Orange and Blue Hue » Tebow: He15man x 2 or Not?

Tebow: He15man x 2 or Not?

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One of the more interesting debates on the Gator roundtable is whether Tim Tebow can join Ohio State legend Archie Griffin in the Multiple Heisman club.

On the one hand, scout.com says it’s possible, and they even have Tebow at the top:

Tebow is becoming an all-timer of a superstar as Superman will be the unquestioned leader of the likely preseason No. 1 team. It’ll be interesting to see how he matures and grows as a quarterback with far more help to carry the workload; he won’t have the same numbers since he won’t have to do it all himself. USC transfer Emmanuel Moody will be certain to take away touchdown runs, but that could mean Tebow turns into an even more devastating passer. The Heisman will be his for the taking.

However, there are those who say otherwise, led by of all people, Heisman Pundit:

It’s not that Tebow can’t finish as high as No. 2 in next year’s Heisman, it’s just that he can’t win it. Heismandment No. 9 says no more two-time winners and I am confident it will apply here to Tebow. As it stands, there is already talk from Urban Meyer of heading to a two-quarterback system. Tebow may still be the best player in college football next year, but his stats may not come close to what he did this year and that’s one reason why–Tebow fatigue being another–he won’t win the Heisman.

Needless to say, many optimistic Florida fans are envisioning #15 taking the podium for a second straight year. Most want to see Tebow win because they’re expecting greatness from him all the time. Some think he’ll get the Heisman AND help Florida win the national championship in the same year. Others just want him to win because they hate the Buckeyes and hope to implicitly devalue one of the proudest moments in their history.

Personally, I fall somewhere in the middle. Will Tebow win #2? I don’t know. Can he win #2? Absolutely. I wouldn’t put it past the only junior incumbent in the award’s history.

However, there’s a catch. Because Tim isn’t going to put up the incredible rushing stats that he had in 2007, he’s going to have to distinguish himself in other ways. That likely entails:

A. Beating all three non-conference opponents
B. Doing no worse than 11-1 (8-1 SEC) heading into the postseason.
C. Winning the SEC Championship game
D. Putting the team in position to reach the BCS Championship Game

It’s a tall order, but it makes sense if you think about it for awhile. Tebow isn’t going to exceed, much less reproduce, his ‘07 stats from last season; there are more athletes on the offense, and only one football. The vast majority of Heisman voters are going to look for reasons NOT to pick Tebow #1, and their biggest concern will be team performance.

Thus, the best, and perhaps only way he can answer his critics is notching even more W’s. Not that it needs clarification anymore, but winning a ring as the starter will put the finishing touch on his case to be the greatest Gator quarterback ever.

Oh yeah, he’ll have to win over either Mark Sanchez or Beanie Wells, depending upon who wins the USC-Ohio State season opener. Both teams have the tools to also reach the BCS title game, and it isn’t a stretch to say that the winner will be in excellent position to head to Miami come February. Sorry, Gator/SEC fans, but much of that will be due to weak conference scheduling.

By the way, Tebow’s second stiff-arm would make UF tied with Oklahoma for 4th all time in Heismans won.

The top 3? USC, Ohio State, and Notre Dame.

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You know something… I think you’re right. Heisman Pundit’s Heismandments were broken last year so I’m not so sure why he’s insistent that his other rule can’t be broken either. If Tebow wins a national title with the Gators, it’s perhaps the only “statistical improvement” which would force voters into picking him a second time.

For the record, I don’t really care too much about dual Heismans. I will not be watching that race closely this year. I want football championships… you know, the kind of thing TEAMS have to win.

To be honest, I’d rather see a national championship than another Heisman. Based on what we’ve seen at the O&B Game, Tebow will have more of a “traditional” role as QB. In that role, he just can not amass the stats from last year. He will have to some Herculean shit to surpass the hype and expectations to win another.

Whether he wins it or not this year, I am glad he won it last year. Not in the least because of thisd; should Florida find itself vying for a SEC and even perhaps a National Title this fall, all the Heisman hype will be far less distracting, even if it is there, a second time around.

If Tebow gets the team into the BCS title game, the Heisman hype should take care of itself.

He may not win a second time, but trying the “best player from a championship team” bit will give him his best practical shot.

Plus, think of it as if the title is the primary goal; Heisman #2 is the cherry on top.

Heisman is Percy’s.

I dont understand how heisman voters get name fatigue. Its their job and its sort of important. They’re supposed to be objective. They need to pick the best player.

Sadly, that is easier said than done.
Certain schools have “name recognition” that helps them out in the Heisman race. Consider:

1956:

Winner: Paul Hornung, Notre Dame

(Won it during a 2-8 season, one of the worst team seasons in history up until last year’s 3-9 campaign)

Runner-up: Johnny Majors, Tennessee

(Vols fans often complain that Majors was snubbed, and rightfully so)

1975:

Winner: Archie Griffin, Ohio State

Runner up: Chuck Muncie, Cal

Griffin only rushed for 4 touchdowns in his senior season, but he played for a top coach (Woody Hayes) on a top team.

Guess which statistically superior tailback got screwed that season?

1981:

Winner: Marcus Allen, USC

Runner up: Hearshel Walker, Georgia

Remember, Walker almost single-handedly led the Dawgs to a national championship the year before. Voters were looking for reasons not to pick the super soph, and Allen was having a great year at Tailback U.

All was not lost, as Walker finally won it the next year.

1991:

Winner: Desmond Howard, Michigan

Runner up: Casey Wheldon, Florida State

Howard was only the second wideout/kick returner to win the stiff-arm, with his stiff-arm pose against Michigan State a Heisman classic.

On second thought, I’ll let this one slide.

1997:

Winner: Charles Woodson, Michigan

Runner up: Peyton Manning, Tennessee

Darnit, there were certain things the Manning family just couldn’t touch. Peyton went 0-4 against Florida, and voters turned against him. They got tired of Peyton, Peyton, Peyton.

Wait, I’ll let this one slide as well.

2001:

Winner: Eric Crouch, Nebraska
Runner up: Rex Grossman, Florida

Six years before Tim Tebow became the first sophomore to win it, Rex Grossman came as close as anyone ever did.

Crouch had seniority and a ticket to the NC game. The buck stopped there, as the Miami Hurricanes wiped the floor with them en route to title #5.

I think the most likely guy to get it next year is Chase Daniel. He’ll put up better numbers than Tebow will (defense has died in the Big 12), he’ll be a senior, and he has a great chance to lead Missouri into the national title game. If he does that, it’s his statuette to lose.

Had assumed Michigan thorough domination of the Gators virtually ended any chance of a Heisman repeat for Tebow. Some were thinking how that game ended exposed more than the Gator offense adding to the validity of those opposing a sophomore’s consideration in the first place… but maybe not.

The michigan game showed everyone what a suspect defense can do. His numbers and our win/loss should help him be right at the top. Gameday will be coming to the swamp at least twice this year and we all know how much they love him. If we are one loss going into the SEC champ. game, ESPN will talk about him relentlessly.

TT’s not winning two times in a row. Even if he puts up better numbers than the year before, he won’t win. Leinart had better statistics in 2005 than he had in 2004 and his team was on track to win the MNC both years.

“Name Fatigue,” “overhype,” or whatever you want to call the phenomena where people just get sick of talking about a particular person- it’s real and it will kill TT’s chances of repeat. Media has a profound effect on the voters (since no human being can watch every game every saturday, let alone Thursdays, Fridays and Sunday’s games), and their job isn’t to be right it’s to be interesting. Besides, Timmy’s got the personal hardware in the trophy case it’s time for another crystal trophy (and, umm, I don’t mean the replacement for the 2006 one)

You know you have a real program when people refer to a 41-35 game as a “thorough domination.”

Tebow threw for 3 TDs against no INTs and ran for another TD in what was, admittedly, one of his worst games last season. I would think most college QBs would “settle” for 4 TDs a game - even those in contention for the Heisman…

The Michigan game really proved nothing other than how bad our defense really was.

I don’t think too many are really focused on the Heisman this coming season…least of all is Timmy T. I think he wants to make a run at the SEC and then go from there.

skigator, Tebow did through up an interception and was much less than 50% on his last 24 attempts. Michigan found his weakness and the rest of the SEC took notes. All I’m saying is it was a good thing Tebow won that award before the Michigan game. Granted Henne, Arrington, Manningham torched the Gator secondary all game, the score also doesn’t reflect the Hart fumbles, etc thus the crass comments you heard about Henne making Tebow his bitch. Everyone likes to dog a Heismen winner some call it a jinx. Tebow had no answer and that is uncharacteristic of Heismen type players and makes you wonder why the media pushed underclassmen’s bid as RJSPLOW points out it’s a lot to do with media bias.

Better recheck your stats Carl. Admittedly, I was drunk during most of the game (in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl with my UGA wife), but I rechecked the box score and Tebow did NOT throw any picks during the Michigan game. In fact, UF had zero turnovers.

And sorry, but fumbles are part of the game. If your teams never turns it over, they probably go undefeated and win the national championship.

Tebow only threw 6 picks all season (and several of those were off his receivers hands - I know, another part of the game, but it’s amazing how few careless throws he had all season). That is against 32 touchdowns. That in itself is an incredible ratio and that doesn’t even take into account his 23 rushing TDs. THAT is why he won the Heisman. In fact, no player in the history of the game, has ever put up those kinds of rushing and passing numbers. Florida played plenty of quality opponents too.

I think Tebow still wins the Heisman even if the vote was taken after the Michigan game. He was, far and away, the best player in college football last year and earned the award.

How many picks did Henne throw? 9 picks against 17 TDs. Henne was the better QB that day, no doubt - but to compare their seasons would be a joke.

I guess if Michigan found Tebow’s weakness, then the rest of the SEC should have absolutely no problem exploiting it and shutting down the UF offense this season, right? One flaw in your thoery, Michigan did not have to defend against Moody and Rainey running the ball. I have all the confidence in the world in our offense and Tebow. The defense is another question.

Ski, I apologize if you were offended by the Rivals column. I figured it was worth mentioning, and I’m fully aware that you want more coverage on other sports. Rest assured I’ll give credit where credit’s due.

Happy belated birthday to Chipper Jones, who grilled my hometown Marlins yesterday. Personally, my 19th is coming tomorrow. Boy, I feel old now.

ski~okay you’ve convinced me, but it would be great to see how Tebow and the Gator’s faired actually traveling out of the state for an OOC game against a major. Haven’t seen that in close to 20 years. Even if Tim got beat in his backyard, he’s still a winner with his off field interests and worthy of the award. thanks for the update.

I agree with you 100% on the scheduling Carl. There is absolutely no reason in a 12 game schedule that Foley can’t schedule a home and home with a major OOC opponent. I am tired of having 3 crap games every year. I get the revenue thing and the UGA game in Jax hurts by costing us a home game every other year, but we’d still have 6 home games every year. The 7th game doesn’t do anything for me when it is against a school with 3 directions in its name!

I will admit that as a Falcons season ticket holder, I am hoping Atlanta picks up Chad Henne with one of those 2nd round picks tomorrow!

But Ski, didn’t you notice they have the 3rd overall pick?

The last time that happened, Billy Knight made a very, very, very prudent decision. We all know how that turned out.

Matt Ryan will almost certainly be on the clock when Atlanta picks (St. Louis needs O and D-line help). What about him?

Arthur Blank, you can do it. We can help.

No Matt Ryan!! About 80% of early first round QBs flop. About 90% of all Falcons picks flop. I don’t like those odds. Falcons need to draft OL; OL; DL; OL; OL; DL; QB; DB; LB.

Plus, it doesn’t matter who plays QB behind the current line. Tom Brady couldn’t do anything without protection.

Let’s not mention the name “Billy Knight” during any draft -you’ll jinx us.

Okay then, should Ted Turner do? He DID own the team when they traded for for hometown favorite Dominique Wilkins in ‘82.

I’m open to your suggestions on who the Falcons should take. Thus, according to your methodology, they should take either Ryan Clady (OT) or Glen Dorsey (DE).

And the sad part is, even if I didn’t mention that guy, they’d probably take Ryan anyway. After a certain somebody got caught in the doghouse, Leftwich, Harrington, and Redman started the merry-go-round at QB. They won’t pick McFadden because of their Vick troubles. Chris Long is probably gone by now. Dorsey (who I assume is your personal favorite) has had injury issues.

And if you don’t think the QB matters, consider this year’s Madden cover athlete.

For Tim to win a second, he’ll need more “moments” than stats this season…

Falcons managed to screw it up before the first round ended. They took Ryan despite having Dorsey fall into their laps.

Then they trade up and gave away 3 other picks to take the 6th best OL in the draft. a guy described as having short arms and not a very good athlete. Ridiculous.

Uhhhhhh, sorry I jinxed you, Ski.

But I don’t know if things would have been different otherwise.

Braves, anyone?

Yo Ski, the Hawks actually won a playoff game!

All’s fair in love and war.

Horford is a beast.

Four assists from a triple-double he was.

Tonight was looking good until the 3rd quarter. That seems to be a trend with this team. To me that says “coaching.” Maybe we can get hot in the 4th and pull off a miracle.

Be careful what you wish for…

Do you believe in miracles?!?!

There an old rule in NBA playoffs - you aren’t really in trouble until you drop a home game….if you take care of business in your house - you never know what can happen in game 7!

In that regard, I think Game 5 will be more interesting than people will give it credit for.

If the Hawks can carry their momentum into Boston Garden, they can seal the deal with a win at Phillips Arena in Game 6.

Furthermore, if the Hawks somehow upset the Celtics in the series, I can see Horford winning Rookie of the Year.

Face it, there’s no way you can ignore a tied series with a 65+ win team.

Horford should already be ROY. Unfortunately, selections were made prior to the playoffs, so it doesn’t matter if the Hawks win the series or not. What does matter is that Horford is one of the biggest reasons the Hawks are playing postseson ball for the first time since 99.

Somewhat like a young(er) Dikembe Mutombo.

oh come on - you can come up with someone more complimentary than Deke!

Horford can score - Deke was just a defensive presence. Did you not see Horford’s jumper to ice the game on Saturday? Imagine Mutombo taking that shot….

Hmmm, maybe I did the wrong guy. Try this on for size:

Joe Johnson is a force of nature out there. If I didn’t know better, I’d say I was looking at The Other Human Highlight Reel.

Besides, neither Deke nor Horford has been lighting up the scoreboard lately.

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