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{{short description|NFL team season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox NFL season
{{Infobox NFL team season
| team = Green Bay Packers
| team = Green Bay Packers
| year = 1958
| year = 1958
| record = 1–10–1
| record = 1–10–1
| division_place = 6th [[Eastern and Western Divisions (NFL) 1933-69|NFL Western]]
| division_place = 6th [[Eastern and Western Conferences (NFL) 1933–1969|NFL Western]]
| coach = [[Ray McLean]]
| coach = [[Ray McLean]]
| general manager = [[Verne Lewellen]]
| general manager = [[Verne Lewellen]]
| owner= [[Dominic Olejniczak]]<br>(President)
| owner= Green Bay Football Corp.<br>[[Dominic Olejniczak]]<br>(President)
| stadium = [[Lambeau Field|City Stadium]] <!-- named for Lambeau in 1965 --><br>[[Milwaukee County Stadium]]
| stadium = [[Lambeau Field|City Stadium]] <!-- named for Lambeau in 1965 --><br>[[Milwaukee County Stadium]]
| playoffs = ''did not qualify''
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| shortnavlink = Packers seasons
| shortnavlink = Packers seasons
}}
}}
The '''1958 [[Green Bay Packers]] season''' was their 40th season overall and their 38th season in the [[National Football League]]. The club posted a 1–10–1 record under first-year head coach [[Ray McLean]] for a last-place finish in the league in {{nfly|1958}} and the worst record ever posted by a [[Green Bay Packers|Packers]] team.
The '''1958 Green Bay Packers season''' was their 40th season overall and their 38th season in the [[National Football League]]. The team finished with a 1–10–1 record under first-year head coach [[Ray McLean]] for a last-place finish in the league in {{nfly|1958}} and the worst record ever posted by a [[Green Bay Packers|Packers]] team.


In the immortal words of New York sportswriter and Green Bay native [[Red Smith (sportswriter)|Red Smith]]: "they overwhelmed one opponent, under-whelmed ten, and whelmed one." <ref name=bkexcpt>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1683&dat=19990914&id=3P8cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lI4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=5049,7209886 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |title=In throes of winter, a team in disarray is reborn |last=Maraniss |first=David |agency=book excerpt |date=September 14, 1999 |page=1A}}</ref> The tie came in week two and the three-point win in week five; during the seven-game losing streak to end the season the Packers lost by an average margin of over 22 points and got no closer than ten.
In the immortal words of New York sportswriter and Green Bay native [[Red Smith (sportswriter)|Red Smith]]: "they overwhelmed one opponent, under-whelmed ten, and whelmed one."<ref name=bkexcpt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1683&dat=19990914&id=3P8cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lI4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=5049,7209886 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |title=In throes of winter, a team in disarray is reborn |last=Maraniss |first=David |agency=book excerpt |date=September 14, 1999 |page=1A |access-date=November 19, 2015 |archive-date=April 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427141539/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1683&dat=19990914&id=3P8cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lI4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=5049,7209886 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The tie came in week two and the three-point win in week five; during the seven-game losing streak to end the season the Packers lost by an average margin of over 22 points and got no closer than ten. The Packers finished 1958 allowing a league-worst 382 points in the 12-game season (31.8 points per game).


McLean was the top assistant on the coaching staff in [[1957 Green Bay Packers season|1957]] and was given a one-year contract as head coach after [[Lisle Blackbourn]] was fired in early January 1958 with a year remaining ($25,000) on a five-year contract.<ref name=bifrdmj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ht5QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ciUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5336%2C2625432 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |title=Blackbourn is fired; McLean new coach |date=January 7, 1958 |page=13, part 2 }}</ref><ref name=mpopchc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XW1QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dBAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7032%2C3524395 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |last=Lea |first=Bud |title=McLean popular choice of fans and players alike |date=January 8, 1958 |page=4, part 2 }}</ref><ref name=mnnpcre>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rw4rAAAAIBAJ&sjid=K5oFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5565%2C2390268 |newspaper=Reading Eagle |location=Pennsylvania |agency=Associated Press |title=McLean is named new Packer coach |date=January 7, 1958 |page=17}}</ref> Following the final game of the 1958 season, McLean resigned on December 17,<ref name=pshkup>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OuxQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uyUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6910%2C3715813 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |title=Packers shake up front office; McLean quits, Detroit Lions next? |date=December 17, 1958 |page=18, part 2}}</ref><ref name=csntqu>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_2pQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UBAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7380%2C3884585 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |title=McLean quits, joins Lions staff |date=December 18, 1958 |page=8, part 2}}</ref> which paved the way for the historic hiring of [[Vince Lombardi]] in January [[1959 Green Bay Packers season|1959]].<ref name=pnvlhcgm>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bh8aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rCUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6945%2C3786870 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |last=Johnson |first=Chuck |title=Packers name Vince Lombardi head coach, general manager |date=January 29, 1959 |page=11, part 2 }}</ref><ref name=recwmdcld>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9TEoAAAAIBAJ&sjid=siUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2271%2C1715341 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |last=Johnson |first=Chuck |title=Lombardi reception warm, despite cold |date=February 3, 1959 |page=14, part 2}}</ref>
McLean was the top assistant on the coaching staff in [[1957 Green Bay Packers season|1957]] and was given a one-year contract as head coach after [[Lisle Blackbourn]] was fired in early January 1958 with a year remaining ($25,000) on a five-year contract.<ref name=bifrdmj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ht5QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ciUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5336%2C2625432 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |title=Blackbourn is fired; McLean new coach |date=January 7, 1958 |page=13, part 2 }}</ref><ref name=mpopchc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XW1QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dBAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7032%2C3524395 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel | last = Lea | first = Bud | author-link = Bud Lea |title=McLean popular choice of fans and players alike |date=January 8, 1958 |page=4, part 2 }}</ref><ref name=mnnpcre>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rw4rAAAAIBAJ&sjid=K5oFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5565%2C2390268 |newspaper=Reading Eagle |location=Pennsylvania |agency=Associated Press |title=McLean is named new Packer coach |date=January 7, 1958 |page=17}}</ref> Following the final game of the 1958 season, McLean resigned on December 17,<ref name=pshkup>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OuxQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uyUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6910%2C3715813 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |title=Packers shake up front office; McLean quits, Detroit Lions next? |date=December 17, 1958 |page=18, part 2}}</ref><ref name=csntqu>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_2pQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UBAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7380%2C3884585 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |title=McLean quits, joins Lions staff |date=December 18, 1958 |page=8, part 2}}</ref> which paved the way for the historic hiring of [[Vince Lombardi]] in January [[1959 Green Bay Packers season|1959]], who started turning things around in his first season.<ref name=pnvlhcgm>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bh8aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rCUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6945%2C3786870 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |last=Johnson |first=Chuck |title=Packers name Vince Lombardi head coach, general manager |date=January 29, 1959 |page=11, part 2 }}</ref><ref name=recwmdcld>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9TEoAAAAIBAJ&sjid=siUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2271%2C1715341 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |last=Johnson |first=Chuck |title=Lombardi reception warm, despite cold |date=February 3, 1959 |page=14, part 2}}</ref>


The underachieving 1958 team was loaded with talent, with future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|hall of famers]] [[Bart Starr]], [[Paul Hornung]], [[Jim Taylor (American football)|Jim Taylor]], [[Ray Nitschke]], [[Jim Ringo]], and [[Forrest Gregg]], as well as future All-Pros [[Jerry Kramer]], [[Ron Kramer]], [[Max McGee]], [[Bill Forester]], and [[Dan Currie]].
The underachieving 1958 team was loaded with talent, with future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|hall of famers]] [[Bart Starr]], [[Paul Hornung]], [[Jim Taylor (fullback)|Jim Taylor]], [[Ray Nitschke]], [[Jim Ringo]], [[Bobby Dillon]], [[Forrest Gregg]], and [[Jerry Kramer]], as well as future All-Pros [[Ron Kramer]], [[Max McGee]], [[Bill Forester]], and [[Dan Currie]]. This is the only season that the team wore blue and white uniforms; the next year they would switch to the familiar green and gold color scheme which has remained ever since.


==Offseason==
== Offseason ==


===NFL Draft===
=== NFL draft ===
{{main|1958 NFL draft}}
{{main|1958 NFL draft}}
The first four rounds of the 1958 Draft were conducted in early December [[1957 Green Bay Packers season|1957]], when Blackbourn was head coach. The remaining 26 rounds were selected in late January. This draft by the Packers is among the best in NFL history.<ref name=p58dgev>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CzAgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LioEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6602%2C1638949 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |last=Wolf |first=Bob |title=Packers' 1958 draft may have been greatest ever |date=May 3, 1979 |page=3, part 3 }}</ref>
The first four rounds of the 1958 Draft were conducted in early December [[1957 Green Bay Packers season|1957]], when Blackbourn was head coach. The remaining 26 rounds were selected in late January. This draft by the Packers is regarded as among the best in NFL history.<ref name=p58dgev>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CzAgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LioEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6602%2C1638949 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |last=Wolf |first=Bob |title=Packers' 1958 draft may have been greatest ever |date=May 3, 1979 |page=3, part 3 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers 54thru58}};" width="5%"| Round
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers 54thru58}};" width="5%"| Round
Line 36: Line 37:
|-
|-
|-bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
|-bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
|align=center|2||align=center|15||[[Jim Taylor (American football)|Jim Taylor]]||[[Fullback (American football)|Fullback]]||[[1957 LSU Tigers football team|LSU]]
|align=center|2||align=center|15||[[Jim Taylor (fullback)|Jim Taylor]]||[[Fullback (American football)|Fullback]]||[[1957 LSU Tigers football team|LSU]]
|-
|-
|align=center|3||align=center|27||[[Dick Christy]]||Back||[[1957 NC State Wolfpack football team|North Carolina State]]
|align=center|3||align=center|27||[[Dick Christy]]||Back||[[1957 NC State Wolfpack football team|North Carolina State]]
Line 91: Line 92:
|align=center|26||align=center|302||Esker Harris||Guard||[[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]]
|align=center|26||align=center|302||Esker Harris||Guard||[[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]]
|-
|-
|align=center|27||align=center|315||Neil Habig||Center||[[Purdue Boilermakers football|Purdue]]
|align=center|27||align=center|315||[[Neil Habig]]||Center||[[Purdue Boilermakers football|Purdue]]
|-
|-
|align=center|28||align=center|326||Dave Crowell||Guard||[[Washington State Cougars football|Washington State]]
|align=center|28||align=center|326||Dave Crowell||Guard||[[Washington State Cougars football|Washington State]]
Line 100: Line 101:
|}
|}


*Yellow indicates a future [[Pro Bowl]] selection
* Yellow indicates a future [[Pro Bowl]] selection
*Green indicates a future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] inductee
* Green indicates a future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] inductee


==Regular season==
== Regular season ==


===Schedule===
=== Schedule ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers|year=1958|border=2}}"| Game
! Week
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers|year=1958|border=2}}"| Date
! Date
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers|year=1958|border=2}}"| Opponent
! Opponent
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers|year=1958|border=2}}"| Result
! Result
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers|year=1958|border=2}}"| Record
! Record
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers|year=1958|border=2}}"| Venue
! Venue
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers|year=1958|border=2}}"| Attendance
! Attendance
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers|year=1958|border=2}}"| Recap
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers|year=1958|border=2}}"| Sources
| align=center|1
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 1
| September 28
| September 28
| [[1958 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]
| '''[[1958 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]'''
| L 34–20
| '''L''' 20–34
| align=center|0–1–0
| 0–1–0
| [[Lambeau Field|City Stadium]]
| [[Lambeau Field|City Stadium]]
| <center>32,150</center>
| 32,150
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195809280gnb.htm Recap]
|-style="background: #ffeeaa;"
|
| align=center|2
|-style="background:#ffc"
! 2
| October 5
| October 5
| [[1958 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]
| '''[[1958 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]'''
| T 13–13
| '''T''' 13–13
| align=center|0–1–1
| 0–1–1
| City Stadium
| City Stadium
| <center>32,053</center>
| 32,053
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195810050gnb.htm Recap]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|
| align=center|3
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 3
| October 12
| October 12
| [[1958 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]]
| '''[[1958 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]]'''
| L 24–17
| '''L''' 17–24
| align=center|0–2–1
| 0–2–1
| [[Milwaukee County Stadium]]
| [[Milwaukee County Stadium]]
| <center>24,553</center>
| 24,553
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195810120gnb.htm Recap]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|
| align=center|4
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 4
| October 19
| October 19
| at [[1958 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]]
| at [[1958 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]]
| L 37–21
| '''L''' 21–37
| align=center|0–3–1
| 0–3–1
| [[Griffith Stadium]]
| [[Griffith Stadium]]
| <center>25,228</center>
| 25,228
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195810190was.htm Recap]
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|
| align=center|5
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 5
| October 26
| October 26
| [[1958 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
| [[1958 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
| W 38–35
| '''W''' 38–35
| align=center|1–3–1
| 1–3–1
| City Stadium
| City Stadium
| <center>31,043</center>
| 31,043
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195810260gnb.htm Recap]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|
| align=center|6
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 6
| November 2
| November 2
| at Baltimore Colts
| at '''Baltimore Colts'''
| L 56–0
| '''L''' 0–56
| align=center|1–4–1
| 1–4–1
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| <center>51,333</center>
| 51,333
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195811020clt.htm Recap]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|
| align=center|7
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 7
| November 9
| November 9
| at Chicago Bears
| at '''Chicago Bears'''
| L 24–10
| '''L''' 10–24
| align=center|1–5–1
| 1–5–1
| [[Wrigley Field]]
| [[Wrigley Field]]
| <center>48,424</center>
| 48,424
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195811090chi.htm Recap]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|
| align=center|8
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 8
| November 16
| November 16
| [[1958 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]
| '''[[1958 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]'''
| L 20–7
| '''L''' 7–20
| align=center|1–6–1
| 1–6–1
| City Stadium
| City Stadium
| <center>28,051</center>
| 28,051
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195811160gnb.htm Recap]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|
| align=center|9
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 9
| November 23
| November 23
| [[1958 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]]
| '''[[1958 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]]'''
| L 33–12
| '''L''' 12–33
| align=center|1–7–1
| 1–7–1
| Milwaukee County Stadium
| Milwaukee County Stadium
| <center>19,786</center>
| 19,786
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195811230gnb.htm Recap]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|
| align=center|10
|-style="background:#fcc"
| November 27
! 10
| at Detroit Lions
| [[NFL on Thanksgiving Day|November 27]]
| L 24–14
| at '''Detroit Lions'''
| align=center|1–8–1
| '''L''' 14–24
| 1–8–1
| [[Briggs Stadium]]
| [[Briggs Stadium]]
| <center>50,971</center>
| 50,971
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195811270det.htm Recap]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|
| align=center|11
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 11
| December 7
| December 7
| at San Francisco 49ers
| at '''San Francisco 49ers'''
| L 48–21
| '''L''' 21–48
| align=center|1–9–1
| 1–9–1
| [[Kezar Stadium]]
| [[Kezar Stadium]]
| <center>50,793</center>
| 50,793
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195812070sfo.htm Recap]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|
| align=center|12
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 12
| December 14
| December 14
| at Los Angeles Rams
| at '''Los Angeles Rams'''
| L 34–20
| '''L''' 20–34
| align=center|1–10–1
| 1–10–1
| [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]]
| [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]]
| <center>54,634</center>
| 54,634
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195812140ram.htm Recap]
|
|-
|colspan="10"| '''Note:''' Intra-conference opponents are in '''bold''' text. Thanksgiving: Thursday, Nov. 27.
|}
|}


===Standings===
=== Standings ===
[[File:581116-Packers-Rams-program.jpg|thumb|right|260px|Program for the November 16 visit of the Rams to Green Bay.]]
{{1958 NFL Western standings}}
{{1958 NFL Western standings}}
{{1958 NFL Eastern standings}}


===Roster===
=== Roster ===
{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;"
{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;"
|-
|-
! colspan="9" style="text-align:center; {{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers 54thru58|border=2}};"|'''Green Bay Packers roster'''
! colspan="9" style="text-align:center; {{NFLPrimaryStyle|Green Bay Packers 54thru58|border=2}};"|Green Bay Packers roster
|-
|-
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Quarterbacks'''
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Quarterbacks'''
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">20</span> ''[[Joe Francis (American football)|Joe Francis]]''
* {{player|20}} ''[[Joe Francis (American football)|Joe Francis]]''
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">10</span> [[Babe Parilli]]
* {{player|10}} [[Babe Parilli]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">15</span> [[Bart Starr]]
* {{player|15}} [[Bart Starr]]


'''Running Backs'''
'''Running backs'''
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">48</span> [[Al Carmichael]]
* {{player|48}} [[Al Carmichael]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">37</span> [[Howie Ferguson]]
* {{player|37}} [[Howie Ferguson]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">5</span> [[Paul Hornung]]
* {{player|5}} [[Paul Hornung]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">40</span> [[Joe Johnson (running back)|Joe Johnson]]
* {{player|40}} [[Joe Johnson (running back)|Joe Johnson]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">25</span> [[Billy Kinard]]
* {{player|25}} [[Billy Kinard]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">42</span> [[Don McIlhenny]]
* {{player|42}} [[Don McIlhenny]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">23</span> [[Al Romine]]
* {{player|23}} [[Al Romine]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">22</span> ''[[Jim Shanley (American football)|Jim Shanley]]''
* {{player|22}} ''[[Jim Shanley (American football)|Jim Shanley]]''
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">31</span> ''[[Jim Taylor (American football)|Jim Taylor]]''
* {{player|31}} ''[[Jim Taylor (fullback)|Jim Taylor]]''


'''Wide Receivers'''
'''Wide receivers'''
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">86</span> [[Billy Howton]]
* {{player|86}} [[Billy Howton]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">84</span> [[Gary Knafelc]]
* {{player|84}} [[Gary Knafelc]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">85</span> [[Max McGee]]
* {{player|85}} [[Max McGee]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">80</span> [[Steve Meilinger]]
* {{player|80}} [[Steve Meilinger]]


| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Offensive Linemen'''
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Offensive linemen'''
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">61</span> [[Hank Bullough]]
* {{player|61}} [[Hank Bullough]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">75</span> [[Forrest Gregg]]
* {{player|75}} [[Forrest Gregg]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">64</span> ''[[Jerry Kramer]]''
* {{player|64}} ''[[Jerry Kramer]]''
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">78</span> [[Norm Masters]]
* {{player|78}} [[Norm Masters]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">51</span> [[Jim Ringo]]
* {{player|51}} [[Jim Ringo]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">67</span> [[Jim Salsbury]]
* {{player|67}} [[Jim Salsbury]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">77</span> [[Ollie Spencer]]
* {{player|77}} [[Ollie Spencer]]


'''Defensive Linemen'''
'''Defensive linemen'''
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">87</span> [[Nate Borden]]
* {{player|87}} [[Nate Borden]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">83</span> [[Len Ford]]
* {{player|83}} [[Len Ford]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">69</span> [[Bill Forester]]
* {{player|69}} [[Bill Forester]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">79</span> [[Dave Hanner]]
* {{player|79}} [[Dave Hanner]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">72</span> [[J. D. Kimmel]]
* {{player|72}} [[J. D. Kimmel]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">81</span> [[Carlton Massey]]
* {{player|81}} [[Carlton Massey]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">82</span> [[Jim Temp]]
* {{player|82}} [[Jim Temp]]


| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Linebackers'''
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Linebackers'''
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">65</span> [[Tom Bettis]]
* {{player|65}} [[Tom Bettis]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">58</span> ''[[Dan Currie]]''
* {{player|58}} ''[[Dan Currie]]''
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">63</span> [[Marv Matuszak]]
* {{player|63}} [[Marv Matuszak]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">33</span> ''[[Ray Nitschke]]''
* {{player|33}} ''[[Ray Nitschke]]''


'''Defensive Backs'''
'''Defensive backs'''
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">44</span> [[Bobby Dillon]]
* {{player|44}} [[Bobby Dillon]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">46</span> [[Hank Gremminger]]
* {{player|46}} [[Hank Gremminger]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">27</span> [[John Symank]]
* {{player|27}} [[John Symank]]
*<span style="font-family: Courier New;">47</span> [[Jesse Whittenton]]
* {{player|47}} [[Jesse Whittenton]]


<small>''Rookies and first-year players in italics''</small><br />
<small>''Rookies and first-year players in italics''</small><br />
Line 279: Line 310:
|}
|}


==Awards, records, and honors==
== Awards, records, and honors ==


===Milestones===
=== Milestones ===
* Worst regular season record in franchise history
* Worst regular season record in franchise history


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


* {{cite web | work=Pro-football-reference.com | url=http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb1958.htm | title=1958 Green Bay Packers statistics| accessdate=December 10, 2007| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071215181854/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb1958.htm| archivedate= December 15, 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}
* {{cite web | work=Pro-football-reference.com | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb1958.htm | title=1958 Green Bay Packers statistics| access-date=December 10, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071215181854/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb1958.htm| archive-date= December 15, 2007 | url-status= live}}
* {{cite web | work=Sportsencyclopedia.com | url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/gb/packers.html | title=Sports Encyclopedia – Green Bay Packers| accessdate=December 10, 2007| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071216175609/http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/gb/packers.html| archivedate= December 16, 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}
* {{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia=Sportsencyclopedia.com | url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/gb/packers.html | title=Sports Encyclopedia – Green Bay Packers| access-date=December 10, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071216175609/http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/gb/packers.html| archive-date= December 16, 2007 | url-status= live}}


{{Green Bay Packers seasons}}
{{Green Bay Packers seasons}}

Latest revision as of 18:01, 11 December 2024

1958 Green Bay Packers season
OwnerGreen Bay Football Corp.
Dominic Olejniczak
(President)
General managerVerne Lewellen
Head coachRay McLean
Home fieldCity Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium
Results
Record1–10–1
Division place6th NFL Western
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The 1958 Green Bay Packers season was their 40th season overall and their 38th season in the National Football League. The team finished with a 1–10–1 record under first-year head coach Ray McLean for a last-place finish in the league in 1958 and the worst record ever posted by a Packers team.

In the immortal words of New York sportswriter and Green Bay native Red Smith: "they overwhelmed one opponent, under-whelmed ten, and whelmed one."[1] The tie came in week two and the three-point win in week five; during the seven-game losing streak to end the season the Packers lost by an average margin of over 22 points and got no closer than ten. The Packers finished 1958 allowing a league-worst 382 points in the 12-game season (31.8 points per game).

McLean was the top assistant on the coaching staff in 1957 and was given a one-year contract as head coach after Lisle Blackbourn was fired in early January 1958 with a year remaining ($25,000) on a five-year contract.[2][3][4] Following the final game of the 1958 season, McLean resigned on December 17,[5][6] which paved the way for the historic hiring of Vince Lombardi in January 1959, who started turning things around in his first season.[7][8]

The underachieving 1958 team was loaded with talent, with future hall of famers Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor, Ray Nitschke, Jim Ringo, Bobby Dillon, Forrest Gregg, and Jerry Kramer, as well as future All-Pros Ron Kramer, Max McGee, Bill Forester, and Dan Currie. This is the only season that the team wore blue and white uniforms; the next year they would switch to the familiar green and gold color scheme which has remained ever since.

Offseason

[edit]

NFL draft

[edit]
Main article: 1958 NFL draft

The first four rounds of the 1958 Draft were conducted in early December 1957, when Blackbourn was head coach. The remaining 26 rounds were selected in late January. This draft by the Packers is regarded as among the best in NFL history.[9]

Round Pick Player Position School
1 3 Dan Currie Linebacker Michigan State
2 15 Jim Taylor Fullback LSU
3 27 Dick Christy Back North Carolina State
3 36 Ray Nitschke Linebacker Illinois
4 39 Jerry Kramer Guard Idaho
5 51 Joe Francis Quarterback Oregon State
6 62 Ken Gray Tackle Howard Payne
7 75 Doug Maison Back Hillsdale
8 86 Mike Bill Center Syracuse
9 99 Norm Jarock Back St. Norbert
10 110 Carl Johnson Tackle Illinois
11 123 Harry Horton End Wichita State
12 134 Wayne Miller End Baylor
13 147 Gene Cook End Toledo
13 153 Don Herndon Back Tampa
14 158 Harry Hauffe Tackle South Dakota
15 171 Tom Newell Back Drake
16 182 Arley Finley Tackle Georgia Tech
17 195 Joe Reese End Arkansas Tech
18 206 Chuck Strid Guard Syracuse
20 230 John DuBose Back Trinity (TX)
21 243 Jerry Kershner Tackle Oregon
22 264 Franklin Merlino Back Florida State
23 267 Jack Ashton Guard South Carolina
24 278 John Jereck Tackle Detroit
25 291 Larry Plenty Back Boston College
26 302 Esker Harris Guard UCLA
27 315 Neil Habig Center Purdue
28 326 Dave Crowell Guard Washington State
29 339 Bob Haynes Tackle Sam Houston State
30 350 John Peters Tackle Houston

Regular season

[edit]

Schedule

[edit]
Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources
1 September 28 Chicago Bears L 20–34 0–1–0 City Stadium 32,150 Recap
2 October 5 Detroit Lions T 13–13 0–1–1 City Stadium 32,053 Recap
3 October 12 Baltimore Colts L 17–24 0–2–1 Milwaukee County Stadium 24,553 Recap
4 October 19 at Washington Redskins L 21–37 0–3–1 Griffith Stadium 25,228 Recap
5 October 26 Philadelphia Eagles W 38–35 1–3–1 City Stadium 31,043 Recap
6 November 2 at Baltimore Colts L 0–56 1–4–1 Memorial Stadium 51,333 Recap
7 November 9 at Chicago Bears L 10–24 1–5–1 Wrigley Field 48,424 Recap
8 November 16 Los Angeles Rams L 7–20 1–6–1 City Stadium 28,051 Recap
9 November 23 San Francisco 49ers L 12–33 1–7–1 Milwaukee County Stadium 19,786 Recap
10 November 27 at Detroit Lions L 14–24 1–8–1 Briggs Stadium 50,971 Recap
11 December 7 at San Francisco 49ers L 21–48 1–9–1 Kezar Stadium 50,793 Recap
12 December 14 at Los Angeles Rams L 20–34 1–10–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 54,634 Recap
Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text. Thanksgiving: Thursday, Nov. 27.

Standings

[edit]
Program for the November 16 visit of the Rams to Green Bay.
NFL Western Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
Baltimore Colts 9 3 0 .750 8–2 381 203 L2
Los Angeles Rams 8 4 0 .667 7–3 344 278 W3
Chicago Bears 8 4 0 .667 7–3 298 230 W2
San Francisco 49ers 6 6 0 .500 4–6 257 324 W2
Detroit Lions 4 7 1 .364 3–6–1 261 276 L2
Green Bay Packers 1 10 1 .091 0–9–1 193 382 L7
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
NFL Eastern Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
New York Giants 9 3 0 .750 7–3 246 183 W4
Cleveland Browns 9 3 0 .750 8–2 302 217 L1
Pittsburgh Steelers 7 4 1 .636 6–3–1 261 230 W1
Washington Redskins 4 7 1 .364 3–6–1 214 268 W1
Chicago Cardinals 2 9 1 .182 2–7–1 261 356 L6
Philadelphia Eagles 2 9 1 .182 2–7–1 235 306 L4
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Roster

[edit]
Green Bay Packers roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Rookies and first-year players in italics

Awards, records, and honors

[edit]

Milestones

[edit]
  • Worst regular season record in franchise history

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Maraniss, David (September 14, 1999). "In throes of winter, a team in disarray is reborn". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. book excerpt. p. 1A. Archived from the original on April 27, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  2. ^ "Blackbourn is fired; McLean new coach". Milwaukee Journal. January 7, 1958. p. 13, part 2.
  3. ^ Lea, Bud (January 8, 1958). "McLean popular choice of fans and players alike". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 4, part 2.
  4. ^ "McLean is named new Packer coach". Reading Eagle. Pennsylvania. Associated Press. January 7, 1958. p. 17.
  5. ^ "Packers shake up front office; McLean quits, Detroit Lions next?". Milwaukee Journal. December 17, 1958. p. 18, part 2.
  6. ^ "McLean quits, joins Lions staff". Milwaukee Sentinel. December 18, 1958. p. 8, part 2.
  7. ^ Johnson, Chuck (January 29, 1959). "Packers name Vince Lombardi head coach, general manager". Milwaukee Journal. p. 11, part 2.
  8. ^ Johnson, Chuck (February 3, 1959). "Lombardi reception warm, despite cold". Milwaukee Journal. p. 14, part 2.
  9. ^ Wolf, Bob (May 3, 1979). "Packers' 1958 draft may have been greatest ever". Milwaukee Journal. p. 3, part 3.
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