When Tennessee announced its Heisman Trophy campaign for Eric Berry this season, I regarded it as a nice gesture, nothing more.
Sure, Berry is one of the best players in the country. But he plays defense. And he doesn't play defense for an unbeaten Michigan team.
More-over, this wasn't the year for an underdog, and anybody who plays defense is an underdog. Two Heisman Trophy winners - Tim Tebow of Florida and Sam Bradford of Oklahoma - returned. So did another quarterback, Texas' Colt McCoy, who was a finalist for the award last season.
That's the same McCoy you repeatedly saw being chased and caught by Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who dominated prime-time football Saturday night in the Big 12 championship game. With apologies to Johnny Cash, can "a boy named Suh" win the Heisman?
I wouldn't have thought so until the last few days. But he's one of the five finalists who will be going to New York for Saturday's award presentation, and I know of two writers from the Southeast who put him No. 1 on their Heisman ballot.
I also know of three writers from Knoxville who voted Tebow No. 1. Suffice to say: He swept the News Sentinel.
That might not put him in the top three this weekend. Of all the candidates in what should be a close race, Tebow has been subjected to the most scrutiny. Critics will cite his statistics, which aren't nearly as good as when he won the Heisman two years ago, and his team's meltdown against Alabama in the SEC championship game.
Suh's team didn't win Saturday, either. In fact, it isn't close to the top 10. Nonetheless, on a slow day for quarterbacks (McCoy and Tebow), Suh got everybody's attention.
Good for him. I'm all for defensive players getting recognition.
But I'm still convinced Tebow is the best player in college football. And never mind how nonplussed McCoy looked on his last harrowing pass play, which might as well have been orchestrated by LSU coach Les Miles, he was second on my ballot.
This award isn't about the last play or the last game, no matter how shrill the cry might be from the TV booth. It's about a body of work.
My toughest decision was No. 3, but it didn't involve Suh. I chose Stanford's Toby Gerhart over Alabama's Mark Ingram.
Yards-gained mean more in the SEC, whose status as the No. 1 football conference is not debatable - especially on defense - but I'm not ruled by provinciality. Gerhart has had a head-turning season in the nation's second best conference. As for Ingram, he has been a terrific player on the nation's No. 1 team, but I question whether he's the best running back in the SEC (See Mississippi State's Anthony Dixon) or even on his own team (See Trent Richardson).
Ingram had the advantage of being the best-known player on the nation's best team. Gerhart had an edge in being the dominant player from his region.
Some voters might have favored Tebow for his career, even though it's an annual award. McCoy probably benefited from the early vote, which could have come after his best game against Texas A&M and before his worst, Saturday against Nebraska.
But this time, you also can make a case for the defense. And if Suh even comes close, watch how many schools launch a Heisman campaign for defenders next season.
UT was just ahead of the curve
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 28
TommyJack writes:
Adams had a vote? And who said the boy wouldn't amount to nothin.
colt writes:
Give me a break. Tebow has turned into a joke.
runninbroke writes:
I had never even watched Suh til Saturday night. With that being said, he made me a believer!!! WOW! And looking up his stats, very impressive. In a year without a clear cut frontrunner, GO SUH!!!
NUguy writes:
Dude, your own words show your ignorance. Suh has had games like that for two years. When you say "look at the body of work" your own words make you look the fool because Suh's body of work is amazing, truly! He is the only one in this race that has not taken a game off let alone a play off. He is the best player in college football this year and isn't that what the Hiesman trophy is suppose to mean. If we are going to give offensive players preference than the award is a farce. If your not going to look at each players body of work then give up your ballot.
DannyVol writes:
This entire article was simply a front for Adams to announce his decision to vote for Tebow. Man, no wonder no one likes you...aside from the fact that you stink at your job.
DannyVol writes:
Btw, Adams couldn't show any more hate for UT and its fans than to vote for Tebow during a year he shouldn't even be a finalist...and then rub our noses in it with this article. I mean, my God, Tebow is 7th in the SEC in passing yards and our own Crompton threw for 8 more touchdowns. Mallett of Arkansas threw for 11 more touchdowns and 1000 more yards in one less game!
CrankE writes:
What's the over/under for Tim Tearbow(TM) to crank up the water works at this ceremony? Win or lose, he apparently could go at any second.
CrankE writes:
Someone needs to send Adams a handkerchief with a Gators logo on it so that he doesn't similarly cry a river when the source of 80% of his material is gone.
volsoutwest writes:
Soooo...why does anybody in this part of the country give a flip about who wins this popularity contest? On rare occasions over the years they may have inadvertently got it right(even a blind hog occasionally finds you know). This award is totally subjective and I for one will not watch the ceremony or pay any attention to the outcome.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
Maybe someone could get him a game-used hanky; the one Urban used to dry Timmy's tears.
TaintBuster69 writes:
You just love to stir poop up. There are 5-6 guys that should win the MVP this year over Woodson. Don't get me wrong, he's a great player...not a good player, a GREAT player....but take him off the Packers and they're still a playoff contending team...take Manning, or Brees off of their teams and they struggle to even come close to a winning record. Don't even get me started on the Heisman b.s. from 97'. What a joke. And you are too.
gnm53108 writes:
Ditto.
CrankE writes:
You know, if someone made those hankies, they could sell them at Neyland Stadium and make a killing when FL-U comes to town.
Maybe someone could rewrite "The Tracks of My Tears" for #15. The Tracks of Tim's Tears?
From now on guys, I'm calling him Tim Tearbow. Feel free to use that anywhere/everywhere you like.
There's another Trail of Tears that runs down I-75 from Atlanta to Gainesville.
No one has really hit this, so I will. What's up with the Gators new "F" helmets? I'd like to see them use "FL-U" instead, but F has potential as well. Borrowing a page from the hiresanders handbook (and 12 year olds everywhere);
THE BIG F ON THE HELMET STANDS FOR "FAIL".
Hudro writes:
If it truly is for the best college player and not the best college QB then it is Suh. The Qb is only as good as his OL and WR make him but Suh did most everything on his own this year even when fighting through double teams.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I too have no plans to watch the Heisman presentation show. I'm sure we'll all find out who won sooner or later, but most of us around Big Orange Country will be like, "Oh, really? So what?"
johnlg00#206211 writes:
All the people on here since Saturday gloating about Tebow's tears just crack me up. You KNOW that if Tebow played for UT, all Vol fans would be saying, "Wow, that guy gave his all for UT today! What passion for the game...etc., etc." Some Vol fans would have Tebow's post-Ole Miss speech tatooed on their chests. They would be naming their kids for him. I could go on and on, but the hypocrisy is just stunning. I am, always have been, and always will be ALL VOL, but some of you phony macho men make me nauseous.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
With apologies to Smokey Robinson and the Miracles:
Big Tim's Fake Tears
(to the tune of "The Tracks of My Tears")
People say I'm the best player ever,
'cuz I won an award or two.
Although I might be faking my heart and emotion,
Deep inside I'm blue.
So take a good look at my face,
You'll see my eye black look out of place.
Urban said I should have them replaced,
With Big Tim's Fake Tears.
Since I left you, if you see me with another coach,
Learning how to play QB,
Although he may be smarter, I can't work any harder,
'Cuz you're the one for me.
So take a good look at my face,
You'll see my eye black look out of place.
Urban said I should have them replaced,
With Big Tim's Fake Tears.
Outside, my heart is breaking.
Inside, you're dehydrating.
Just a frown, oh yeah,
Since I left when you were down,
My toughness's my makeup I wear since my breakup with you.
So take a good look at my face,
You'll see my eye black look out of place.
Urban said I should have them replaced,
With Big Tim's Fake Tears.
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
I guess I will watch it for the simple fact to cheer on Big Suh!!!
Sovol writes:
Who cares about the heisman. Its a complete joke, not about the best player but about who espn is pushing. And there is no way Woodson gets MVP in the NFL.
bnakk#240693 writes:
The following from the SEC were NOT good enough to win the Heisman: George Blanda, Bart Starr, Joe Namath, Fran Tarkenton, Ken Stabler, Lee Roy Jordan, Doug Atkins, John Hannah, Archie Manning, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Bert Jones, Derrick Thomas, Reggie White.....I think you get my point.
murrayvol writes:
Gaaaacck!
murrayvol writes:
"A boy named Suh" Way to go John. Writers wait entire careers to use a line like that.
TommyJack writes:
No wonder the boy is such a mean s.o.b.
volsoutwest writes:
Opposing players better beware cause he might jump up and cut off a piece of their ear, wait that was the Daddy wasn't it?
Liberal_Vol writes:
Why should anyone give a sh$t about the Heisman? Someone please provide a reason that the award is nothing but a big school popularity contest for offensive players who are on a winning team (unless Peyton Manning should win, then it is ok to be on defense). It is not about the best player in college football. But then, neither is the national championship about the best team in college football either.
The Heisman ballot is toilet paper. Personally, I could care less who wins and I care less for the people that vote for it.
murrayvol writes:
I found it interesting, no amazing, that in 97' 92 Heisman voters left Manning off their ballots completely.
pastor_VOLSfan writes:
Have not cared for the Heisman outcome since Manning was snubbed. Why should I start again now?
Bufforange00 writes:
What the Heisman represents seems to change every year. One year it is a career achievement award, one year it is 1 or 2 games that stand out-etc. It is totally subjective. Whoever wins should feel more lucky than deserving.
Charles Woodson was a great player, no doubt. But so was Randy Moss, Peyton Manning, and Ryan Leaf(in college).
ABC and ESPN had an agenda and pushed Woodson because they were broadcasting the Rose Bowl. In truth, any of these 4 players could have won it, but Tennessee fans resent Woodson's win because the award is supposed to represent the best player.
Among the 4, Manning has proved the best, based on statistics, winning pct, and what he meant to his team. Woodson was a member of two 8-4 teams and 1 12-0 team that did not play #2 Nebraska. The perception by many is that Michigan was not the best team, and that Woodson was not the best player.
Alas, the award is not a statistical award, it is a subjective, often political award which leaves folks thinking that in 1997, Manning earned the award, when in fact there was nothing to earn.
The lesson to take from this is that THE HEISMAN IS AWARDED, NOT EARNED. That is why a national championship is great, because you get what you earned, and the Chris Fowlers of the world (the same idiots that told us UF would beat UT by 60) can't take it away.
Whoever wins the Heisman on Saturday would do well to remember this.
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