Central Intelligence

I have always liked the idea of having smart players in the center field such as QBs, O-line (especially center), at least one DT, MLB and at least one safety. Does any one else factor intel into their scheme?

 

Everybody typically likes a smart QB.
Scouts tend to value Wonderlic scores at QB, OT, and CB as much as anything.

Personally, I think centers should be smart and quick as an expectation, since they don't often have the size a lineman otherwise would, so I don't seek them out, I just expect them and tend to drop ones off my list if they're not. It's good to have a smart FS, but at linebacker it's more the ability to process and instinct that matters to me, and same at DT. At DE, I'd only expect it if I were expecting the player to be out in space a lot, and that's not likely in pro schemes.

Sometimes you have to sacrifice this or that in general, especially for hard working mentality, toughness, or how stoked a guy can get. Sometimes it's just hard to replace a hard working idiot who's there every down.
BTW, great topic.

 

I think it is pretty important in a QB. I also think there is a differnce between "football smart" and overall intelligence. They said Terry Bradshaw was too dumb to be a good QB, and I can see why, but he turned out alright.

 

Do you remember Chris Gamble?


Mr. "I got a 9 on my Wonderlic"?

That's funny that you would mention CB.


(I know. I've been harping on that. And I know that he must've misunderstood how long that he had to take the test. But looking at it on the surface, he's a dumbass. And, yes, I know that he's not that dumb.)

 

When you were in grade school and choosing teams to play ball did the smartest kids get picked first?

 

I don't know if it really helps that much, but I don't think it can hurt either. Really depends on the position.

 

True, ( and )but we ain't talking about grade school. If it's two otherwise equal beasts we're talking about I'll take the smart beast every time.

 

Yeah, I know. Of course, you can't teach ball skills, and he's got that down.

 

QB is the obvious, but I would say O-line (especially Center) would rate closely behind that. TE's are also generally bright, or should be, as they tend to play a factor in more facets of the game.
Defensively, you'd like to have a MLB and FS be the brains. CB, OLB and SS are more instintive type positions. D-line doesn't require alot of smarts, but it does require a certain mentality.

 

Agreed. Anyone know what Morgan got on the Wonderlic?