Wunderlich test.

[clarice]

I'm curious, I would like your thoughts on this test. Is it an accurate predictor
of NFL performance? I know that there have been high scores who have failed
in the NFL, as well as low scores who have done very well. But on the average, is it
a useful tool, and if not, why do they even GIVE the test?

[JonLP24]

1. It just grades

learning, cognitive ability, problem solving - something to look at as those are abilities are necessary but that alone won't predict performance.

Don't really know about on average how they performed but came across which made me laugh.



But some NFL coaches may think a guy can be too smart. If you don’t believe us, take it from Pat McInally, the only guy who ever scored a perfect 50 in the Wonderlic.

McInally believes the performance actually drove him down the board.

“How did it hurt me in the draft?” McInally told Rivals.com in 2006. “Coaches and front-office guys don’t like extremes one way or the other, but particularly not on the high side. I think they think guys who are intelligent will challenge authority too much.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/28/pat-mcinally-thinks-perfect-wonderlic-score-hurt-his-draft-stoc/

That said, scoring too high can be as much of a problem as scoring too low. Football coaches want to command the locker room. Being smarter than the individual players makes that easier. Having a guy in the locker room who may be smarter than every member of the coaching staff can be viewed as a problem — or at a minimum as a threat to the egos of the men who hope to be able when necessary to outsmart the players, especially when trying in some way to manipulate them.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/28/greg-mcelroy-gets-a-48-on-the-wonderlic/

[clarice]

2. Jon....good stuff....thanks.

[Boom Sound 416]

3. Remember when v young scored a 6

Or something like that and everyone laughed it off as meaningless.

Well...

[erpowers]

5. Vince Young Had Other Problems

Vince Young's struggles were caused by problems other than his wonderlic score. First, I think Vince Young should have stayed in college for his final season. Second, he needed a better group of people around him. Third, he needed a coach that was willing to take him (Young) under his wing. Finally, I think having a football mentor would have helped Young.

[JonLP24]

7. He was good his last 2 years in Tennessee

One of them included an epic 99-yard drive where he completed 3 4th downs - including the game winning TD pass.

He fell out of favor w/ Jeff Fisher, also lost out on playing time to QBs he shouldn't have to. I think in a different situation he would have turned out a lot better.

[jim601]

4. More or less meaningless (except for QB/Offensive Linemen)

For QBs and O-Lineman, it holds some weight since those positions require more cognitive ability than others.

Receivers, Running Backs, etc, those are all instinct and physical talent. Case in point, Morris Claiborne scored a 4/50, Vince Young I believe had a 6 or 8 out of 50. Both were great college players, decent pro players (Claiborne still has time to develop since he's only been in the league for a year or two). Also, Frank Gore got a 6/50. He has been a good pro player for the last 6-7 years. Pretty good in college too.

[a kennedy]

6. and I thought this was kinda interesting.....Johnny Football does great the Wonderlc

http://www.democraticunderground.com/120442485 and he didn't go #1 in the draft ..... he was #22 and to the Cleveland Browns.....Oh, and yeah, one of their wide receivers is suspended for at least a year for a failed drug test. So there you are.....Johnny Football is in the cellar where he belongs even though he did pretty good on the test..

[Wounded Bear]

8. Like any rating system for athletes, it's an indicator...

It could be meaningful, but it has to translate onto the field. If he can't make decisions on the FB field, academics like the Wunderlich don't mean much.

I think one of the things about the test is that it is timed, so there is a bit of pressure, but it may be that the athlete doesn't really care, and then what do you do?

But, hey! I lot of the physical tests and drills they do don't have a lot to do with FB, either, so .

[adoniskon]

9. My Browns are terrible

But when we were good, I believe our QBs were smart. They may not have had the best physical attributes but they were smart.

Of course, that's not always true. But having Manziel who scored high on that test bodes well for us.

[clarice]

10. I'm excited for you...should be a helluva season...Go Browns ! nt