S2 Cognitive Scores Debate, Chris Ballard Says Everyone is Lying, and Other NFL Bullets
Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard summed up the current state of the draft chatter surrounding the best and brightest converging on Kansas City this week with one line: “Everybody is lying,’’ Ballard said. “I might be the most honest, unfortunately. But everybody is lying.’’
- Well, he isn’t lying about at least that fact. But, of course, everyone is lying, at least to a certain degree. In his media availability this week, Ballard said he has yet to learn how the three picks in front of the Colts will unfold. And quite frankly, I can’t disagree with him. At one point, I was convinced that the top three picks would be Stroud, Young, and Anderson save for a Cardinals trade-back. Now, not so much. Well, not at all, really.
- Would the QB shakeup caused by the recently reported S2 leaks cause the Colts to pivot from the long-standing belief that they’re taking a quarterback at No. 4? Who knows, Ballard wasn’t tipping his hand. However, Ballard did complement the depth or talent at other positions in this draft class. So, if they pivot, they’re comfortable with what’s out there at different positions.
“There’s always this assumption that we’ve targeted one player,’’ Ballard said. “I don’t know if that’s an accurate assumption. Matter of fact, I say it’s not.’
“It’s a good o-line draft,’’ Ballard said. “I’ll tell you, tight ends is about as good as I’ve ever seen. Secondary, cornerback in particular, really good depth. Defensive line, defensive end especially I thought really good depth.’’
- Speaking of the S2 cognition test, some leaked scores have caused quite the stir in the NFL world this week. Bob McGinn shared some S2 scores provided to him by “multiple sources” in his annual pre-draft look at the quarterback class. McGinn’s sources told him that “[Bryce] Young’s total score was 98% whereas [C.J.] Stroud’s total score was 18%.”
- That sure as hell explains the sudden tailspin that C.J. Stroud’s draft stock is in, at least in the public space. However, why should we take this information as gospel? Didn’t Chris Ballard say that everyone is lying? McGinn’s source noted that Stroud’s score indicates that he is a bust and somehow correlates his score and potential to fellow Ohio State quarterbacks …
“Stroud scored 18,” an executive said. “That is like red alert, red alert, you can’t take a guy like that. That is why I have Stroud as a bust. That in conjunction with the fact, name one Ohio State quarterback that’s ever done it in the league.”
- McGinn’s source also likened Bryce Young to Joe Burrow, which seems like a stretch outside of their alleged S2 scores. While I’m not sure what to believe here, and there’s probably some truth to it, this smells like a source with an agenda fueling McGinn’s column that has served as a death sentence for Stroud’s chances of being taken No. 1 overall.
- Oh, and if you needed anymore reason to take these reported leaks with a grain of salt, here’s the founder of the test warning you to do so:
- The one leaked score I take as gospel is Bryce Young’s score. Why? Because S2’s Brandon Ally said recently that he felt that Bryce Young’s scores would become public by Young, who owns his results since he has been taking the test every year since the 10th grade. Ally couldn’t release the score but hinted that it was very impressive.
- So, it’s safe to assume that Bryce Young did very well on the test. But, there’s still the question of how Young will overcome his vertical shortcomings. In a recent interview with PFT, Young addressed the realities of having large linemen in front of him.
“I think it’s a lot about anticipation, knowing where your guys are going be, and then knowing where the defense [will be],” Young said.
He added that much of it also comes from diagnosing and understanding the coverages, and then “trying to find throwing lane and seeing in between and again, even when you can’t see, it’s knowing where people are going to be at based off of understanding the concept, understanding the defense you’re getting, and knowing what you have to account for and who you have to account for based off where you’re trying to throw.”
As he explained, it’s about processing information, “whether it’s a clean pocket or there’s a bunch of people getting pushed back into my face.”
- I can’t believe the way that Drew Smily’s perfecto bid was lost on Friday …
- The Bulls could learn a thing or two from the Raptors front office …
