Comments on: Switching Gears to the Sports World… http://www.simulmedia.com/2009/04/switching-gears-to-the-sports-world/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=switching-gears-to-the-sports-world Just another WordPress site Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:35:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Stewart Hauser http://www.simulmedia.com/2009/04/switching-gears-to-the-sports-world/#comment-26 Stewart Hauser Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:56:26 +0000 http://www.simulmedia.com/?p=336#comment-26 Dominic, thanks for the feedback. Fantastic Gladwell article (I read Blink and The Tipping Point but missed that article until now). Gladwell does a good job detailing the "quarterback problem" and then draws an interesting parallel to the teaching profession. I loved The Blind Side. It was nice to see that the main character, Michael Oher, actually panned out--he was the 23rd overall pick of the draft on Saturday, going to the Baltimore Ravens. Your question about the impact of increased pay for Offensive Tackles is very interesting. I haven't read any studies that deal with the issue but will let you know if I find something. Mark Sanchez did take the Wonderlic test, and scored a 28. Matthew Stafford scored a 38, while Josh Freeman, the other quarterback taken in the first round, scored a 27. By comparison, Vince Young reportedly had a score of just 6, while Ryan Fitzpatrick, the former Harvard quarterback who just signed a lucrative deal with the Buffalo Bills, scored either a perfect 50 or very close to it, depending on which report you read. Regardless, as Gladwell points out, the Wonderlic is not a good indicator of success, and of the five quarterbacks taken in the first round in 1999, the most successful one, Donovan McNabb, had the worst Wonderlic score. Thanks for raising these topics. Dominic, thanks for the feedback. Fantastic Gladwell article (I read Blink and The Tipping Point but missed that article until now). Gladwell does a good job detailing the “quarterback problem” and then draws an interesting parallel to the teaching profession.

I loved The Blind Side. It was nice to see that the main character, Michael Oher, actually panned out–he was the 23rd overall pick of the draft on Saturday, going to the Baltimore Ravens. Your question about the impact of increased pay for Offensive Tackles is very interesting. I haven’t read any studies that deal with the issue but will let you know if I find something.

Mark Sanchez did take the Wonderlic test, and scored a 28. Matthew Stafford scored a 38, while Josh Freeman, the other quarterback taken in the first round, scored a 27. By comparison, Vince Young reportedly had a score of just 6, while Ryan Fitzpatrick, the former Harvard quarterback who just signed a lucrative deal with the Buffalo Bills, scored either a perfect 50 or very close to it, depending on which report you read. Regardless, as Gladwell points out, the Wonderlic is not a good indicator of success, and of the five quarterbacks taken in the first round in 1999, the most successful one, Donovan McNabb, had the worst Wonderlic score.

Thanks for raising these topics.

]]> By: Stewart Hauser http://www.simulmedia.com/2009/04/switching-gears-to-the-sports-world/#comment-25 Stewart Hauser Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:17:00 +0000 http://www.simulmedia.com/?p=336#comment-25 Lisbeth, thanks for the questions. Plaxico Burress is a high risk / high reward player who might actually be a great gamble for the Jets. The team could definitely use a top wide receiver. The Jets would have to deal with the circus that might come with a Burress signing, but he is certainly a special talent. You bring up an interesting topic in regards to Jeremy Tyler and other high school basketball stars who choose to play professionally in Europe until, presumably, they are eligible for the NBA. Last summer we witnessed a related phenomenon: established NBA players such as Jannero Pargo and Josh Childress turned down NBA contracts because they could make more money overseas. Exchange rates, tax rules, and economic conditions clearly played a huge role in their decisions. Now we see this trend with high school stars, though it has been several years since the NBA changed its rules regarding eligibility of high schoolers for the NBA Draft. European teenagers can start playing basketball professionally when they are as young as 14 or 15. I see no reason why Americans should be prevented from choosing to skip a year of high school or college to play in Europe, if they are actually talented enough that they can earn money overseas. We'll see how this trend develops. Lisbeth, thanks for the questions. Plaxico Burress is a high risk / high reward player who might actually be a great gamble for the Jets. The team could definitely use a top wide receiver. The Jets would have to deal with the circus that might come with a Burress signing, but he is certainly a special talent.

You bring up an interesting topic in regards to Jeremy Tyler and other high school basketball stars who choose to play professionally in Europe until, presumably, they are eligible for the NBA. Last summer we witnessed a related phenomenon: established NBA players such as Jannero Pargo and Josh Childress turned down NBA contracts because they could make more money overseas. Exchange rates, tax rules, and economic conditions clearly played a huge role in their decisions. Now we see this trend with high school stars, though it has been several years since the NBA changed its rules regarding eligibility of high schoolers for the NBA Draft. European teenagers can start playing basketball professionally when they are as young as 14 or 15. I see no reason why Americans should be prevented from choosing to skip a year of high school or college to play in Europe, if they are actually talented enough that they can earn money overseas. We’ll see how this trend develops.

]]> By: Conor Finnegan http://www.simulmedia.com/2009/04/switching-gears-to-the-sports-world/#comment-24 Conor Finnegan Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:47:11 +0000 http://www.simulmedia.com/?p=336#comment-24 Thanks Dominic. Great link. Thanks Dominic. Great link.

]]> By: Dominic http://www.simulmedia.com/2009/04/switching-gears-to-the-sports-world/#comment-23 Dominic Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:11:23 +0000 http://www.simulmedia.com/?p=336#comment-23 I was reminded me of Malcolm Gladwellbs recent article in the New Yorker where he points out that some professions continue to reward those who have yet to prove themselves in bgame timeb situations. As Gladwell states, the profession with the bmost profound social consequencesb is the profession of teaching, with its hiring practices and tenure. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/12/15/081215fa_fact_gladwell Some things to ponder - - Has the increase in pay for Offensive Tackles (generally top drafts b see Michael Lewisbs bBlind Sideb) had a measurable impact on the game and how do we measure it - Did Sanchez take the Wonderlic Personnel (IQ) Test before the Jets draft? - Is Gladwell aware of the work of Simulmedia? He may be a good thought leader to recruit for your cause...and is supposed to be a great public speaker. I was reminded me of Malcolm Gladwellbs recent article in the New Yorker where he points out that some professions continue to reward those who have yet to prove themselves in bgame timeb situations. As Gladwell states, the profession with the bmost profound social consequencesb is the profession of teaching, with its hiring practices and tenure.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/12/15/081215fa_fact_gladwell

Some things to ponder -
- Has the increase in pay for Offensive Tackles (generally top drafts b see Michael Lewisbs bBlind Sideb) had a measurable impact on the game and how do we measure it
- Did Sanchez take the Wonderlic Personnel (IQ) Test before the Jets draft?
- Is Gladwell aware of the work of Simulmedia? He may be a good thought leader to recruit for your cause…and is supposed to be a great public speaker.

]]> By: lisbeth http://www.simulmedia.com/2009/04/switching-gears-to-the-sports-world/#comment-22 lisbeth Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:35:16 +0000 http://www.simulmedia.com/?p=336#comment-22 Ok, but what's your take on JETS reaching out to BURRESS? and what about H.SCHOOL basketball stars choosing Europe before school and the NFL? Ok, but what’s your take on JETS reaching out to BURRESS? and what about H.SCHOOL basketball stars choosing Europe before school and the NFL?

]]> By: Stewart Hauser http://www.simulmedia.com/2009/04/switching-gears-to-the-sports-world/#comment-21 Stewart Hauser Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:53:45 +0000 http://www.simulmedia.com/?p=336#comment-21 Thanks AJ. Pedro might not wind up anywhere; he's working out in the Dominican Republic and holding out for $5M. I could see him taking a bit less if it came from a warm-weather playoff contender such as the Angels, but otherwise he'll demand the full $5M and I'm not sure if any team will meet that price. The Angels and Nationals are the two most likely destinations. For the Kentucky Derby, I like Bob Baffert's Pioneer of the Nile, with Chocolate Candy as my sleeper. As for your tennis question, I enjoy watching the sport but unfortunately don't follow it too closely, so your guess is probably better than mine in terms of rankings. Thanks AJ. Pedro might not wind up anywhere; he’s working out in the Dominican Republic and holding out for $5M. I could see him taking a bit less if it came from a warm-weather playoff contender such as the Angels, but otherwise he’ll demand the full $5M and I’m not sure if any team will meet that price. The Angels and Nationals are the two most likely destinations. For the Kentucky Derby, I like Bob Baffert’s Pioneer of the Nile, with Chocolate Candy as my sleeper. As for your tennis question, I enjoy watching the sport but unfortunately don’t follow it too closely, so your guess is probably better than mine in terms of rankings.

]]> By: aj http://www.simulmedia.com/2009/04/switching-gears-to-the-sports-world/#comment-20 aj Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:57:47 +0000 http://www.simulmedia.com/?p=336#comment-20 Great observations. Speaking of pitching prospects, where will Pedro end up? Handicapping the Derby? How do your tennis rankings sit versus USTA? Great observations. Speaking of pitching prospects, where will Pedro end up? Handicapping the Derby? How do your tennis rankings sit versus USTA?

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