Chicago Bears: Three styles of play for quarterback Mike Glennon

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Fearful of losing yet again, Glennon now turns to damage control

The “game manager” label is used often on quarterbacks in the NFL. The main objective of a game manager is to not do anything that jeopardizes his team’s chance at winning.

Game managers, therefore, prefer to play it safe on the field, rather than take risks. Risks that are typically associated with high costs, yet potentially, even higher rewards attached.

Often, a quarterback who is known for being a game manager is afraid to make any kind of crucial mistake throwing the football down the field. Therefore, he’ll always look to make the safest play available to him.

There are plenty of reasons why quarterbacks become game managers during games. For instance, if a quarterback doesn’t have a strong throwing arm, he’s more likely to be hesitant throwing deep down the field. Even if receivers appear open, or at the very least, have a real shot at making a big-time, highlight reel catch over a defender.

A perfect example of this type of game manager is former Bears’ quarterback, Brian Hoyer. Hoyer started five games for the Chicago Bears last season. Hoyer threw six touchdowns last season, but more importantly, zero picks.

Hoyer’s statistical numbers for the Bears last season were impressive. The only problem was his team couldn’t scrap out much-needed victories during his brief time as a starter. The Bears went on to win only one of his five starts.

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The Bears’ struggles on offense during Hoyer’s time playing wasn’t due to lack of completions. Hoyer completed 67% of his passes. The problem was that the Bears, under Hoyer, struggled mightily scoring touchdowns in the red-zone. All because Hoyer preferred playing it safe far too often, rather than take some risks.

Hoyer fits the game manager position in large part because he recognizes his physical limitations as a quarterback throughout games. Plenty of his completions with the Bears last season came off of short to intermediate passing routes, rather than from deep. Some of that was by design from the Bears’ coaching staff. The rest was by his preference, given his lack of a strong throwing arm.

Mike Glennon wouldn’t fall under the game manager label like Hoyer due to having a relatively weak arm. Glennon, after all, can make just about every throw in the book. Something Hoyer couldn’t do as a Bear.

But, on the other hand, Glennon could easily find himself playing quarterback in this category if losing games catch up to him, and the team, in a hurry.

Glennon realizes that the more often the Bears win, the more likely he will continue being the starter. Once it becomes evident that the Chicago Bears are out of playoff contention, that likelihood may quickly evaporate.

Fear of losing not just games, but also a starting spot, not just in 2017, but beyond that, may force Glennon to play out of his comfort zone. While he will still have the arm talent to make difficult throws down the field, the weighted pressure placed upon him may prove to be too much to handle.

Thus making him a completely different player. One who would rather play away from his strengths, just to avoid making crucial mistakes.

And in turn, eventually leading Glennon potentially falling into the third, and final style of quarterback play, when all else fails.

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