Ryan's wonderlic score suggests he's really bright
Bill Parcells wants to trade out of the first overall pick. That is not a secret because, as general manager Jeff Ireland said at the Senior Bowl when asked about trading the pick, "We're open for business."
But if the Dolphins must pick, one of the critical factors they will weigh is intelligence. Parcells wants tough guys, intelligent guys, guys that aren't a concern off the field.
In that regard several of the top overall pick candidates helped themselves in the Wonderlic test which teams use to measure smarts.
According to Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune, Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan added to his long list of intangibles when he scored a 32 on the test. A person of average intelligence is supposed to score around 20.
But Ryan wasn't alone in showing the Dolphins and other teams he's got brains. Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long scored a 26. No word on what Chris Long and other potential first overall picks scored.
Among the other top quarterbacks, Pompei writes that Brian Brohm also scored a 32, Joe Flacco had a 27 and Chad Henne had a 22.
Of course, a high Wonderlic doesn't guarantee NFL success as as low one doesn't promise NFL failure. Remember that Vince Young allegedly scored a six in 2006. It hasn't exactly ruined his career.
But if the Dolphins must pick, one of the critical factors they will weigh is intelligence. Parcells wants tough guys, intelligent guys, guys that aren't a concern off the field.
In that regard several of the top overall pick candidates helped themselves in the Wonderlic test which teams use to measure smarts.
According to Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune, Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan added to his long list of intangibles when he scored a 32 on the test. A person of average intelligence is supposed to score around 20.
But Ryan wasn't alone in showing the Dolphins and other teams he's got brains. Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long scored a 26. No word on what Chris Long and other potential first overall picks scored.
Among the other top quarterbacks, Pompei writes that Brian Brohm also scored a 32, Joe Flacco had a 27 and Chad Henne had a 22.
Of course, a high Wonderlic doesn't guarantee NFL success as as low one doesn't promise NFL failure. Remember that Vince Young allegedly scored a six in 2006. It hasn't exactly ruined his career.
posted by Armando Salguero at 3:07 PM
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58 Comments:
WOW...John Beck Scored a 35 on his test...so I gues that would make him smarter then Matt Ryan, Right!!
who cares!!!
Matt Ryan is a wannabe Tom brady, it would be a huge mistake if the Dolphins waste the 1st pick on him, when you can get an equally as good QB in the 2nd round. I could care less how well he did on the wonderlic,anyone who goes to BC should be smart.
I Agree, Who cares. All this Matt is really making me sick. Much Like the Brady Quinn Hype as well as the Alex Smith. I' am convinced that any QB that is drafted in the 1st round is cursed.
Accept for Peyton Manning, and John Elway, Jim Kelly, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, oh yeah and Dan Marino....Douche bag.
Dan Marino allegedly scored in the 14- 16 range so theoretically if he were available I guess the Tuna would pass on him in favor of Ryan, huh?
Armando: Hello, it is nice to see you with a fresh entry, albeit not your best work, admitedly. As a friend and reader of your writing both in the newspaper and online, I'd like to urge you once again to consider not covering sports other than football, specifically the Miami Dolphins. Your hockey articles in the newspaper this past week were especially weak; I remember you saying on a radio program once that you did not care for hockey, yet there you are in print writing about Olli Jokinen and the Panthers' playoff drive. It's a non sequiter when you cover hockey, basketball, or golf. The golf, especially; you seem so out of your element and grasping at mainstream media logic. The line in your article about Tiger Woods being "a mere mortal;" Armando, please, implying that a sports figure is a God then referring to him as a mere mortal when he doesn't play well is such a tired sports cliche. You are much better than that, and we expect only the most original work from you. You also introduced God into the beginning of your article, I will say I disagree with inserting religion into a newspaper.
Regardless, have a wonderful Easter, may God bless you and your family. Continue to refine your craft, I can see the terrific potential you have and the energy you bring to your work each and every day. Well wishes, I hope you consider me a friend as well.
G. Restrepo III
Coral Gables
Football is a game of action, reaction. After doing the drills for a 1000 times the drill is buried into the head. Intelligence playes a factor in reaction but so does skill, speed, luck, courage and 100 other emotions or lack of emotions that happen on the field. I personally don't care if the guy can figure out the square root of the head of a pin. Just win games. Ryan is not the guy. I wouldn't take him just because of the hype.
Can he hit a 40 yard pass down the line? Does he have a Marino release, the courage of Elway or any of the other attributes of a great qb? the Miami staff has to do the picking and judging.
Whoopie!
Great job on the Wonderlic.
Now, can Ryan win in the NFL.
oscar_g
Please do not draft a QB with the #1 pick. That would be a total waste. Ryan is no Payton Manning. Ryan does not belong anywhere near the #1 selection.
So if he dosn't work out as a QB, he can help the Coaches' kids with the FCAT.
........or me with my spelling!! That's what I get for teasing a columnist I USUALLY like (but the WonderLic is reaching, dude).
I am soooooo tired of this matt ryan talk. He is over-rated!!!! He is not good at all. There are more important "holes" to fill on this TEAM. Plus, what is point of drafting him number one overall when we have NO o-line to block for him.
John Beck score was 34 according to Sporting News and 30 if you check other blogs around the web.
What does it mean? I don't know, really.
Alex Smith scored 40 and from my point of view he is just a bust. On the other hand, Vince Young socored a poor 16, but he's great with the ball.
I really don't know what to think, Ryan makes all the sense to me, but I would prefere look for Chris Long or Vernon Gohlston.
Does Beck deserve a second chance????
What could happen if Tuna let Ryan pass by and he becomes a great player???
Armando, we need more information!!!!!!!!!
Arturo from Mexico
hey Restrepo...if that's really your name...are you trying to post a comment on here or get a date with Armando.."please consider me your friend"..what a homo. your entire post was gay. stick to the craigslist erotic postings and stay out of the Armondo blog.
Ryan Makes sense? are you joking? Of course Beck deserves a 2nd chance the fact is HE DIDNT even have a chance to begin with. He had the worst coaching staff in the whole NFL. The worst offensive line. I dont care if your the best freaking QB on the planet. you can not and will not win games with a horrible coaching staff and just plain out right awfull offensive line. Oh ya and for the the moron that called me a douche bag, let me re-phrase my self. I was talking about QB's drafted in the first round in recent years. I'm not talking about the QB's of the GREATS, Im not sure if there will be anymore GREATS and i can sure as hell tell you that Ryan will not be a GREAT!
I think the wonderlic and other measurables of trhe combine are overrated. I think performance and consistency of it should make the most of the scouting process. Im sure it's not an exact science. example TOM BRADY/sixth rd pick RYAN LEAF/first rd pick. Im am one of the biggest dolphin fans out there and I really hope they don't draft ryan or any other QB with the first pick. Bill Im sure you know what your doing and as of today we are two line man short of a pretty good starting five. so let's build our o-lines and d-lines up first. Chris long anyone? I've been watching him this past season and I love the atittude and the high motor. Jake long is another good one but there are some other pretty good tackles out there after him but how many good de/lb's are out there after long/ gholston. anyone have some feedback on my comment please hit me back.... fins hawaii!!!
I'll leave the heavy lifting to Ireland and company and likely be happy with their choices. So far Jake Long gets me most excited to have as a potential Dolphin. When I hear things like "road grader of a blocker" I salivate a little. How long (no pun intended) has it been since we had a dominant o-line? He could certainly help and a consistent running game would help us in so many other ways as well.
Chooch in Ottawa
Then why can't he figure out to NOT throw it to the other team!!???!!
Having been in many locker rooms and I can tell you this. "The sum ability of most football teams, to function intellectually, wouldn't fill a thimble." It's all about speed and strength, nothing more.
>Accept for Peyton Manning, and John Elway, Jim Kelly, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, oh yeah and Dan Marino....Douche bag.
Interesting that you know how to spell "douche", but not "except".
Vince Young is terrible and apparently he is also mildly retarded. He scored a 6? That can't be that far off the average retarded person's score.
Tuna will take a QB this draft you can bet your bottom dollar on that!
Which one is the question...
In Tuna we trust!
PS... I hope its Flacco:-)
ok, hold on! the draft is a couple weeks away. we all know BP doesn't want the first pick, but neither does anyone else. so tuna is tryiong to find any angle to push the ryan issue, maybe to pursuade a trade.....(atlanta at #3). but he's not going to draft ryan at #1 he's just trying to sell the pick. thats all.
I'll take any football news at this point. All other sports suck.
I still say buddy from Hawaii is better than Ryan.
i would not call vince young terrible, YET but he seems to be following the micheal vick path, not the off the field one, but on the field one. great athletic ability but not exactly a marksman with the ball. he's a tad more accurate. vick is horrible. the guy had tunnel vision. look at how few sideline passes were attempted or completed. no wonder crumpler looked so great, he ran down the middle where vick could see him.
beck should absolutely get a shot at QB. the staff last year did a horrible job with him from day 1!!!
training camp was a QB competition between 2 guys who are both gone this year. almost no serious work for beck in camp or preseason. during the season he was the scout team QB. so he was learning the other teams offense instead of studying our playbook and the other teams defense. how can that prepare him to go in cold very well?? he was not really given a chance to succeed last year.
i hope they hype ryan up till the moment they pick someone else. that can only get atlanta nervous. maybe they pull the trigger. i'd probably be willing to take less than what was considered an even trade. we would still get who we wanted at number 1, save many millions, and get whatever else they traded us. i think a first and second would even be ok, not in most drafts, but in this one?? absolutely!! that would give us the number 3 pick, the 32, the 35, and the pick we got for chambers in the second. around 25th??
colt brennan from hawaii???
G E T R E A L!!
Ryan played REAL teams in college
the bowl game proved what a weak conference hawaii was in. brennan looked like a dear in the headlights. you watch the draft, he will still be there day 2. i'd consider him in the 5th round. maybe some time in the NFL learning can make him a decent QB.
Restrepo: Sorry to inform you we are not friends.
But if you want I'll get you the address of the local humane society. Maybe a lab mix will fill your friend void.
Vince Young's score has proved very telling. He's won because he's been on a strong team, but he's mildly retarded and it shows in his play. He had a horrible rookie season that got him the ROY award because people are dumb. He got even worse this year. 15 starts this season and 9 touchdowns versus 17 interceptions? Give me a freaking break. I don't care how fast and agile he is - he will NEVER be a good quarterback in the NFL because he's stupid and can't pass, and that will cause him to never win anything. Unless, of course, he becomes Tom Brady's backup.
"With the first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select..."
I'd really hate to hear Matt Ryan called there, there's a lot of hype around him, and I'm sure he's a decent QB, but 19 interceptions on the collegiate level? That's terrible, now imagine what'd happen in the NFL. I think they should go Chris Long, he's got the talent, the strength, and the heart that we need to get this franchise off of the ground. Keep JT around to help mentor, if he's traded we have absolutely nothing and I think it'd make the transition a little smoother if he's there to help. Give Beck a CHANCE, not a second chance, he played for the worst team in the Nfl with no line and no help of course he's going to struggle. I like him. KEEP BECK, TAYLOR, DRAFT C. LONG WITH #1, DRAFT CB AND TACKLE WITH SECOND ROUND CHOICES. (p.s. I'd love to see Lito Sheppard in a Dolphins uni)
Armando, you are the most accomplished, brilliant journalist in the industry. You have no equal and have never make an error.
Can we be friends?
No.
Hey Armando...you never know...Restrepo could be a 85 yr. old man who lost his wife and one of his few remaining joys is reading your articles. And you just dissed him. ;-)
About your blog entry...my concern is that Jake Long will go #2 to St. Louis if we don't take him #1. Living in VA...I can honestly say, while I like Chris Long, I don't want him on my Phins. I'd rather take a fly on Gholston. I believe he has more upside and more God given talent. However, Jake Long is the guy I think could make a real difference for this team for many years to come. Put him with Carey, Satele, Mormino, and Smiley and we've got a solid young line for years to come.
It would be great to have a dominant O-line again.
So...unless Atlanta offers us something special to trade up...I say we draft Jake Long.
Armando,
I heard that Chris Long scored a 34
on the wonderlic test. He's no dummy either! In all fairness some people just don't test well. How smart do you have to be to deposit a $30 Million check at a bank? But, some football players are so dumb, they think the mexican border - pay rent !
I still say Brennan is better....give him a line...look at his numbers...Ryan looked like a bitch against V-Tech.
Look at Brennan's numbers? I like the guy too, but you can't say look at his numbers when he played at Hawaii. You have to look at everything but his numbers.
It doesn't matter if a quarterback got 100 on the wonderlic if the team has a crappy O-line, he'll be lying on his back. The Fins must put together a quality O-line. A car needs wheels or nothing else matters. An offense needs a good line ... lets get one.
Listen the man only threw for more than twice as many TD with only 5 more picks in 2 less games than Ryan. Has a QB rating of 115 to Ryan's 82.4. Has thrown for about 5000 more yards than Ryan in 2 less games. Oh yeah and i think he might be nudging Ryan in rushing yards to...but only by a little bit. which means he can make plays with his feet if he has too. I understand Boston College plays in the ACC which means better talent, which means Ryan would have the better line, backs and receivers...correct. I'm not saying Brennan deserves the #1 pick. I just think he's better than Ryan.
If you put Matt Ryan on Hawaii, you'd have yourself a Heisman winner and you'd agree he was better. As I said, the numbers mean jack in this case because Brennan played for a team that passed like crazy and in a conference with only one other good team.
I don't know Chris. I guess we we'll just have to agree to disagree on this and see how it plays out. I just hope the Fins don't pick Ryan up if they keep the first pick. By the way my name's Rick. It's been a pleasure rappin witcha. I gotta get to work though so you be easy man. Stay up and GOD bless you and yours.
Why is nobody talking about Brohm any more? In his senior season, he passed for over 60% completion and again had more touchdowns than interceptions. This is a guy who was going to be top ten pick last draft.
I agree with most of the posters that Ryan is not the way to go. I just see that everyone is then immediately pointing to Flacco or Henne. I for one can tell you I'd have no problem with seeing either of the Longs at 1 and then Brohm in round 2 if Tuna wants a QB that high.
Actually Brohm is very unlikely to crack the Top 10. I'd put good money on it. It's even possible he falls to Round 2.
matt ryan sucks. i cant stand all the hype around him. he is not the best quarter back in the draft and he will bust in the nfl. we will fix both lines and defense this draft i will put money on it. our offense is gonna be pretty much the same going into the preseason. same wr's, rb's, only addition might be a te. next year will be the offense watch. i honestly hope that tim tebow goes into the draft next year and miami gets him
I Like Brian Brohm, the question to ask is, “has Brian Brohm been overanalyzed?” Brohm came back for his senior year even though many thought he would come out. He had a new coach with Bobby Petrino going to the Falcons and his grades were exceptionally high.
His senior season turned out to be a disaster from a team perspective, finishing 6-6 after being projected as a top ten team by many pundits. It also must have been frustrating to watch a defense give up points in bunches and lose games by scores of 38-31, 44-35, 38-35, and 40-34. Imagine how frustrating it must have been for Brohm, scoring 31 or more points in four different games and losing them all.The interesting thing to me in all this is that Brohm never quit, never bad-mouthed the defense or cried poor me. He was a picture of composure and was a solid teammate according to all reports. In several of those games he brought his team back from big deficits only to see the defense give up another score. The bottom-line for me is that this season will do nothing but help Brian Brohm in his career development. Adversity can bring out the worst in people, but it also reveals character and I believe this kid has a ton of it.
The knocks on him are that the arm is not great, he does not use his hips to throw and struggles to throw on the move with much accuracy. He also has been injured, yet in my mind he showed toughness in the way he played through and how quickly he returned from those injuries. I also have heard that he is a typical coddled superstar, having grown up in Louisville and with his brothers on the staff, and his dad attending practices. All that can be seen as a negative or it can point to a ton of pressure to perform. He shows no characteristics of a spoiled Todd Marinovich type.
Look, he won three state championships in high school. He went to state in baseball and basketball when the high school had no history of success in these sports before his teams. The kid is a winner, having won in college as well. He is extremely smart and I like that family background and the fact that his brother played professional baseball. There is a history of success and support. This may not be the Manning family but the support system is solid. He is a finance major with a 3.75 GPA. He scored high on the Wonderlic.The bottom line; if you can get this guy in the mid to late first round, you are getting a steal.
I'm being serious when I write this, but I'm pretty sure that I read Channing Crowder had an amazing Wonderlic score (47 comes to mind, but that might not even be on the scale, so who knows?). If there was ever an argument against the Wonderlic, it might be Crowder, even though most of his dumb comments are done on purpose.
Also, I didn't read the entire post above regarding Brhom, but if it is for Brohm over Ryan, then I 100% agree....I live in Louisville and have watched him play a lot over the years, this guy is the real deal.
Crowder got a 30 on the Wonderlic, which is very good. And he's certainly not an argument against the Wonderlic. He had a good score and he's an intelligent guy. ALL his "stupid" comments are in jest, especially the whole London fiasco.
Chris,
Just to clarify what I was saying earlier, I said Brohm was projected by many to be a top 10 pick in last year's draft had he come out. I also don't expect that he will be a top 10 pick. I am asking why he has dropped out of the conversation completely.
I know Flacco has a cannon, but that can be overrated. I feel Brohm has been more accomplished and comes with a proven record. Patrick had a terrific post above of exactly what I was talking about.
Brow Nose said...
Armando, you are the most accomplished, brilliant journalist in the industry. You have no equal and have never make an error.
Can we be friends?
12:31 PM
Armando Salguero said...
No.
12:37 PM
HARSH, DUDE. I'm crushed.
All discussion of the wonderlic aside--where is should be--I think the various posters who suggested that other QBs later in the draft would be equal to Ryan is incorrect. Any one of four or five would be SLIGHTLY less of a prospect than Ryan
The problem comes to the money. Ryan is NOT 30 million worth of QB.
While the 2nd tier guys (which is really more like the 1.5 tier guys) all have issues (Brohm: arm strength, Henne: consistency, etc), they all look like capable candidates with the right coaching. I personally think that even Andre Woodson is capable; that "hitch" issue is correctable, and he's a solid no-mistake kind of signal caller.
The only smart answer, if we can't trade down, is: GO LONG!
EITHER one!!!
Armando: Quite a stimulating conversation revolving around the quarterbacks, and once again I find Chris Nelson's posts articulate and accurate. And your joke about the humane society, very humorous, we all need to able to laugh at ourselves, myself included, this is all great fun. Just for the record, however, I am not 85 years old, I am in my 40s, and happily married to a wonderful woman who makes my life complete. Well wishes to you, Armando, and all of your blog posters. Keep it the terrific work.
G. Restrepo III
Coral Gables
alright A-holes! Here is a scenario nobody is talking about. Draft D. McFadden 1. trade down top Oakland or Bengals. If we trade with Oakland, take several draft picks like this years and next years #1's. oakland cant afford one more year in the top 8 picks overall. If we trade with Bengals take their pick at 8 and #85. Ellis or Gohlston will be still be available. We could address our depth at receiver and d-line with one pick. I am telling you, picking D Mcfad is the key to all success! Mark it down you homo's!
Moron, it is spelled GHOLSTON. And, he gives up on plays and is stiff. Forget him and McFadden too or any trade involving same. He's a character risk and runs too high.
Chris Long IS the obvious and appropriate pick. Extraordinary athlete, warrior, does NOT take plays off, highly intelligent, NOT a character risk.
Wonderlic scores:
David Garrard - 14
Donovan McNabb - 14
Quincy Carter - 26
Akili Smith - 30
They mean nothing.
Let's draft Brian Brohm's family.
Hey P, you are an idiot. Did you not read what I wrote? Stop pretending to be a grammar teacher, and start reading for the content. I did not suggest we keep McFadden, however he is the key to phins either getting more picks or getting upgraded positions through a trade. Chad Johnson is not happy in Cinncy, I dont care what the Bengals say, Chad will not be there next year. If we trade down, pick up Ocho we can still acquire a great player at #8 and upgrade our receiving core.
Hey P- Go look for spelling errors on your "Better Homes and Gardnens" blog. This blog is for content and ideas....so quit being a Dick.
Johnny Jets Hater
Ok I'm going to make this plain and simple COLT BRENNAN SUCKS...... Thats every fact about him! Matt Ryan does not suck but he is far frome a 1st pick in a draft.I think Beck is a way better QB then then Ryan.
Brian Brohm also had the same score as Ryan. He is also a smarter football player born and raised to be a NFL star quarterback. He got screwed by Petrino when he left Louisville to go the Falcons and look what the new coach did...nothing but screw up the year and the team. If the defense was better, it would have given Brohm more opportunities and he would have broken all the NCAA records.
wow! you guys rippin' on Matt Ryan are real braniacs - he was the 2008 NFL Rookie of the year!
I bet you guys scored lower than Vince Young on the Wonderlic......dumb....dumb....dumb.....dumb!!!!!
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