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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.
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. The Packers finished 1958 allowing a league-worst 382 points in the 12-game season (31.8 points per game).
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 |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>

Revision as of 02:34, 8 June 2023

1958 Green Bay Packers season
OwnerDominic 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.[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.

Offseason

NFL draft

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

Schedule

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

Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text.

Standings

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.

Roster

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

Milestones

  • Worst regular season record in franchise history

References

  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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