[qdog19631]

How do you feel about the Heisman Award? Does the BEST College football player actually get the award? OR is it just reserved for QBs, RBs, and WRs?
Has the award lost its luster? What does the award mean and how much stock do you put into the player who wins it? BIG BIG Time discussion here

[qdog19631]

I think its hit and miss. But I myself don't put a lot of stock in the Heisman winner. I think to many times defensive players are overlooked. Every year is different I know, but if you look at the past, on average, the Heisman winner just doesn't seem to do well. Now of course we can make good arguments with Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart. But thats what I'm talking about. It seems that they have become more of the Exception than the rule. Just this year, the winner and his top contender were BLOWN out and embarrased in their Bowl games in the National Spotlight.

[legend]

The Heisman has become a joke in that it is often there for a few preordained favorites to lose, rather than win. Troy Smith didn't win the Heisman, he just didn't lose it. It should be given out in January afer all is said and done and go to the player who was clearly the best in the nation, regardless of what his team did. Probably the kid that deserved it the most looking back was the quarterback from LSU.

[OswaldTheOsprey]

Originally Posted by legend

The Heisman has become a joke in that it is often there for a few preordained favorites to lose, rather than win. Troy Smith didn't win the Heisman, he just didn't lose it. It should be given out in January afer all is said and done and go to the player who was clearly the best in the nation, regardless of what his team did. Probably the kid that deserved it the most looking back was the quarterback from LSU.

Very good suggestion as to giving it out in January. The Heisman
Trophy, like the Oscar and other such awards, has never been
anything but a popularity contest. Especialy for the last thirty
years or so. Purely subjective.

OswaldTheOsprey

[EmpireWF]

I don't know if it's all popularity. If it was Jason White wouldn't have won it twice. Adrian Peterson would have won it as a freshman.

And besides, nobody safe for Smith and the Hawaii QB this year deserved it.

[OswaldTheOsprey]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

I don't know if it's all popularity. If it was Jason White wouldn't have won it twice. Adrian Peterson would have won it as a freshman.

And besides, nobody safe for Smith and the Hawaii QB this year deserved it.

There is a great deal of pr and politicking involved in it, again just
like the Oscar and other awards. Any award is by it's nature going
to be subjective. A batting title in baseball or a rushing title in
football, on the other hand, are purely objective. One either hits
for a higher average than the rest or one doesn't. Popularity is
irrelevant-see Ty Cobb!

OswaldTheOsprey

[qdog19631]

I tend to agree with Legend. I like what you said about pre-ordained favorites. Also that Smith didn't WIN the Heisman, he just didn't LOSE it. Very well said

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by legend

The Heisman has become a joke in that it is often there for a few preordained favorites to lose, rather than win. Troy Smith didn't win the Heisman, he just didn't lose it. It should be given out in January afer all is said and done and go to the player who was clearly the best in the nation, regardless of what his team did. Probably the kid that deserved it the most looking back was the quarterback from LSU.

And darn it, that's how it should be!...all the money they put into the campaign!...but Legend I got to agree with you, the kid from LSU sure looked good didn't he?...of course he wasn't being chased down by Gators in a BCS either...

[Lefty Noob]

To me, the Heisman has been a joke ever since:
A. Orlando Pace DIDN'T win it, even though he was clearly the best player in his final year.
B. Ron Dayne DID win it, even though Michael Vick was far and away the best player in college football that season.

[qdog19631]

Good point Lefty, I had forgotten about the Orlando Pace thing. And thats what I mean about the best player in College football. Pace was a lineman, but I personally don't think there was a better player in college football that year. And Dayne over Vick was questionable also.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by qdog19631

Good point Lefty, I had forgotten about the Orlando Pace thing. And thats what I mean about the best player in College football. Pace was a lineman, but I personally don't think there was a better player in college football that year. And Dayne over Vick was questionable also.

Yep, the Heisman isn't for the best college football player, it's for the best junior or senior offensive skill position player.

[qdog19631]

Speaking of that, Has a defensive player EVER won the Heisman?

[Lefty Noob]

Charles Woodson, according to Wikipedia, is "the only primarily defensive player to win the award, doing so as a defensive back for the University of Michigan in 1997." Of course, Woodson also played wideout and returned kicks, so...

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

Can anyone explain to me why they DON'T wait until after the season to give it out?

[qdog19631]

Whiskey, I think everyone would like to know the answer to that question.