WEAKNESSES IN YALE SQUAD SHOWN BY EARLY PRACTICE

The Boston Herald, in a review of the early season work of the Yale eleven, says:

"After more than two weeks' practice behind closed gates, the Yale football coaches have come to the conclusion that from tackle to tackle the blue eleven is weak, weaker than appears on the surface and that there is a lamentable lack of linemen, outside of the candidates for end. There are two causes for joy in the coaching camp, however, one being the presence of some kickers above the average, both in punting and drop-kicking, and the other the fine material of flank men. The end positions were exceptionally weak last year, but this year there is an abundance of ends, and good ones, too. Commerford, captain of last year's freshman team; Lynch, the other man on the end of the freshman line a year ago; Moseley; Gates and Church form a quintet that ought to recall the days when the blue ends outshone those of every team Yale met.

"Rosener is another and upon whom Yale pins considerable faith, but he was hurt in a scrimmage this week and will be out of the game for over a month. Lynch and Commerford of the and squad are being tutored in the kicking game and to date have shown considerable skill. Even at this stage of the practice they are far ahead of any vansity kicker of Captain Wilson's team. Neville and Legore have made great strides in the drop-kicking department and all during the week have booted the leather over the cross bar at distances anywhere from 20 to 50 yards. This is still another department in which the team is away ahead of last year's. Dr. Bull has worked hard in teaching the men the fine points of the kicking game and he takes delight in pointing to the feats of his charges.

Linesmen Lack Punch.

"There is no disguising the fact that the linemen are not up to the ordinary. Taft may develop into a fine tackle and the chances are that he will, but he probably will be developed rather late in the season.

"Captain Black, of course, is an aggressive player, and if his duties as the team's leader do not retard his speed, he should look out for one of the guard positions to the satisfaction of all Zenner, Galt, Vorys and Callahan do not rank as A-1 players and their substitutes cannot even be compared to them. Baldridge, last year's tackle is physically one of the best men on the squad, but he has a bad leg. When in shape he plays a hard, aggressive game.

"It has been formally announced that "Jim" Bradon, the one-time Washington and Jefferson star, would not be eligible to play this season because he is down in his studies. Kelley, one-time centre at West Point and Exeter, is also lost to the team. He will enter the army ranks having already taken his examinations.

Battery Members Back.

"With the return of the Yale battery members from Tobyhanna came a few football players, among whom was "Chub" Sheldon, last year's tackle. Sheldon will have his first work-out next week and ought to make the team. Duryee, a fast quarterback, who has the faculty of getting hurt more than the ordinary football player, is another one of the Yale soldiers who will be found in the scrub line-up next week, and if he can keep in condition his chances for making the team are fair.

As to quarterback, Yale has several fairly good men. A year ago, the quarterback position was enough to drive a coach to desperation. Wilson and Van Nostrand did the brunt of the work, but his season finds Jones in a rather optimistic mood over the chances of bringing out a real Yale quarter.

"Van Nostrand is back again. Ames, who got into the Harvard game last autumn with the score about 36 against him; is showing some flashes of speed, and Robinson, the Pittsburgh player of three years ago, and Metcalf are in the squad and are playing well.

Back Field Promising.

"In the backfield, Yale has some fine material, the star of the big group of candidates being Legore, Neville, Smith, Jacques, Potter, Bingham and Waite are all capable halfbacks, while the fullback king is Rex Hutchinson.

"A feature of the football practice this year is the work of Dr. Arthur Brides, the coach of the guards and centres. Brides is already put down as one of the best coaches Yale has ever had for her linemen and is getting the very best results. He has charge of the heavy men of the squad, Jones and Walter Camp feeling perfectly satisfied that they could not be in better hands.

"Yale's first game will be played Saturday with the Carnegie Institute team and word has been passed around here that the Pennsylvanians have been working hard for this game. If they come here well drilled and with a good team the Blue may be surprised, especially as it is the opening game of the season and Yale is never as far advanced as her opponents in the early season matches."