Why not Ndamukong Suh for Heisman?
Can't a defensive tackle be the most outstanding college football player in the country?
In a perfect world, where Keith Jackson is the commissioner of college football and every day is Saturday, the answers to the above would be an unequivocal “why not?'' and “of course.''
You can make the easy argument that Suh, Nebraska's dominator at defensive tackle, is as good a player as anyone at his position, and you might get a debate only from the good folks in Gainesville, Fla., or Austin, Texas.
Suh is a man who can change a game with just one of his claws. But the reality of today's college football — not to mention yesterday's — is that for Suh to have a Heisman prayer, No. 93 will have to change the mind-set of an entire generation of Heisman voters, the majority of whom believe the winner must know how to grip a football or fall over a goal line.
In the wake of Suh's eye-opening performance at Missouri last week, I took a quick straw poll of national news media types who I consider to be semi-rational and mostly objective. Of the 15 who would return my e-mails, 12 said they would vote for a defensive tackle to win the Quarterback of the Year award, er, Heisman.
Which is all good and well on Oct. 16. Suh is the flavor of the week.
The national news media flutter from story to story, hero to hero, week to week. Heisman voters try to follow along. Suh might soon be left in the dust of Jimmy Clausen or Colt McCoy.
Can Suh sustain that level of play? Can he help win another big game?
Can a defensive tackle possibly do enough without ever touching the ball (except those remarkable interceptions)?
As I read through the responses, it became clear that while there are open minds, some old hurdles still remain.
Matt Hayes, sporting news.com: “My priority has always been how a guy plays in big games, how does he affect the game? Suh has been unblockable in both of NU's big games this season — and both on the road in tough environments. He's off to a heck of a start.''
Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman: “Absolutely I would vote for a defensive tackle. Suh can't play much better. He's on my radar and could become a legitimate candidate with more dominating performances like he's had so far.''
Kevin Haskin, Topeka Capital-Journal: “He must continue to put up un-tackle-like stats, play for a national championship contender and look good in a suit. And be inspired by the lyrics to “A Boy named Sue.''
Dave Sittler, Tulsa World: “If Suh continues to play anywhere near the remarkable performance he put on against Mizzou and Nebraska wins the Big 12 championship, I'd seriously consider him as my top Heisman candidate. That was one of the most dominating performances I've witnessed in more than 40 years doing this gig.
“I was also impressed by his leadership on and off the field. The cameras showed him on the sideline reassuring (Zac) Lee when the Cornhusker quarterback struggled most of the game. Tim Tebow does that, and the media falls head-over-laptops in love with the guy. A defensive lineman does it, and many media members yawn while checking to make sure they have the correct kickoff time for Saint Timmy's next game.''
About that Tebow guy: He, McCoy and the other gunslingers still have the upper hand. Another way to put it: They would all have to drop the ball, literally and figuratively.
Steve Wieberg, USA Today: “I go with who I think is the best player who has had the best season, period. This could be an interesting year for somebody like Suh, who's clearly one of the most dominant, game-changing players in a season when no offensive player not named Tebow has really turned heads.''
Stewart Mandel, si.com: “It's not something that's come up with me before, but Suh is definitely high on the list right now. I think he would need to continue to put up big numbers, especially in big games, and none of the usual suspects (Tebow, McCoy) had overwhelming seasons.''
Bruce Feldman, espn.com: “If Suh keeps playing like he has the past month and if Tebow or McCoy don't get back to the level they played at last season, he'd have a good shot for me.''
Or, as John Henderson of the Denver Post put it: “If all the top quarterbacks in the country either bomb in November or hold up orphanages.''
Three other voters pointed out the built-in disadvantage of the defensive tackle — and the obvious flaw in the Heisman system.
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star: “Defensive tackles or anyone else who isn't a quarterback or running back has to have Suh-at-Mizzou games every week. A QB or RB can have a down game or two. A DT has to be highlight-reel good every week. Fair or not, that's how it goes.''
Pat Forde, espn.com: “The difficult thing about defensive linemen — and all defensive players, to some degree — is that they can be game-planned around. You can run away from him, double-team him, roll out your quarterback, etc. So there may be some games when Suh doesn't do much statistically because the opponent commits extra men to blocking him or just avoids coming into his area. And when that happens, I don't know how many Heisman voters will react to a stat line that says “one solo, two assists.''
Finally, Chris Dufresne of the L.A. Times pointed out: “Charles Woodson was primarily a defensive player when he won (the 1997 Heisman), but he also caught passes and returned kicks and had Brent Musburger blowing his horn against Ohio State. For (Suh) to be considered the Huskers would have to be contending for a national title in a year when there were no clear-cut contenders. Steve Emtman (defensive tackle, Washington) finished No. 4 in 1991. Orlando Pace (offensive tackle, Ohio State), was No. 4 in 1996. That's about as high as a lineman can get in this day and age.''
So, to summarize, here's what probably has to happen for Suh to win the Heisman: Run up numbers like he did last week every week, win the Big 12 and hope Tebow holds up an orphanage. Just for starters.
It's no wonder they call the Outland Trophy the “Heisman'' for interior linemen. Winning the Outland and Lombardi together would put Suh in the esteemed company of former Husker great Rich Glover. No shame there, certainly.
But a defensive grunt can dream of a trip to New York, can't he?
If Suh could make that trip, be among the top five candidates, that means he would have knocked down some walls. For Suh, for now, that seems a worthy goal.
Contact the writer:
444-1025, tom.shatel@owh.com
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