MERITS OF HARVARD PLAYERS

The CRIMSON prints below a criticism of the eleven men and several substitutes as given to the CRIMSON by Coach L. H. Leary '05:

Since the beginning of the season Felton, Lewis and L. D. Smith have been far and away the best candidates for the two end positions. After the early games Smith settled down at right end and has improved rapidly into a first-class player, both on the offense and defense, and is also the most successful worker of the forward pass. His rapidity in getting down under kicks and his unerring aggressiveness against an interference have combined to make him invaluable in a game where much headwork is needed in addition to speed and accurate tacking. Lewis, who will start at the other end, has had only this year's experience on the University squad, but in spite of the handicap, is well up with Smith, although not quite so reliable in breaking up a well protected end run. Still he is a consistent player, and uses his weight to great advantage. So far this season he has scored nine points by drop-kicks and it is his skill in this department of the game that adds materially to his value. In the same way Felton's punting has been the best seen on the squad this year and showed up particularly well in the Dartmouth game against as able a punter as Ingersoll. As a receiver of forward passes Felton has done well. This was especially noticeable in the Cornell game. He cannot, however, keep his feet or follow the ball as well as Lewis.

At the tackle positions McKay and Withington are playing their usual strong and able games. At West Point and against Dartmouth, McKay was a tower of strength in the line. At the other tackle Withington has been playing brilliant football. Whether it is luck or ability that has brought him the chances, he has made the most of them, as was well demonstrated at West Point where he scored the only touchdown. In breaking through the line he is irresistible and has several times prevented kicks which might have scored. Bush, who is Withington's substitute, is one of the fiercest tacklers on the team and probably the best of the many line substitutes.

Minot, who was taken from the fullback position early in the season and put at guard with Fisher, has been playing, therefore, under somewhat of a disadvantage. He is rather large for the position and plays too high. In spite of this he has done exceptionally well, particularly in combination with McKay at tackle. These two work well together and few gains have been made through this hole. They are equally good on the offense and much is expected of them. Fisher, at the other side, was taken directly from the 1912 Freshman team and has never played any other position. Such a record speaks for itself. His charging is fast, low and accurate; this, combined with his weight, makes him a player hard to stop. His work, although not brilliant, is very steady and reliable.

At centre Perkins has first call. During his illness Huntington substituted at this position and did exceptionally well, considering his size and weight. However, the latter's passing is not quite so accurate as Perkins's and his experience is one year less. P. D. Smith, who won his letter in 1908, in the backfield, has been third man on the list, due chiefly to inferior passing and lack of aggressiveness. However, he is better than either of the other two on the defense and in getting down the field under punts. Wigglesworth, who played in the latter part of the Yale game last year, will play quarterback today. His ability is unquestioned and throughout the season he has shown skill in varying the attack and inspiring the team to do its best. In generalship he is a shade above Potter, who, however, has the better of Wigglesworth on taking risks. Both are fairly efficient at drop-kicks and can be depended upon to score inside the 25-yard line. Although Wigglesworth will start, Potter will undoubtedly get in, as the difference between the two is very slight. In the open game Potter has a decided advantage, being the best passer on the team and willing to take chances. On the other hand Wigglesworth has slightly better judgment in tight places, is faster in running back punts and is able to make gains through the line.

In all probability the remaining backfield will not be settled until immediately before the game. Leslie will probably start at fullback. Although somewhat handicapped by absence from any scrimmage since before the Brown game, he is invaluable on the secondary defense. His weight and ability to diagnose the opponents' play has often been instrumental in stopping rushes in the line which otherwise would have gone through.

At left halfback Corbett has done more ground gaining than any other of the backs. His ability to shake off tacklers in a broken field has notted the University team many yards, and he may be depended upon for considerable gains, if in any way supported by his interference. In running back punts this same ability is invaluable in keeping the goal-line out of danger. Campbell, who has done some excellent work in the open field, combines well with Wendell, who probably will start at the right halfback. Wendell's chief value lies in his skin-tackle plunges which penetrate the line low down and have much power behind them. Although by no means fast, he is an extremely difficult man to stop owing to his ability to pick holes and keep his feet. T. Frothingham, Jr., played only a few minutes in the West Point game and has been sick for the past few days. He is fast and does best in a broken field. Graustein is effective in the same way, with the exception that he is very light and cannot be depended upon to last a whole game. His speed and most of all his effective dodging make him of great advantage on certain formations.H. C. Leslie.