Changing Fortunes in 1964 NFL Season

Oct. 5, 1964 - This is the year of changing values in the NFL. The longtime have-not teams are displacing the powers of the past, thanks in part to young, skilled, and hungry players.

In the Eastern Conference, it will probably be a two-team race from here on between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Browns, who between them show only one title (Browns, 1957) in the last nine seasons. They are tied for first place now, but do not meet until Dec. 6.

Before that date, however, the Browns must meet the difficult Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers on successive Sundays in November. The Cardinals, once past the Baltimore Colts next Monday night, will play only the rather ordinary Eastern teams such as the Redskins, Cowboys, Steelers, Eagles — and, yes, the Giants.

In the Western Conference, a wild race is shaping up that may involve as many as five teams — the Colts, Packers, Lions, Vikings, and Rams. They have all been beating one another and probably will continue to do so. The defending champion Bears, like the Giants, have collapsed and are virtually out of it.

After the Vikings had beaten Green Bay Sunday for the first time ever, Minnesota coach Norm Van Brocklin said: “It’ll be a tough race, this Western division. It’s anybody’s. We’re better because we had a good draft and our veterans have gotten a little seasoning.”

The Vikings, like the Cardinals, Rams, and Browns — but unlike the Bears and Giants — are youthful in character. Of the 22 Minnesota regulars, 15 have three or fewer full pro seasons in their past. The Bears and Giants have only five such youngsters apiece playing regularly.

The Vikings were led to victory by Fran Tarkenton, the misleadingly pale and frail quarterback who is a nonconformist when it comes to pitching passes or running.

Said Packer coach Vince Lombardi after the defeat: “An ordinary quarterback doesn’t even throw on half those plays. Tarkenton’s a great little scrambler — tough to catch.”

The reason the Cardinals appear so formidable is that what appeared to be a problem — the defensive line — is now an asset. Sam Silas, an unheralded 23-year-old second-year pro, has filled a void at tackle, and Tom Redmond, a fifth-year pro, has added depth as a swingman replacement.

This line, with the aid of blitzing linebackers, dropped Sonny Jurgenson, the Redskin passer, eight times last Sunday in Washington for a loss of 66 yards while attempting to pass. Jurgensen was so enraged that he and his temper had to be taken out of the game. He said he had never before been so harassed and humiliated.

An NFL attendance record was set Sunday when seven games attracted 367,467 paying customers — an average of 52,495 a contest.

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