Wonder Dawgs to Watch in 2012

Wonderlicker? I Hardly Know Her.

This might be the most important of all the Fantasy Index Betting Stats (FIBS), fellow gamblers, so pay attention.

For years now, NFL prospects have been judged not only on their athletic ability, but also their intelligence. The Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test is a popular group intelligence test used to assess the aptitude of prospective employees for learning and problem solving in a wide range of occupations, including professional football thrower, catcher, carrier, and kicker. The test, which consists of 50 multiple choice questions to be answered in 12 minutes, claims that a score of 10 suggests a person is literate, while a 20 is considered average.

The NFL, however, as it has done with many other things  - such as value for season ticket prices and number of imperative in-game concussion tests - has redefined the word average. In fact, the definition varies extensively depending on the position. Surprisingly, offensive linesmen lead the pack with an average score of 26, followed by quarterbacks at 24, then guards (23), tight ends (22), and wide receivers and running backs bringing up the rear at a 16.5 clip.

So what the hell does this have to do with gambling? Good question. Turns out Wonderliteracy as it has been dubbed here today at The Spread Zone does correspond to football success. While you don't have to be literate to rush for touchdowns, as evidenced by Frank Gore's score of 6, it does help a mediocre quarterback and Harvard graduate like Ryan Fitzpatrick with a score of 48 get ridiculously long and extravagant contract extensions without real on-field success.

Fitzpuztrick aside, whose Bills 6-10 record against the spread last year caused Congress to investigate the possibility of performance enhancing drug use during his 12 minute Wonderlic, the correlation between quarterback scores and NFL success is astonishing.

Of the current Top Ten Quarterback Wonderlic scores in the NFL last year, seven of the teams made the playoffs with Alex Smith (40, second overall) and Eli Manning (39, third overall) facing off in the NFC championship. Unfortunately for the San Francisco Forty-Niners, Kyle Williams scored an unprecedented negative score on his test.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/wonderlic-scores-of-2010-nfl-starting-quarterbacks/nL5Ky/

At first glance, the only surprise in the Top Ten is Matt Leinert, whose 36 ranks sixth overall. Upon closer inspection, however, Leinert is clearly a proven and powerful Wonder Dawg, using his Wonderlic skills to lead both the Arizona Cardinals (2009) and the Houston Texans (2011) to the playoffs from his important back-up role.

Watch out for the Raiders this year. With Leinert on the bench, the ceiling just became a sky.

As for those still caught up in Tebow Mania, keep in mind he only scored a 22 on the Woderlic. Although he'll have to believe he did it deliberately to mirror Psalm 22 where Jesus said, "Do not be far from me, for trouble is near, and there is no one to help," foreshadowing his current stint with the NY Jets years before anyone else saw it coming. Prophet? Profit? Both actually. Anyone else notice that JESUS + JETS = JESUITS. 

                   

On a final note, Marco and I decided to take the Wonderlic to find out where our NFL prowess might lie. Turns out, I would make an exceptional albeit undersized offensive linesman, while Marco's would be just enough QB to eek out games for a defensive powerhouse a la Ben Rothlisberger. Hopefully Marco makes better decisions while visiting Lake Tahoe this weekend. 

Want to know how dumb you are?

http://www.nicholascreative.com/footballiq/



Or have you already figured that out?

Vinny and Marco