For the second year, The Blue Workhorse will be tallying the votes for a Sports Blog Heisman Trophy. Here's our ballot. No word on if the winner receives a pair of pajamas from Mom's basement.
1. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska: It is not that Suh had 12 sacks this season (which is 9th nationally) or that he had 4.5 sacks in the Big 12 Championship, nearly winning the game in the process. It is that Suh gave instant legitimacy to an entire unit and did it as a defensive tackle. You could make the case that he is the best collegiate defensive tackle since Warren Sapp.
2. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama: When Alabama's offense struggled early in the season, Ingram was the spark that kept Bama undefeated. His disappearing act in the Auburn game is forgiven thanks to his early season performances and his 189 yards of total offense and three touchdowns against Florida. While he does benefit from a strong offensive line, he should also get credit for being an above average receiver (30 catches for 322 yards, 3 TDs).
3. C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson: He scored 20 touchdowns running, passing, catching and returning. Without him Clemson is nothing. He's not the Heisman winner if you're picking the best player on the best team. But he deserves consideration if you're picking the Most Outstanding College Football Player.
Honorable Mention: Had Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow played better in their conference championship games, they might have knocked off Suh and Spiller, with Ingram getting my number one spot. My opinion of Ingram dropped in the last two weeks because Alabama's offense is finally at full speed and quarterback Greg McElroy is showing to be legit. I left out Toby Gerhart because I do place some value on versatility. Ingram and Spiller do more than run and Suh does more than clog the middle. Gerhart just runs (he has only 10 catches this season). Yes, he is a very good back. But I like my backs to be freaks of nature, not a bowling ball with arms.
0 recs | 12 comments
Good list and it's hard to disagree with you
It is a shame that Spiller wasn’t even invited to NYC, the award continues to lose legitamacy
RaysnNoles - December 8, 2009
Good List
I think I would vote Ingram 1 and Suh 2. I know Suh is good but before he played Texas he only had 8 sacks…but I can see where you vote him 1. This is tough b/c Ingram has not looked good in his last couple of games. He looked good against us b/c somehow we forgot how to tackle which I have not figured out yet. It is funny in the Arkansas game this year we could not tackle either I don’t get it.
chrsl45 - December 8, 2009
The defense had to have been tired...
at least later in the game. Even when Florida scored they did it awfully fast. Not sure what the issue was early on though, unless the Gators just came out flat (relative to ’Bama).
12NationalChampionships - December 8, 2009
Just to defend Ingram a little bit
(I know, I’m a homer, and I may be way off base here, but…)
Remember, Auburn had figured out some of the play calling, and even scored some of their points knowing when and where the blitzing was coming. While our offensive line should have still handled them, and Ingram should have turned in a better performance, I think a little less weight should be put into Ingram’s Auburn performance.
Another point is that Richardson ran (for the most part) just as well as Ingram against Florida. I’m curious if Ingram wanted to pad his stats for a run at the Heisman…
Any thoughts?
squinky86 - December 8, 2009
Fair enough
In a just world, defensive players should have just as much of a shot as offensive. I think it will be Ingram, but it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to see Suh win it.
12NationalChampionships - December 8, 2009
I still think Gerhart deserve steh Heisman
Patssuck456 - December 8, 2009
*deserves the
Patssuck456 - December 8, 2009
Todd Mcshay has Gerhart 1st , then Suh
saw it on ESPN today
TheTealDeal - December 9, 2009
Just curious how Gerhart lacks versatility.
He does it all, he runs, he blocks, he catches, and he threw for a touchdown this yearn is there something else that a running back is supposed to do that I am unaware of? He is the heart and soul of Stanford and is an absolute man beast. Now I am not saying those other guys don’t deserve credit, but to simply say the guy “lacks versatility” seems like a cop out, and in the very least is an uninspired criticism. Did you see him single-handedly destroy Notre Dame?
Now Suh, on the other hand I have to agree is outstanding, another man beast who definately deserves a trip to NY.
QuackinAK - December 10, 2009
I also saw Navy’s rushing attack (348 yards) single handily destroy Notre Dame too. 205 against Notre Dame was nice, but Notre Dame couldn’t tackle me. It does not compare to Ingram and Spiller in conference title games, even in a losing effort for Spiller.
mlmintampa - December 10, 2009
it wasn't just against Notre Dame though
it was every team he faced, he is number one in TD’s, total rushing yards, and scoring Spiller and Ingram are not even in the top 5 and they had 1 more game than Gerhart to pad their stats. don’t believe me? Check this out
QuackinAK - December 12, 2009
I agree with a Gators fan (mostly).
I would ask what the temperature in Hell is, but I understand Gainesville tends to stay pretty temperate. I would’ve put Gerhart at #3, behind #1 Suh and #2 Ingram. It hurts me to say that as an Alabama fan, but Suh is a one-man defensive line, and should’ve gone home with that trophy. That said, I’m not terribly upset it went to Ingram, a man who will clearly have a good future in the NFL, unlike this year’s Ryan Leaf, Tim Tebow.
Anarchon - December 14, 2009
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