Eastern Conference

OFFENSE: Paul Brown is still looking for a capable replacement for Otto Graham. He is in better shape this season than last, with Tommy O'Connell a year wiser in the ways of the Browns and a likely-looking substitute for O'Connell in Milt Plum. But neither of these quarterbacks is of championship caliber going into the season. Elsewhere, the Brown offense looks very strong, with Jim Brown a great help at fullback and strong running halfbacks in depth. The great Brown machine of recent years is being overhauled, with a record crop of rookies moving in; this may presage a fall-off in the beautiful precision long a trademark of this team.

DEFENSE: Traditionally the toughest defensive team in football, the Browns have lost little here. Their quartet of secondary pass defenders are back intact; Len Ford and rookie Paul Wiggin of Stanford provide punishing pressure on opposing quarterbacks from the end posts, and All-Pro Don Colo anchors the middle of the hefty, mean line, with Bob Gain, another All-Pro.

1957 SCHEDULE (1956 score):

SEPT. 29 New York (9-21)
OCT. 5 at Pittsburgh, N (14-10)
OCT. 13 Philadelphia (17-14)
OCT. 20 at Philadelphia (16-0)
OCT. 27 at Chicago Cardinals (7-9)
NOV. 3 Washington (17-20)
NOV. 10 Pittsburgh (16-24)
NOV. 17 at Washington (9-20)
NOV. 24 Los Angeles (no game)
DEC. 1 Chicago Cardinals (7-24)
DEC. 3 at Detroit (no game)
DEC. 15 at New York (24-7)

CHICAGO
Cardinals

RATING: Third.
1956 RECORD: W 7, L 5, finished second.
EXHIBITIONS: W 1, L 5.
COACHES: Head, Ray Richards; assistants, Tom Keane, Chuck Drulis, Charley Trippi, Bob Nowaskey.

WATCH FOR: Gliding, elusive runs of Ollie Matson, probably the best broken-field runner in the National League today. More running from Lamar McHan the, quarterback, in a split-T offense.

OFFENSE: The Cardinal halfbacks, Matson and Dave Mann, rank as the equal of any pair in the league. At fullback, Johnny Olszewski is small for a pro, but he is a determined blocker and ranked ninth in the league in rushing last year. The Cardinal running is stronger than its passing. Lamar McHan is a good but not great passer, and the offensive ends are in the same category. The Card offensive line is strong everywhere except at center, where a giant (6 feet 6, 306 pounds) rookie may have to carry the load. He is Earl Putman from Arizona State.

DEFENSE: The addition of Tom Finnin, acquired from the Baltimore Colts for a draft choice, shores up the tackle spot in. the Cardinal defense, and the addition of Oklahoma All-America Jerry Tubbs (a first draft choice) adds needed mobility to the Cardinal linebackers. The Cardinal pass defenders—Dick Lane, Lindon Crow, Woodley Lewis and Jim Hill—led the league last year in effectiveness and in interceptions and should be even better this season.

1957 SCHEDULE (1956 score):