Gamecock Man's Blogger Heisman Ballot
by Gamecock Man on Dec 13, 2008 12:48 AM EST
in Football
16 comments
I recently submitted a ballot for a blogger Heisman poll hosted by The Blue Workhorse. You can see the results here; as you will see, Tim Tebow brought home the hardware, with Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy coming in second and third, respectively. In the interest of transparency but at the risk of angering Gatorpilot, here's my ballot.
1. Sam Bradford
2. Tim Tebow
3. Shonn Greene
Why did I go against my loyalty to the SEC and vote for Bradford over Tebow, you ask? Let's do a quick comparison of these two great QBs to find out.
A few things stand out to me here. First of all, Bradford threw for almost 4500 yards this year, he threw 48 TDs, and he has a 186.3 passer rating. Tebow, by comparison, has 2500 yards, 28 TDs, and a 176.7 rating. Both QBs have a similarly impressive TD-INT ratio. Clearly, Bradford has had the better year throwing the ball; he has, in fact, had one of the best we've seen in recent memory. Some will say that Tebow could have thrown for as many yards if called upon to do so. That's probably true; when you compare the two, they're fairly similar in terms of yards per completion. However, the fact of the matter is that the Gators don't throw the ball as much as Oklahoma and that Bradford has had the better year statistically.
A couple of other arguments for Tebow are that he (1) added over 500 yards on the ground and (2) has a special 'it' factor that goes along with being a team leader that picked his team up on his back after a tough loss and has led them the rest of the way. To me, the second of these is the more important; Tebow's rushing yards are impressive, but even with them he doesn't account for anywhere near the yardage Bradford has put up. However, it's undeniable that the guy has had a certain magic to him during the second half of the season. His performance in the SECCG, moreover, was flawless and stirring. For this reason, a lot of people say that Tebow deserves the award.
However, I think we should also pause and consider Bradford's leadership abilities. While Bradford may not be quite as visible or photogenic as a chest-pounding Tebow, you can't deny that Bradford has orchestrated one of the most potent offenses college football has seen in a long, long time. The Sooners have scored over 60 points in their last five games, they have scored over 50 in nine, and over 40 in all but one. Unlike Florida, moreover, the Sooners do this with offense; the Gators have a great offense, but a lot of their blowouts have come by virtue of opportunistic defensive and special teams play. And Bradford is the guy that makes it all click for Oklahoma. I say that if Tebow gets special credit for being a leader, Bradford gets credit for what he means to such a great offense. And while I'd like to say that Oklahoma doesn't have to go up against tough SEC defenses, saying that this year would be a little disingenuous. So that's why I picked Bradford.
As far as Greene goes, I couldn't fill out a Heisman ballot without voting for the country's best RB. He may or may not be as deserving as McCoy, but I just didn't think it would be right to vote for three QBs.
So, everyone, who would you vote for?
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Thanks for the Greene vote
But even I can’t say that he was third. He was fourth (at best, and not even that) behind Bradford, Tebow, McCoy and Harrell.
All I can say is I’m glad I don’t have an actual Heisman ballot, because this year would be impossible to decide amongst the big 3 (Tebow, Bradford, McCoy). Though, gun to my head, I’d probably flip a coin between Bradford and McCoy because, to my mind, Tebow ranks about a 1/4 step below those two. Maybe it’s because his numbers last year were so astronomical; maybe it’s because of the constant media verbal fellatio of all things Tebow, but I just can’t say he was more deserving than one of the other two.
The real odd-man out here, however, is Harrell. He, and his entire team, have been slighted all year because “it’s just Texas Tech.” The loss to Oklahoma was bad, but not nearly as catastrophic as the media has portrayed it to be as a means of dismissing Tech from the Big XII and national title picture. It’s yet another example of the national media distorting any available evidence to fit their preconceived conventional wisdom, facts (in this case stats) on the ground be damned.
But hey, thanks again for the vote for Greene, we’ll take any acknowledgment, even if it isn’t deserved (in the very rarefied air of this year’s Heisman race).
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
by HoyaGoon on Dec 13, 2008 4:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Tebow?
I look at which team would still be able to be successful without their Heisman candidate. Florida drops off only slightly to me. Texas drops like a stone—in fact, I cannot even name aanother player on that team whereas I know several players from the Florida team. Oklahoma sees moderate drop off but could very well be where they are right now without him. Iowa is NOTHING without Greene. The entire TEAM revolves around him. The defense could not play bend don’t break if we were always three and out or quick strike. We play action pass almost 80% of the time.
Tebow is a great leader but he is the least accurate of those QBs, he runs when guys are open, he holds on to the ball too long and only throws when the guy is wide open. Harrell is not very accurate either but will go to this fourth receiver. Bradford is Joe Montana with a better arm and taller.
MY ballot:
Greene
McCoy
Bradford
Harrell
Crabtree
"I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first."
- George Rogers, one-time South Carolina RB
by StoopsMyAss on Dec 13, 2008 8:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
As much as I like Tebow, I agree that he's a media phenomenon to a certain degree...
Tebow has climbed back into the Heisman race after being far behind Bradford, McCoy, and Harrell most of the year because the media has conferred some special quality of leadership upon him that they won’t give the other candidates. Why aren’t Bradford, Harrell, or even Greene given the same due, when all three have led their teams to similar levels of improved play down the stretch? For me, the stats just aren’t there for Tebow like they are for Bradford.
As far as Florida being the same without Tebow, I have to disagree. Have you seen John Brantley, their backup QB? The guy can’t do half the things that Tebow can do. One of the thing people forget when they look at Florida and say that they could win with any QB because they have so much talent is that Urban Meyer’s spread option relies on a trained option QB that can make good reads, knows how to pitch the ball, and can tuck and run when he needs to, can throw a downfield strike while on the run, etc. Tebow does all these things very well, which is why the Gators offense clicks like it does with him under center. In a sense, I would say that Tebow is the most essential of any of these candidates to his team’s success because his skills are perfectly adapted for success in Urban’s system. There’s a reason every SEC fan is drooling in hopes that Tebow leaves after this year. I really don’t think the Gators’ offense will be anything like it was this year if he does.
On the flip side of what you’re saying, you could say that Greene’s success really owes to a good zone blocking scheme, that any RB that can make correct reads could succeed in Iowa’s offense. I doubt anyone could like Greene, but I also don’t think the contingencies are there for him like they are for Tebow.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans. http://www.garnetandblackattack.com
by Gamecock Man on Dec 13, 2008 10:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You know, the more I think about the Harrell thing, I think you're right...
The guy does have a more impressive resume than any of these guys and his team did just as well by some measures. Maybe I should have voted for him.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans. http://www.garnetandblackattack.com
by Gamecock Man on Dec 13, 2008 10:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd go with Colt first,
Bradford second, Tebow third, and Shonn fourth.
Colt first because he leads his team in TWO major offensive categories, passing AND running. That’s a remarkable stat for a Texas offense! He will NOT win the Heisman for one simple completely moronic reason:
A Texas def back dropped a sure interception in the T Tech game. That’s why. And that’s wrong as hell. If UT has no losses then beats Mizzou in the B12 champ game, then Colt is a SHOE-IN. Literally, the only reason Tebow is likely to win is that he had the last laugh, so to speak.
The week before the SEC champ game, on PTI, they basically gave Tebow a ZERO percent chance of winning the Heisman. I think most people agreed.
So why does one good performance—good, but NOT dominant—suddenly win a guy the award?
HYPE. And there’s nothing I despise more than media hype. It’s why we have Paris, Kim, and THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA. or whatever the fuck that awful show is called.
Harrell is great, but I can’t put him above the other two B12 guys. I moved Shonn into fourth since you have to have ONE RB in the mix.
Good grief but I hate media hype.
It shouldn’t.
If it's not too much trouble, search your soul--and then ask yourself if maybe I might have a point.
by The Director on Dec 13, 2008 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Director, I agree 100% on Tebow...
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans. http://www.garnetandblackattack.com
by Gamecock Man on Dec 13, 2008 11:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No way is Greene first...
With all due respect, the Heisman Trophy is is said to go to the greatest player in college football. Shonn Greene is a great player, and might very well win the MVP of NCAA football is there were such an award, but I’d have to give the nod to either McCoy or Tebow(emphasis on McCoy).
by The Feathered Warrior on Dec 13, 2008 11:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Tebow...
There are intangibles that I would factor into it. Who is the BEST player in America, who changes the game, the complexion of the game. That would be the Rhinoback for the Gators. Seriously, a once in a generation player who not only gets it done, but wins. Relatedly then, based on this year, Colt McCoy is second. 3-5 is a circular firing squad between Bradford, Greene and Harrell. But, I think that’s the order:
1. Tebow
2. McCoy
3. Bradford
4. Greene
5. Harrell
"penis fish"…google that, and the candiru is the first thing that pops up
by Stuck in the Plains on Dec 13, 2008 12:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
An honest question
If Tebow hadn’t won the Heisman last year, would he even be in the discussion this year? I don’t believe so. I think that should answer the question about whether Tebow should win. Last year we reward him for monster stats, but this year the monster stats aren’t what’s important, it’s leadership. We need to show a little consistency and applying last year’s standards it’s obvious the guy that should win would be one of the the Big 12 QB’s. Not to take anything away from Tebow, who by all means could go down as the greatest college QB of all time, but he doesn’t make the cut this year IMO.
http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/
by AuditDawg on Dec 13, 2008 1:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
When Shonn Greene destroys everything that is South Carolina on Jan 1
Your life will be spared.
Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon....
by Hayden Fry's Moustache Ride on Dec 13, 2008 1:35 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
My opinion counts for nothing .....
So mine looks like:
1) McCoy
2) tie – Bradford/Harrell
4) Greene
5) Crabtree
McCoy led his team in passing (obviously) and rushing. I’m too lazy to look at his rushing yards, but they’re somewhere around 500. As The Director so ably noted, McCoy is a dropped int from a freshman db away from this being a discussion about 2nd place. Note – McCoy was not on the field when his team suffered their loss, he put them ahead given his opportunity, AT TT. By this stupid logic, I’m disqualifying Tebow, who was directly resposible for the failure on the 4th down play in their loss to Ole Miss, AT home. Bradford is incredible. To be fair, he had the benefit of TWO 1,000 yard rushers in the cartoon offense that is OU this year. Harrell is deserving for leadership, one loss, and for his team getting screwed. Could someone else have done what Crabtree did for TT this year? No – but possibly close, and that’s why he’s 5th. Greene gets 4th because he’s deserving and I’m not at all impartial.
by txhawkeye on Dec 13, 2008 3:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
11 posts without a dick joke
WTF?
Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA
by shake n bake on Dec 13, 2008 4:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I knew voting for Greene would earn some goodwill from you guys...
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans. http://www.garnetandblackattack.com
by Gamecock Man on Dec 13, 2008 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What a joke...
I knew Tebow would wrap up all the east caost votes. If he played at Texas A&M or in the southwest he would have finished 10th.
Florida had two close games, Tebow was basically responsible for their one loss (AT HOME) and was incidental in their other close win. If you put Bradford or McCoy on Florida they never lose that MIss game and win other games by more. He is so media.
Well, enjoy it while it lasts because he becomes Gino Torretta in about T-minus two years (although we will all have to endure some bullshit Christo-fascist retrospective on Tim Tebow working in the Congo to convert some starving tribe to Jesus during the Heisman award program).
The notion he can play in the NFL as an H back (too fucking slow) or a tight end (never bloccked a day in his life) or a fullback (see previous negatives) cracks me up. But we all know that Jacksonville will draft him in the second round and claim that he is the next ________ !
"I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first."
- George Rogers, one-time South Carolina RB
by StoopsMyAss on Dec 14, 2008 10:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
So, it was BRADFORD who got the little man making the pose
ESPN predicted Bradford from historical data and they got it right.
Still, I’m not happy.
I think McCoy was the guy, and had the tougher road given what he had to use to win games. And in the head-to-head, it was McCoy’s team that came out on top.
About leadership: no one can prove to me that Tebow is any better of a leader than either Bradford or McCoy. All three run their offenses to near-perfection. All three have lost only one game all year. The Tebow ‘leadership’ angle is where, I think, the CBS/Gary Danielson hype comes in.
One last point: I don’t care if a player has NFL potential since this is a college award. In some ways, it’s why I think it’s more fun to watch college than pro games—you have gimmicky offenses, dual threat QB’s, and guys like Tebow that put a new twist on an old formula. To me, it’s immaterial whether Tebow will make the pros or not.
Because to my mind, he was only the second or third best QB in the land this year regardless.
If it's not too much trouble, search your soul--and then ask yourself if maybe I might have a point.
by The Director on Dec 14, 2008 1:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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