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Should Derrick Thomas have won the Heisman?
Posted on 12/7/21 at 11:31 pm
Posted on 12/7/21 at 11:31 pm
Looking back should Derrick Thomas have won the Heisman? Recognized as the greatest linebacker ever, how was he not given the Heisman?
Unbelievably he finished 10th in the Heisman vote. Still to this day holds the single season sack record at 27.
Almost as unbelievable he wasn't inducted into the college HOF until 2014. 14 years after his death.
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Unbelievably he finished 10th in the Heisman vote. Still to this day holds the single season sack record at 27.
Almost as unbelievable he wasn't inducted into the college HOF until 2014. 14 years after his death.
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Posted on 12/7/21 at 11:32 pm to BFANLC
He definitely won the bad motherfricker award
Posted on 12/7/21 at 11:33 pm to BFANLC
quote:
should Derrick Thomas have won the Heisman?
Over Barry Sanders? No
Posted on 12/7/21 at 11:34 pm to BFANLC
10th was far too low in the Heisman vote in 1988 but you’ve got to remember Barry Sanders season with Oklahoma State that year as well. Honestly 27 sacks today in a single season is a runaway Heisman winner in my opinion. I mean Chase Young was in the finalists in 2019 and he didn’t have half those numbers Thomas did.
Posted on 12/7/21 at 11:41 pm to LSUTigers9458
The sack leader this year didn't get invited to NYC, But player with less sacks than him did.
Also, the sack leader just won the Nagurski.
Heisman had been a shite award since Woodson over Manning.
Also, the sack leader just won the Nagurski.
Heisman had been a shite award since Woodson over Manning.
Posted on 12/8/21 at 12:00 am to BFANLC
He happened to have the best season in history for an edge rusher the same season Barry Sanders had the best season in history for an RB. Barry also did it in a time when defenses were built to stop the run. Derek should have been number 2.
This post was edited on 12/8/21 at 12:02 am
Posted on 12/8/21 at 12:13 am to Gideon Swashbuckler
quote:
Heisman had been a shite award since Woodson over Manning.
You mean Gino Torretta over Marshall Faulk?
This post was edited on 12/8/21 at 12:14 am
Posted on 12/8/21 at 12:28 am to GnashRebel
quote:
He definitely won the bad motherfricker award
The dude was a home wrecker for QBs.
Posted on 12/8/21 at 1:23 am to BFANLC
If the Heisman were about picking the best player in college football, the list of winners would look very different. Many defensive monsters like Thomas who never even got to New York would be smashing QBs in Nissan commercials. The top of the NFL draft rarely aligns with the Heisman stage.
Heisman lost its identity long ago. It doesn't even say it has to be the best player in college football in the criteria. I blame Torretta.
Heisman lost its identity long ago. It doesn't even say it has to be the best player in college football in the criteria. I blame Torretta.
Posted on 12/8/21 at 1:32 am to BFANLC
Passing was a little different back then in that 5 yard, pat, pat, throw was customary so he had more time than current dudes do.
That being said, DT was obviously hell on wheels. He and Suggs were the best pass rushers I've ever seen in college, and that's not just because they're #1 and #2 in single season sacks. Just had phenomenal first steps with counter moves already. Suggs doing it when he was 19 is particularly insane.
DT was one of the best defensive players I've ever seen, regardless of level. There's an LT and Reggie White tier where nobody comes close, but as a pass rushing talent and disruptor? Thomas wasn't too far off.
And the fact that I had to think of Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White to think of people who were clearly better than Derrick Thomas should mean something.
That being said, DT was obviously hell on wheels. He and Suggs were the best pass rushers I've ever seen in college, and that's not just because they're #1 and #2 in single season sacks. Just had phenomenal first steps with counter moves already. Suggs doing it when he was 19 is particularly insane.
DT was one of the best defensive players I've ever seen, regardless of level. There's an LT and Reggie White tier where nobody comes close, but as a pass rushing talent and disruptor? Thomas wasn't too far off.
And the fact that I had to think of Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White to think of people who were clearly better than Derrick Thomas should mean something.
This post was edited on 12/8/21 at 1:37 am
Posted on 12/8/21 at 1:35 am to BFANLC
no
Posted on 12/8/21 at 6:05 am to boston vol
quote:
Over Barry Sanders? No
Made me think of how talented that college year really was. Deion Sanders at FSU too.
Posted on 12/8/21 at 6:24 am to BFANLC
Yes
Posted on 12/8/21 at 6:35 am to FreddieMac
I was at the Penn State game in Birmingham and they had no answer and no chance. He was just too quick.
Posted on 12/8/21 at 6:37 am to BFANLC
Who won it that year?
Posted on 12/8/21 at 6:40 am to BFANLC
It's never been a fair fight. The media are too lazy or apathetic to actually watch these kids play football to start with. That's how that Michigan DE just got a NY invite and the Best Defensive Player in college football did not.
Face it, the Heisman system is so flawed that debating its merits is a total waste of time.
Face it, the Heisman system is so flawed that debating its merits is a total waste of time.
Posted on 12/8/21 at 6:54 am to bamameister
Stats for sacks back then were very subjective meaning standard TFL were credited for sacks when, in todays game, they would have not been credited. There was a breakdown a few years back that would have credited him with like 16 instead of 27. Anderson should have absolutely been invited. No problem with the Michigan DE getting invited.
Posted on 12/8/21 at 6:56 am to TIGERSPIKE
quote:
Anderson should have absolutely been invited. No problem with the Michigan DE getting invited.
This. I think the argument needs to be that more defensive players should be invited, not which one deserved it more when one finally does. Neither was going to win it this year. If Bryce took his name out of the running or something I doubt either even wins it over Kenny Pickett.
Posted on 12/8/21 at 7:27 am to BFANLC
His Heisman class was absurd.
But he definitely should have been higher than 10th
But he definitely should have been higher than 10th
Posted on 12/8/21 at 7:29 am to TrussvilleTide
quote:
This. I think the argument needs to be that more defensive players should be invited, not which one deserved it more when one finally does. Neither was going to win it this year. If Bryce took his name out of the running or something I doubt either even wins it over Kenny Pickett.
Mac Jones was the consensus first-team All-America selection and Trever Lawrence made 3rd team. Mac Jones won the 2020 Davey O'Brien Award, the 2020 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and the 2020 Manning Award winner.
Mac Jones finishes 3rd to Trevor Lawrence in the Heisman.
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