The single-wing formation was conceived by Glenn "Pop" Warner while coaching at Pittsburgh and Stanford Universities. And later became the running game of Red Grange, Johnny Blood, Bronko Nagurski, Mel Hein and Sammy Baugh.

The sole focus of the single-wing was to exploit the weakness between the defensive tackle and the defensive end. The end's job on defense was to force the play inside, and because he had no help from the outside, he played wide. This left a compelling gap between him and the defensive tackle.

Warner developed a power-packed running game by placing seven offensive linemen at the line of scrimmage, with two offensive tackles between one guard and the end. His quarterback was mainly used as a blocking back, and lined up behind and between the offensive guard and tackle. And Warner set a wing-back out-from, but behind the tackle - flanking the outside defensive tackle - so his team could double block anywhere along the interior line.

It soon was acknowledged that the ball carrier gained freedom to run freely. For example, Warner's offensive wing-back and end would double team and block the defensive tackle, while the quarterback and fullback would hit the defensive end, with the tailback following through an open hole.

On passing plays, the wing-back and ends could get downfield without much hindrance.

The offensive backfield alignment created a great deal of deception. The ball could be centered to either the quarterback, fullback or tailback. The quarterback could use a running fake on a pass play or simply blow past the defensive on a end-around sweep. The fullback could run, fake a pass or handoff to the tailback. The tailback could run or even punt a quick kick.

Warner's teams were winning and making headline news, with his so-called "spinner series of plays". His formation was used in early professional football and remained highly used until the late 1940s.

Verne Lewellen
Halfback, Tailback, Wingback - Green Bay Packers 1925-1932; New York Yankees 1927... Nebraska University

Halfback Verne Lewellen took All Pro honors every season in his first five seasons in the NFL - 1925-1929. A well-regarded backfield star, he was a top favorite among Green Bay Packers' fans and played a major role in the team winning back-to-back NFL Championships - 1929 and 1930. He led the league in rushing touchdowns twice - with 6 TD in 1928 and with 8 in 1930, and also led the NFL both seasons in total touchdowns with 9. Verne Lewellen career: 37 rushing TD, 51 Total TD. Famous Football Players

Copyright 2007 footballhistorian.com

Line-of-Scrimmage Warfare - Early 1930s

It's a well-known fact among football insiders that - 'you ain't going to move the ball up the field' - without superior line blocking by your interior linemen. Hard-nose play by Centers, Guards and Tacklers makes all the difference in-the-world to whether you win or lose the game, and what better way than crushing your opponents rib cages, breaking their fingers or engaging in eye-gouging to set stage for your backfield runners. 1931 All-Pros Centers - Nate Barrager, Green Bay Packers... Mel Hein, New York Giants... Bert Pearson, Chicago Bears...Frank McNally, Chicago Cardinals... Guards - Butch Gibson, New York Giants... Mike Michalske, Green Bay Packers... Walt Kiesling, Chicago Cardinals... Maury Bodenger, Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans... Zuck Carlson, Chicago Bears... Butch Gibson, NY Giants... Al Graham, Providence Steam Rollers... David Myers, Brooklyn Dodgers... Tackles - Cal Hubbard, Packers... George Christensen, Portsmouth Spartans (Lions)... Lou Gordon, Cardinals... Link Lyman, Chicago Bears... Len Grant, NY Giants... Bill Owen, NY Giants... Richard Stahlman, Green Bay Packers... Player Bios: * Walt Kiesling, Guard Chicago Cardinals - a fearless linemaster and a member of the Hall of Fame, he earned a reputation for his ability to open gapping holes for Hall of Fame teammate and running back, Ernie Nevers. Kiesling, who spent 34 seasons as a NFL player, assistant coach and head coach was bigger and stronger (6-ft,2-inches, 249-pounds) than other players in this era. He debuted as two-way guard with the defunct Duluth Eskimos (NFL team) in 1926 and pounded rival linemen for 13-seasons - 1926-1938. * Nate Barrager, Center, Linebacker Green Bay Packers - an aggressive line-of-scrimmage bone crusher, he was picked an All Pro in his rookie season (1930) and repeatedly was selected an All-Pro in four more years - 1931, 1932, 1934 and 1935... a borderline Hall of Fame candidate, the muscular 6-ft, 212-pound hard-hitter out of the University of Southern Cal captured All Pro honors every year he played in the NFL - 1930-32, 1934-35. * Bert Pearson, Center Chicago Bears - an in-the-trenches' warrior he was a sterling performer as a Center, Guard and Linebacker during his 8-year pro tenure... as a youth Bert Pearson starred for Manhattan High School in Kansas and later at Kansas State University. * Cal Hubbard, Tackle Green Bay Packers - a mountain of a man, he was a line battler during his nine pro seasons... the 6-ft, 2-inch, 253-pounder was rated as one-of-the fastest linemen in this era. Hubbard helped the New York Giants win the 1927 Championship and led the Packers to three straight NFL league titles - 1929-1931. After retiring he became a major league baseball umpire and as of year 2000 is the only football player enshrined in baseball's Hall of Fame. * Denver 'Butch' Gibson, Guard New York Giants - an All Pro in each of his first four seasons - 1930-1933 - he loved to go head-to-head with the best of rivals during his five year pro career, all with the NY Giants... a powerhouse Guard on offense and a Tackle on defense, the 5-ft, 9-inch, 204-pounder was the Giants' team line-stalwart and a fierce competitor, Attended Grove City College. * Dick Stahlman, Tackle Green Bay Packers - a genuine disaster for opposing linemen, the Chicago area hard-hitter attended DePaul and Northwestern before embarking on a NFL career back in 1924... a noted hard-hitter, the 6-ft, 2-inch, 219-pounder played in the pro ranks for various NFL teams - 1924-1925, 1927, 1930-1933 and was picked An All-Pro at age 31 with the Packers. * August 'Mike' Michalske, Guard Green Bay Packers - a long-time NFL star, he played 10 seasons, 1927-1935, 1937, and was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1964... one of the best linemen in pro football history he was a key main man halting the opposition's running game and as a blocker 'Iron Mike' was as good as it gets. Gained his nickname due to the fact that he played almost 60 minutes a game throughout his NFL tenure during football one platoon system. * Lou Gordon, Tackle Chicago Cardinals - came out of Lane Tech High School on Chicago's North Side and was a Stellar performer at the U of Illinois before debuting with The Chicago Cardinals in 1930... traded to Green Bay in '36. Lou Gordon's gusty, aggressive play helped him win NFL All Pro honors in 1931, 1932, 1933 and in 1937. * Forest McCreery 'Jap' Douds, Tackle Portsmouth Spartans - an All Pro in his first two seasons - 1930-1931, he helped turn the old Portsmouth team into winners... in 1931 the team went 11-3, second in the NFL behind the Green Bay Packers. Traded to the Cardinals in 1932, Jap Douds played his final two seasons with Pittsburgh - 1933-1934. footballhistorian.com - NFL Football History

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