Jack Concannon
Chicago Bears
In order to win a championship, the Chicago Bears will have to get a
quarterback. Jack Concannon does everything he can with his ability but,
though he is a good athlete, he isn't in the upper echelon of
quarterbacks in professional football.
Concannon, who will be in his eighth season in 1971, has to be the
Bears' quarterback, however, until young Bobby Douglas gains enough
experience to take over or the Bears make a trade. One of Douglas' main
troubles, besides lack of experience, is that he just throws the ball
too hard, trying to rifle it through the receivers like they were a
wall.
Concannon, 6-3, 205, is a good all-around athlete but this doesn't
always have a lot to do with being a quarterback. He is probably a full
step away from being a good quarterback and isn't likely to make up that
step at this stage in his career.
He
has size, speed (about 9.9 in the 100), some quickness and is an
excellent scrambler. He is also intelligent and does adequate job in
Bears' ball-control type of attack.
Jack is a very good runner, averaging almost six yards a carry
throughout his career. He will throw from the pocket but is more
dangerous on roll outs or play action passes due to his running ability
more than his passing ability. Has confidence in his running- probably
more than his passing. Does not wilt in face of a good rush because
he'll run away from it if necessary.
He has a good arm but seems to lack good peripheral vision. Often has
problems coming off his primary receiver and going elsewhere.
What he appears to be is a halfback playing quarterback. Actually, he
may not be convinced himself he's a 100 per cent quarterback.
An excellent competitor, he still just doesn't appear to have the
necessary qualities to take the Bears to a division title. If you
classified quarterbacks in three groups, he would probably rank either
in the middle or upper part of the lower group.
The best thing Jack Concannon does is hand the ball off to Gale Sayers.
