In my opinion there are several interesting parallels between this year's Heisman race and in 1997 when the front runners were Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson. That year Woodson became the only defensive player to ever win the Heisman Trophy as his alma mater The University of Michigan also claimed the National Championship, while Tennessee finished the regular season ranked third and were blown out by Nebraska in the Orange Bowl 42-17. Interestingly enough both Manning and Woodson have put together incredible pro careers with each earning Super Bowl rings and are likely future Hall of Famers.
I find the connection in the Heisman Trophy race between Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck and LSU Cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, aka "The Honey Badger ", very similar to that of between Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson in 1997. Luck is considered the best quarterback pro prospect since Manning, while Mathieu displays many of the big play characteristics that Woodson did. Much like Woodson and playing the same position, Mathieu has shown a knack for making big plays, including both turning turnovers into touchdowns and serving as a special teams threat.
The circumstances between the teams are also very similar. Just like Woodson's 1997 Michigan Wolverines defeated Washington State in the Rose Bowl for the National Championship, it is Mathieu's Bayou Bengals that are playing for the BCS Trophy. Similarily, Luck's Stanford Cardinal team is playing for 3rd place against Oklahoma State in The Fiesta Bowl, as Manning's Volunteers did in a losing effort against Nebraska in the 1997 Orange Bowl.
Of course the big difference is that Manning and Woodson are considered frontrunners. Luck and Mathieu are not. The surprising favorite is Baylor Quarterback Robert Griffin III. Griffin has put up astonomical numbers during his career while greatly elevating the Baylor Bears football program. I am a fan of Griffin too. I wonder though if he would still be considered a Heisman candidate if he had gone against SEC defenses each week.
However, the best athlete of the Heisman finalists in my opinion is Alabama RB Trent Richardson. Richardson runs with the charge and fury of a bustin' bronco bull as the gate is open during a rodeo. His combination of strength and speed remind me very much of that of Minnesota Vikings Running Back Adrian Peterson. Howeve,r hurting Richardson's chances are that Alabama had a Heisman just two years ago in Mark Ingram, and that he was held scoreless in the Crimson Tide's loss to LSU.
So the big question between Mathieu and Luck is not whether Mathieu will swipe the Heisman from Luck, like Woodson did to Manning in 1997? But, whether he will just beat Luck in the voting. However, the Honey Badger does just takes what he wants. We know that he wants interceptions, fumbles and Cobras. We'll see tonight if the Honey Badger takes a Heisman Trophy too.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Richardson Stays Grateful For Strong Family Support
TUSCALOOSA | Aunt Dorothy hung in for more than three quarters to say a final goodbye to Trent Richardson.
Then she was gone.
It was the night of the University of Alabama's 24-7 victory over Mississippi State, and Richardson had just punched in a late touchdown from 2 yards out that clinched the victory. His Aunt Dorothy was watching the game, lying on the couch, riddled with cancer. She raised her hand in the air, said a few words about the nephew she treated like a son, then ...
To continue reading: http://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1304652
Then she was gone.
It was the night of the University of Alabama's 24-7 victory over Mississippi State, and Richardson had just punched in a late touchdown from 2 yards out that clinched the victory. His Aunt Dorothy was watching the game, lying on the couch, riddled with cancer. She raised her hand in the air, said a few words about the nephew she treated like a son, then ...
To continue reading: http://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1304652
Trent Richardson vs The Honey Badger
It is a great tribute to the Gulf Coast’s strong tradition of producing great football players that two out of the five Heisman finalists are Gulf Coast natives. It is also unusual circumstances that both Alabama RB Trent Richardson (Pensacola) and LSU CB Tyrann Mathieu (New Orleans) will be butting heads for the second time this season when their teams meet for the National Championship on January 9th in the Mercedez-Benz Superdome. Great mutual respect has been displayed between the two rivals and Heisman finalists, with Richardson praising Mathieu’s play making ability to the media, and Mathieu responding via twitter, "Much love, Bro."
Still, will it be awkward with Richardson and Mathieu sitting side by side in the New York Downtown Athletic Club during the awards presentation? With apologies to Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Montee Ball, what do you say they clear the room and have the Heisman decided between Richardson and The Honey Badger in a one-on-one tackling drill right their in their suits? Or at least have it as an added attraction to the ceremony.
Who do you think would win? Richardson or the Honey Badger?
Still, will it be awkward with Richardson and Mathieu sitting side by side in the New York Downtown Athletic Club during the awards presentation? With apologies to Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Montee Ball, what do you say they clear the room and have the Heisman decided between Richardson and The Honey Badger in a one-on-one tackling drill right their in their suits? Or at least have it as an added attraction to the ceremony.
Who do you think would win? Richardson or the Honey Badger?
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Curtis Johnson Brings Recruiting Prowess To Tulane Job
Opportunity knocks for new Tulane coach Johnson with local recruits
By Ed DanielsA prominent high school football coach told me this week, "You watch C.J.; he will get players in from around here."
C.J. is new Tulane football coach Curtis Johnson.
A prominent Tulanian told me this week, "We don't need the third or fourth tier local player. We need an occasional one that LSU wanted and get most of those second tier in-state players."
With those two thoughts in mind, and understanding that Johnson says he will honor the commitments of those players recruited by previous head coach Bob Toledo, here's some of those who might have been from the class of 2012.
To continue reading: http://www.sportsnola.com/sports/tulane/578170-opportunity-knocks-for-new-tulane-coach-johnson-with-local-recruits.html
"I am a Ragin Cajun" - Mark Hudspeth
On the same day Hugh Freeze officially left Arkansas State to coach Ole Miss and Tulane introduced New Orleans Saints wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson as its new coach, UL head coach Mark Hudspeth insisted he isn't going anywhere any time soon — and Ragin' Cajuns Athletic Director Scott Farmer said Hudspeth deserves a pay raise and a contract extension.
"We want to make Coach one of the top-paid coaches in our conference," said Farmer, whose Cajuns belong to the Sun Belt Conference.
Fedora To Be Named Head Coach At UNC
Sorry to see Larry Fedora leaving Southern Miss. From The Hattiesburg American:
Larry Fedora will go out on top at Southern Miss.
The University of Southern Mississippi head coach leaves the program to take the same position at North Carolina, the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal reported Tuesday night after several sources close to the situation verified the selection.
Fedora's Golden Eagles went 11-2 this season to set a program record for total wins in a season.
To continue reading: http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20111207/NEWS01/112070301/Farewell-coach-Fedora?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Farewell coach Fedora
Larry Fedora will go out on top at Southern Miss.
The University of Southern Mississippi head coach leaves the program to take the same position at North Carolina, the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal reported Tuesday night after several sources close to the situation verified the selection.
Fedora's Golden Eagles went 11-2 this season to set a program record for total wins in a season.
To continue reading: http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20111207/NEWS01/112070301/Farewell-coach-Fedora?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
LSU Defensive Coordinator John Chavis Named Nation's Top Assistant
The offseason honors keep rolling in for LSU as defensive coordinator John Chavis was awarded the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach.
Chavis is the first assistant coach in LSU history to receive the honor. The other finalists were Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, former Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee and Alabama assistant head coach Sal Sunseri.
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