Steelers in 1964; the second of 2 Great Victories

[LeonardRachiele]

The 3-7 Pittsburgh Steelers went to Yankee Stadium to play the 2-6-2 New York Giants.

First Quarter-The Steelers took the opening kickoff and, running alternately with John Henry Johnson and Clarence Peaks, moved to the NY 3. The drive stalled and Mike Clark kicked a ten yard field goal. The Giants took the ensuing kickoff and started a drive of other own, using the passing of Y.A. Tittle and runs by Ernie Wheelwright and Clarence Childs. The turning point to this game came at the Steeler ten. Wheelwright caught a screen pass at the Pittsburgh three; Steelers Linebacker Myron Pottios jarred the ball lose; the ball bounced into the End Zone; and Steeler defensive back Dick Haley recovered it for a touchback. This was the turning point of the game. New York was almost totally flat the rest of the game

Second Quarter-The Steelers took control. Flanker Gary Ballman started a drive with a one handed catch for 19 yards to midfield. A few plays later, Ed Brown fired a ten yard touchdown pass to Clendon Thomas. On the next series, Brown completed a 41 yard pass to Running Back Clarence Peaks. John Henry Johnson ran 10 yards for a touchdown. The blocking was so good that Johnson could have almost walked those 10 yards to pay dirt. After the Giants kicked a field goal, the Steelers led 17 to 3 at half time.

Third Quarter-The Giants fumbled in their own territory the first three times they had the football. After each fumble were three big scores. Ed Brown threw an 18 yard touchdown pass to Gary Ballman; Johnson ran two yards for a touchdown; and Mike Clark kicked the first of two second half field goals or three for the game.

Fourth Quarter-At the start of the final period, the Steelers led 37 to 3. The last quarter was for reserves. With Peaks and Johnson as starters, Dick Hoak did not see much action in 1964. In this game though he had a 23 yard run and a six yard touchdown run. When Hoak took both hand offs from reserve quarterback Bill Nelson, there were huge gaps in front of him. The touchdown run was easy. However, Dick was not so lucky on the next series. Coach Buddy Parker put Tommy Wade, another reserve, at quarterback. Wade threw a 78 yard touchdown pass to Hoak; but a motion penalty negated the play. Since Hoak had limited playing in 1964, I felt bad about this. Final Steelers 44 Giants 17.

–As in the Cleveland game, the blocking from the offensive line was flawless at day.
–Ed Brown completed 10 of 13 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Brown had all day to throw. The score would have soared higher had Buddy Parker not pulled him after three quarters; but reserves need playing time whenever possible.
–John Henry Johnson gained 106 yards on 25 carries and scored two touchdowns;
-Clarence Peaks gained 97 yards on 15 carries and caught the 41 yard pass I mentioned;
–Gary Ballman caught five passes for 117 yards and a touchdown.

The Steelers, running straight ahead, gashed the Giant defense for 238 rushing yards. The 44 points was the most for Buddy Parker in his eight years as the Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was also the third highest score in team history.

[Brian wolf]

What's your take on Buddy Parker, Leonard?

Did he wait too long signing good black players for the Steelers, or did he feel he couldn't trust them coming out of the draft so young and green? Was he a racist coach that has been denied the HOF due to his policies with players or were all those questions unfairly or wrongly warranted ?

Do you feel he is justly deserving of the HOF ?

[LeonardRachiele]

He deserves the HOF based on his coaching the Detriot Lions. The Lions, Browns, and Rams were the three big teams when Parker coached Detriot. Take a look and I think he won 2 NFL titles and lost one by a 56 to 10 score to Cleveland.

[LeonardRachiele]

Buddy Parker simply did not have the players he had at Detroit. I don't know how good the Pittsburgh scouts were. Pittsburgh traded Jimmy Orr to Baltimore for Big Daddy Lipscomb. Lipscomb lasted only two years but Orr went on for greatness with Baltimore. Steelers traded away or released Earl Morrall, Len Dawson, Jack Kemp, and others.