🏈 Heisman Trophy voters must dramatically rethink how they view defensive players

[jlabit]

Interesting article pushing defensive players, specifically Jonathan Allen, for the Heisman.

Heisman Trophy voters must dramatically rethink how they view defensive players

 

[TUSKtimes]

Talking about defense, I want to throw a shout out to the man I'm sure is more than responsible for what we are seeing from the defensive front. We were all maybe holding our breath a little and wondering if we could keep the '15' defensive momentum going. Coach Karl Dunbar has exceeded my expectations and has really done a nice job with our front four all season. OK, back to J Allen.

If he somehow finishes high enough to get an invite to New York, like Suh, that's like winning the thing. But if we could get Jonathan an imaginary girlfriend that, say, is tragically lost at sea, perhaps even a runner-up to Lamar Jackson is possible.

 

[rick4bama]

Maybe, just maybe, He could be the first Defensive player to win it. Then I wake up think all the one that will be voting for Jackson.

 

[PCRammer]

Maybe, just maybe, He could be the first Defensive player to win it. Then I wake up think all the one that will be voting for Jackson.

mmmm. Charles Woodson says hello.

 

[TUSKtimes]

mmmm. Charles Woodson says hello.

And Peyton Manning just said something under his breath.

 

[JoshB]

If he scores a cpl more touchdowns and continues to get the sacks and tackles for loss it will be hard not to at least consider him.

 

[rick4bama]

mmmm. Charles Woodson says hello.

You remember he played two way, he wasn't just on defense.

 

[JoshB]

Yea Woodson played both ways but I think he had a total of like 20 catches his entire Michigan career so defense was def. his focus. I think Woodson is a perfect example of a Heisman winner IMO. He scored in every way possible that year (interception returns, fumble returns, catch, run, kickoff return, punt return). Hell he even threw a long pass that year if i remember correctly, I dont think it was a score but it was completed. Only thing he didnt do was kick field goals and punts and he took over games with his playmaking. Defensive players are able to make a huge impact on a game regularly but it is VERY difficult for a defender to completely change a game.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

mmmm. Charles Woodson says hello.

Woodson was also a return specialist that racked up, in effect, offensive yardage and scores also.

 

[PCRammer]

You remember he played two way, he wasn't just on defense.

Yes. He did play some offense and as SLO pointed out was a return man too. However, he is known as the only primarily defensive player to have won the HT.

If for some reason Jon Allen lines up in the backfield at some point this season and run blocks for a couple of TD's (like A'Shawn last year) would you then not call him a defensive player? I'm not trying to start anything here, all Im saying is if JA wins it he will not be acknowledged as the first defensive player to win the HT. Maybe he could the first PURE defensive player to win (barring any offensive snaps) and then I would agree.

 

[rick4bama]

Yes. He did play some offense and as SLO pointed out was a return man too. However, he is known as the only primarily defensive player to have won the HT.

If for some reason Jon Allen lines up in the backfield at some point this season and run blocks for a couple of TD's (like A'Shawn last year) would you then not call him a defensive player? I'm not trying to start anything here, all Im saying is if JA wins it he will not be acknowledged as the first defensive player to win the HT. Maybe he could the first PURE defensive player to win (barring any offensive snaps) and then I would agree.

I'm not going to get into with you or anyone else. That not me, but we should be saying this about Woodson. He won it, and kept Manning from winning it. Just like Horning kept Johnny Major from winning it back in the day. That my friend is the icing on the cake!! h/t

 

[BamaFan334]

Allen has been on the offensive, scoring two tuddys. I agree, they need to re-evaluate their metrics, because they are CLEARLY discriminating against the defensive side of the ball, and we all know defense can win Championships, as it was a major piece to ours last year. Best player in the country doesn't mean you go directly to the stats sheet.

 

[psychojoe]

The Heisman is more of a beauty contest than anything else. I do believe that our defense made a major contribution to Derrick's Heisman win by completely shutting down Fournette and ending any talk of him winning it.

I agree with the comment a few post backs that Suh making it to New York was the equivalent of him winning it. It takes so much for a DL to get that kind of recognition, but maybe the TDs will at least get Allen to NY. Barring a late season collapse by 'ville, it is hard to see anyone other than Jackson winning the Heisman.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Yes. He did play some offense and as SLO pointed out was a return man too. However, he is known as the only primarily defensive player to have won the HT.

If for some reason Jon Allen lines up in the backfield at some point this season and run blocks for a couple of TD's (like A'Shawn last year) would you then not call him a defensive player? I'm not trying to start anything here, all Im saying is if JA wins it he will not be acknowledged as the first defensive player to win the HT. Maybe he could the first PURE defensive player to win (barring any offensive snaps) and then I would agree.

Watch Kiffin talk Saban into letting JA take some offensive snaps and possibly even a couple goal line carries as a FB.

I think that would be awesome.

 

[#80]

Watch Kiffin talk Saban into letting JA take some offensive snaps and possibly even a couple goal line carries as a FB.

I think that would be awesome.

Agree 110% and why not I think he is as athletic if not more than A'Shawn.

 

[sean]

i was (sort of) watching one of the games that was on yesterday/last night (can't remember who it was, but that's irrelevant). they ran a heisman thing at the bottom of the screen, and in the number 5 spot was Jonathan Allen. the previous 4 were all quarterbacks (i think; maybe a running back in there as well).

so at least he's getting some talk.

 

[TUSKtimes]

The Heisman voters should dramatically rethink how they view offensive players while they're at it.

They've recently given this hunk of stuff to RG III over Andrew Luck and don't forget Johnny Manziel, Troy Smith, Jason White, Eric Crouch, Chris Weinke, Ron Dayne, Rashaan Salaam, Gino Torretta, Ty Detmer to name a few. The most over-hyped, poorly executed award of them all. And that's saying a mouthful.

And just think how sad Manti Teo's girlfriend has to be looking down knowing that Teo will forever, only finish second, to eventual Heisman winner Johnny Football?

 

[planomateo]

Funny.

 

[rick4bama]

:rolf::rolf::rolf::rolf: