Each year the NFL administers an intelligence aptitude test called the Wonderlic at the combine. The test results are used to help determine draft placement of the potential players. Below is taken from yesterday's Chicago Tribune:
Wonderlic results
Scores from the Wonderlic tests given at the scouting combine. Wonderlic tests are given to help gauge the intelligence of prospects. A person of average intelligence is supposed to score a 20. NFL teams like to see quarterbacks, offensive linemen, middle linebackers and safeties score higher, because those positions can be mentally demanding.
At quarterback, neither of the top two prospects laid a Wonderlic egg. Boston College's Matt Ryan and Louisville's Brian Brohm each scored an impressive 32.
Most of the top offensive linemen also tested well. Michigan's Jake Long scored a 26, Pittsburgh's Jeff Otah scored a 28, Southern Cal's Sam Baker scored a 27, Vanderbilt's Chris Williams scored a 32 and Boston College's Godser Cherilus scored a 25. Boise State offensive tackle Ryan Clady had the only disappointing score from the top group of blockers, a 13.
Is This Really The Best Assessment for Performance Intelligence?
Okay, so from the article above you would think that these player's who scored fairly well would have future star potential right? WRONG! In fact, just like all of the physical tests, these player's can specifically prepare for the Wonderlic Test as well. Take a look at an example question:
-The ninth month of the year is:
October- January- June- November-May
For more sample questions visit http://espn.go.com/page2/s/closer/020228test.html
A general intelligence aptitude test has very little to do with on-the-field decision making ability for football. In fact, take a look at the following article reference below:
Intelligence and Football: Testing for Differentials in Collegiate Quarterback Passing Performance and NFL Compensation
Abstract
This article presents an empirical analysis of the relationships between intelligence and both passing performance in college and compensation in the National Football League (NFL). A group of 84 drafted and signed quarterbacks from 1989 to 2004 was selected for the study.
The author hypothesizes that intelligence is the most important and perhaps most rewarded at this position, and a wide variety of passing performance statistics are available to separate the effects of intelligence and ability. The OLS-estimated models reveal no statistically significant relationship between intelligence and collegiate passing performance. Likewise, the author finds no evidence of higher compensation in the NFL for players with higher intelligence as measured by the Wonderlic Personnel Test administered at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Check These Score Out
Brett Favre- 22
Dan Marino- 14
Vinny Testaverde- 18
Daunte Culpepper- 15
Steve McNair- 15
Peyton Manning- 25
The point here is that these are some of the most accomplished names in NFL Football History and there scores are quite low!
So if the Wonderlic might not be the best option for determining a player's mental potential, what would a possible solution be?
I will give you a hint... it has something to do with the extrinisic value dimension.
More on this topic in Part 2 coming shortly!
