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Andrew lucknews1/17/2024 ![]() But we’ll be hearing plenty about the scholastic Herbert with the predictable level of suspicion about what that says of his NFL future. Touted as a can’t-miss prospect, Luck wasn’t really subjected to that level of scrutiny coming out in 2012, even in a semi-manufactured Pepsi Challenge with eventual No. “But when you are a future top QB, everything will be scrutinized and picked apart.” “It is something to delve into deeper to find out how committed dedicated he is to football - one piece of a complex puzzle. “I wouldn’t say a bad thing,” the scout said. I ran this theory past a senior-level NFL scout and former GM. Intelligence outside of that sphere is cast with doubt in some decision makers’ minds. But it’s not a stretch to suggest that they want the right kind of smarts, the type that come with obsessing over breaking down defensive schemes and making lightning-fast decisions. It’s not that NFL scouts don’t value intelligence in prospects, especially in quarterbacks. Imagine the Bengals or Dolphins or whomever passing on a potential franchise QB for fears he might one day prefer to split an atom for spits and giggles. And though that reputation could cost him as little as a single draft slot, that might be the kind of ridiculous tiebreaker that could haunt a franchise for decades. Talent tends to trump everything in the end more often than not, or at least it should in cases such as these.īut viewing Herbert as the dreaded smart player with outside interests is a very realizable fate. ![]() well, that’s about the most linearly flawed logic imaginable. Saying Luck is smart and Herbert is smart, and Luck retired early, ergo so will Herbert. No, NFL scouts will not hate Herbert because he’s book smart. What happens if he gets hurt again in a significant way this season? It’s hard not to look at Herbert, who took Biology 212 (touted as “one of the hardest classes on campus”) this year over leaving early for the NFL, and see how he might be viewed differently - and now through a post-Luck lens - during the run-up to the 2020 draft.Įspecially after fighting through a broken collarbone and a shoulder injury the past two seasons. ![]() Will Oregon QB Justin Herbert be knocked by portions of the NFL for his academic interests? (Getty Images) How Justin Herbert might be labeled next year It could be a fairly bountiful crop at the position next spring. Herbert is rated as our 2020 NFL draft QB1 entering the season, just a tick ahead of Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa. All the traits of stardom have been on display, with consistency (along with some unsure-handed receivers) the biggest thing holding him back. But it also wouldn’t be shocking if he ascends to that level as a player with a strong senior season. Oregon’s Justin Herbert might not be the NFL’s next Luck-level, can’t-miss prospect. It brought me back to the story Thamel wrote a few days earlier about another quarterback with rare gifts and academic interests. He wrote an enlightening piece about the Luck he knew - the erudite, unlikely star who stayed at Stanford an extra year, despite the NFL’s clarion call as an eventually first-overall pick. Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel was the common thread here. But the NFL has a way of conflating players’ personalities, intelligence and interests that made me fear it’s inevitable on some level. “This, players say, is Luck’s brilliance, even if it is unintentional.”Ĭlick here for the full story from The Wall Street Journal.I hope there isn’t. “Former Stanford teammates, for instance, say there’s likely an element of gamesmanship, but that’s secondary to his sincere respect for a good play - even one that resulted in him getting knocked off his feet,” Clark writes. “With Luck, you thought you hurt the guy, you hear, ‘Good job,’ and you just say, ‘Aw, man.’”Īccording to The Journal, the most likely reason Luck does it because he is a really nice guy. “You know if you hear a quarterback get mad, you are in his head. “So then I’m the one who gets ticked off because an upbeat attitude isn’t something you see.” I’m like, ‘What’s going on? Aren’t you supposed to be mad?’” Carroll said. “Then I realised it was Luck who said it. Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Nolan Carroll experienced a similar thing when he heard a “Great job, Nolan!” after hitting Luck. Luck compliments opposing players when they hammer him.
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