Walker May Find East to Be a Proving Ground

When the Dallas Cowboys signed Herschel Walker, Frank Luksa of the Dallas Times Herald checked around to see what other people in the NFC East thought of the acquisition:

--Philadelphia defensive tackle Reggie White: “He’s the best running back in the country.”

--St. Louis receiver Pat Tilley: “I don’t think Herschel Walker could shine Tony Dorsett’s shoes. Dorsett’s the best running back I ever saw. It’ll take Walker time to break into that lineup.”

--New York Giants General Manager George Young: “These guys don’t wear the Heisman Trophy on their helmets. They have to prove it every day.”

--Philadelphia Coach Buddy Ryan: “You can’t give him and Dorsett the ball at the same time. One has to block for the other.”

Washington linebacker Rich Milot: “How about George Rogers and Kelvin Bryant? They (the Cowboys) might have as much to worry about as we do.”

Add Walker: St. Louis assistant coach Joe Pascale, a New Jersey Generals aide when Walker played for the U.S. Football League team, said: “He’s got God-given talent--size, speed and strength. He doesn’t have the ability to juke in the open field. He’s no Gale Sayers or Walter Payton. He’s a power runner.

“He’s come a long way from college, when all he did was carry the ball. He became a blocker. Our fullback, Maurice Carthon, now with the Giants, gained 1,100 yards, and Herschel had to block for a lot of that.”

Add Dallas: At least one Cowboy would testify that Walker is an impact player.

As a freshman at Georgia, Walker was third string until the Bulldogs fell behind Tennessee, 9-0, in the 1980 opener. He made his first appearance in the second quarter and eventually scored two touchdowns in leading Georgia to a 16-15 victory.

On the first touchdown, a 16-yard run, he was confronted by a Tennessee defender. Walker didn’t bother to dodge. That defender, who may still have the cleat marks, was Bill Bates, a starter in Dallas’ defensive backfield.

Trivia Time: When Bob Feller pitched a no-hitter against the New York Yankees on April 30, 1946, what future Hall of Famer was playing center field for Cleveland. (Answer below.)

What kind of motivator is Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka?

When the question was put to quarterback Jim McMahon, he said: “He says a lot of things nobody cares about.”

Said Ditka: “He’s full of it.”

Sounds like the Bears are ready.

Said Detroit Manager Sparky Anderson after Cleveland pitcher Dickie Noles hit three Tigers with pitches last week: “I’m not sure about his coconuts upstairs. I get concerned about guys who throw gasoline on fires, and that’s what he does. His problem is that he don’t ever get nobody out. He’s a walking gasoline truck.”

Trivia Answer: Bob Lemon. Lemon, in the process of being converted to a pitcher, had a single in four at-bats.

Quotebook

Julius Erving, 36, asked if he thought he could defy Father Time: “I already have.”