michigan did a great job campaigning for him. everyone bought the hype (including you apparently). couple more facts for you Woodson in '97 Kick Returns = 0 Punt Returns = 36 for avg of 8.4 per and only 1 TD to put that return work into perspective, Trindon averaged 18.1 per punt return last year. woodson did very little outside of his defense that year. if peterson has the type of numbers the opening post suggests, he'll be invited to the ceremony bare minimum.
The media loves game-changing plays like VY's pump-fake TD run vs Okie State, Suh's destruction of Colt McCoy, Leinart's push into the endzone vs ND. Those types of plays in those types of games will put Peterson in the discussion. So, here's hoping something big happens against Bama, UNC, Florida and in the SECCG :thumb:
I think his "timing" was just right. He made key plays in big games, such as against tOSU or Michigan St. that stood out, since they were big games. Led his team to the Rose Bowl. National Championship. That sort of thing all helped, and yes, the hype was there...because the TEAM was in the spotlight. PLUS, that was 13 years ago, and I can't remember YESTERDAY half the time. - I think Peterson COULD be in the conversation IF everything falls into place like that. I have NO doubt about his ability. But LSU for some reason never pushes that sort of hype. Hell, why wasn't Dorsey invited in 2007? There were certainly memorable moments. He led his team to the BCSNCG...and won it. Huge games on TV for the world to see. Getting cheap shotted against AU, and going back out on one leg throwing people around like ragdolls just to show he could. But although he got a lot of attention and awards, he was never really even in the conversation for Heisman. Yeah, I know he got a vote or two, or at least I think he did. But he was not a threat for it. LSU didn't push the hype.
I'd say anyone who takes 4 punts AND 3 kickoffs to the house would likely "make the conversation." Add to that the impressive feat of shutting down every 1st rate receiver like Julio Jones, Green, etc, and then the athlete would have zero problem making the top 5. ZERO. But still, history loves its offensive Heisman winners, so I'd be shocked to see him actually win. Even if we all think he deserves it... (wait, have we played the season yet?!)
Ordinarily I would agree, but does anyone else get the feeling we're seeing more 'HYPE' videos this year focused on #7? Don't get me wrong - I'm a huge fan myself, and I believe that he is without a doubt the real deal and will have an outstanding year this year and many more in the NFL. It's just that I think maybe LSU is purposely marketing his talents this year. Either that or they hired a new guy with mad skills. Just as easily possible!
Doesn't the heisman come out before the National Championship game? I don't believe the NC game has a lot do with who wins this years heisman or any other heisman.
The NC game might not, but unless you're at ND or USC, you have to be in the NC hunt to get enough pub, I think
I think you need some 'sexy' stats to grab some serious heisman attention. You may get on the list, but I don't think you have a chance of winning without them. TDs or bigtime return yards would help. There's no good way to measure his performance in a way that grabs voter attention if no one throws his way. I seem to recall a similar discussion surrounding Glen Dorsey. He drew double teams which helped others make big plays and was able to break away for tackles and sacks but otherwise quantifying performance like that in a meaningful way for the voters is difficult.
and the flip side of that (and this may be a pre-caffeine thought, who knows) could be that a good heisman campaign keeps a teams name in the media, and in front of voters for the polls. kind of a "they have a heisman contender, they must be good" mentality to the poll voters. jason white in 03 comes to mind for that. after the nc game, even some sports writers around here admitted that those who said ou didnt belong in that game were right.
