DeepSnap
GT Athlete
- Messages
- 458
- Location
- Hartselle, AL
Considering NFL salaries were in the $5-10K range in that era - many NFL players worked at beer distributorships, car dealers, etc., in the off-season - it made $en$e to just work full-time.My childhood memory is that several players from those 60s Dodd teams passed up pro ball for careers.
Toner was the designated "Defensive Specialist" in the weird, shifting rules of that era.Griffin I think. Ted Davis and Billy Martin were ends. I think all of them except Caldwell and possibly Griffin played pro ball. Stallings had a lengthy and successful career as a lb as I recall. Martin and Davis also played several yrs I think. Martin at the Davis at lb. I believe everyone except Stallings and Caldwell were the Tech squad again in 63. those are my recolections. I could be wrong on some of it.
That was a stout lineup.Toner was the designated "Defensive Specialist" in the weird, shifting rules of that era.
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Weird indeed. It was explained to me recently by a friend who was an SEC official at that time. You could substitute only one person at a time. When the ball turned over , the quarterback came out first. The "defensive specialist" replaced him. When the offense got the ball back, the quarterback came back in and the "defensive specialist " came out. Then the one substitute at a time rule still applied. I was a cornerback and got caught once against Auburn in Birmingham and had to play fullback and got caught again against Alabama in Grant Field and had to play defensive end. Generally, substitution was rare and you played seven and a half minutes a quarter without coming out. You played both offense and defense. It was truly a real player's game back then.Toner was the designated "Defensive Specialist" in the weird, shifting rules of that era.
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Just a few years later when I was on the varsity in 1969-1971, it had changed to "two subs at a time, except for full subs on a change of possession." So for me, it was YeOldeDeeepSnap & Tommy Chapman in 1969, YODS & Chip Pallman in 1970, then Punter by Committee in 1971.Weird indeed. It was explained to me recently by a friend who was an SEC official at that time. You could substitute only one person at a time. When the ball turned over , the quarterback came out first. The "defensive specialist" replaced him. When the offense got the ball back, the quarterback came back in and the "defensive specialist " came out. Then the one substitute at a time rule still applied. I was a cornerback and got caught once against Auburn in Birmingham and had to play fullback and got caught again against Alabama in Grant Field and had to play defensive end. Generally, substitution was rare and you played seven and a half minutes a quarter without coming out. You played both offense and defense. It was truly a real player's game back then.
Sanity returned in 1965 and the free substitution rule returned.
Thanks for the word on Bobby Caldwell. Was also a fraternity brother of mine. Truly a great human being. RIP Bobby..
I am sure I saw you play in 1971. Had just returned to GT after serving in the Navy. You must have been recruited by Dodd but played under Carson. What was it like with a head coaching change in the middle of your scholarship. How does it affect the locker room mentality . Was that the year we went to artificial turf.Just a few years later when I was on the varsity in 1969-1971, it had changed to "two subs at a time, except for full subs on a change of possession." So for me, it was YeOldeDeeepSnap & Tommy Chapman in 1969, YODS & Chip Pallman in 1970, then Punter by Committee in 1971.
Yes. I want to hear more too.I am sure I saw you play in 1971. Had just returned to GT after serving in the Navy. You must have been recruited by Dodd but played under Carson. What was it like with a head coaching change in the middle of your scholarship. How does it affect the locker room mentality . Was that the year we went to artificial turf.
I am sure I saw you play in 1971. Had just returned to GT after serving in the Navy. You must have been recruited by Dodd but played under Carson. What was it like with a head coaching change in the middle of your scholarship. How does it affect the locker room mentality . Was that the year we went to artificial turf.
First things first: Truth be told I was a walk-on. IIRC We reportedly had 165 on full rides in 1968 including the Freshman Team. WOs ("PWO" is a 21st century concept) were cannon fodder & only had "tutoring" available after fall camp. After playing a full Varsity season in 1969 & lettering I got "Room & Board" the rest of my time at Tech, but I had to walk into Carson's office and ask for it.Yes. I want to hear more too.
I still remember the 1970 team as one of the hardest hitting defenses of any team I’ve ever watched outside of the pros. I swear some of those hits you could feel up in the stands.
I always felt sorry for Carson. He followed the most popular coach in school history while drawing some of the toughest schedules we ever had. But I’ve heard lots of stories over the years about his conflicts with players.