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MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs · 04-27-2012, 10:46 AM

Morris Claiborne: I blew off Wonderlic
Updated: April 27, 2012, 11:30 AM ET
By Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com

Cowboys Fill One Need On Draft Day 1

ESPNDallas' Calvin Watkins and Todd Archer look at the Cowboys 1st pick of Morris Claiborne but know they still have a lot of work to do.
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IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys first-round draft pick Morris Claiborne said he pretty much blew off the Wonderlic test at the NFL scouting combine, resulting in what has been reported as a single-digit score.

The former LSU defensive back, selected sixth overall Thursday night, told reporters that he didn't take the test seriously.

More from ESPN.com

Morris Claiborne wasn't expecting a phone call on draft night from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. It was a nice surprise after all he went through before the NFL draft, writes ESPN.com's Ashley Fox. Story

The Cowboys made an aggressive decision in going after the top-rated defender on their board in Morris Claiborne, writes ESPNDallas.com's Jean-Jacques Taylor. Story

"I mean, I looked on the test and wasn't nothing on the test that came with football, so I pretty much blew the test off," Claiborne said.

The Wonderlic consists of 50 questions that must be answered in 12 minutes. Scores on the Wonderlic are kept confidential by the league. But the prospects' scores -- especially low scores -- occasionally have been leaked to the media, despite commissioner Roger Goodell warning teams of "significant discipline" if they're caught disclosing results.

Claiborne reportedly had a score of 4, the lowest reported score in a dozen years. The average score for NFL prospects is 21.

Claiborne said he knew the test score would not affect his draft stock, but he admitted that he was bothered by some of the public mocking he endured after the score was reported.

"When it came out, some of the things that were said ... I'm human, so I had a problem with some of it, but I didn't let that get me down," Claiborne said. "I know what type of person I am. I know that test doesn't reflect on how I learn or what type of a person I am."

LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis made a point to publicly defend Claiborne's football intelligence after the Wonderlic score was reported.

"I've heard what's out there about that test, but I also know the kid, who he is and what he did for us," Chavis told ESPN.com's Chris Low. "We run a very multiple scheme. You don't just line up and play in our scheme. You have to know what's going on and be able to make adjustments.

"You have to be able to think and move and do those things, and let me tell you: I've coached a lot of great players, and Mo Claiborne had no problem picking up anything in our system and doing all the things we wanted him to do."

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Claiborne's low Wonderlic score was "not an issue at all." He praised the cornerback's football instincts and ability to take coaching.

"We talk about the test scores, but we also talk about, 'What is his football IQ?' " coach Jason Garrett said. "He has instincts, he has vision, he has the ability to make plays at his position at an elite level."

04-27-2012, 10:46 AM	#86
MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs Diamond Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,082	Morris Claiborne: I blew off Wonderlic Updated: April 27, 2012, 11:30 AM ET By Tim MacMahon \| ESPNDallas.com Cowboys Fill One Need On Draft Day 1 ESPNDallas' Calvin Watkins and Todd Archer look at the Cowboys 1st pick of Morris Claiborne but know they still have a lot of work to do. NEXT VIDEO Grading The Cowboys First Round IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys first-round draft pick Morris Claiborne said he pretty much blew off the Wonderlic test at the NFL scouting combine, resulting in what has been reported as a single-digit score. The former LSU defensive back, selected sixth overall Thursday night, told reporters that he didn't take the test seriously. More from ESPN.com Morris Claiborne wasn't expecting a phone call on draft night from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. It was a nice surprise after all he went through before the NFL draft, writes ESPN.com's Ashley Fox. Story The Cowboys made an aggressive decision in going after the top-rated defender on their board in Morris Claiborne, writes ESPNDallas.com's Jean-Jacques Taylor. Story "I mean, I looked on the test and wasn't nothing on the test that came with football, so I pretty much blew the test off," Claiborne said. The Wonderlic consists of 50 questions that must be answered in 12 minutes. Scores on the Wonderlic are kept confidential by the league. But the prospects' scores -- especially low scores -- occasionally have been leaked to the media, despite commissioner Roger Goodell warning teams of "significant discipline" if they're caught disclosing results. Claiborne reportedly had a score of 4, the lowest reported score in a dozen years. The average score for NFL prospects is 21. Claiborne said he knew the test score would not affect his draft stock, but he admitted that he was bothered by some of the public mocking he endured after the score was reported. "When it came out, some of the things that were said ... I'm human, so I had a problem with some of it, but I didn't let that get me down," Claiborne said. "I know what type of person I am. I know that test doesn't reflect on how I learn or what type of a person I am." LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis made a point to publicly defend Claiborne's football intelligence after the Wonderlic score was reported. "I've heard what's out there about that test, but I also know the kid, who he is and what he did for us," Chavis told ESPN.com's Chris Low. "We run a very multiple scheme. You don't just line up and play in our scheme. You have to know what's going on and be able to make adjustments. "You have to be able to think and move and do those things, and let me tell you: I've coached a lot of great players, and Mo Claiborne had no problem picking up anything in our system and doing all the things we wanted him to do." Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Claiborne's low Wonderlic score was "not an issue at all." He praised the cornerback's football instincts and ability to take coaching. "We talk about the test scores, but we also talk about, 'What is his football IQ?' " coach Jason Garrett said. "He has instincts, he has vision, he has the ability to make plays at his position at an elite level." Last edited by MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs; 04-27-2012 at 10:47 AM.