IS ESPN TYING TO SWAY HEISMAN VOTERS AWAY FROM HENRY?

     

Let's hope the media doesn't steal his Heisman

      Is it just me, or does it appear some type of concerted effort by the ESPN media to deny Derrick Henry a Heisman Trophy exists? It sure sounded like it when watching all the bowl selection shows this morning? I’m not trying to take anything away from any of the candidates. Each has unique qualifications. You must put each performance in context. Derrick Henry is the only candidate to have broken the records of the best running back in NCAA history. Who makes the most out of their opportunities when touching the ball. That’s the basis of the Heisman Award. A quarterback is going to win that battle every year. Quarterbacks always have the most touches. They can run with the ball, they can hand it off, and throw it downfield. That gives the candidate from Clemson a lot of opportunities to accumulate statistics. Deshaun Watson is the perfect example. Sorry if I’m not impressed with the ACC. They are an accumulation of ragtag football teams and great basketball schools, and every so often they have a good football team.  Those teams don't exactly have to fight the big boys to a league championship do they? If Clemson had to play an SEC schedule you are looking at a 2 or 3 loss team.

        The same can be said for Stanford’s Billy McCafferty. He is a great player. He has same type advantages as a quarterback. He is going to get the ball on passes, runs, and kicks. That may be what makes a great all-around player. It might even be what it takes to win the Heisman. I’m sorry if I’m not impressed with the PAC 12. They are a bunch of second rate teams in big media outlets. He also plays on the one team in that plays football much like the SEC. Stanford is a lot like a wolf in a field of lambs. If anyone deserves to win instead of Henry it has to be McCafferty.

      That brings me to Derrick Henry.  If the first two candidates are all dash and flash, then what is Henry? How about a Mack Truck in a demolition derby? Henry has to run against the toughest defenses in the nation week after week. To break Herschel Walker’s long-standing record for rushing yardage. No slap in the face of Bama’s offensive line, but they don't exactly dominate defensive fronts. They have their moments, but Henry ran for 189 yards against one of the toughest defenses in the NCAA. He had almost 2000 yards for the season. He didn't play most of the game against Charleston Southern. He literally could have had 300 yards or more against that team. Henry was the heart and soul of his team. The Tide offense was run oriented, and not that AU gimmick type  running. The Crimson lined up and looked you in the eye and said "here we come, you better be ready." Even when the opposition was ready, it made no difference. Ask Florida. If Derrick Henry doesn't win the Heisman it will be the greatest travesty of the season.


       This morning it was crystal clear that ESPN was talking up Watson and McCafferty. they were talking Henry down a notch. Maybe the network has become Fox or MSNBC News.