When the Wonderlic test scores for this year's NFL draft class were released over the weekend, it caused all the usual consternation in the blogosphere about how standardized tests don't measure a person's intelligence accurately, and how high scores don't always mean successful careers.Regardless, the Carolina Panthers may be looking at the scores of two offensive linemen -- Vanderbilt's Chris Williams (32) and Boise State's Ryan Clady (13) -- from a slightly different perspective. Ryan Clady's low score may have nothing to do with his relative intelligence. That's not the point. The point here is that Clady's low score indicates he didn't study for the test.
Look, if you told me I had to take the SAT cold tomorrow morning, I wouldn't come close to getting the 1270 I got in high school. If, however, you gave me a few weeks to study and take some practice tests and such, I might surpass that score.
Ryan Clady knew this Wonderlic test was coming. He had plenty of time to take practice tests and get himself ready. That 13 indicates that he did not put in the necessary study time. If he didn't study for this, what else won't he study for?
On the other hand, Chris Williams' 32 indicates that he did study and that he's willing to put in the work necessary to make himself NFL player. That's what the Carolina Panthers need more than anything right now. They already spent a first-day pick last year on a player with bad study habits. Can they afford to do that again, especially at a key position like left tackle?
That 13 doesn't tell me Ryan Clady is dumb. For all I know, Clady might be a Mensa member using the Wonderlic to protest standardized testing. It still doesn't make him quite as attractive to the Panthers as Chris Williams and his 32 -- or Godser Cherilus and his 25, for that matter. Williams and Cherilus look like they studied for that test. That skill comes in handy when you have three days to figure out all the tendencies of your opponent's pass rushers.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-24-2008 @ 9:22PM
Bender said...
Fairly sure (and I could be wrong on this) you can't really study for the Wonderlic. Its a logic test. Its not like the SAT where you can practice math problems and memorize word definitions.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 9:38PM
peachy said...
I'd guess that it's possible to study for any test that has a known format. Even with the SAT and GRE and the like, an important part of the prep is simply understanding the structure of the test - timing, types of questions, hidden clues in the answer choices, and so forth.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 9:42PM
tobrien28 said...
Its all about speed. The more you see a format and those types of questions the quicker you can do them. The Wonderlic is a speed based test so knowing the tricks to do it quicker helps immensly.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 9:49PM
Bender said...
True true.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 10:14PM
juortiz said...
Maybe he studied extremely ridiculously hard and still failed.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 10:30PM
§ said...
Apparently the sarcasm wasn't thick enough David
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 10:33PM
Big Sam said...
Looks like a good fit for Tennessee. If this guy and Vince Young put their heads together maybe they could count to five.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 11:21PM
ray said...
I don't think the Panthers have put too much weight on the Wonderlic scores in the past. Let's take a gander at the top of 2004's draft class:
Chris Gamble: 9
Keary Colbert: 21
Travelle Wharton: 12
Now, I don't know about you, but when I look at the Panthers, Keary Colbert stands out as something other than a shining example of quality from that draft class. Both of the guys that scored roughly the same as my pet chickens are still solid, starting players on the team that drafted them, and Mr. Twelve OT there just got a contract extension.
Now, obviously I picked a year where our first round pick went to a guy who scored a laughable 9. Let's move to the next year, 2005.
Thomas Davis: 25
Eric Shelton: 23
Evan Mathis: 31
Atiyyah Ellison: 26
Stefan LeFors: 35
This 2005 draft class, high Wonderlic scores not withstanding, can be seen as nothing but a complete meltdown. One player still on the roster, and every year they keep saying "he looks like he's starting to get it" or "maybe this'll be his year".
So I'll add my voice to the blogosphere's consternation: Ignore the Wonderlic scores; they are meaningless.
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 11:46PM
ray said...
Oh, and because I do enjoy beating dead horses, I just thought I'd throw these other bits of anecdotal evidence out there.
David Garrard (he of the 18TD, 3 Int performance last season) scored a 14.
Quincy Carter (late of the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings) scored a 30.
Akili Smith (late of the Calgary Stampeders' mid-season cut list) scored a respectable 26.
Donovan McNabb (he of the five Pro Bowls) scored a 14.
To be fair, lots of good QBs scored high, low and in between, and the same can be said of the terrible QBs. But that's the point. Wonderlic scores did not and do not and will not relate to on-field performance in any way at all.
Okay, so now I can go get a broom and sweep up this horse-shaped pile of dust in the corner.
Reply
3-25-2008 @ 12:51AM
Sam said...
Good point Ryan. It's all in his application. Studying for a test wouldn't be too hard if you know the reward you'll get at the end of it. However, Clady still chose not to do it. If he can't put in a couple of hours to study for a test, what's the chances he'll put hours into studying game film / practicing when he's got his millions in guranteed money!!
Excellent point!!
Reply
3-25-2008 @ 12:56AM
qbcoach17 said...
Walter Jones scored a "6" on the Wonderlic and he has been to the Pro-Bowl every other year since his Rookie year. Go figure!
Reply
3-25-2008 @ 2:50AM
kristoff said...
didnt dan marino score a 6? these armchair nerds need to get a life!! LOL
Reply
3-25-2008 @ 7:00AM
Jenga said...
You CAN study for it. There are practice books and flash cards you can get for it.
Reply
3-25-2008 @ 8:25AM
Chris said...
Msybe he is just dumb
Reply
3-25-2008 @ 8:47AM
Frozenham.com said...
While I agree the scores mean nothing. But at the same time if the athletes you are comparing appear to be equal I can see how you would pick the player with the higher score.
Reply
3-26-2008 @ 10:49AM
DrSteve said...
Guys, as a psychologist I have to completely disagree with you that the Wonderlic scores mean nothing and predict nothing, and the Vince Youngs and Chris Gambles of the NFL succeeding only means they are able to compensate for their lower intelligence with raw physical ability, instincts and perhaps street smarts. And yes, there are practice tests and flash card kits that might help raise your score a bit, but all that proves is that Clady is likely neither bright nor one who prepares, and both are bad signs! Come on, do we really want to waste another high draft pick on another slacker?? For not all with raw abilty make it in the NFL, and an OT who's willing to study the game films and has the smarts to put such info to good use WILL have an edge on the defense ends who don't. So I have to agree with David on this one.
Reply
3-26-2008 @ 10:56AM
DrSteve said...
And by the way, intelligence has to do with the ability to adapt to changing situations, and an OT who can't adapt to different DE's and their using different tactics, such an OT is not one I want protecting Jake or making holes for our RB's. So, the Wonderlic IS one factor among many that should not be ignored.
Reply
3-26-2008 @ 2:00PM
Harrison said...
NEWSFLASH!!!!!!
Just saw that the Panthers have scheduled a private workout with Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall. Maybe they are thinking that they can pick up a decent OT in the later rounds? Interesting stuff...
Reply
3-26-2008 @ 3:44PM
DrSteve said...
Mendenhall is interesting, but I repeat myself when I note that more RB's without a better OL is another wasted high draft pick. We need to pick up an OT with our 1st pick and a DE with our 2nd or 3rd, and in my mind, another OL with the other #2 or #3. More WRs, QBs or RBs without a new OL will simply lead to more of the same mediocrity of the last few years.
Reply
3-26-2008 @ 11:16PM
Harrison said...
Now I'm really angry. Could someone please get John Fox or Marty Hurney on the line? They just made Dr.Steve "repeat himself"!
Reply