Hide Article Text (OCR)
By KENT NIXONSS Sports WriterTOKYO — Veteran New Orleans safety Dave Whitsell, noting that the Saints had drafted “a bunch of defensive backs,” grinned and said, “I guess I better go to camp this year in thebest shape of my life.”The peppery, personable National Football League ace, in Tokyo on a USO hospital handshake tour that also includes visits to military personnel in the Philippines and Guam, is a pro’s pro who has also excelled for the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears the past 12 seasons.co-holder of the interception record with 46, Dave matter-of-factly believes that ‘‘ninety per cent of all interceptions happen when the receiver moves beyond the defender and the passer throws the ball short.”An unusually frank statement, it would seem, when you consider this is how Whitsell makes his living. But Dave is an unusually frank person.‘‘Yes, there are certain techniques we all use to defend against pass receivers,” he agrees, ‘‘but the main thing is to get a bead on your man in plenty of time so you can compensate for changes in his speed. And always try to keep something in reserve.”The ex-Indiana grid star added that “there are lots of tricks we all pick up after a while. Things that go to broaden our individual technique. By that I mean things that apply to how you handle each player. This comes with time. Instinct carries you so far. It takes about two or three seasons to get the fundamentals down in pass defense.”What would Dave call his biggest interception?DAVE WHITSELLA Frank Person“That’s hard to say because at the time they happen, they all seem important. But for impact on a game, I suppose it was when I was playing for the Bears against the Lions in 1963. With a minute to go, I intercepted a Detroit pass and managed to run 39 yards to score and cinch the game and give us the Western Conference title.”Since Whitsell’s getting along in years (he’s 33) for a pro football player, does he do anything special to keep in shape?“I jog in the off-season. Play basketball once or twice on the Saints team. I also ride horses and own a horse, myself.For me the important thing is weight. I don’t smoke, but I do enjoy a meal. I try to play at 185 pounds, but on this trip — especially after all the Japanese tI A * - -3S___What did he think of the movie “No. 1,” in which the Saints were featured, the story of an aging quarterback, played by Charlton Heston?“Frankly, the movie didn’t show me much. Heston is a real nice guy and became very popular with all the guys on the team. As a quarterback he disappointed me, though,” Whitsell said.A guy with many irons in the fire, Whitsell is the owner of a popular campus nite spot, “Da-vey’s Locker,” at Bloomington, Ind. (where Indiana U. is located). He also has several investments.Would he like to coach when his playing days are over?“If it meant studying films until my eyes are bloodshot, I’d have to admit I’m not interested. At least not now.”Dave and the Saints management have held exploratory talks about the possibility of his assuming a front office job once he hangs up his cleats.Under consideration is the creation of a special advance-man job in which possibly Dave would precede the Saints into cities where they are to play to brief news media on team members, statistics, and personal anecdotes., “Such a job could also have a liaison function between the players and the front office,” Dave said.What conclusions did he have after visiting with military personnel in U.S. hospitals in Japan?“I’ve been impressed by each guy I’ve met. Each one of these fellas has been through his own personal hell. And each one has convinced me that he can handle whatever problems there are that might be connected with his wound or injury. If the USO ever- — 1 _ ^ _ A \ 1 “W %
Newspaper Details
Pacific Stars and Stripes
Tokyo, Tôkyô, JP
Sun, Feb 08, 1970
Page 10
Full Page
Clipped by
Marc H.
VA, USA 25 Apr 2023
Other Publications Near Tokyo, Tôkyô
Pacific Japan Stars and Stripes
Japan Advertiser
Pacific Stars and Stripes
