Our friends at The Blue Workhorse asked us to write up what our Heisman ballot would look like so here goes. Following our ballot is more commentary.
1. Colt McCoy, quarterback, Texas: McCoy did the most with the least. He was Texas' leading rusher and does not have All-American talent catching the ball either. If McCoy is not there, the Longhorns are not a contender for the National Championship.
2. Tim Tebow, quarterback, Florida: Has a player ever won the Heisman on the strength of his personality? Tebow does not have the crazy numbers like last season and the emergence of Florida's running game limited his carries. He is surrounded by talent, but talent does not guarantee winning (see Notre Dame). With Tebow, it does.
3. Sam Bradford, quarterback, Oklahoma: Bradford gets the edge here over Texas Tech's Graham Harrell because Bradford spreads the ball around a bit more without the benefit of throwing to a guy like Tech's Michael Crabtree. Bradford's 52 touchdowns and the Sooners' record breaking offense are incredible, but I think a lot of guys would be successful in his spot.
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I have to admit, I don't want Tebow to win the Heisman. He already has one, plus the media demands on the winner will take time away from game prep. This is also the classic argument; best player or most valuable player? I think McCoy was the best player but would be a close second to Tebow in terms of most valuable player. Bradford was great this season, and he deserves credit for being first in passing efficiency, but it's Oklahoma's offense as a whole that can kill. Florida is the same way. With Texas, it's pretty much all McCoy.
I'm not trying to be a homer, but it is hard. Watching how Tebow responded to the Ole Miss loss this season, when every game after could have meant death, was one my favorite sports experiences in my life. When Oklahoma lost to Texas, they responded the same way, but there was no force like Tebow. Numbers wise, Tebow should have no chance against these two guys or even Harrell. It is Tebow's will that may give him a chance to win.
I think McCoy or Bradford wins with only the Southern writers giving Tebow first place votes.
0 recs | 6 comments
I think Tebow's best shot is if regional voters split between McCoy and Bradford.
staplemaniac - December 10, 2008
I'm with you.
I waffle between Tebow and Bradford for #2, but I agree that Colt McCoy should win it this year. I’m not sure he had a “better” season than Tebow, but he did more this season than Tebow had to do. That’s kind of a cousin to the MVP argument, but the simple fact is that Colt ’08 bears more than a fleeting resemblance to Tebow 07.
Tebow is the better player, but giving him the heisman smacks a bit of “well he could have done more if he needed to,” which I don’t think is a good enough reason to give him the award when Colt had the kind of season he did. If more teams had forced Tebow into super-crazy-awesome mode instead of just Bama, then I’m sure he’d be a lock. But they didn’t and here we are. So go Colt.
Gator Cub - December 10, 2008
Honestly.
The individual stats scream Bradford, but in the context of their teams’ stats, they yell McCoy. That said, any argument of “value” begins and ends with Tebow. I cannot imagine what would have happened to this team after the Ole Miss loss had someone else been the QB. I’d vote for Tim, put McCoy 2nd, Bradford 3rd and wouldn’t complain one bit about any ballot that had those three at the top in any order.
ejruiz - December 10, 2008
Bradford should win it and I think he will. The guy is a phenomenal QB and I really think he will break the streak of OU QB’s not doing well in the NFL. Tebow will finish 2nd, and if he leaves for the NFL, McCoy will get his shot next year.
tdoublem23 - December 10, 2008
Bradford Probably Gets It
I would agree with the last two comments on Bradford probably getting it. But I would rather he doesn’t for selfish reasons:
1) If he does get it, he would be distracted by the appearances he would have to make and not concentrate as much on the BCS Championship.
2) He might just go into the draft next year! We need him for next year’s OU-TX game, especially when Colt McCoy has already committed to staying his senior year. This year is Bradfor’s Sophmore year.
The way I percieve this race to the Heisman is that Bradford has the best statistics, most notably the best passing efficiency in the nation. Tebo has a lot on popularity, and it seems to me that he can be credited with almost singlehandedly bringing his team back from the Ole Miss loss. He seems like a true leader.
Now I understand that some previous posts point out that Bradford has benefited from a pretty good offensive line and numerous eligible receivers, and I entirely concede this point. His numbers are directly related to the talent of the offense.
As far as individual talent alone, I would have to say that Colt McCoy is the best among the three, and I would prefer that he get the Heisman (this is coming from a Sooner! LOL!). He is efficient and a very good scrambler and individual rusher, kind of like Vince Young (but nowhere near him).
You know that when someone gets a Heisman, their chances of going to the draft are pretty good. Maybe Colt will break his pledge to stay at UT for his senior year? I would hope.
Finally, I don’t believe that Tebow will get it this year for the simple reason that he has already been awarded one. The Heisman folks want to spread the love, and only one person in the history of the Heisman trophy has won it twice.
Boomer S - December 10, 2008
I think that if Tebow doesn't get it
It might just convince him to come back next year and destroy the NCAA. I think you guys are right in that he gets penalized for winning it last year. I also think he gets penalized for having lower numbers than last year.
All the guy does is win. Hopefully he walks out with another Stiff-Arm Trophy this weekend…and a crystal football in January.
Kevin Nogle - December 11, 2008
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