November 11, 2007
The Heisman doesn't deserve Tim Tebow
I have to admit... I hate the Heisman talk. I hate the hype. I hate the Heisman marketing that has become so commonplace. I hate the notion that one player deserves recognition above and beyond his team.
But more than anything, I think I hate the notion that the Heisman goes to the best player in college football, because -- more times than not -- it simply doesn't. Instead, the Heisman Trophy is awarded to the more senior MVP on one of the higher profile teams in college football. And that's simply wrong.
Case in point - FSU's Chris Weinke was given the Heisman in 2000, while TCU's LaDainian Tomlinson finished a distant, distant fourth. Tomlinson took his team to a bowl win for the first time in 41 years, set the NCAA single game rushing record (406 yards), led the NCAA in rushing yards for two straight years, and finished sixth all-time for rushing yards.
LT was -- by far -- the best player in college football, but his team wasn't near the top of the polls. LT didn't fit "the profile", despite the fact that he was the best player in college football. And that was wrong.
If the best player in college football is a sophomore quarterback on a disappointing three-loss team, then so be it. Give him the Heisman. (Or He15man, as the entire Gator Nation has taken to calling it.)
Tim Tebow leads the nation in passing efficiency, has (already) thrown for 2500+ yards and 28 touchdowns, with just 5 interceptions all year. He's rushed for 700+ yards, averaging 4.2 yards/carry with 19 touchdowns.
Yet another example of how deservering he is - Tebow's performance against South Carolina this weekend. Orange and Blue Hue breaks it down:
His line: 22/32 for 304 yards passing, 2 TDs/1 INT. Rushing: 120 yards for 5 ADDITIONAL TOUCHDOWNS.Yes, that’s 424 yards of offense from ONE PLAYER.
At least three touchdown passes were dropped by Gator receivers Louis Murphy and Andre Caldwell. C’mon, men… Tebow put those balls on the dot. Those drops were inexcusable. Tebow made the throws necessary for a minimum 4 TD passing night, if not 5. Damn those drops. He was still 68.8% despite them.
...
Tim Tebow, with at least three games left to go in 2007, has broken the single-season touchdown record at Florida — he’s now accounted for 42 touchdowns. I say again, 42 touchdowns. I expect the record will not just be broken, but shattered by the time the 2007 season is completed. He leads the NCAA in passing efficiency. He is an outstanding power runner. He’s a great field general. The TOTAL PACKAGE.
7 touchdowns.
HEISMAN.
400+ yards of offense… without Percy Harvin.
HEISMAN.
Shamed Spurrier in Columbia.
HEISMAN.
Over 730 yards rushing with the possibility of a 1,000 yard rushing season looming ahead.
HEISMAN.
The best passer in college football.
HEISMAN.
It’s inevitable.
I can't argue with that logic, because... damn. Tebow is the best player in college football - bar none.
But the media talking heads cannot allow Tebow - a sophomore on a disappointing team - the glory he has earned.
Desmond Conner of The Hartford Courant:
You can't be serious if Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is your choice.Yes, he leads the nation in passing efficiency.
But his team is 6-3 after winning the national title last season. No sophomore has won the award in its 72-year history. The SEC has only produced one Heisman winner in the last 20 years - Danny Wuerffel in 1996.
That's the mentality that screwed LT. That's the mentality that forces schools to spend millions on ridiculous marketing campaigns. And it is exactly that holier-than-thou sportswriter mentality that makes the Heisman Trophy worthless today.
Today's trophy "race" doesn't deserve John Heisman. It hasn't for years.
And the Heisman Trophy -- or rather, what it has become -- doesn't deserve Tim Tebow, either.
Comments:
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on November 11, 2007 10:35 AM — 143.127.131.4 — link — abuse?
Thamks, Kev. I have to agree with you on a number of points, most especially, the reasons you hate the Heisman trophy as it is currently marketed, produced, and delivered. That won't stop me from using the term "He15man" as a shorthand way to remind everyone who the best player in college football is.
Cane Mutiny
posted on November 11, 2007 12:22 PM — 65.12.247.141 — link — abuse?
said:
I'll tell you what I hate, is these ads promoting players for the Heisman. What is this crap? The Heisman ought to go to the player that has helped his team the most, not who has the most T.V. spots.
As for Tebow, yeah, he's up there with the best in college football, and you could make a pretty concrete argument that he is the best. But has he been the most valuable player in football? I honestly believe the award should go to somebody like Dennis Dixon, who has overcome adversity, bounced back from a way down year, and shown incredible athleticism and talent on the way to leading his team to national championship consideration. Tebow may very well edge Dixon in athleticism and talent (not by much), but Tebow has not overcome adversity, and has led his team to a somewhat disappointing follow-up to a national championship year.
If he doesn't win it, he's only a sophomore, guys. You're expecting too much in his first year as a starter. He's an incredible talent, but needs to prove that he is a leader - and not just a very good player - before he can win the most prestigious award in American sports. Let this year's award go to Dixon, he's gone through much more and has been more impressive in his incredible comeback year.
I know you will all disagree with me, but I don't really mind. I mean, I'm used to arguing with Gators and Seminoles. Not usually at the same time, but I can deal with it.
... It's great to be a Miami Hurricane! At least we beat the Noles in their house! Get some recruits, RS!! ...
GatorMatt
posted on November 11, 2007 12:54 PM — 70.171.18.91 — link — abuse? said:
#9,
It was said earlier, the award is supposed to go to the "best player in college football." It's supposed to go to the person who's helped his team the most. It's not supposed to go to some sob story of someone who overcame adversity. They can do a CBS special about someone like that. Granted, Florida has lost 3 games, but who else in CFB has been more of a leader? Tebow practically carries that team on his back. When crucial first downs are needed, who gets the ball? He's like a Jacob Hester, except he can pass. And it's not like he doesn't see competition week in and week out. Don't expect to see a Troy Smith like performance in their bowl game (whichever one it may be).
posted on November 11, 2007 12:54 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue
said:
I gotta disagree, Cane Mutiny.
Leader? How about being without the core of your offense... putting the team on your back and winning an emotional game? That's what Tebow did at South Carolina.
Both Dixon and Tebow have asked for the ball in key situations, but I suspect more than a few voters are going to remember those two fourth quarter turnovers in the loss to Cal.
And I think most of the realistic Gator fans would tell you that -- without Tebow -- Florida goes 6-6 (at best) this year.
I don't care that Tebow is a sophomore. He is the best player in college football. That's the measure of the award, so give him the props.
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on November 11, 2007 1:31 PM — 74.185.133.40 — link — abuse?
I also have to add my dissatisfaction over the fact that the award is given out BEFORE bowl season. As we all saw with last year's Heisman winner, facing fresh competition in the bowl game can alter the perspective of the trophy finalists (in the case of last year - the perspective was DEVESTATED).
For this year, I would REALLY like to see how Dennis Dixon would (will?) perform against LSU's defense. I would pay major duckets (pun intended) to see that game. If double-D can run-up-the-score on LSU, he probably deserves the Heisman.
Speaking of LSU, Glen Dorsey should be getting more Heisman attention.
sirbigspur said:
posted on November 11, 2007 1:42 PM — 129.252.48.62 — link — abuse?
Being a Gamecock fan, I have to say that I'm a little sad that I'm actually writing this. Tebow is one hell of a quarterback. I thought at the beginning of the year he was overhyped and just a fullback/runningback playing quarterback, but after seeing him heave about four 50 yard passes last night (although none of them were caught) that were very accurate, I had to give up on that idea. This guy is going to be in the running for a Heisman every year he is in college. I was hoping that we would be able to stop him last night in Columbia, but with our run defense, I knew it was probably going to be the hardest test of the year.
GA Boy said:
posted on November 11, 2007 2:11 PM — 97.89.26.241 — link — abuse?
Yeah Kev, I have to agree with you.
In previous posts I have dogged Tebow for the wobbly passes he throws sometimes and the way he whines and cries when things don't go his way (learned that from Meyer), but I probably did that more out of envy of his talent than facts. If you notice from my post last night, my earlier opinions of Tebow have changed since we played them. That guy plays with guts and a will to win. He puts up numbers that no QB has done before. 5 rushing TDs by a QB in 1 game? Are you kidding me? The guy is a supreme player. Give him the ball and he is going to make somehthing happen. Right now, my vote is for Tebow too. Do not take this as any kindness towards you Gator fans, you are still on my most wanted list! GO DAWGS!!1st_and_NOLE
posted on November 11, 2007 3:09 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse? said:
Tebow is the #2 player in CF IMO. Does he deserve the award? Yeah. I think there's one player that deserves it more though...
D-Mac, but only slightly.
D-Mac is easier to defend because he's a RB. Teams can stack 8 or 9 guys in the box to try and stop him. When D-Mac gets the ball in his hands, you almost KNOW what he's going to do - RUN. Yeah, sometimes he throws or hands off but 95% of the time he's running. That's what RBs do, they run. So, teams KNOW D-Mac is going to run, they put their entire team in the box to stop him, and more times then not - they can't. D-Mac is simply flat out too good to stop even when you KNOW what he's going to do - run.
Tebow is an amazing player and talent - especially for a true sophomore. But, it's a lot easier for him to be successful then it is for D-Mac. Why? Well for one, Tebow has AMAZING weapons around him (see PH). Also, it's easier for Tebow to succeed because he's harder to defend. Unlike D-Mac, Tebow can throw AND run. If teams stack the box to stop Tebow, he can throw it over their heads. If teams stack the box against D-Mac, he just has to run over, around, and through them. If teams commit to stop the pass Tebow can tuck it and run with little resistance to stop him.
Both are AMAZING players. Both are DESERVING of the HT.
To me though, it's harder for D-Mac to simply take over and dominate a game - yet he does it anyway.
The #1 player in the nation is D-Mac. Tebow is a close #2.
ATL-ien said:
posted on November 11, 2007 3:54 PM — 160.10.220.195 — link — abuse?
I agree with 1st and Nole if it is the best player in the nation Tebow comes in 2nd and the award should go to Darren McFadden. D-Mac has no offensive help other than Felix, Tebow has a ton of help.
Plus you know you are good when Tennessee says they stopped you and you still run for plus 100 yards.
D-mac is the best player in the country.OU Fan said:
posted on November 11, 2007 5:46 PM — 64.136.27.229 — link — abuse?
What about Sam Bradford?? I do not see why this "true Freshman" is not in the Heisman mix. The kid last night took the lead as having the best QB rating at 180.36. Bradford is 185 for 264 with 2,509, 28 TDs, and 6 INTs. Bradford has a 70.1% completion rating. The kid is stud, but its a shame that the Heisman voters would not want to hand out their trophy to a freshman. An example would be Adrian Peterson not winning the Heisman for his performance during the 2004-2005 season. BOOMER SOONER!
Lennie Collins
posted on November 11, 2007 5:53 PM — 67.67.197.165 — link — abuse? said:
The Heisman Trophy is more like a curse than an award. As a Sooners fan OU Fan I do not want any Oklahoma Sooners players to even be mentioned. Sam Bradford is going to probably get even better next year. He needs to be focused on beating Texas and winning National Titles. Forget a doggone Heisman Trophy!
MOHFpro90 said:
posted on November 11, 2007 9:44 PM — 70.145.109.5 — link — abuse?
Commenting objectively here is hard for me, but Ill try my best.
The reason that the voters don't want(or are less willing to) hand out the trophy to a freshman/sophomore is not because they are not talented, but if they win it as a freshman/sophomore, then they're talent, leadership and performance is surely only going to increase in the oncoming years. Thus making it a 2-4 year streak for one player(counting early NFL drafts, etc...).
Onto this year; Tebow is definitely a candidate. Personally, I think he should win it. Why? Because of what the OP(Original Poster) proved. His stats are amazing. He has RUSHED for AT LEAST 1 TD ever6y game this season, sometimes 2, even 3 TDs. His talent level is amazing. As someone already stated, he is just like Hester(LSU), except he can drop the ball in the bread baskets of receivers 50 yards down the field. Combined with the other studs on the Florida offense, he is able to show his arm and legs. You have to look at both stats and weekly performance to decide a winner. Its not just stats and numbers, but how he(any candidate) influences, leads and assists the team.
And whoever said this season is disappointing for UF is crazy. On the contrary, we are doing quite well. Sure, we'd like to be undefeated, but that just isn't going to happen. Or Defense is ALL freshman and sophomores. Our Offensive line, along with our backs and receivers are young. Our WHOLE team is young, because we lost all of the age and experience with the Championship team.
Look at it this way. This team we have now is NOT the same team we had last year. Last year we won the championship. That was a championship team. This year we wont. This is not a championship team. Just because we won it last year doesn't mean that we're expected to be in contention for this year either.
FanoftheGame said:
posted on November 12, 2007 11:20 AM — 198.211.223.194 — link — abuse?
Great post, Kev.
There are a number of great players in college football. The big problem is that the voters all have a different definition of "Best Player" in college football. Each individual voter considers their own criteria as it relates to their own definition of "Best Player". Regardless of the criteria that is used to determine the Heisman winner, there will always be people there to argue the outcome.
For me, its much simpler- I just look at all of the top players in the game today and as myself,"Which one would I choose if I were going to start a team from nothing? Which one player would I want to build a team around?". I'm not a big Gator fan, but I do respect their program. Their are alot of great players out there, but Tim Tebow appears to me as a step ahead of the pack and it this point should be the front-runner in the heisman race.TampaGator said:
posted on November 12, 2007 3:45 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Good stuff, Kevin.
Frankly, it's unsettling, knowing how much talent we have on that team, and how dependent we are on one player. The Gators without Tebow? Scary. Hell, look at us with Tebow at half speed--as in, v. UGA--compared to v. KY, SC, Ole Miss... Two completely different teams.
Re. D-Mac: He is great, no doubt. However, while both DM and TT are dual threats as RB-QB--TT is much better RB than DM is QB....and frankly, TT is better at his home position (QB) than DM is at his (RB). TT is simply more the "total package" than D-Mac, or any other player out there.
My $.02.
GO GATORS!!
posted on November 12, 2007 4:03 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
I think Dennis Dixon wins it if Oregon goes to the BSC champ. game. Tebow definitely won't get it because he's an underclassman. Fair or not, I don't see them changing that unwritten rule.
I used to believe in the 'senior' player playing for a familar team scenario until Peyton Manning got left out in 1997.
Spartacus
posted on November 12, 2007 4:11 PM — 72.25.84.228 — link — abuse? said:
The "Hypesman Trophy" has always had to go to a senior or junior player from the beginning of time. In the last several years, they've included the ridiculous notion, that your "team" had to win just about every game. Regardless of how inept your 23 other teammates were - you cannot be considered for the "Hypesman" unless your team won every game. It is expected that the "Hypesman" winner will lead his team to victory in every single game, regardless of how overwhelming the odds, in order to justify his superhuman stature. The award has become a joke because it is never given to the best player period. Look at the knock on Tebow - "Florida will probably only finish with a 10-3 record". That's bad? Is 9-4 bad? What a farce!
Tommie Trojan
gatorhippy
posted on November 13, 2007 3:49 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
Well...
Why I see alot of nods to what are obviously all the frontrunners for the award...
If it was solely up to me at this point in the season; my top five in New York would be...
1) Dennis Dixon, Oregon: Nearly identical numbers to Tebow's and every bit as important to his squad; gets the nod due to his team's current record...
2) Tim Tebow, Florida: No doubt a phenomenal talent and given his nearly identical numbers to Dixon's makes it tough to seperate the two; however, his team's three losses put him just behind Double-Dee...
3)Andre Woodson, Kentucky: What else can be said about this Senior leader who has proven week in and week out to but a gritty performer who has accounted for massive amounts of yardage against soem of the stiffest defensive talent in the country; except that at four losses his defense didn't help him enough to win the trophy...
4) Darren Mcfadden, Arkansas: Returning high vote getter from '06 is perhaps the most prolific runner in CFB the last two years; weak start and three team losses burned his trophy chances as does alot of his "hype" is from his accomplishments last season...
5) Kevin Smith, Central Florida: Amazing running numbers this season keeping UCF in the hunt for a conference title; weak conference opponents keep him out of serious contention...
gatorstud said:
posted on November 14, 2007 9:08 AM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
ga boy # 27......you can't go back on it now...it is in print.....tebow is a beast, and if he finishes strong......it would be a travesty for him not to win......dixon is right there with him though.....
i believe it was you that said the state of the sec east in the next couple of year is going to come down to either florida or georgia....i could be wrong but i thought you wrote that....and after watching the georgia - auburn game...i believe your right....stafford has really come on this year...he has georgia believing again.....and the east should come down to the gators or the dawgs in the next two years....which will put more limelight on "the worlds largest cocktail party".....
go gators...and hokies
GA Boy said:
posted on November 14, 2007 9:21 PM — 97.89.26.241 — link — abuse?
Gatorstud
No doubt you are correct. I can't wait until next year for the cocktail party. Can you imagine the atmosphere if both those teams go into it undefeated next year with Tebow and Stafford on fire? Should be one of the best ever.Anyway, let's finish this year out right?
GO DAWGS!!
FaceFacts said:
posted on November 19, 2007 12:29 AM — 65.35.54.207 — link — abuse?
I've had it with the politics, the polls, and the naysayers.
Here's why:
(a) It should be (plausibly) impossible for inactive teams to "leapfrog" a team that wins and remains undefeated. How can a team possibly become better than another when it doesn't play, and the other does, and wins?
Ridiculous.
(b) Tim Tebow for Heisman? How about June Jones and Colt Brennan, on the tiny island of Hawaii in the middle of the ocean, halfway to Japan, with 1/68th of Florida's budget?
Unlike June, and Colt, Urban Meyer has played Tebow against Western Kentucky (5 touchdowns); Troy (five touchdowns); and Florida Atlantic (six touchdowns). All are members of the Sun Belt Conference. Take those games and touchdowns away, and he's as average as the rest of the pack, and certainly WAY off the mark of the NCAA's best passer in history.
While Hawaii falls under daily scrutiny and harassment for its schedule, NODODY is talking about how Hawaii is BEHIND in the POLLS to a three-loss Florida team. Two of Florida's three losses came to UNRANKED opponents; THREE of their seven wins came against the Sun Belt Conference, AGAINST which any team in the WAC would go undefeated.
The system is flawed. There is no longer any doubt Hawaii, June and his team's overwhelming efforts are being snubbed. And I'm merely using Hawaii as an example.
No questions remain that Colt -- who has only played seven games and his numbers still rival those of any Heisman 'hopeful' -- is being snubbed.
There is only one way for Hawaii to win the argument: Win. Beat Boise State decisively. Beat Washington. Wind up in a bowl game against the likes of Michigan or Georgia or Tennessee, and do exactly what Hawaii did last year to Arizona State -- send them crying home to momma.
Florida, however, can pile up yards against Florida Atlantic and move up, make headlines, stir the faithful. Teams that don't even play can move ahead in the polls. It's sickening.
Enough is enough. Urban Meyer has done little more than run up Tebow's numbers against non-ranked, non-conference, non-I-A opponents, garnering attention they don't deserve. It's a well-worn business, isn't it?
Yesterday, I spoke to a friend of mine at ESPN -- who, for his benefit, will remain unnamed. I asked him -- "Why do you guys spend hours explaining how BAD Notre Dame is, instead of explaining why Hawaii can even be included in a conversation about the Heisman, or the BCS?"
"Because," he said, "we're talking about the difference between Hawaii, and Notre Dame."
Well, friends, it's time to truly START talking about the difference between Hawaii, Notre Dame, Florida, USC and all the rest of the rest.
Fact is, Hawaii -- and Kansas -- are the worst nightmare of the BCS, ESPN, and college football in general. Nobody wants to address the issue. The media acts like little kids who think that pulling the covers over their heads will save them from the boogeyman under the bed.
Wrong. The boogeyman is real, and this time, I pray, eats the BCS and all of its suitors alive.
I hope Kansas and Hawaii win out, and wreak havoc on the entire system. However, I get the feeling that the pollsters will continue to quietly move up USC or Ohio State or another 'name' school -- while ignoring the obvious:
June Jones and Hawaii Warrior Football are no longer a farce, but a force. No one knows this better than DB Josh Barrett and his imposter Arizona State teammates, or Purdue, or Alabama, or the cowards at Michigan State.
Can you imagine an NFL season where an NFL playoff team gets the first-round bye, only be told that a non-qualifying team with a WORSE record 'leapfrogged' them to play in the AFC/NFC championship?
Are you kidding me?
Hats off to what June and his coaches -- and the players -- have accomplished.
Just win. I must believe that in a few weeks, the dust will settle, and all will learn what we already know: What June has done in the middle of the ocean -- halfway to Japan -- should be considered impossible.
For Hawaii or Kansas to be caught up in any 'race' of any kind, outside of winning a game here or there, is ridiculous, on the face of it. Yet there they are, on the cusp of greatness, with the world turning up its nose ... all the better to motivate and castigate those boys into making history.
As for the Warriors, it won't be the first time a war started on the shores of Hawaii, and like the last one, the great people who live there, play there and CARE there will do what they do best:
Find a way to win.
In the meantime, Tebow -- under Suburban Urban -- will need a wheelchair by the time he's a junior. Nobody runs their QUARTERBACK into the teeth of the SEC like Urban has -- and expects him to live to tell the tale.
I'm praying Hawaii somehow gets Florida in a bowl game. It will be funnier than Florida opening at home next year against Tyler Graunke, Colt Brennan's backup, next August.
hrposon said:
posted on November 19, 2007 1:00 AM — 98.200.123.115 — link — abuse?
@33 FaceFacts - If you think the system is corrupt, here's what you can do.
Contact your Senator, tell him that ABC/ESPN's promotion of big market college teams is scandalous. You should also mention that the NCAA is a monopoly and is run by TV. Can you imagine the ratings for a Hawaii-Kansas BS Championship.
Senators like holding hearings on issues like these as they don't want to with real issues, like illegal immigration.
As far as the Heisman, don't worry about it, if Vince Young didn't win it, it's not much of an award.gatorstud said:
posted on November 19, 2007 8:29 AM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
face facts #33.......did you just refer playing football to pearl harbour...or did i not read that right.......
if your gonna compare stats then put stat from both players out there...not just the ones YOU want everyone to see.....i am sure that colt brennan has piled up his numbers on teams of lesser talent too,
like when he played against.....northern colorado...and charleston southern...and how bout lous. tech...or utah state.....
how many touchdowns and stats did he pile up on those big time div. 1 schools......your such a tool....
so until you willing to put both players stats up for the sake of an honest argument....your little temper tantrum means nothing...
the system isn't perfect.....but then again...what is....
tebow wins heisman...get over it....
go gators...and hokies
jonsey said:
posted on November 19, 2007 9:29 AM — 167.197.127.130 — link — abuse?
face facts#33
Florida plays in the SEC. enough said.But, just to state sum facts... Hawaii has only played 2 teams with winning records, Fresno st. 6-4 (only won by 7) and Nevada 5-5 (only won by 2) How many teams has FL played with winning records??? and actually ranked??? only ranked team Hawaii gona play is Boise St.
And, my prediction-Boise St. is gonna thump yall, good. get ready for a 50-7 loss.
TampaGator said:
posted on November 19, 2007 12:36 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Face the Facts/#33:
It took you some 4 screen lengths to develop your point (assuming you developed it; I skimmed through it. This is a message board--average attention span runs roughly 2-4.5 seconds per post. That's about what I alotted to it.
I'll give Brenan this much--he can wing that coconut pretty good.
I wonder how he do with a pigskin football.
GO GATORS!!
Gatorpilot said:
posted on November 11, 2007 10:25 AM — 71.42.27.135 — link — abuse?Kevin... ! I love you!