tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post4251325556226739072..comments2024-03-13T03:27:50.582-04:00Comments on Smart Football: Matt Stafford and the WonderlicChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204245083374821812noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-68016380510768703922009-03-27T07:30:00.000-04:002009-03-27T07:30:00.000-04:00BTW -- why was Bradshaw considered that good? The...BTW -- why was Bradshaw considered that good? The four rings might have something to do with playing with one of the greatest collections of talent in football history. His numbers were pedestrian. Given his running game, O line and receivers, he underperformed. <BR/><BR/>People forget that he lost his job for five games in their first Super Bowl season to Jefferson St Joe Gilliam. I guess Noll wasn't that impressed with him, either.Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01575178552426939685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-9215440113882008422009-03-27T07:10:00.000-04:002009-03-27T07:10:00.000-04:00Peyton was also Phi Beta Kappa and graduated in 3 ...Peyton was also Phi Beta Kappa and graduated in 3 years.Stanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01575178552426939685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-75106287232254117992009-03-23T21:54:00.000-04:002009-03-23T21:54:00.000-04:00Coach D: I know it is surprising. Maybe it gets to...Coach D: I know it is surprising. Maybe it gets to Richard's point about reacting but, then again, linebackers and safeties are often given more "assignments" than lineman. (Though a 1 point difference is not a huge differential.)<BR/><BR/>Richard: That's a fascinating theory. I actually thought of the Eli/Peyton dichotomy too: Peyton only got in the mid 20s while Eli had a 99th percentile score with a (39). Like you said though Eli sometimes seems to suffer from "paralysis by analysis" on the field, and surely Peyton can't be said to lack the requisite intelligence for the position, considering the hours he puts in. <BR/><BR/>The million dollar question is trying to determine who is successful within the position -- i.e. how important is the Wonderlic to NFL success. One study I'd like to see is maybe a regression of Wonderlic scores against character issues/length of time in the NFL/etc. Maybe guys with good Wonderlic's can hang around and "get it" in terms of what it means to succeed in the NFL, get along with teammates, and succeed. I'm not sure what the best Y variable would be to test this though. Maybe just length of NFL career?Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07204245083374821812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-32987710470626288672009-03-23T21:15:00.000-04:002009-03-23T21:15:00.000-04:00I find it amazing that defensive linemen have high...I find it amazing that defensive linemen have higher scores than linebackers. The theory has always been if you can't teach them anything, put their hand in the dirt! Guess that doesn't work in the NFL.Coach Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13717940855140588349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-73309720734138591392009-03-23T20:53:00.000-04:002009-03-23T20:53:00.000-04:00I used this exact eaxmaple in a group setting and ...I used this exact eaxmaple in a group setting and asked for theories. The most plausible? That players requiring quick reactions without knowing the play have the lowest scores because they are "reactors", not "thinkers" and "planners". Offensive tackles must know the play, all the variations, interpret defensive keys and stunts, and yet make the hole in the right place as planned. Defensive backs and linebackers don't know the play and must pick a series of cues to which they must react. The HoF quarterbacks played as reactors a good deal of the time. Neither Bradshaw nor Marino were particularly wedded to the called play when opportunity presented, and they didn't think about it long. Alex Smith is way high on Wonderlic but still is mentally running the play while missing the opportunity to react. The Brothers Manning differ in personality and Wonderlic scores. Payton is the lower scored reactor, Eli the planner, and it shows in the way they "run" their respective teams. (Although Payton has spent a good deal longer mastering film to give him better reactivity.)<BR/><BR/>But it's probably too simple an explanation, Occam's Razor and all that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com