2014 college football

[8manpick]

Texas might have the dumbest rough ridin' players on the planet.

Do they take intelligence into the star rankings at all? It seems like that would be a more accurate metric for talent. Like say if you are a 2 star receiver with an offer from an Ivy league that bumps you up to 4 star status.

But if you are a 5 star talent who struggles to spell his own name you are only a 3 star.

Agreed, but there should be a sliding scale based on position. The NFL has the Wonderlic test and this doesn't seem much different.

What other positions would be the most important for intelligence. Based entirely off of that KU Cornerback who plays in the AFC somewhere, I would assume CBs dont have to be that smart. My list from most need for intelligence to least. Edit it how you wish.

Basing a large group's intelligence entirely off of one person you don't know seems really stupid, but who knows...

Plus, Chris Harris is actually a pretty smart dude

[Pete]

So Maryland's bowl game starts at 10 PM Maryland time. 

[Missouriscribe]

Texas might have the dumbest rough ridin' players on the planet.

Do they take intelligence into the star rankings at all? It seems like that would be a more accurate metric for talent. Like say if you are a 2 star receiver with an offer from an Ivy league that bumps you up to 4 star status.

But if you are a 5 star talent who struggles to spell his own name you are only a 3 star.

Agreed, but there should be a sliding scale based on position. The NFL has the Wonderlic test and this doesn't seem much different.

What other positions would be the most important for intelligence. Based entirely off of that KU Cornerback who plays in the AFC somewhere, I would assume CBs dont have to be that smart. My list from most need for intelligence to least. Edit it how you wish.

Basing a large group's intelligence entirely off of one person you don't know seems really stupid, but who knows...

Plus, Chris Harris is actually a pretty smart dude

I figured he meant Talib

[CHONGS]

I suspect most QBs are not as "smart" as you think they are, and most CB/RB/WRs are "smarter" than you think.  But on the whole, being smart is probably waay over rated when it comes to sports.

[8manpick]

Texas might have the dumbest rough ridin' players on the planet.

Do they take intelligence into the star rankings at all? It seems like that would be a more accurate metric for talent. Like say if you are a 2 star receiver with an offer from an Ivy league that bumps you up to 4 star status.

But if you are a 5 star talent who struggles to spell his own name you are only a 3 star.

Agreed, but there should be a sliding scale based on position. The NFL has the Wonderlic test and this doesn't seem much different.

What other positions would be the most important for intelligence. Based entirely off of that KU Cornerback who plays in the AFC somewhere, I would assume CBs dont have to be that smart. My list from most need for intelligence to least. Edit it how you wish.

Basing a large group's intelligence entirely off of one person you don't know seems really stupid, but who knows...

Plus, Chris Harris is actually a pretty smart dude

I figured he meant Talib

go stand in the corner with Yard dog

[Rage Against the McKee]

I suspect most QBs are not as "smart" as you think they are, and most CB/RB/WRs are "smarter" than you think.  But on the whole, being smart is probably waay over rated when it comes to sports.

Based upon what I've been hearing, Lockett/Sexton are way smarter than Jake. Rumor has it that it's not even close.

[Yard Dog]

I think intelligence plays a part in moments considered situational . If your position doesn't need to have situational awareness, the need for intelligence perhaps is less important. For example, that's why I rated punt returners higher than kick returners.

Lack of intelligence among key players also affects the ability of a coach to be strategic. God given gifts only get you so far when you are making poor decisions in space. Something that in the high school level can be less obvious because of the inferior competition. Thus, making it important for scouts and coaches to have an understanding of a possible recruits intelligence level.

[TownieCat]

I suspect most QBs are not as "smart" as you think they are, and most CB/RB/WRs are "smarter" than you think.  But on the whole, being smart is probably waay over rated when it comes to sports.

Based upon what I've been hearing, Lockett/Sexton are way smarter than Jake. Rumor has it that it's not even close.

Good for them. That isn't the norm though.

Intelligence at QB is much more important in the NFL than it is in college. It's not that I think CB/WRs are dumb, it's just that they don't need to be as smart as other positions. RBs need to be fairly knowledgeable.

[Rage Against the McKee]

I suspect most QBs are not as "smart" as you think they are, and most CB/RB/WRs are "smarter" than you think.  But on the whole, being smart is probably waay over rated when it comes to sports.

Based upon what I've been hearing, Lockett/Sexton are way smarter than Jake. Rumor has it that it's not even close.

Good for them. That isn't the norm though.

Intelligence at QB is much more important in the NFL than it is in college. It's not that I think CB/WRs are dumb, it's just that they don't need to be as smart as other positions. RBs need to be fairly knowledgeable.

It doesn't take that much intelligence to learn a playbook and know which receiver is the one you should throw to. Any high school football player (any position) can watch a play in slow motion, look at the defense, and tell you who the QB should throw to. It's not very hard. The hard part is having the athletic ability to buy time, and having enough composure to analyze the defense while you are moving and avoiding pressure. That has much more to do with raw athleticism than intelligence.

[michigancat]

one thing you definitely don't need intelligence for is to sign up for a rough ridin' message board account. my god.

[8manpick]

one thing you definitely don't need intelligence for is to sign up for a rough ridin' message board account. my god.

This is terrible

[420seriouscat69]

one thing you definitely don't need intelligence for is to sign up for a rough ridin' message board account. my god.

This is terrible

['taterblast]

great discussion, everyone

[Yard Dog]

I suspect most QBs are not as "smart" as you think they are, and most CB/RB/WRs are "smarter" than you think.  But on the whole, being smart is probably waay over rated when it comes to sports.

Based upon what I've been hearing, Lockett/Sexton are way smarter than Jake. Rumor has it that it's not even close.

Good for them. That isn't the norm though.

Intelligence at QB is much more important in the NFL than it is in college. It's not that I think CB/WRs are dumb, it's just that they don't need to be as smart as other positions. RBs need to be fairly knowledgeable.

It doesn't take that much intelligence to learn a playbook and know which receiver is the one you should throw to. Any high school football player (any position) can watch a play in slow motion, look at the defense, and tell you who the QB should throw to. It's not very hard. The hard part is having the athletic ability to buy time, and having enough composure to analyze the defense while you are moving and avoiding pressure. That has much more to do with raw athleticism than intelligence.

How many great quarterbacks from NFL history made it on their raw athleticism alone lacking in smarts?

[8manpick]

I suspect most QBs are not as "smart" as you think they are, and most CB/RB/WRs are "smarter" than you think.  But on the whole, being smart is probably waay over rated when it comes to sports.

Based upon what I've been hearing, Lockett/Sexton are way smarter than Jake. Rumor has it that it's not even close.

Good for them. That isn't the norm though.

Intelligence at QB is much more important in the NFL than it is in college. It's not that I think CB/WRs are dumb, it's just that they don't need to be as smart as other positions. RBs need to be fairly knowledgeable.

It doesn't take that much intelligence to learn a playbook and know which receiver is the one you should throw to. Any high school football player (any position) can watch a play in slow motion, look at the defense, and tell you who the QB should throw to. It's not very hard. The hard part is having the athletic ability to buy time, and having enough composure to analyze the defense while you are moving and avoiding pressure. That has much more to do with raw athleticism than intelligence.

How many great quarterbacks from NFL history made it on their raw athleticism alone lacking in smarts?

If you want to look at Wonderlic scores (out of 50), then you have:

All time greats:
Marino: 15
Bradshaw: 16

Current
Newton: 21
Roethlisberger: 25

[TownieCat]

Ryan Fitzpatrick got a 48 and it is has kept him in the league for 10 years.

[8manpick]

Ryan Fitzpatrick got a 48 and it is has kept him in the league for 10 years.

It is nice to have a smart guy breaking down film and carrying a clipboard

[Yard Dog]

Interesting.

Marino: 15  (though he never did win a super bowl)
Bradshaw: 16 - less of a surprise but he did get 4 rings.

Current
Newton: 21 - not surprised considering Auburn had to use colored cards to call plays. Still hasn't won a playoff game. 
Roethlisberger: 25 - not surprised considering the motorcycle accident

Is it fair to say that these situations are exceptions and not the rule?

[Spracne]

Interesting stuff.  Home highlights:

Blaine Gabbert - 42
Alex Smith - 40
Eli Manning - 39
Tony Romo - 37
Aaron Rodgers - 35
Tom Brady - 33
Steve Young - 33
Kliff Kingsbury - 31
Peyton Manning - 28
Josh Freeman - 27
Tim Tebow - 22
Daunte Culpepper - 18
Antwaan Randle El - 17
Vince Young - 15
Steve McNair - 15
Seneca Wallace - 14
David Garrard - 14
Donovan McNabb - 14
Charlie Batch - 14
Kordell Stewart - 14
Ell Roberson - 11
Michael Bishop - 10

sauce (love the comments): http://www.nflstatanalysis.net/2011/03/qb-wonderlic-scores.html

[Rage Against the McKee]

Interesting.

Marino: 15  (though he never did win a super bowl)
Bradshaw: 16 - less of a surprise but he did get 4 rings.

Current
Newton: 21 - not surprised considering Auburn had to use colored cards to call plays. Still hasn't won a playoff game. 
Roethlisberger: 25 - not surprised considering the motorcycle accident

Is it fair to say that these situations are exceptions and not the rule?

Not really. The wonderlic is an easy test that doesn't really mean anything.

[The Big Train]

yard dog can you do a break down of our bowl game for us? TIA

[Gooch]

I could deal with big dumb fast athletic LB's. @boz56 seemed to play alright.

[8manpick]

Interesting.

Marino: 15  (though he never did win a super bowl)
Bradshaw: 16 - less of a surprise but he did get 4 rings.

Current
Newton: 21 - not surprised considering Auburn had to use colored cards to call plays. Still hasn't won a playoff game. 
Roethlisberger: 25 - not surprised considering the motorcycle accident

Is it fair to say that these situations are exceptions and not the rule?

Jim Kelly also at 15. If only he and Marino had gotten 23s they would have multiple rings apiece!

[Rage Against the McKee]

http://www.bestmastersdegrees.com/smartest-players/

FACTOID: While an average football player usually scores around 20 points, The Wonderlic, Inc claims a score of 10 points suggests a person is literate.

[Spracne]

http://www.bestmastersdegrees.com/smartest-players/

FACTOID: While an average football player usually scores around 20 points, The Wonderlic, Inc claims a score of 10 points suggests a person is literate.

From that link, Wonderlic scores by position (highest to lowest):

1. OT
2. C
3. QB
4. OG
5. TE
6. S
7. LB
8. CB
9. WR
10. FB
11. HB (RB)