AFC West Dracut Middies - Detroit Independents News & Notes

Now we get to a team that has their eyes focused on the future, the Dracut Middies. If you're molding your team to be strong down the road you want longevity and with their first pick that is what Dracut did. The took a receiver with a long, productive career ahead of him in Don Maynard.

Pro Bowls 1960 +	First Team All-Pro 1960 +
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Maynard is not just great at catching passes, he is also excellent after the catch. In nine seasons he was among the top 10 receivers in yardage. Meanwhile you have a young QB awaiting his opportunity in "Dandy" Don Meredith.

Meredith has three Pro-Bowls in his future but patience will be the key in waiting for his time to arrive. The Dracut defense will be good very soon as the core is young and stout. The list is long for the impact players on the Middies defense but the list has to start with Linebacker Maxie Baughan.

Pro Bowls 1960 +	First Team All-Pro 1960 +
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Nine Pro-Bowl appearances is a crazy number but that's what Baughan accomplished in his career. Then you add Richie Petitbon and his 4 Pro-Bowls. Andy Stynchula, Billy Ray Smith, Lenny Lyles & Wahoo McDaniel. That's an impressive collection of talent on that side of the ball. The future is not now for Dracut but when it does arrive, look out.

The Detroit Independents are a polar opposite of Dracut as the team is built to compete at the highest level starting now. A nice place to start a 60's football team is with a great runner and Detroit did that by making their first pick Abner Haynes.

Pro Bowls 1960 +	First Team All-Pro 1960 +
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Haynes gives you that explosiveness from the running back position. Not satisfield with one strong runner, the Independents grabbed another by taking a name familiar to Detroit in Nick Pietrosante.

Pietrosante is a 2x Pro-Bowl running back and together with Haynes this might be the best backfield in the league. Frank Tripucka quarterbacks the team, with 2x Pro-Bowler Bobby Walston capably manning the Tight End position. The Detroit defense is truly built to win beginning in 1960. Studs are all across the defensive side and the group is headed by Middle Linebacker Bill George.

Pro Bowls 1960 +	First Team All-Pro 1960 +
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The linebacking trio of George, Paul Maguire & Walt Michaels is as strong as any group in the league. The secondary is incredibly tough with CB's Tom Brookshire and Mark Johnston plus Safeties Andy Nelson and Jimmy Patton. The best idea is to schedule games versus Detroit starting in the year 1964 or so!