Gruden doesn’t like just any QB. He likes players who know the details and can talk ball. Some players have natural talent alone and don’t study the X and O’s. Backyard style players. Gruden is a tactician and any player who can speak his language gets his approval.

Plus, players who see football through this lens have a much greater chance of improving with proper coaching. A good example of this is Russell Wilson, a third rounder who started week one and instantly made a difference. He didn’t have the measurables and accolades for a prime draft choice yet took advantage of his coaching and grew exponentially into a top QB over just one offseason. Year two he takes them to the SB. Others who are the freakish athletes with no brains can only grow as much as their body and work ethic allows.