[EvilLook]

People tend to assume that you have to be a big, dumb meathead to be good at things like rugby and American football. The aptitude test given by the NFL is called the Wonderlic Test, but it is used in other fields. The average test results by profession are as follows:

  Systems Analyst – 32
  Chemist – 31
  Electrical Engineer – 30
  Engineer – 29
  Programmer – 29
  Accountant – 28
  Executive – 28
  Reporter – 28
  Teacher – 28
  Copywriter – 27
  Investment Analyst – 27
  Librarian – 27
  Electronics technician – 26
  Salesperson – 25
  Secretary – 24
  Dispatcher – 23
  Drafter – 23
  Electrician – 23
  Nurse – 23
  Bank teller – 22
  Cashier – 21

The average score per NFL position is as follows:

  Offensive tackle – 26
  Center – 25
  Quarterback – 24 (Most teams want at least 21 for a quarterback.)
  Guard – 23
  Tight end – 22
  Safety – 19
  Linebacker – 19
  Cornerback – 18
  Wide receiver – 17
  Fullback – 17
  Halfback – 16

So the big, beefy guys taking all the hits right in front of the quarterback, on average, score better then the quarterbacks, and on average, score better then electricians, draftsmen, salespeople, and nurses.

[pdeuchler]

The NFL scores correlate well to skill vs talent positions.

It's also worth mentioning that the O-line often has the largest cognitive overhead during a game, as they have to memorize and execute complex blocking schemes, work together to enact subtle feints, read/pick up blitzes/additional rushers, all while fending off an equally large and quick defensive tackle. The center can also override the quarterback's play calls (under certain offenses) if he notices a defensive shift or audible.

It's definitely possible to win a Super Bowl without a star quarterback, wide receiver or running back, but nigh upon impossible to win it with a weak front line.

[arethuza]

I was impressed that he could qualify as a doctor at the same time as playing top level rugby.

I know a few people who've gone on to succesful careers after playing rugby at a high level - but they did one then the other.

[ropz]

In fairness, his medical school helped him to study part time while he played rugby - but hey, there's no need to dilute a great achievement.

[pionar]

I've met Coby Fleener (I live in Indianapolis.) He's a very smart and just unbelievably nice guy.

Although, it's not that hard to believe. Many many offensive linemen come from top-tier schools (like Fleener, who went to Stanford) and it's becoming more common for QB's to do this as well (like Andrew Luck, who went to, well... Stanford).

Although, it's interesting that in the average scores, the "skill" positions (WR, FB, HB, etc.) all have lower averages than the non-skill positions.

[run4yourlives]

Not really all that interesting - the "arms race" in those positions over offence and defense is still very much stronger, faster, higher; along with the opportunity for creativity and improvisation being quite low. The other positions are more about the opposite.

One thing I didn't expect though was for safety to be so average. I thought it might be a little higher given the fluidity of the position, but then again safeties are usually bit players in the defense. Personally, I'd love to see a team try to run a defense through the safety.