Knock On Ragland? Not Too Bright

[H2o]

He may not be smart enough to play in this defense.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/rating-the-nfl-draft-prospects-linebackers-b99704579z1-377020691.html

3. REGGIE RAGLAND, Alabama (6-1, 248, 4.66, 1): Kept busy playing special teams for two years, started at WLB in 2014 and as the signal-calling MLB in '15. "When he hits people they stop right there," one scout said. "He's a plugger. Good reading through hats, diagnosing quick. He can get sideline to sideline tracking people down." Finished with 220 tackles (17 ½ for loss), 4 sacks and 8 big plays. "Very nice kid," another scout said. "He's gifted enough. His body is a little soft but his athleticism speaks for itself. Question is, can he be a three-down linebacker? That's my only concern. If you really watch Alabama, on third down they don't have him dropping into space. They have him rushing the passer (with his hand down outside). There's got to be a reason they do that." Administered the Wonderlic test twice, scoring 10 and later 15. "There was a little knock on him learning the playbook early," said a third scout. "Talking to people at Alabama, you're not going to throw an NFL playbook at him Day 1. But in time he will learn it. When he learns it he can retain it." From Madison, Ala. "Great (expletive) kid," a fourth scout said. "He'll knock the (expletive) out of you. Fast, explosive, not very smart. That's going to affect him on the next level."

 

 

[Mr. WEO]

He will pair well with Lynch..

[K-9]

I'm struck by the seeming contradiction between athleticism that speaks for itself and the wondering if he can be a three down LB.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[LeGOATski]

He diagnoses plays really fast. He's articulate in his interviews. He's a hard worker. I bet he'll learn the playbook.

 

Some people just don't test well. That's why schools/teachers try to diversify their assessments more and more these days.

[Beef Jerky]

I doubt the Bills pick him anyway.

[jr1]

Manziel had a 32 on the Wonderlic. Does it really even matter?

[C.Biscuit97]

I'm struck by the seeming contradiction between athleticism that speaks for itself and the wondering if he can be a three down LB.

 

GO BILLS!!!

There is a difference between being athletic and understanding man/ zone coverage. There are plenty of good athletes who are terrible in coverage.

[Punching Bag]

It is interesting that he made the calls and was considered good enough to be on field for all three downs but usually those who make the calls do.

[YoloinOhio]

Ray Lewis got a 13 on the Wonderlic and didn't have a problem owning that defense. I think the Wonderlic does lend some insight into a player. But it's not a true representation of whether a player can or can't pick up a playbook.

Edited April 26, 2016 by YoloinOhio

[Blokestradamus]

Ray Lewis got a 13 on the Wonderlic and didn't have a problem owning that defense

 

"He was smart enough to have a fall guy too" - Cris Carter, probably.

[KollegeStudnet]

Ray Lewis scored a 13 on the wonderlic

 

Jim Kelly had a 15.

Oops! Yolo beat me

[John from Riverside]

When it comes to Ragland

 

I am torn between what I actually saw....which was getting pulled from a championship game because he could not cover

 

and

 

all kinds of people saying he is a under rated cover guy

 

which is it?

[H2o]

Ray Lewis got a 13 on the Wonderlic and didn't have a problem owning that defense. I think the Wonderlic does lend some insight into a player. But it's not a true representation of whether a player can or can't pick up a playbook.

Did not know that. If Ragland could be a poor man's Ray Lewis he would be worth the pick

[fridge]

Here are sample Wonderlic questions: http://www.wonderlic.com/sites/default/files/SLE%20Sample%20Questions_1.pdf

 

For those of you wondering how easy it is...one of the questions was this:

The ninth month of the year is:

 

1 October, 2 January, 3 June, 4 September, 5 May.

[LeGOATski]

Here are sample Wonderlic questions: http://www.wonderlic.com/sites/default/files/SLE%20Sample%20Questions_1.pdf

 

For those of you wondering how easy it is...one of the questions was this:

 

Obviously, the strength of the question isn't the only consideration.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

Ray Lewis got a 13 on the Wonderlic and didn't have a problem owning that defense. I think the Wonderlic does lend some insight into a player. But it's not a true representation of whether a player can or can't pick up a playbook.

I immediately googled rays wonderlic after reading that post...

 

While some have established score floors by position as a draft policy, I'm confident there is a poor if not nonexistent correlation between NFL success and wonderlic score.

[Beef Jerky]

Fitz once stated he got one answer wrong on his wonderlic b.c he "Rushed through it"

 

I still don't want Fitz on my team b.c it hasn't stopped him from throwing INTs.

[3rdand12]

Here are sample Wonderlic questions: http://www.wonderlic.com/sites/default/files/SLE%20Sample%20Questions_1.pdf

 

For those of you wondering how easy it is...one of the questions was this:

 

very confusing questions.

When it comes to Ragland

 

I am torn between what I actually saw....which was getting pulled from a championship game because he could not cover

 

and

 

all kinds of people saying he is a under rated cover guy

 

which is it?

if he can cover a bit in zone but blow the snot out of anything coming off the line i like him.

If he is not footbal smart and needs time . No at 19.

Nineteen has to, must and better be impact day one

[NoSaint]

It still amazes me how many fans fight against the idea of testing/using test results -- I don't think I've ever seen someone say the wonderlic is an end all be all. But neither is a 4.4 vs 4.5 forty, 18 vs 22 bench reps... or a 17 vs 22 wonderlic. It's all part of creating the well rounded picture of a prospect and learning another piece about him.

 

If a guys score is terribly abnormal I want to know why and whether it'll effect me if I'm a GM though.

[3rdand12]

It still amazes me how many fans fight against the idea of testing/using test results -- I don't think I've ever seen someone say the wonderlic is an end all be all. But neither is a 4.4 vs 4.5 forty, 18 vs 22 bench reps... or a 17 vs 22 wonderlic. It's all part of creating the well rounded picture of a prospect and learning another piece about him.

 

If a guys score is terribly abnormal I want to know why and whether it'll effect me if I'm a GM though.

peel that onion. the only way to know is to dig into the player personal style. We fans can assume all day long