie Tech star, a Brooklyn pro player and Friedman’s frosh coach, knows his way around football lanes.

But somebody slipped up badly last Saturday when Mielziner blithely went to Lowell, Mass., to scout the Beaver’s next opponent, and found that Textile was playing in Maine, far out of bounds. Mielziner came back with a sheepish grin and no report at all except that it was snowing in New England.”

Pete Stout FB D5-TCU 1946 Born 6-01-1924 Died 9-10-1996

“Most people have forgotten by now, but the gray old man who has led the Giants since almost the beginning of time came to the Giants in a trade. Charlie Conerly was the 11th draft choice of the Washington Redskins in 1945. The Giants, sorely in need of someone who could throw a pass inside a barn and hit the wall—any wall—gave the Redskins a defensive back, Howie Livingston, and a fullback, Pete Stout, for Conerly. Both Livingston and Stout performed adequately for the 'Skins for a couple of years; Conerly led the Giants to three Eastern Conference titles and one national championship in 13 years. He still propels his creaking bones onto the playing field to win games for them.”

https://vault.si.com/.amp/vault/1961/11/20/a-successful-trader-in-giants

NYDN (1-21-1948): “The grid Giants, who bogged down dismally for lack of a passer during the first stages of the last NFL race, made doubly sure yesterday that such an unhealthy condition was remedied.

Giants' New Battery? Half of the nation' best collegiate passing pair was under contract to the grid Giants yesterday when Charley Conerly (left). Mississippi's brilliant pitcher, was signed after a trade with the Redskins. Barney Poole (right), Conerly's favorite catcher, is on Giants' draft list but he has another year of eligibility at Ole Miss. won't exist in '43. Charley Conerly', brilliant pigskin pitcher from Ole Miss, was under contract to join Paul Governali, ex-Columbia strong-armed righthander, in an aerial-minded backfield. Draft rights to Conerly, who established an all-time collegiate passing record last Fall, were secured from the Redskins in exchange;; for Howie Livingston, veteran halfback, and another Giant to be named later. The Redskins could afford to let Conerly go after securing Harry Gilmer, Alabama ace, to relieve the agin’ Sammy Baugh on their firing line.

ALL-AMERICA SELECTION Conerly vas named to several All-America elevens last season after producing a new high passing percentage of .571 on 133 completions in 233 attempts. The aerials gained 1,337 yards and brought 13 TD’s. His favorite receiver, George (Barney) Poole, is also on the Giants' draft list. If the former - Army star becomes a Giant he still has another year of college eligibility it will give the Mara-men two topnotch collegiate duets. Governali's former target at Columbia, acrobatic Bill Swiacki, okayed Giant terms two weeks ago. A four-year Giant veteran, Livingston, was used primarily on defense the past two seasons. He came into the NFL after one season at Fullerton Junior College in California and another with the Hollywood - Bears of the Pacific Coast League. “

Troup PFJ: The Pathway Back To Contention: Emlen Tunnell & Charlie Conerly

“Though the football Giants had played for the NFL Championship in 1946 they quickly became one of the weakest teams in the league during the 1947 season. New York just did not have a very talented roster going into the 1948 season, yet hope was on the horizon with the addition of two rookies.

Those two came from different areas of the country, and seemed to have little in common but they quickly became friends on and off the field. The story of Emlen Tunnell walking into the Giants office, and being granted a try-out has been well documented and Charlie Conerly had success in college playing for the Rebels of the University of Mississippi.

Many new faces on the Giants roster to open the 1948 season and many would not stay for very long. Film study of the second game of the season against Washington is a fascinating exercise in what is, and what never should be (sounds like lyrics to a song?).

Paul Governali starts at quarterback with Tunnell at left halfback. Some plays are snaps through the quarterback's legs to Tunnell and he can run or hand off to the wingback on a reverse. He catches a screen early in the game for 14 yards (the longest catch of his career). Very late in the game he sweeps right for 12 yards. When Tunnell is taken out of the line-up, he is replaced by Conerly at left halfback. Joe Sulatis had replaced Governali at quarterback and the direct snaps back to Conerly are the beginning of pass plays for the Giants.

Sulatis is in to move to his right and block. Conerly had some success opening day with long completions though he did not pass much. Early in the game today against the Redskins he lofts a long touch pass 43 yards in the air right on target to John Atwood for a gain of 54. Everyone watching can easily see this is a gifted passer in a strange strategic offense.

The Giants offensive line struggles in both pass protection and run blocking; what else is there? Conerly is forced to run around, and actually has a couple of decent runs, while Governali is credited with 5 carries for -58 yards rushing! Yes, that is right....MINUS-58!

I am not sure why the official score keeper did not list these as losses attempting to pass? Score keepers in other games did list yards lost attempting to pass.

Watching this lopsided Washington victory brings to the forefront what no doubt Steve Owen saw; there are players on the field who are just not capable of helping us win games. During the 6th game of the 1952 season Tunnell intercepted the 36 pass of his career to pass former teammate Frank Reagan as the all-time interceptor (his 53rd game).

The beginning of 1948 though Tunnell rarely plays defense, and some of the men in the secondary for New York are not on the roster at the close of the season. Starting on November 14th during a three-game stretch Tunnell intercepts 7 passes for 116 yards in returns from his left corner post. He has also become the Giants main punt returner and returns 6 for 74 yards in those three games.

Paul Governali cannot keep Conerly on the bench for very long, and down the stretch (last four games of the season) Chuckin' Charlie is just that. He completes 94 of 149 for 1,106 yards, with 10 going for touchdowns, and only 2 intercepted. Name a rookie in league history that threw for 1,100 yards in his last four games?

Conerly has sure-handed Ray Poole at right end, and athletic Bill Swiacki at left end. Due to Conerly's precision passes they combine to catch 74 passes for 1,042 yards. The best duo to this point in Giant history. New York finishes 4-8 for the year, but coach Owen knows he has two youngsters to lead this team.

The Giants break even in 1949 with a 6-6 record but halfback Gene "Choo Choo" Roberts has improved dramatically as a receiver out of the backfield to help Conerly. The offensive line is also improved as Tex Coulter is moved from left tackle to center, and the Giants acquire veteran Ed Kolman to play right tackle, and be the offensive line coach.

New York enters the 1950 season with even more talent joining the team(many from the AAFC). Jim Duncan, and Arnie Weinmeister form a standout duo on the left side of the defense; while Otto Schnellbacher and Tom Landry join Tunnell in the secondary. The one holdover from years past who could actually make a play on defense was John Cannady and he is still an outstanding linebacker; especially in pursuit.

Chuckin' Charlie is now a blocking back part of the time as Steve Owen has brought back the "A" formation (a variation of the single wing) and the Giants become a ground power. The stats bear this out and film study shows an offensive line that punches holes in the defense as Giant runners explode into the open field.

The 1950 New York Giants are still the ONLY team in league history that has 9 different running plays of at least 50 yards in a season. The key is rookie miniature fullback Eddie Price with his relentless style and quickness. Ed Kolman is one of the best offensive line coaches in the league (he learned his lessons well as a Bear), and his "boys" get the job done. Can Conerly still complete a pass? Yes sir, he just does not throw as often, but the team comes first as New York ties the powerful Browns for the American Conference Crown.

Tunnell and Conerly shared the left halfback position early in the 1948 season and will end their careers together in a championship game in Green Bay Wisconsin on the last day of the 1961 season with Tunnell's Packers taking the title in a big win over Conerly's Giants.”

http://nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2017/03/?

11-06-1949: Redskins Defeat Steelers with 3 TDs in Fourth Quarter

“Late in the period, DB Howard Hartley intercepted another Baugh pass at the Pittsburgh 16. The Steelers had to punt to start the fourth quarter and the Redskins took possession at their 26. Rookie FB Pete Stout ran around end, eluded several tacklers as he headed down the sideline, and went the distance for a 74-yard touchdown. Poillon converted and, less than a minute into the final period, the score was again tied at 14-14.

Hartley intercepted another pass and then Poillon missed a 41-yard field goal attempt for Washington and a deadlock appeared likely. The Steelers came out passing, however, and Finks was picked off by DB Howie Livingston at the Pittsburgh 42. Baugh passed to Taylor for eight yards and then to HB Rob Goode for a 32-yard gain. Stout followed up with another touchdown, this time from one yard out. Poillon missed the extra point, but the home team was ahead by six points with two minutes remaining to play.

Pittsburgh again went to the air, the biggest a throw from Finks to end Elbie Nickel for 30 yards, and reached the Washington 39 before DHB Dan Sandifer intercepted a pass and returned it 58 yards to the Pittsburgh 16. HB Harry Dowda ran for a one-yard insurance TD. The PAT was successful and what had been a closely-fought contest for most of the way turned into a 27-14 win for the Redskins.

Thanks to the long scoring run, Pete Stout (pictured above) gained 107 yards on just seven carries that included two touchdowns. Sammy Baugh completed 8 of 15 passes for 101 yards and a TD and Harry Gilmer was four-of-12 for 107 yards and a score. For the Steelers, Jim Finks was successful on five of 15 throws for 86 yards with no touchdowns. He also ran for 68 yards on 18 carries.

Washington won only once more the rest of the way, ending up with a 4-7-1 record that placed fourth in the Eastern Division. Coach Whelchel was let go and assistant Herman Ball finished out the year in the interim. For the Steelers, the loss extinguished any faint title hopes and they went 6-5-1 for second place in the division, well behind the Eagles.

Sammy Baugh had a typically productive season, leading the NFL in passing for the sixth (and last) time while accumulating 1903 yards and 18 touchdowns. Pete Stout’s rushing total against the Steelers represented almost half of his 245 yards on 62 carries for the season in which he appeared in six games.”

https://fs64sports.blogspot.com/2014/11/1949-redskins-defeat-steelers-with-3.html