TBO.com - Live in the moment

Remember, All Positions Are Eligible For Heisman

Published: Dec 11, 2007

GAINESVILLE - The man burst through the door at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square on Saturday night bearing the Heisman Trophy like a standard. He probably should have had a security detail, but maybe he didn't need it. Maybe the stiff arm thrown by the bronze, miniature version of former New York University back Ed Smith in the man's hands warded off any would-be muggers on the one-block walk between the Nokia Theatre and the Hard Rock.

Seeing the trophy outside a glass case was awe-inspiring, but I couldn't help feeling sad at the same time.

I thought of all those players who never had a chance to win the award because they were too heavy, too fast or because they preferred concussing opponents to scoring touchdowns. So, since this is my last beat column until Jan. 9, I thought I'd ask a certain segment of the population to make a special resolution.

As a former offensive lineman, I'm begging the 925 Heisman voters to resolve to stop discriminating against those who play positions other than quarterback, running back and wide receiver. Remember, your ballot tells you to elect the most outstanding player. It does not specify a position.

Yes, voters, I remember that you elected Michigan CB Charles Woodson in 1997, but that's one guy in the 58 years since the last time a guy who played something called "end" won the award. You can't tell me that no offensive tackle, linebacker, safety or defensive end deserved the award over one of the pretty boys who won it in at least a few of those years.

This season is a bad example. Florida QB Tim Tebow and Arkansas TB Darren McFadden clearly stood above the rest. But had LSU DT Glenn Dorsey stayed healthy, he would have dominated in ways equal to Tebow and McFadden.

But, because he's husky, he wouldn't have stood a chance. Don't believe me? Consider Ohio State OT Orlando Pace, the nation's single-most dominant player in 1996. Maybe he didn't do enough to keep Florida QB Danny Wuerffel from winning the trophy, but Pace certainly deserved to finish better than fourth.

And what about Pittsburgh DE Hugh Green? In 1980, Green required more game-planning by opponents than any player in the nation except Georgia freshman TB Herschel Walker. Voters discriminated against Walker because of his age. Then they discriminated against Green because of his position and gave the award to South Carolina's George Rogers.

How's this for a head-scratcher, Florida fans? In four seasons as a Gator, LB Wilber Marshall never once finished in the top 10 for the Heisman.

While most Heisman voters probably never played the game and have few statistics to rely on, hopefully they've watched enough football to know that a pancake-blocking offensive tackle or a tackling-machine linebacker can change a game as much or more than a quarterback, running back or receiver. That's why I'm asking voters to please consider this New Year's resolution. There are 22 players on the field - not three.

But feel free to keep ignoring the kickers.

UF SHORTS

HONOR ROLL: Florida G Nick Calathes was named SEC freshman of the week after averaging 22 points, nine assists, 5.5 rebounds and three steals in wins last week against Jacksonville and Florida A&M.

SOUNDBITE CENTRAL: "I've heard it all. Home-schoolers aren't supposed to be athletic. It's like, 'Go win a spelling bee or something.'" - Florida QB Tim Tebow on becoming the first home-schooled athlete to win the Heisman Trophy.

LOOK OUT FOR: A flood of Tim Tebow autographed merchandise on eBay. About a dozen autograph seekers gathered outside Florida practice on Monday, only to be disappointed to learn Tebow was still in New York.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How many more times will Tebow win the Heisman? Go to TBO.com, keyword: Gators Report to vote and monitor results.

BLOG BONUS: Go to TBO.com, keyword: Gators Report, to read about how Tebow's Heisman win will affect Florida's recruiting.

Andy Staples

Reporter Andy Staples can be reached at (352) 262-3719 or astaples@tampatrib.com.