FanPost

Does Combine Choose Winners or Wieners at QB?

As we all watched RG3 and Luck outperform others athletically I could not help but admire them. However, during the passing drills I watched what real QB's do, throw. Except RG3 and Luck did not throw. Though they gave excellent explanations for why they were not throwing, I couldn't help but turn my admiration to the unathletic guys who were actually making great throws. Yes, I know some are too short, too, slow, and Mel Kiper has them going in the 4th or 5th rounds (same guy who still thinks Clausen should have been picked #1 overall.) Yes, the QB's didn't know the receivers, but Kellen Moore demonstrated great timing. I mean with 50 wins the guy can play. Russel Wilson, also has great arm strength, he threw some great outs. To me, these were the real winners. Why do I say that? Well when you look back on the last decade of Combine results, its not the guys who are physically more amazing that win Superbowls, it's actually the meek and weak.

The following stats reveal the best QB speed of that years Combine with their Wonderlic score if available. I listed the top QB's of this decade, minus Peyton at the bottom. It is interesting that the winners (of Superbowls that is) are just average athletes, but usually score high on the Wonderlic. Donavan McNabb had a good 40 yard dash time, but scored 14 on the Wonderlic. No wonder he couldn't grasp the offense. I do think the RG3 is unusual in that he is both quick and smart. Yet, on average the David Carr's of the world don't always make a good NFL QB.

1999 Daunte Culpepper

18

4.52

2000 Tee Martin

11

4.58

2001 Michael Vick

20

*4.33

2002 Ronald Curry

22

4.59

2003 Seneca Wallace

12

4.56

2004 Luke McCown

24

4.71

2005 Stefan LeFors

35

4.56

2006 Reggie McNeal

4.40

2006 Vince Young

15

*4.48

2007 Jared Zabransky

36

4.56

2008 Kevin O'Connell

24

4.61

2009 Pat White

4.55

2010 Jarrett Brown

4.50

2011 Tyrod Taylor

4.47

2005 Aaron Rodgers

39

4.71

2004 Eli Manning

39

*4.90

2001 Drew Brees

28

4.83

2000 Tom Brady

33

5.28