With only about 360 days until the 2008 Heisman Trophy is handed out it’s time to start answering some of the tough questions of next year and look back at the 2007 winner and losers:
Is Tim Tebow done with his Thank You speech yet? 
How pissed is Darren McFadden last year he lost and everyone said, “It’s because you’re a sophomore” this year he lost…to a sophomore.
Who does Tim Tebow vote for next year?
Is it possible to win back – to – back trophies ever again? Leinart’s Senior numbers were better than his Junior numbers but he lost.
Will the trophy ever be given to anyone without the word “back” in their position ever again?
Should the trophy be re-awarded as the best “Back” in the game? Not since Desmond Howard in 1991 has anyone without “back” in their position won it. Cornerback Charles Woodson edged out Quarterback Peyton Manning in 1997 as the only Defensive player in the last 57 years. (4 out of the 92 total winners did not have the word “back” in their position).
Top Candidates for the 2008 Trophy (going into the offseason, draft announcements could change these results):
Tim Tebow, Florida – He has improved each year, surprised a lot of people through limited playing time his Freshman year to turn around and score 51 regular season touchdowns his Sophomore year. Impressive. He’ll have a good chance to go BCS Bowling next year with improved Gator talent, vets who were there in 2006, and a lot of players leaving for the draft on other teams.
KNOCK: In his first season as QB1 he led his team to 3 heart-breaking losses, does he have the stuff to lead the program successfully his Junior year? Also, since Archie Griffin voters are absolutely opposed to having a 2-time winner, don’t expect a lot of votes unless he scores 60+ TDs next season.
Darren McFadden, Arkansas – Deserved the trophy in 2006 and was in the running in 2007. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even supposed to be a starter last year. The chances he stays are slim, but after an unimpressive season for the Hogs maybe he’ll stick around to try to help turn the program around.
KNOCK: 4 losses this season including a 17 carry 43 yard performance against Auburn. Also the high probability he will enter the NFL Draft.
Chase Daniel, Mizzou – Led Missouri to the number 1 ranking this past season. I’ll repeat, led Missouri to the #1 ranking this past season. He finished off this season with only 10 INTs to 33 TDs with an offense that was scouted by saying, “Come to Mizzou, we’re Division 1, I swear, you’ve probably seen us on the bottom of the Big XII for years”. If he stays he will improve.
KNOCK: The same reason he is at Mizzou instead of Texas or Oklahoma, size, he is not the typical quarterback size. He is under 6 foot which means occasionally heaving off his back foot under pressure which leads to turnovers. Also in his 2 biggest games (Oklahoma and Oklahoma) he had more INT’s than TDs . Those were the only two games this season where that happened.
Sam Bradford, Oklahoma – As a True Freshman under an immense amount of pressure at a Big XII powerhouse Bradford accumulated 34 TDs and only 7 INTs. He got knocked out early against Texas Tech, and Oklahoma lost by 7. He was limited against Colorado, and Oklahoma lost by 3. Oklahoma was well deserving of a shot at the National Championship over LSU and did not get the nod. Tim Tebow has opened the door for Sophomores to win the Bronze Stiff-Arm, and Bradford just might be the leading candidate.
KNOCK: He will be a Sophomore, and Tebow has not guaranteed that the age bias will go away. After a couple of injuries, will he make it through next season? Will he suffer a Sophomore Slump?
Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech – Absolutely ASTOUNDING numbers his freshman year. 125 receptions and 21 TDs for the true freshman (Tim Brown’s Heisman Winning season he had 39 Receptions for 3 TDs). The pass happy Red Raiders will only look to amass greater numbers next year, but will teams just triple cover him and allow him no catches. He is dangerous.
KNOCK: He plays at Texas Tech, and like Bradford will be a Sophomore. He can’t control how many looks he gets, there are two reasons few Wide Receivers win the Trophy. The Forward Pass wasn’t nearly that common early on and teams can guard WRs and game-plan them. If a defense takes away a QBs best target, it doesn’t matter there will be another one somewhere. The word “back” is nowhere in his position title.
Don’t be surprised to see at least 3 of the above players in New York for the ceremony next year. And surprisingly in the running for Heisman there may be 2 sophomores and a past winner as leading candidates. Something that is pretty rare in the game, but we’re looking at some serious talent next year. And don’t’ forget that there will be others vying for a chance to strike the Desmond next fall.
UPDATE: Check out Part 1 and Part 2 for updated Heisman Candidates
Also receiving votes (from me): Todd Boeckman and Chris Beanie Wells from Ohio State, Pat White and Steve Slaton from WVU if they stay, Knowshon Moreno from Georgia, Graham Harrell from Texas Tech, Colt McCoy from Texas, and the longshot Senior Willie Tuitama from Arizona.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
2008 Heisman Watch
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16 comments:
NOEL DEVINE IS ONE TO WATCH FOR IN "08" HEISMAN RACE . WITH JUST SIXTY CARRIES HE PUT UP AN IMPRESSIVE FIVE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN YARDS.WITH AN AVERAGE 8.65 PER CARRY,WHAT MIGHT HE DO WITH 15 OR 20 CARRIES PER GAME IN 11 GAMES.ON THE MODEST SIDE IT'S OVER 1400 YARDS.IT MAY BE A LONG SHOT! HOWEVER "07" SHOULD HAVE TOLD US ONE THING.IT'S THE DARK HORSE WHO OFTEN WINS THE RACE!!!
How about Armanti Edwards from App St. We all saw what he did to the big boys. There is no player in ALL of college football that is better. And remember The Heisman goes to the best college football player. Not the best BCS player.
Noel Devine baby!!!!
Ok....Just because Pat White isn't a deadly accurate passer, doesn't mean he should be left out of the Heisman discussion. The man is talented in all areas...passing, running...good decision-making...the only thing that's gonna hurt him this year is the presence of Devine...remember that Devine played in the shadow of Steve Slaton this year, and still raised eyebrows nationally. However, you can't have a good running game without someone behind the ball who can handle it...And, yes I remember the USF game, before anyone mentions it LOL
Armanti Edwards is the Truth. He should win the Heisman, he's the best all around football player in the country. He handled Michigan, who in turn, handled Tib Tebow's Florida, what other proof do you need...
Well arguments like...
"Armanti Edwards is the Truth. He should win the Heisman, he's the best all around football player in the country. He handled Michigan, who in turn, handled Tib Tebow's Florida, what other proof do you need..."
So then Arizona should have won the National Championship last year right?
After all, Arizona beat Oregon, who beat Michigan, who beat Florida, who beat Kentucky, who beat LSU. Just send the trophy back to Tucson.
Edwards is in a lower conference, it doesn't matter, there is not chance in hell that he would get enough votes to win.
The best player in the country is Knowshon Moreno. The best team in the country is Georgia. 2008 is all Dawgs and poor little Tim Tebow can run off the field crying like the little b*tch that he is once again
Graham Harrell. Period. NO ONE is better. NO ONE more accurate. NO ONE more poised. NO ONE who thows a million passes a game and still has so few interceptions. Any NFL team would be lucky to have him.
lol did he really say armanti edwards?? lol the dude is on a Division 2 football team that beat a WHACK! ass michagin team. if he was on a d-1 team doin sumthin then you have an argument but as long as hes on that team NO DAMN WAY!!!! mike goodson!!!! will be in the race for the heisman. running back outta texas a&m
i think you forgot to mechen a guy by the name of Pecry Harvin, if the gators score 30-50 points a game like they should in 08 and he can stay healthy he will definetly be a canidate for the heisman. Not to menchen he's got last years heisman Tim "The Truth" Tebow as his quaterback to take alot of the pressure off of him of having to lead the offense. The gators are very powerfull again this year and if you dont know the name Percy Harvin yet i promise you will by the end of 08.
To the haters: Stay on your Bubble and keep watching other D1 programs through your Pretty little Coke Bottle. Things seem grander when bent. Do me a favor, Look past the nose on your face and see that App Stats is producing fine talent that has infiltrated the NFL. Explain with a definite reason why Armanti Edwards should not be considered as a Heisman candidate. Think real hard before you need salt for your foot! Win or lose we will see Aug. 30th! Hope you're listening and watching lots of tape--LSU fans we have something for you. Smooch
To Anonymous, please read the following article for my response as to why Edwards will not win the Heisman:
http://thebeardown.blogspot.com/2008/01/follow-up-to-reader.html
NOEL DIVINE IS THE FASTEST RUNNING BACK IN THE NATION JUST ASK OU THEY HAD NO CHANCE. IF DEVINE DONT WIN THE HESIMAN THEN PAT WHITE WILL WVU IS A POWER HOUSE AND NOW THAT RICH IS GONE THEY CAN PLAY BALL THE MOUNTAINEER WAY.
Or not to all those guys, don't get me wrong, they're all good but you guys forgot about Chris "Beanie" Wells from OSU. He's a man among boys out there. He runs like he's been a starter in the NFL for 8 years. AND he's only a junior.
THE MOUNTAINEERS WILL HAVE THE PRESSURE OFF FROM A COACH LIKE RICHIE RICH,THAT PLAYED MENTAL GAMES WITH THE PLAYERS,TO MAKE HIMSELF FEEL SUPERIOR.THEY WILL BE A MORE RELAXED TEAM THAT WILL PLAY WITH MORE CONFIDENCE.AND AT THE END OF THE YEAR WILL BE PLAYING FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND WIN!!!
Percy Harvin is the fastest man in the NCAA running a a 4.23 40 yard dash...And with Tebow's Pass/Run duo...One of these 2 Guys will Win the Heisman...And Together the Florida Gators Will Win The National Championship...Oh yeah and Knowshon Moreno..Is a Pud..Brandin Spikes will light his world up.
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