Watch the Cannon punt return. Herman Johnson would have run him down from behind. The ref was keeping up with him.
Whoa, high school football and college football are two COMPLETELY different levels of play. Banks was also a very large individual. And what does being smart and tough have to do with tackling anyone?
In the two-way era, football players were more athletic and not so large or speedy because they were not specialists. Athleticism was more important than size and speed when you played offense and defense for 60 minutes. Many people don't understand how big and strong Cannon was for the time. He also played linebacker and became a tight end in pro football. Billy Cannon weiged 210 pounds and was the second biggest man on the White Team in 1958. Only one of his offensive linemen outweighed him and that was only by 5 pounds.
I bailed out when the 2003 LSU team was not involved. One of the best defenses every assembled... Bogus..
This is all great info, but it simply stands to reason that due to simple size, strength, and speed disadvantages, East Podunk State in 2006 could wax the 1958 LSU team. Pound for pound even. The 1958 LSU team probably couldn't sniff 5 seconds in the 40.
What if a modern team had to play the 1958 team with strict 1958 substitution rules? That means playing on offense and defense. I ain't so sure the modern team could hack it the whole game.
I disagree.....I think you underestimate just how much bigger and stronger these guys are. That makes up for a lot. As you stated, the biggest O-Lineman was only 215 pounds. How would he block a man that is 265 stronger and faster than he is? There is just no way they can hang. Another interesting tidbits. Remember, "the hogs", the offensive linemen of the Redskins back in the 80's averaged 273 pounds and had no one over 300 pounds. There are high school teams with o-lines that big now.......it's a different game.
