Archives 1960 :: Raiders History :: Pride And Poise ::

Rare articles from the Raiders first year of opperation
This is the first article to appear in the Oakland Tribune on the American Football League's interest in putting a team in Oakland. It appeared on Janaury 4, 1960.

Oakland in
Line for Pro
Grid Team
City One of Four
Considered for
New Grid Franchise

By SCOTTY STIRLING

Oakland is one of four cities being considered for the eighth and final franchise in the new professional American Football League. Lamar Hunt, Dallas, Tex., millionaire who founded the new loop, confirmed today that Oakland, Miami, Atlanta, and Jacksonville, Fla., have been proposed for franchises.
Hunt added that no formal application for a franchise had been received from Oakland interests, although several people in this area had talks with Hunt on the possibility of establishing a club here.
The AFL, now composed of Dallas, Denver, Boston, Houston, New York, Los Angeles, Buffalo is interested in a Bay Area to form a "rivalry" with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Hunt, in a telephone interview, said the major stumbling block concerning Oakland was the lack of a stadium.
"the possibility of using Candlestick Park for the team has been advanced," the wealthy Texan said.
Hunt said he had visited the Giants' new stadium when it was in its early building stages and said he feels it is adaptable for football.
"We have three cities now which enjoy good weather in late fall - Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles -and we are quite anxious to add a fourth in this category," Hunt continued.
He explained that Miami, Atlanta and Jacksonville enjoy such weather conditions and that formal applications for franchises had been received from Atlanta and Miami.
Hunt indicated that these two cities now are considered the prime choices for the eighth franchise.
During the interview Hunt heaped praise on Oakland's Chris Burford, the pass-catching Stanford end who has signed with the Dallas club.
"We got a real good one in Burford," the Texan said, "He sure showed his class in the East-West game."

All articles on this page were published in the Oakland Tribune on January 31, 1960. The day after the Raiders were awarded to the city.

This is a statement from the Raiders ownership group AKA the General Partnership upon being granted the eighth and final original AFL franchise.

OWNERS ENTHUSED BY AFL FRANCHISE

The eight owners of Oakland’s team in the new American Football League made the following announcement after receiving word they had been granted the vacant eighth franchise:

“We are overjoyed at the news that the American Football League has decided to include Oakland in its plans.

“This victory resulted from the combined efforts of Bay Area men who feel pro football should become a part of the Eastbay.

“We feel the granting of a professional football franchise to Oakland and the city council’s announced intentions of building a stadium here will open the door for the city to attract other major sports.

“Gaining the franchise was only our first problem. Now we must get down to the business of running the club. There are many problems, but we will take them one at a time.

“We haven’t had time to discuss such things as a general manager a coaching staff or player personnel, but we will tackle these problems with the idea of putting together the best team possible.

“None of the men in the group owning the franchise went into the project with the idea of making a living out of pro football. The number one concern was bringing a major sports franchise to Oakland.

“We owe thanks to a great many people in Oakland and realize we will need to support of the entire Eastbay to make this venture a success.”

OAKLAND WINS PRO FOOTBALL FRANCHISE

L.A. CLUB OWNER’S INTERVENTION, LOCAL GROUP’S SUSTAINED
EFFORT SWING AFL VOTE FROM ATLANTA

By Scotty Sterling

A month-long battle to bring major sports to Oakland ended in victory yesterday when the new American Football League voted to place its eighth and final franchise here.

Oakland’s entry into the fledgling loop was met with great civic enthusiasm and pride, although the owners of the club cautioned that the real work was just beginning. It took a knock-down, drag-out battle over the conference table to gain the franchise for Oakland, with Barron Hilton of Los Angeles spearheading this city’s efforts.

FLEW TO DALLAS

Hilton, who owns the AFL’s Los Angeles team, flew to Dallas late Friday when a fourth vote on the franchise had Atlanta leading 6-1, with only Hilton’s general manager, Frank Leahy, holding out for Oakland.

Oakland won unanimous approval on the fifth ballot after Hilton arrived and, in the words of one Dallas observer, “was Oakland’s ‘knight in shining armor’ as he turned in a great selling job.”

The first of five votes was taken Thursday, with Oakland getting a 4-3 edge. A second and third ballot saw the edge swing to Atlanta 5-2.

SIXTH VOTE

In Friday’s first voting Atlanta picked up its sixth vote.

Leahy talked at least a dozen times with Hilton by telephone Friday and when it appeared Atlanta was in, Hilton later decided to fly to Dallas.

There was no meeting Friday night but met informally and it was during this session that Hilton convinced them Oakland was the logical choice.

THREE REASONS

The decision was announced by league commissioner Joe Foss at 2 p.m. PST yesterday. Foss gave three reasons for the selection of Oakland:

1-It would create more rivalry on the West Coast with Oakland and Los Angeles becoming “natural foes.”

2- A second West Coast team will give the league a better geographic balance There are three Eastern teams (Boston, New York and Buffalo) two in the central portion of the country (Dallas and Houston) and three in the West (Denver, Los Angeles and Oakland).

3- Their is terrific pro football interest in Oakland. Foss explained that civic officials and others in Oakland had sent wires to the league urging Oakland’s selection.

OAKLANDERS SPEAK

While Hilton actually gained the necessary votes, Foss indicated that the presentation made by three Oaklanders at the league’s meeting last Tuesday had much to do with the selection.

Councilman Robert L. Osborne, contractor Y.C. (Chet) Soda and subdivider Wayne Valley represented the eight-man syndicate seeking the franchise during the league’s Dallas meeting.

The trio went to Dallas armed with the facts and figures on the Eastbay’s population and potential growth. The presented maps and diagrams explaining the area’s ideal geographical location.

COUNCIL VOTE

Later in the week the Oakland cause received a boost when the city council voted unanimously to seek an amendment to the city charter which would empower the council to build a stadium here by the sale of revenue bonds. The amendment is expected to be on the June presidential primary ballot.

Confusion over the availability of Candlestick Park or Kezar Stadium as a temporary home for an Oakland team was cleared up in a wire from the San Francisco Park and Recreation Commission informing the league the facilities will be made available.

Osborne upon hearing his group had been awarded the franchise, said:

“It is a great thing for Oakland and the Eastbay. I must say it resulted because of the combined efforts of many people. We have much work in front of us but we are all confident of success.”

3 MONTHS BEHIND

In addition to Osborne, Soda and Valley, the other franchise owners are stock broker Don Blessing, the coxswain on the University of California’s 1928 Olympic Games championship crew; Charles Harney San Francisco contractor, Ed McGah, Orinda subdivider; Art Beckett, Eastbay contractor and Harvey Binns, Oakland restaurateur.

Oakland’s team, as yet unnamed, is three months behind the rest of the league in preparing for the 1960 season. A complete league schedule hasn’t been prepared, but the official opening is set for Sept. 18.

Between now and then the Oakland club must get a contract for the use of either Candlestick Park or Kezar Stadium: establish a front office staff, including a general manager: hire a coaching staff and make plans for training camp.

Osborne indicated earlier that his combine will hire the best football talent available, regardless of the cost.

TOP MEN SOUGHT

“We know that football men must run a football team and we are going after the top men,” Osborne observed.

It was on Jan. 4 that Oakland first entered the picture for the possibility of the open franchise, created when the AFL learned the rival National Football League had obtained stadium rights in Minneapolis, which had already been voted into the AFL.

Oakland and Atlanta had two other rivals at that time, Miami and Jacksonville, Fla. Both of which dropped out the running before the league got down to the serious business of voting on the team.

S.F. BID DISCARDED

A San Francisco group made a belated bid after the league meeting was under way but was never seriously considered.

The prospect of gaining an AFL franchise created such great interest here that there were three groups of Oaklanders bidding on the franchise. The first was led by Emeryville industrialist Ted Hareer and Oakland insurance broker Bill Reichel, the second was headed by East Oakland auto dealers Ed Jackson and Bill Goldie, and the third by Osborne and Soda.

Hareer and Reichel dropped out and threw their support to Osborne and Soda when the league meeting opened. Jackson and Goldie remained in the running until Wednesday, when Jackson, after a quick trip to Dallas, withdrew.

The presentation by Osborne and Soda, combined with Hilton’s support, appeared to have clinched the franchise for Oakland as early as Tuesday night. The Atlanta contingent was so discouraged it left Dallas. Then the voting started and almost resulted in the Georgia city gaining the berth.
With the official announcement, the league divided itself into two divisions – Eastern and Western. Oakland joins Denver, Los Angeles and Dallas as the Western group, with Boston, New York, Buffalo and Houston forming the Eastern section.

MAN IN STREET SURPRISED, ENTHUSIASTIC

By Herb Michelson

As Pro football moved into Oakland yesterday, sports fans here couldn’t have been in a happier, big league mood.

There was no New Year’s Eve-type celebration or dancing in the streets but a pleased smile sprouted on Oakland’s Joe Fan. Even though those who think a quarterback is change from 50 cents suggested the new American Football League’s decision to place a franchise here is indeed a fine thing for the community.

While the news spread throughout the Bay Area, fans were both surprised and questioning.

ATLANTA OUT

“I thought Atlanta had the franchise sewed up” noted a youth pausing at a Broadway newsstand. “Where are they going to play? And who’s going to be the coach?” he wondered.

The boys down at fire station 2 had the coaching problem already solved in several different ways. “I’d like to see Pappy Waldorf take over,” recommended Wesley Bovyer, of 3171 Madera Ave.” But whoever gets the job. I think its great to have a team as long as we can support them.

“We’ll have to give this team more support than we gave the Oaks. I’d like to see them locate near the airport. If they win, they’ll really draw.”

STADIUM PROBLEM

His superior, Capt. John Forrest, of 3842 Delmont Ave., called the awarding of a franchise to the Oakland group “terrific.”

“The big problem’s going to be getting a stadium. But just having an Oakland team is great.”

The coach? Forrest likes Eddie Erdelatz, also a contender for the University of California coaching vacancy.

Fans on the distaff side showed their pleasure over the news, too. Dottie Cahill of 353 Euclid Ave., a registered nurse knew only that “It’s great. I defiantly think it’s wonderful, wherever they play.”

An elderly gent strolling along Jack London square and calling himself “a dyed-in-the-wool 49er fan” insisted the Oakland AFL team “must win to draw. “If not, they won’t last a season.” He said his civic pride would attract him to Oakland games, however.

Bartender Ray Cooper of the Bow and Bell didn’t suggest the new team would have to play perfect ball to draw. “They’ve just got to play interesting football, and the crowds will come,” said Cooper of 133 Lucinda Ave. in Walnut Creek. “The team will have to get a decent park, too, and a pretty good name for a coach.”

Alameda boat operator Ernie Hasznos had a definite idea on the playing site and coach after saying he was “glad there’ll be a pro football team in Oakland.” As a former Cleveland resident, he demanded the club’s new coach could be either Paul Brown (Cleveland Browns coach) or Otto Graham (ex-Brown quarterback and now coach at the Coast Guard Accademy).

To John Parrish, of 2904 Avalon Ave., Berkeley, the coaching choice didn’t matter a great deal. “I’ll go see the Oakland team even if the 49ers are in town at the same time. But our new team has to play in Oakland as soon as possible. They wont draw so well in San Francisco.”

Bow and Bell owner Boots Erb, who played football at U.C. with his partner Jackie Jensen, termed the franchise award “a great thing for the city, for sports fans and business.

“I’m sure Jackie will agree,” he added, “that this football team is one of the greatest things that ever happened to this city. We’ve been taking a back seat in sports to San Francisco too long.”

Saturday the back-seat drivers moved behind the steering wheel.

This is a UPI article on the Raiders hiring their first head coach Eddie Erdelatz, followed by the AP article. As of now I am unsure where it appeared, but I’ll update this as soon as I know. The authors are unknown

ERDELATZ APPOINTED COACH OF OAKLAND

EX-NAVY MENTOR BACK IN PRO RANKS

ERDELATZ AND OAKLAND CLUB IN ‘GENTLEMAN’S
AGREEMENT’ –STAFF, PLAYERS SOUGHT

OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 9 (UPI) – Eddie Erdelatz was hired today to coach Oakland’s team in the new American football League.

Erdelatz, who is 46 years old, reached a “gentleman’s agreement” today with the backers of the Oakland club.

“Eddie is expected to sign the contract within ten days, the general manager, Y. Charles (Chet) Soda, said.. “In the meantime we are working on a gentleman’s agreement and no terms will be disclosed.”

Erdelatz thus ended a ten-month period on the sidelines. It starter last April when he resigned from the Naval Academy and ended a brilliant nine-year tenure as coach there. During that span he rebuilt the middies into a football power. They posted a record of fifty victories, twenty-six defeats and eight ties under his direction.

Erdelatz severed ties with the academy as the upshot of a rift with Capt. Slate Cutter, the athletic director.

Until last Friday Erdelatz had been considered a prime candidate for the coaching vacancy at the University of California. He had been interviewed at least three times by a screening committee. But he was passed over in favor of Marvin Levy of the University of New Mexico.

“Gentlemen, it’s an honor to be selected coach of the Navy-uh-Oakland team,” Erdelatz said. His solemn features broke into a grin as he realized his error.

He said the first chore was to get a staff and then get some players.

He said he would install a system calling for the spread-T with flankers, but that would be “based on material we work with.”

This marks Erdelaatz’ second venture into professional football. He coached the line for the San Francisco forty-niners in 1948. Although he had one of the lightest forward walls in the All-America Conference, Erdelatz’ charges placed second to the Cleveland Browns in rushing defense. Those teams are now in the National Football League.

Oakland, Calif. Feb 9 (AP)

The selection of California-born Eddie Erdelatz as coach of the Oakland club excited San Francisco and East Bay football fans today. Many had resented his being bypassed as coach at the University of California.

Oakland is now a team only in blueprint form. It has eight owners and a coach. But it lacks a nickname, a place to play, a talent scout, a coaching staff and players.

The appointment of Erdelatz completed the list of head coaches in the league. The others are Lou Rymkus, Houston; Frank Filchock, Denver; Sid Gillman, Los Angeles; Hank Stam, Dallas; Buster Ramsey, Buffalo; Lou Saban, Boston and Sammy Baugh New York.

There were repots that Erdelatz might receive a two-year agreement calling for $25,000 a year.

Chet Soda, a building contractor who is the general manager of the club said other A.F.L. had already signed players for Oakland.

Erdelatz, a native of San Francisco, played end at St. Mary’s. He rose to national fame with his 1950-1958 coaching record at the Naval Academy. His 1950 team lost its first seven games, but upset Army, 14-2.

His 1951 team was much of the same caliber, but it walloped Army 42-7. His 1954 middies, the team famed for its “desire,” whipped Mississippi in the Sugar Bowl. In 1957, Navy downed Rice in the Cotton Bowl.

This is an article on the AFL granting the Raiders their first players. It appeared on March 3, 1960 in the Oakland Tribune.

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OAKLAND PROS GET 13 PLAYERS

ACE END NORTON ON LIST

By Scotty Sterling

All-American end Don Norton, of Iowa, and 12 other players were assigned to Oakland’s new professional football team today as the fledgling American Football League opened a series of meetings at the Leamington Hotel.

Norton, a star on the losing East team in the last Shrine game, had been previously signed by the Los Angeles Chargers for the Oakland franchise.

All 13 players were on the 52-man draft list of the Minneapolis-St. Paul franchise, which earlier had been a member of the eight-team loop but was forced to drop out due to stadium issues.

Oakland replaced the twin cities group and automatically received the draft list.

Among other well known players assigned to Oakland are Abner Haynes of North Texas State, one of the nations leading ground gainers last year.

Dallas signed Haynes after having made a trade for an unnamed player with the Twin Cities team. It is possible that Oakland will honor the trade and receive another players for Haynes.

The rest of the players are Cloyd Boyette, tackle-guard from Texas Southern: Willie Boykin, tackle from Michigan State signed by Oakland: Carmen Cavelli, end. Richmond U. Fran Curci, QB. Miami, Fla. Purcell Daniels, fullback, Pepperdine: James Otto, center, Miami Fla.: Gene Brebola (misspelled as in the original article, his name is Gene Prebola), Boston U (traded to Houstonfrom Twin Cities for Al Wilcher, end, Baylor); Sam McCord, QB North Texas State; Don Eddington, end Florida; Bob Parker, tackle-guard, East Texas State, and Jim Woodard, tackle-guard, Lamar Tech.

Of the 52 players on the list, 10 have been signed by the National Football League and six by Canada. The are several who have decided not to play pro football and a few not eligible for the draft this year.

Among the remaining dozen or so are Dale Hackbart, All American QB from Wisconsin, who will play college baseball and will not be signed until the season is over.

The announcement this morning was made by Joe Foss, AFL Commissioner, and Y.C. (Chet) Soda, general manager of the Oakland team.

Foss explained the assignment of the 13 players this morning was just a start on stocking the Oakland team.

He explained that there is a large surplus of players in the league and Oakland’s management will go over the list of players with representatives of the seven other clubs.

The case of Chris Burford, All_America end from Stanford and property of the Dallas Texans came in for brief mention this morning, Foss said.

No decision was reaced on Burford, who has expressed an interest of playing for Oakland. Chris was the first player signed by Don Rossie, general manager of the Texans. He says he won’t give up Burford without a struggle.

Soda explained that Oakland has not talked to Burford, but certainly would be interested in signing the local youth if an amicable agreement can be reached with Dallas.

NAME NEW OAKLAND PRO GRID TEAM-WIN TRIP TO ACAPULCO

Oakland’s brand-new professional football team will be named by a bay area fan.

You can be the lucky person and win a one-week holiday for two in picturesque Acapulco, Mexico.

The Oakland Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Oakland Boosters, in cooperation with The Tribune, today announced a “Name Your Football Team” contest.

The Oakland Football Club of the fledgling American League will take the winning entry as part of its official name.

The contest is now open and entries must be postmarked before the closing deadline, midnight, Saturday, April 2.

It’s easy

All you have to do is clip out the official entry blank from The Tribune, write the name of your choice for Oakland’s new pro eleven and in 25 words or less tell us why the name you choose is best.

Fill in your name, address and phone number and mail the entry to:

“Name Your Football Team” Oakland Junior Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 26 Oakland, Calif.

A five-man group of judges will select the winners.

Serving as judges will be George Jacopetti, chairman of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce Stadium Committee; Dan Marovich, president of the Oakland Boosters and an Oakland city councilman; Harold D. Price, President of the Oakland Junior Chamber of Commerce; Y.C. (Chet) Soda, general manager of the Oakland Football Club; and Francis Dunn; chairman of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

Entries will be judged on suitability, completeness and originality.

In case of ties, duplicate entries will be judged by the best reasons given for the team name chosen.

There will be three grand prizes.

First prize will be a trip for two to Acapulco, Mexico plus two tickets to Oakland’s first home game of the season.

Second prize will be a trip for two to Oakland’s game with the Los Angeles Chargers in Los Angeles plus two tickets to the first Oakland home game of the season.

Third prize will be a season pass for two to all of Oakland’s home games.

In addition, there will be other prizes- a pair of tickets to the first home game of the season to the first 25 runners-up.

Every one of the seven other clubs in the new American Football league already has its name, so be sure not to copy one of them.

They are the Los Angeles Chargers, Boston Patriots, New York Titans, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Texans, Denver Broncos and the Houston Oilers.

Ever since Oakland was awarded the eighth and final franchise in the new pro circuit fans have been suggesting names.

Now is the chance to pick a name and win one of the big prizes.

Clip the entry blank in today’s sports section and submit your entry.

This is from the July 10, 1960 edition of the Oakland Tribune as the Raiders prepared to open thier first training camp in Santa Cruz.

EARLY SQUAD CUTS PLANNED BY RAIDERS

By Scotty Sterling

Seventy-five prospective professional football players will be welcomed by the Oakland Raiders today at Santa Cruz, and for some it will be a short visit.

With just three weeks remaining before the pre-season opener against the Dallas Texans at Kezar Stadium, Raider head coach and his assistants will get to the task of separating the men from the boys.

Erdelatz will, to paraphrase a famous quotation “talk softly and carry a big axe.”

The New American Football League, to which Oakland was the last franchise granted, provides the first squad cut to 43 men by Aug. 8, but the Raiders will be working on a speeded up schedule.

“I expect we’ll make our first cuts before the first week of training is over and we’ll be down to 43 guys well before the deadline,” Erdelatz offered.

“One of the toughest jobs in coaching is to make cuts, but it also is one of the most necessary and most important,” Erdelatz continued.

“It will be particularly tough in this case because we aren’t thoroughly familiar with the bulk of our material.”

Because of Oakland’s late entry into the fledgling loop, most players signed are not only unfamiliar to the Bay Area fans but equally new to the Raider coaching staff.

Some, of course, are well known here. Players such as quarterback’s Paul Larson of Cal and Tommy Flores of COP, tackle Chris Plain of Stanford, halfback Wayne Crow of Cal and Charley Powell, an ex-49er, made headlines in Bay Area papers.

Others, such as Ole Miss halfback Billy Lott, end Ron Beagle of Navy, tackle Ramon Armstrong of TCU and quarterback Ed Hino of George Washington are known to the football buff for their accomplishments.

But the majority are just names, and it will be up to the trained eye of Erdelatz and his aides to pick and choose and mould a football team.

While tomorrow is the official opening of the camp, the serious business doesn’t start until Tuesday.

Tomorrow the squad will be outfitted with practice uniforms and will be at the beck and call of the Northern California news photographers.

The squad will practice at the Santa Cruz High School field with morning and afternoon drills slated almost every day between now and July 31.

Headquarters will be the Palomar Hotel, which is some four blocks from the field.

Actually the Raiders signed 76 men for spring camp, but one will be delayed two weeks because of an armed services commitment.

Erdelatz, will work his team behind closed gates this first week, explaining that the type of drills planned aren’t of general interest to the public.

Next week however, the public will be invited to view practices. Scrimmages haven’t been scheduled yet, but they will be announced in sufficient time for fans to make arrangements to attend.

An article on the first day of training camp 1960. This appeared July 11, 1960 in the Oakland Tribune.

‘FUN’ BYWORD AS RAIDERS OPEN SANTA CRUZ CAMP

By Scotty Sterling

Santa Cruz, July 11-
Every one of the 75 Oakland Raider hopefuls looked like All-Americans today as they posed and strutted for news cameramen to open the American Football League team’s training camp here.

But it will be different tomorrow when head coach Eddie Erdelatz and his four assistants start two-a-day drills, with head-knocking scheduled in blocking and tacking exercises.

Erdelatz and his staff greeted the prospective players today and spent considerable time getting acquainted. Most of the players were meeting the former great Navy coach for the first time.

Erdelatz told the crew that his long time theory that football should be fun would be the byword for the Raiders.

“There is no difference in the mental attitude of a college player and a pro player,” Erdelatz said, “so is it is fun to play college football, it should be as much fun for money.”

Erdelatz’ philosophy paid off big time at Annapolis, where he took a squad which had won only five games in four years and built a gridiron power that ranked with the best in the nation.

But Erdelatz is the first to admit the challenge presented as head coach of the Raiders is greater than what he faced at Navy in 1950.

“We started so much later than the rest of the league that we are bound to suffer somewhat,” he explained.

Eddie agreed the Raiders got several top ball players from the leagues “12th man plan, which was devised to help stock Oakland’s roster with players from other clubs.

“We got a few good ones there and we signed several solid men on our own, but some of these clubs are going into camp with as many as 115 players,” he added.

Oakland signed 76 for camp but one will be delayed in arriving at this resort city because of an armed service commitment.

Erdelatz emphasized to his squad today that early cuts in personnel will be necessary so the serious business of molding the team will start immediately.

Eddie explained the grading system which will be used to determine cuts and positions on the offensive and defensive squads.

Although most of today’s session was devoted to picture taking, Erdelatz sent his squad to the Santa Cruz High School field for some exercises.

The squad’s daily workouts will be staged at the high school field, which is within walking distance of club headquarters at the Palomar Hotel.

There were several hundred local citizens on hand to get a look at the gridders today but until next week Erdelatz will drill the team behind closed gates.

“We’ll announce the open practice sessions,” he concluded

This is the Oakland Tribune recap of the Raiders first game on July 31, 1960. The article appeared on 8/1/1960

OAKLAND BATTLES TEXANS TO WIRE IN 20-13 DEFEAT

By Scotty Sterling

Oakland’s fledgling Raiders football team carries a stamp of approval today, its debut indicating maturity isn’t tot far off for the hustling club of Eddie Erdelatz.

Limited to less than three weeks of practice, the Raiders almost stayed even with the highly-touted Dallas Texans at Kezar Stadium yesterday and carried their heads high after losing 20-13, in the American Football League’s West Coast premiere.

Three-touchdown underdogs, the Raiders scored first and threatened to recapture the lead in the final period when they chose to go for two points after a touchdown rather then being satisfied with an almost sure single extra point and a tie.

Erdelatz had promised his team would meet Dallas’ “big names” with hustle and spirit, and these ingredients, combined with an excellent performance by a limited Raider offense, provided the 12,000 partisan fans with an enjoyable afternoon of football.

“It was like walking into a dark room, but I thought before the game our guys would do well and they did,” Erdelatz beamed in the dressing quarters.

Eddie told his players they did a “helluva job, and it won’t be too long before you are a real tough outfit.”

Erdelatz expressed satisfaction with his team’s performances, pointing out that several mistakes were costly.

“We made errors as expected, some of them mine, but it takes time to build a football team. We did our best today but it wasn’t enough to win.”

Eddie was hesitant singling out players for praise, although when asked about specific players he replied that each performed well.

“I was looking at the overall picture and I can’t pick the outstanding performances until I’ve had a look at the game movies,” he explained.

Eddie said Dallas played a good game, “But I have nothing to compare them with.”

“I can tell you this though. Their big name personnel didn’t hurt us too much. We just weren’t prepared for some of the things they did,” Eddie offered.

“Their linebackers were charging during the early stages of the game and it fouled up our blocking assignments because we just didn’t have time to prepare for everything. We had to wait until halftime to make some adjustments.”

Asked about Dallas’ fine running game, Erdelatz pointed out that that the Raiders were equipped with only one defense and Tom Louderback regular middle linebacker, was out with an injury.

“The defense was one of my mistakes,” he explained. “I thought one would be enough this early but it wasn’t. I won’t try that again. Louderback is a real good one we certainly missed him out there today.”

The Raiders couldn’t match Dallas’ running game, but quarterback Tommy Flores’ poise and accurate passing to his backs provided Oakland with a potent punch.

Tommy, who bids fare to become an outstanding pro quarterback, sizzled in the first half, completing nine of 12 and setting up his club’s first touchdown.

Handicapped by the lack of a potent running game to keep Dallas off balance, Flores nonetheless threw over and through the Texans enough in the second half to drive his club to a second touchdown. He completed 14 of 25 during the day for 151 yards.

Fullback Billy Lott, a former New York Giant, and right halfback Tony Teresa of San Jose State each picked off five passes as Flores and second unit quarterback Paul Larson threw only three passes to the ends.

Dallas, the first team in the new American Football League, fielded a nifty set of running back’s behind a big, fast line and in the second half ripped big holes in the Raiders defense.

Johnny Robinson, an LSU running mate of the great Billy Cannon, picked up 76 yards in 12 carries to lead the Southwesterners and gave the Raider ends and linebackers a busy afternoon with his powerful sweeps.

Abner Haynes, the highly touted dandy from North Texas State, was expertly defended by Oakland, but his replacement Jim Swink, ran well and bug fullback Jack Spikes crashed to two touchdowns and picked up 74 yards in 18 carries. The Texans accounted for 211 yards on the ground.

Dallas quarterback Cotton Davidson, despite having great protection, suffered badly in comparison to Flores and several of his important completions were the result of fine catches, particularly by former Stanford All-American End Chris Burford.

Burford made a diving catch right at the goal line for one Texan touchdown and hauled in a third down pass over an Oakland defender which gave the Texans a first down on the Oakland 47 and generated enough punch to keep a TD drive alive.
Defensively, both clubs received some outstanding performances. Oakland end George Fields, a former Berkley High and Bakersfield J.C. star, moved his 245 pounds with amazing quickness and several times jammed high-powered Dallas running plays.

Deep defenders Eddie Macon and Joe Cannavino covered so well on some pass patterns Davidson was forced to throw the ball away and linebacker Larry Barnes, a former 49er, shored up the Raiders defenses during several drives.

Barnes also punted for the Raiders, getting off six for an average of 37.7 yards.

Mistakes, or breaks, aided both clubs in scoring with the Raiders capitalizing on boots early in the first quarter.

Oakland’s first drive bogged down and Barnes’ attempted a 37-yard field goal was far short. Dallas halfback John Bookman returned it 22 yards to his own 31.

On the first play Robinson fumbled on a sweep around the left end and Cannavino recovered on the Texans 34.

Flores hit Lott for seven, found him in the flat and Billy romped 25 yards to the two. Halfback Buddy Allen banged over left guard for the TD and Barnes kicked for the point.

Neither team could move consistently during the remainder of the quarter, Oakland being forced to punt several times with fumbles stalling Texan drives.

Early in the second quarter the Dallas running attack moved into high gear in a march which started on the Texans’ 33 after a punt by Barnes.
Robinson and Swink concentrated on the Raiders flanks and the muscular Spikes supplied the inside power as the drive carried to Oakland’s five.

Davidson faded to pass on second down, was rushed hard by the left side of Oakland’s defense but got off a sidearm shot which Burford dove for and gathered in on the goal line.

Davidson passed to Robinson for the two conversion points and Dallas led 8-7. The half ended that way.

Burford again proved the hero for Dallas Midway through the third period when the Raider defense stiffened, halted the Texas running game and forced a third and 11 on the Dallas 34.

Davidson dropped back deep and fired over the middle the middle through the charging Oakland defenders. Burford, cutting to the outside, took the ball in front of halfback L.C. Joyner and Dallas had a first down on the Oakland 47.

A pass to Max Boydston picked up 22, Swink got nine Spikes 2 more over left guard and Dallas was on the two. Spikes boomed in for a score but Cannavino halted Robinson on the two-point and it was Dallas 14, Oakland 7.

Oakland began a long drive following the kickoff, going 73 yards in 17 plays for the score.

Flores again provided the necessary punch with his short passes, although a 1-yard pickup by Lott over guard gave Oakland a big first down on the Dallas 22.

Allen got nine as the quarter ended but the drive bogged down as Flores missed badly on two important tosses. However, a pass interference penalty against Dallas set up a first down on the one and Allen banged over for his second TD.

Erdelatz gambled on the two-pointer which would have put Oakland into the lead but Lott was dropped short of the goal when the Dallas secondary plugged a hole at right guard.

Oakland halted a subsequent Dallas drive and after the Texans kicked short on a field goal attempt, started, up field. But a big charge by Dallas sent the ball wobbling from Flores’ hand on an attempted short pass and linebacker Mel Branch hauled it in on the Oakland 27 and rambled to the 13 where he was nailed from behind.

Swink hit right tackle for four, Spikes got four and three and then went the final two for a TD. A passing PAT try was broken up by Macon and that ended the scoring with four minutes to play.

Both clubs had two possessions in the final four minutes but neither generated a threat.

From the September 12, 1960 Oakland Tribune
A Complete Recap Of The Raiders First Game

RAIDERS SEEK BETTER DAYS
ATTACK FIZZELS AS OAKLAND SUFFERS 37-22 SHELLACKING
By Scotty Sterling

Today all coach Eddie Erdelatz and his Oakland Raiders want to do is forget yesterday. Rather, they would prefer to think about Friday night’s battle against the Dallas Texans.

The Raiders opened American Football League play yesterday at Kezar against the Houston Oilers and, in Erdelatz’ words, “played a real bad one.”

Houston, favored by 10 points, collared a 37-22 victory from a Raiders team which had a difficult time making anything work properly.

Offensive line blocking was almost non-existent for the home boys, as a paltry 27 net rushing yards indicates, and quarterback Tommy Flores, himself off the stick, received little protection on pass plays.

Flores threw two touchdown passes as he hit for 13 for 32, and he picked up 232 yards, but Tommy’s first half inaccuracy and a number of dropped strikes hurt the cause no end.

One of the dropped passes came in the end zone on a fourth and goal situation from the Oiler three early in the fourth quarter with Houston holding a 20-14 edge.

A touchdown at that point could have changed the complexion of the game, but fullback Billy Lott let the hide slip through his fingers and Houston took possession.

Prior to the fourth down pass, Flores sent Lott into the line three straight times from inside the three without success against the tough Houston forward wall.

Erdeltz tabbed his team’s inability to score that touchdown as the turning point in the game.

“But even with that we didn’t play well,” he offered, “This team is capable of much better football than was played today. There isn’t really much that can be said after a game like this.

“Our guys were tight and tense. In fact, both teams were that way in the first half. I think we all had nerves and were trying to hard.”

Erdelatz was right about both teams being bad in the first half. Neither team could generate much offense and the 7-7 halftime score was a true indication of the play.

The second half provided plenty of good football. Unfortunately for Oakland fans, among the crowd of 12,307, most of it by the Oilers.

Old pro quarterback George Blanda, a former Chicago Bear, directed the Oilers all the way. And after the intermission did an excellent job. George on the day threw four touchdown passes, kicked four conversions and added a field goal.

He hit 19 out of 37 for 279 yards. He completed 12 of 21 in the final two periods, with three of them going for scores.

Unlike his Raider counterpart, Blanda had the benefit of a running game which picked up 152 yards. Fullback Dave Smith, a 205-pound fire-plug, got 104 of those on 19 carries, an average of 5.48.

All-American halfback Billy Cannon, starting for the Oilers after running second string during the exhibition season, got 59 yards in 12 packs for 4.92. Cannon played well and will be heard from before this season is out.

Houston’s running figures would have been even more impressive had it not been for the fine defensive play of Oakland’s linebackers Bob Dougherty, Tom Louderback and Billy Locklin.

The performance of this trio and the pass receiving and running of Jack Larschied and Tony Teresa were rays of sunshine in an otherwise black Raiders picture.

Larschied, a thrilling runner to watch despite the fact he stands but 5 foot 6 and weighs 160 pounds, caught five passes for 105 yards, including a 46-yard hookup for a touchdown.

Teresa nailed six passes for 116 yards, one of them a 29-yard completion for the first Oakland touchdown.

This score, coming with 47 seconds remaining in the opening period, was set up when Larschied, passing from his halfback position, hit Teresa for 38 yards to the Houston 13. Flores on the next play found Teresa all alone in the end zone. Larry Barnes converted to tie the score at 7-7.

Houston had opened the scoring three minutes earlier with an 85-yard drive in five plays. The big gainers were Blanda tosses to Charley Hennigan for 19 yards and John Carson for 20 and the payoff was a 29-yard shot to Hennigan, who took it in the right flat in front of Eddie Macon and rolled unmolested into the end zone.

Neither team could score again in the period, although Oakland got within field goal range near the end of the quarter. The kick by Barnes was wide of the mark.

The Raiders jumped into a 14-7 lead early in the third period when Macon intercepted a deflected Blanda pass and romped behind good blocking for 28 yards and a score. Barnes’ kick was good.

Houston came right back to score in six plays from their own 28, Blanda hitting Bill Groman in the end zone with a 32-yard strike behind Macon. There was a fumble on the conversion center pass and Oakland maintained a 14-13 lead. It was shortlived, however. After forcing Oakland to punt, the Oilers moved 60 yards in eight plays to score and move ahead, 20-14. Smith’s running was a big factor in this drive and Blanda completed three out of four passes, including a 3-yard touchdown toss to Carson.

After Oakland’s abortive touchdown try at the beginning of the fourth period, the Oilers marched to the Oakland 11 and Blanda kicked a field goal.

Then, after recovering Teresa’s fumble on the ensuing kick-off, the Oilers took it in again from the 28, aided by a 10-yard half-the-distance penalty against the Raiders which set the stage for Smith to score around the left end from the eight. Blanda’s kick made it 30-14.

The Raiders’ final attempt to stay in the ball game came on the next series as they moved 80 yards to paydirt in five plays. A flat pass to Jetstream Smith picked up 29 yards to the Houston 46 and the Flores hit Larschied in the left flat and little Jack went all the way. A two-point conversion pass to Smith put the Raiders within range at 30-22.

There was 7:44 left in the game and Raider rooters were hopeful their club could at least tie it up. But the Oilers with Smith running well and Blanda hitting when it counted, traveled 75 yards in nine plays to put it out of reach. The TD came when Blanda passed to Carson over the middle from the 11. Blanda’s fourth conversion put the final score at 37-22.

Erdelatz gave his troops today off, which means the Raiders have only three days to prepare for Friday night’s tussle against Dallas. Eddie said particular emphasis would be placed on the secondary defense, which leaked badly yesterday, and protection for the passer.

There were a couple of Raider injuries, notable defensive end Carmen Cavelli who aggravated an ankle injury on the first play of the game and rode the bench the rest of the way. A pinched nerve kept halfback Luther (Hit and Run) Carr out of action and he is doubtful for Friday.

Tomorrow the Raiders switch training headquarters from the Oakland Naval Air Station to the Alameda Naval Air Station, which has better facilities, particularly the turf.

Dallas Arrived in San Francisco yesterday after losing 21-20 to the L.A. Chargers Saturday night and is headquartered at Rickey’s Studio Inn at Palo Alto.

This is from the September 26, 1960 edition of the Oakland Tribune. This article covers the Raiders first regular season victory.

Oakland Defense Stops Oilers for First Loop Win

By Scotty Sterling

Houston Tex., Sept.26- The Oakland Raiders victory ball today in en route to Ernie Jorge, the club’s chief assistant coach who is bedridden in Burlingame after suffering a heart attack before the team left for a three-game road trip. In the best tradition of football, Raider head coach asked his club yesterday “to win this one for Ernie.”

It was the first time in Erdelatz’ coaching career that he “asked” a team for victory, an the 18-point underdog Raiders went out and toppled the previously unbeaten Houston Oilers, 14-13, in a thriller before 16,421 here at Jeppeson Stadium. It was Oakland’s first win in three league starts.

A great Oakland defense limited the Oilers to one touchdown and two field goals, thwarting an attack which manhandled the Raiders in that 37-22 Oilers victory at Kezar three weeks ago.

And the Oakland offense, its running bolstered by a switch which moved Tony Teresa from flanker back to the tight running back position, clicked for 279 yards.

On the ground Oakland picked up 126 yards against a defense which had yielded but 47 total yards in two previous ball games. The running yardage represents an improvement of 97 yards over the first game against Houston 61 yards over last week’s effort against Dallas, won by the latter 34-16.

Oakland’s aerial attack, one of the most potent in the league, was good for 191 yards, with starter Babe Parilli hitting on seven out of 13 for 118 yards and Tommy Flores clicked on seven of 10 for 57 yards. Teresa also connected on one from his halfback post good for 16 yards.

Teresa led the running with 31 yards in 12 carries and Jack Larchied got 27 in nine attempts.

Oakland’s attack should have scored at least two more touchdowns. Twice the Oaklanders had a first and goal to go inside the Houston five but couldn’t punch it over. Erdelatz said blocking errors by new men in the forward wall were responsible for the breakdowns.

But even with their great mechanical improvement the Raider won this game with an unbeatable spirit.

Assistant coach Marty Feldman said:

“They didn’t need coaching. They wanted the game so badly they just wouldn’t give in. They made mistakes but overcame them and beat a good club.”

Erdelatz wouldn’t single out individuals for praise, terming the game “a tremendous team effort.”

“They were just great out there and it was strictly a team effort,” he explained “I’m really proud of this team and the victory even made me forget about my toe.”

Erdelatz referred to a broken big toe on his right foot, suffered when he was demonstrating a play during the team’s dummy drill here Saturday.

Erdelatz had difficulty sleeping Saturday night, even though he had taken medication, and he said, “I didn’t feel normal until the second half” The painful injury didn’t hamper Eddie during the game, however. A noted sideline walker, Erdelatz even receipted for a 15-yard penalty when he objected too strenuously to the officials after an Oiler had kneed little Larschied in the face well after the play had ended.

The officiating, as has been the case in most American Football League games, was atrocious. Both clubs suffered at the hands of the officials.

But, the Raiders aren’t worrying about that today. Rather, they are savoring the victory, Particularly defensive linemen George Fields, Don Deskins and Charley Powell, singled out by line coach for stopping Oiler running stars Billy Cannon and Dave Smith.

Houston managed 117 yards on the ground, but its famed trap play went for practically naught. Smith got 75 yards in 15 carries and Cannon 36 in 12, most of it between the 30 yard stripes.

The addition of former L.A. Chargers linebacker Riley Morris also showed up yesterday. Morris was tough on the right corner. Middle linebacker Tom Louderback and left corner man Bob Dougherty-probably the best in the league, turned in their usual fine game.

With their running game sputtering, Houston also found added pressure on their air attack. Quarterback George Blanda picked up 222 yards with 17 completions in 36 attempts, but he couldn’t hurt the Raiders as he did in Kezar three weeks ago.

The steady Oakland pressure also showed when Blanda missed two field goals, one from the 17, the other from the 20-either of which would have given Houston the win.

The 28-yard attempt came with just 39 seconds left and until George’s kick went wide left, it appeared the great Oakland effort was out the window.

Oakland started strongly, halting two Houston series and then taking the ball on the 21 after Eddie Macon returned the first of his two intercepted passes 35 yards.

A screen pass, Parilli to Billy Lott moved the Raiders to the four and in two cracks Jetstream Smith got the six points. Larry Barnes kicked the point for a 7-0 Raiders lead.

Houston bounced right back, moving from its own 15 to pay dirt in 10 plays, the big gainers being a 20-yard Blanda to John Carson completion and 36-yard ramble by Smith on a draw play. The score came on an 8-yard toss to Carson after Deskins had batted down two previous aerials. Blanda’s kick tied it up.

After both clubs failed to move in two series, the Raiders got a break when Wayne Crow intercepted a pass on his own 27. The Oaklanders moved to the Houston 23, where a field goal attempt by Barnes was wide.

Houston drove back and notched a 10-7 halftime lead when Blanda split the uprights from the 36-yard line.

The third quarter was a defensive battle, with Oakland halting an Oiler TD drive on the four, forcing Blanda to go for the field goal, which he made from the 10 to give his club a 13-7 edge. Houston also halted Oakland on the four.

Oakland blew a second golden opportunity after the ever-alert Dougherty recovered a Cannon fumble on the Houston 27. The Parilli to Lott combo picked up 24 to the three and then the Raiders fizzled in four shots at the goal.

Midway through the final period Houston was forced to punt from its own 19, the ball rolling dead on the Raiders 42. With Tommy Flores at the controls, the Oaklanders moved for the score in seven plays, two clutch catches by end Charley Hardy (16 yards) and flanker back Al Goldstein (15 yards) kept the drive alive and the payoff was a perfectly executed 14-yard pitch to Gene Prebola.

Barnes was good with his most important kick to date for the Raiders, giving Oakland its 14-13 margin.

Houston had two more shots, but its hopes died when Blanda was wide on the field goal with 39 seconds left. The kick was set up when Jack Larschied fumbled on the Oakland 28.

Next Sunday the Raiders meet the Denver Broncos. The club will be in Denver tomorrow. Outside of Erdelatz the Oakland team is healthy and confident of whipping the Broncos.