Jim Strong Carries Against the Pack in 1971
Saints Win in 1971
It was Week 11 of the 1971 NFL season when the New Orleans Saints traveled to Milwaukee County Stadium to face the Green Bay Packers. Neither team was doing exceptionally well as there was but 5 victories between them (The Saints had 3, the Packers 2). In their 5th year of existence, New Orleans hadn’t progressed much since they came into the league and Green Bay was clearly not the powerhouse they had been during the mid 1960s.
This week though would bring New Orleans win #4 as Saints kicker Charlie Durkee would boot 5 field goals in a 29-21 win. Other contributing Saints were recently acquired Bob Gresham, who carried 26 times for 113 yards becoming the 4th Saint to rush for over 100 yards in a game. Jim Strong (pictured above) scored a touchdown and Doug Wyatt intercepted Scott Hunter for a 55-yard TD. The New Orleans Saints defense forced a total of 6 turnovers on the day. Archie Manning started and Edd Hargett played but neither was very effective.
For the Packers, Donny Anderson scored on a 3-yard run in the 1st quarter and Dave Hampton returned a kickoff 90 yards in the fourth. 14-year vet Zeke Bratkowski tossed a 40-yarder to Tight End Rich McGeorge in the fourth as well. It was to be last touchdown pass of 40-year old Bratkowski’s career that had started back in 1954.
Above we see the afore mentioned Jim Strong as he carries with veteran guard Del Williams blocking down on Packer Alden Roche. #50 for Green Bay is middle linebacker Jim Carter. Strong would end the year as the Saints leading ground gainer with 404 yards. Both the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers would end the 1971 NFL season with a 4-8-2 records.
Charlie Durkee’s 5 field goals are actually a record that still stands today though it’s been tied many times, most recently in 2023 by rookie Blake Grupe. Morten Andersen did it (4 times mind you) and John Carney did 3.
Loved reading the old stories