Len Dawson

Kansas City Chiefs

Len Dawson has been to the top- four times as the leading passer in the American Football League and once as the quarterback for a Super Bowl champion. But he falls one point shy of the scouts' outstanding rating.

Dawson, then, has put together an outstanding record in his 15-year career with skills that have been sharpened by application through the years.

Although the strength of his arm has been questioned at times during his career, the scouts awarded him an impressive 3.5 average in throwing ability and fours in the two departments that complement passing skills- setup speed and reading defenses.
 

That ability, combining with Coach Hank Stram's use of play action passes off multiple formations has made Dawson the threat he has been after he was let go by Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

But Dawson, who will be 37 when the 1972 season begins, has not overly impressed the scouts with his leadership qualities, possibly because of his quiet, unassuming ways.

There is, however, little doubt that Dawson is a quarterback the scouts respect. And there is little doubt that he also commands the same kind of respect with the Chiefs, totally overshadowing young prospect Mike Livingston.

Age has not spared his legs and his arm sometimes is sore, but Dawson figures to be around at least one more year.

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