Eric Berry for Heisman: is the perfect storm brewing?
by Joel Hollingsworth on Aug 11, 2009 7:42 AM EDT
in Tennessee Volunteer Football
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PrintTennessee's Heisman campaign for Eric Berry is off and running, and Volunteer fans are certainly excited about it. Sure, he may deserve it over the only other truly defensive player to have won it, but does he really have a shot?
History suggests that he does not. Defensive players generally don't win the Heisman, and teams with more than a few losses generally don't produce Heisman winners. But intangibles do often come into play, and if Berry has another great season in 2009 and Tennessee is at least a little better than people think, those intangibles could brew up a perfect scenario, one in which Berry brings it home.
Obstacle #1: Defensive players don't win the Heisman
The two-platoon system didn't really show up for good until the mid-1960s, and so most Heisman winners prior to that time were, technically speaking, both offensive and defensive players. However, based on the positions of players that have won since that time -- mostly quarterbacks and running backs -- it's safe to assume that even those players were selected primarily because of what they did on the offensive side of the ball.
There's really only been one true defensive player to have won the Heisman, and Tennessee fans know all too well who that was and when it happened. Michigan defensive back Charles Woodson beat Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning by 282 points in 1997, a season in which Woodson had eight interceptions and also played a bit as receiver and punt returner.
Woodson may be the only defensive player to have won the Heisman, but several have competed for it:
| Year | Player | Team | Finsished |
| 1964 | Dick Butkus | Illinois | 3rd |
| 1969 | Mike Reid | Penn State | 5th |
| 1972 | Rich Glover | Nebraska | 3rd |
| 1977 | Ross Browner | Notre Dame | 5th |
| 1980 | Hugh Green | Pittsburgh | 2nd |
| 1982 | Dave Rimington | Nebraska | 5th |
| 1983 | Terry Hoage | Georgia | 5th |
| 1986 | Brian Bosworth | Oklahoma | 4th |
| 1991 | Steve Emtman | Washington | 4th |
| 1992 | Marvin Jones | Florida State | 4th |
| 1997 | Charles Woodson | Michigan | 1st |
The fact that a guy like Dick Butkus never finished first indicates just how difficult it is for a defense-only player to win the Heisman, but the fact that Charles Woodson did win suggests that it can be done under the right circumstances.
Obstacle #2: Heisman winners generally come from the best teams
It is very rare for a player to win the Heisman if his team plays poorly the season of his campaign. In the BCS Era, only Tim Tebow has lost more than three games and still won, and his fourth loss came in the bowl game after he'd already hauled the trophy home.
| Record | Winner | Team | Year |
| 12-0 | Matt Leinart | USC | 2004 |
| 12-1 | Reggie Bush | USC | 2005 |
| 12-1 | Troy Smith | Ohio St. | 2006 |
| 10-2 | Ron Dayne | Wisconsin | 1999 |
| 11-2 | Chris Weinke | Florida St. | 2000 |
| 11-2 | Eric Crouch | Nebraska | 2001 |
| 12-2 | Carson Palmer | USC | 2002 |
| 12-2 | Jason White | Oklahoma | 2003 |
| 12-2 | Sam Bradford | Oklahoma | 2008 |
| 9-3 | Ricky Williams | Texas | 1998 |
| 9-4 | Tim Tebow | Florida | 2007 |
In the history of the Heisman, 15 winners played on an undefeated team, 20 winners played on teams with one loss, and 27 winners played on teams with two losses. After that, there is a huge gap. Only seven played on teams with three losses, only five played on teams with four losses, and a losing team has only produced one Heisman winner in the history of the award (Paul Hornung, Notre Dame, 2-8 in 1956). Woodson's team went undefeated in 1997.
The intangibles
Anyone who's ever followed the Heisman race throughout the season knows, though, that there is more to winning than what position you play, what kind of season you have, and what kind of season your team has. Some Tennessee fans will concede that part of the reason Woodson won in 1997 was because Peyton Manning just couldn't beat Florida, but all will tell you that much of the reason was because the public was just plain tired of hearing about Manning all season. In addition to the burnout factor, there seems to be a mentality among voters that winning once is enough, as Archie Griffin is the only player ever to have won the award twice. Certainly, the position one plays, the stats one compiles, and the success of the team for which one plays are the primary factors, but other, more unwieldy factors such as performances in rivalry games and public opinion and momentum come into play as well.
Eric Berry's perfect storm
Eric Berry is strictly a defensive player, and all indications are that due to the defense installing a brand new scheme, the coaches will not allow him to dabble at other positions just to improve a very remote chance of winning the Heisman Trophy. In addition, his team is coming off a 5-7 season, and most reasonable predictions put the Vols at four losses or more this season. As a defensive-only player for a four-loss team, Berry is at best a long shot to win the Heisman.
But it's not entirely out of the question. Consider the following as variables that could contribute to a perfect storm in which Berry brings home the Heisman.
- Berry is Berry. Berry is already better than the one defensive player to have won. After only two seasons, he's a mere 15 yards shy of having the record for interception return yards. He's averaged six interceptions and 243 return yards per season. It's quite possible that he could exceed Woodson's Heisman-season eight interceptions, and if he does, he can rightly lay claim not only to the NCAA record but to the fact that he's better than the only defensive player ever to win the Heisman.
- Expectations for Tennessee. History suggests that a four-loss season for Tennessee doesn't necessarily ruin a Heisman-hopeful's chances. Plus, according to the early preseason polls, many national pundits aren't even expecting that, and if Tennessee can hit that mark or even actually manage another game better than that, it will be big news that will take on its own momentum.
- It's the SEC. The SEC on ESPN. Now that the SEC and ESPN have partnered up, the SEC is going to be the most heavily publicized conference in the nation, no question. It's already shown that it's the best conference in college football, having won the last three national championships. It is primarily a defensive league. Why shouldn't the best defensive player in the best conference win the award for the best player in college football when winning that conference means you must have a great defense?
- The competition. It appears that the three front-runners for this year's race are Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, and Colt McCoy. Tebow already has a Heisman, and Tebow burnout is already beginning. Sam Bradford also has a Stiff-Arm already, and he just got his last season. If Florida has a better season than Oklahoma, how do you give Bradford two and Tebow one? Colt McCoy is the biggest danger for Berry's long-shot chances, I think, but if he and/or Texas have a subpar season that includes a loss to Bradford and Oklahoma, it would lead to an interesting dilemma for voters. How could you give a Heisman to McCoy if he lost to Bradford?
- The Story. And if another defensive player is ever to win the Heisman, this year with this player for this school would make a compelling storyline that would pick up momentum as the season progresses. Twelve years ago, one of the best QBs in history lost it to a DB, and this year, a DB from the same school evens the score.
Eric Berry for Heisman? It could happen.
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I like it
It could happen. The magic number is 9: wins and interceptions. Deon Grant had nine picks in ’99. Berry can do it. And the Vols can get 9 wins.
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Eric Berry is better at football than you
Being strictly a defensive player makes Berry’s chances dead in the water. Woodson being a return man went a long way to getting him the award, especially his infamous “Heisman moment” against Ohio State. I doubt his part time receiving role did much, but it didn’t hurt.
As anyone on this site can recount, Woodson’s claim to the trophy was tenuous at best, and it required both fatigue for the favorite and a perfect storm of hype right at the end of the season. There may be Tebow fatigue and a small but growing Bradford fatigue, but that doesn’t really exist for Colt McCoy. In addition, the scenario where Berry wins it requires all three of Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma to disappoint. That’s extremely unlikely to happen all at once, and if one of those teams goes to the national title game, its quarterback will probably win the award.
I’m one of the last in line to criticize Eric Berry, believe me, but he’s not going to win the Heisman. Another thing to consider is that Tennessee’s head coach has made this season so much about himself that if Tennessee does surprise the country by winning nine or so games, the talking heads will spend so much time on him that Berry will be an afterthought. Yes, barriers in the voting have been breaking recently with back-to-back sophomores taking it home, but the defense-only barrier is not likely to fall this year.
Team Speed Kills
SBNation's SEC Blog
exactly..
There is virtually no way Berry gets the trophy. You would have to see ultimate FAIL in Tebow, McCoy AND Bradford. And even if those guys fail, UT being in a “rebuilding” year won’t help him.
He’s a great player but i think pushing the Heisman trophy is wasting money…maybe they could invest in more “billboards” with that money…
Scoring against Alabama will be like birthing a child: rare, painful, and messy
I have to disagree with that.
You don’t give a Heisman trophy to the #2 or #3 QB in the league, and if Berry and Tennessee can somehow beat Florida, go 9-3ish, and McCoy doesn’t have a lights-out year and/or loses to Oklahoma, McCoy would be the #2 or #3 QB in the league.
If Tennessee beats Florida and Berry has a “Heisman Moment” like he’s capable of (imo) he’ll get a major visibility factor in the race, and people will look at him and go “oh, his team won in Tebow’s home turf, he must be something else” and, IF Tennessee wins @ Florida (which is a long shot at best) you know it’ll be all over the news.
And while the season is, certainly, a lot about Kiffin — it is with ANY first year head coach, I must add — do you really think people would look the other way to praise Kiffin over Berry? I doubt it, a lot. Sure, Kiffin will get a lot of praise if Tennessee does beat Florida, but really that would only go to help Berry’s chances. Visibility is a big time factor in the voting, I believe.
Again, most of Berry’s Heisman chances come against Florida, I believe, and it obviously can’t be a one-and-done deal.
by bobo_the_vol on Aug 11, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
You don’t give a Heisman trophy to the #2 or #3 QB in the league, and if Berry and Tennessee can somehow beat Florida, go 9-3ish, and McCoy doesn’t have a lights-out year and/or loses to Oklahoma, McCoy would be the #2 or #3 QB in the league.
Sure you can. In fact, they did it last year IMO. When the #1 #2 and #3 QB’s are putting up ungodly numbers, its not out of the question. Also, just by pure stats Harrell was the #1 QB and didn’t even get invited.
If Tennessee beats Florida and Berry has a "Heisman Moment" like he’s capable of (imo) he’ll get a major visibility factor in the race, and people will look at him and go "oh, his team won in Tebow’s home turf, he must be something else" and, IF Tennessee wins @ Florida (which is a long shot at best) you know it’ll be all over the news.
Sure ill go with that. IF UT wins at UF and IF Berry has a “Heisman Moment” i could see him getting some hype. But thats a lot of ifs.
Scoring against Alabama will be like birthing a child: rare, painful, and messy
Good Points
But Bradford beat Texas Tech, Harrel had Crabtree, and Oklahoma was the team playing for the National Championship, and Texas Tech was clear out of the picture (unjustified, imo. I thought Harrel was a great qb, and Crabtree was pretty awesome). I think last year was a big thing with there being no other really “deserving” players outside of those 4 QBs, and I do think Harrel was 4th in voting, though I could be wrong.
Bradford was also the general of the “Point a Minute” offense.
Yeah, I definately agree that’s a lot of ifs, and it’s a lot of somewhat improbable ifs. Because of the spread of Florida’s offense (and I don’t mean the offensive style, I mean with how many playmakers they have) they, more than anyone else, can stay away from Berry, which I think they will make full effort to do. Of course, winning at Alabama and having a “Heisman Moment” might be sweet too wink wink nudge nudge Bammer
by bobo_the_vol on Aug 11, 2009 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions
All this campaign was supposed to do was get people talking about it and plant the idea in their minds.
It was inexpensive in terms of the Althetic Department’s budget so really why not just put it out there. Eric Berry’s season last year was in every way as good or better than Charles Woodson’s Heisman season, and Berry couldn’t even win the Thorpe.
"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it."
by Getoffmyvols on Aug 11, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Eric Berry’s season last year was in every way as good or better than Charles Woodson’s Heisman season, and Berry couldn’t even win the Thorpe.
So given this, how do you expect him to break the mold in ’09?
Scoring against Alabama will be like birthing a child: rare, painful, and messy
The team had a bad year and he got no exposure.
Despite being the best player on the number 3 defense in the country. Obviously the team needs to play better to help his already slim to none chances but having this campaign certainly does no harm and is just a way for the Athletic Department to demonstrate that they go the extra mile for their players. I don’t see why you guys have to take issue with it.
"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it."
by Getoffmyvols on Aug 11, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I just
don’t get the “campaign” part of it. Its like when OU had a freakin HUGE picture of Joey Harrington put up in NYC. If you have to do that, then you’ve gone too far.
Berry being in the SEC and getting the chance to play on national TV virtually every week will insure exposure. I just don’t see having to campaign for him…and understand this..if Alabama did the same thing for say Julio, id feel the same way.
Scoring against Alabama will be like birthing a child: rare, painful, and messy
The campaign concept fits the Heisman trophy very well.
It’s a political award. Winning it is influenced by your school, your school’s reputation and record during that current year, the region of the country that your school is in, media coverage, the ‘likability’ that your school has built up with the media, your school’s tie-ins to the DAC, and where the previous winners graduated from. All that is in addition to actual performance.
Think of it as a political campaign. To avoid a political discussion, consider the last several slates of local elections you’ve seen. How many people won as much for the® or (D) next to their name, or because of their last name, as for their actual ability? How many people have won based on voters who didn’t even know what they looked like, much less anything of importance?
Eric Berry’s a special player. He deserves recognition, and this is one way that we as UT fans can show appreciation for a guy who has had one of the best all-time defensive careers in the history of college football despite the unfortunate timing of the coaching transition and indifferent press that UT has received over the last 3 years.
by David Hooper on Aug 11, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
USC
did the same thing with Reggie Bush and Matt Leinhart, I think? I know I saw a bush4heisman.com place up, but it’s been so long I can’t remember if it was fan based or AD based for USC. But I think it is good exposure and a good statement for your players. Berry is deserving of something like this, I think we all agree on, and it shows those awesome players thinking about what school to go to “Hey, Tennessee will get my name out there. Pretty cool.”
Does it help his Heisman chances? I’d honestly say it barely does, but it does get more information out there about Eric Berry and Tennessee. I saw a NY Times sports article about how Tennessee was launching this campaign. It’s a good way to slide in a positive article about the Vols into the sport’s writers agendas.
by bobo_the_vol on Aug 11, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm so shocked that bammer thinks it's a waste of money
It’s never a waste of money to showcase your best player and future #1 overall pick in the draft.
If thats their reason
then o….k……have fun with that.
Scoring against Alabama will be like birthing a child: rare, painful, and messy
He's used to spending the money
to get the best player and future “#1 overall pick1”
You know .. while they are in highschool…
…..
……
…….
Alabama cheats, it’s funny, haha!! > : O
by bobo_the_vol on Aug 11, 2009 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Picking off Tebow 1 or 2 times in the swamp
and taking of them back to the house ought to be enough to push EB over the edge in Heisman voting.
IF
Tennessee upsets Florida, and as RBlakeh said, Eric Berry gets a pick ( or two ;) ) in that game, we’ll see Berry’s Heisman chances skyrocket. A lot. A whole lot.
That’s really what Eric Berry needs: a shining moment in a shining game. Woodson didn’t really win the award because he was the best defensive player. Nah, nope. Woodson won it because he had that big play against Ohio State in a huge game right there at the end of the year. Plays like that are really, really important. Don’t believe me? Go back and watch the highlights of Tim Tebow vs Florida State 2 years ago and Bradford’s play closing out the year last year.
we don't even need to win, if EB has the moments.
by memphispete on Aug 11, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
And I don’t think that Tebow and Bradford necessarily have to have poor seasons. The knock against them is that they’ve already won it once. McCoy, on the other hand, probably needs to fail somewhere along the line to make room for Berry.
Rocky Top Talk
by Joel Hollingsworth on Aug 11, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I got what you meant
McCoy needs to have a better year than Bradford and Tebow to win, I think, which means 1) Beating Oklahoma and 2) Florida needs to lose. If Florida goes undefeated, Tim Tebow is winning the second Heisman trophy of his career.
by bobo_the_vol on Aug 11, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
If he wins or is even considered
It absolutely must be because he’s one of the 3-4 best players in college football this year. It cannot be because he’s a “unique story” or any of that nonsense, because that’s part of the same myth that the media created which enabled Woodson to win it 12 years ago.
I like the 9 wins – 9 picks analogy, but somewhere in those 9 Tennessee is going to have to have a big win. And I agree: beat the Gators with one money play from Berry, and he’s instantly in the frontrunner conversation.
Will - Rocky Top Talk
maybe..
you still have last years winner playing in a league that forgets to play defense..
Heck i think Berry might be the best athlete in college football, i just see his chances while playing on this UT team being slim.
Scoring against Alabama will be like birthing a child: rare, painful, and messy
One other thing
If you look at all of the preseason coverage, Cal’s Jahvid Best is being set up as the next most important guy after the three quarterbacks. He too would need to have a lackluster year for Berry to get it.
Team Speed Kills
SBNation's SEC Blog
Jahvid who?
Meh. He’s just an attempt to get West Coasters interested in college football…
;-)
by David Hooper on Aug 11, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
No, Really?
Who is this guy? Never heard the name!
by bobo_the_vol on Aug 11, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
That's part of what happened with Woodson
He wasn’t even in the conversation in August, and then when the guys who were supposed to make it interesting against Manning – Curtis Enis, Ricky Williams, etc – got off to slow starts or their teams lost, the media had to look somewhere else to avoid a one horse race. If Florida loses one game and induces boredom with Tebow’s consistent greatness, and Texas and Oklahoma both falter, maybe the media turns its attention to unconventional places again this year.
Will - Rocky Top Talk
by Will Shelton on Aug 11, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Truthfully,
I think ESPN will bring up Taylor Mays anytime they bring up Eric Berry. Because of this, Berry will win neither the Heisman nor the Thorpe award.
Hope I’m wrong.
(post headers and hyperlinks don’t mix…)
by David Hooper on Aug 11, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I will say
“The Berries” got their own “what’s hot” category, and both Bruce Feldman and Mark Schlabach think that Tennessee will return to a bowl game this year. Oh, Vanderbilt won’t, but Chris Low still has ’em ranked higher in his SEC Power Rankings ;)
by bobo_the_vol on Aug 11, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Chris Low ranks UT 9th. That'd be NINTH in the SEC Power Rankings.
Beware of the bowl to which they think we will go. Chris Low says the Liberty Bowl. Fewer things could be more insulting…
Wow
There’s no justifying including Tennessee on that list of unknowns and really, really bads.
Rocky Top Talk
by Joel Hollingsworth on Aug 11, 2009 4:39 PM EDT reply actions
If you're not familiar with it,
he reserves the #5 slot for a good team that blows its game in the previous week. (E.g. Michigan after Appy State, Alabama after UL-Monroe). It’s his way of having at one interesting team on the list. And since we’re still in open-season-on-Kiffin mode so far as the media is concerned…
by David Hooper on Aug 11, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah, I see
So there is justifying it. Argh.
;-)
Rocky Top Talk
by Joel Hollingsworth on Aug 11, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Well,
I still don’t think it’s justified. What has he accomplished in the last 8 months that could be constituted a failure?
+ Maintained a top-10 recruiting class despite informing some VHTs like Boyd that they didn’t fit in.
+ Assembled arguably the top-to-bottom best coaching and recruiting staff in the nation.
+ Stolen recruits out from under some of UT’s rivals.
+ Made Tennessee a national obsession.
+ Made Tennessee football fun for the players again.
+ Supervised a sharp GPA increase, in part by personally monitoring classroom attendance.
+ Zero Fulmer Cup Points.
+ Made Tennessee exciting for Vols fans.
The only thing undeniably wrong he did was to call Meyer a cheater. Sure, it’s the kind of thing that was said in booster rallies for decades, and he’s simply the one who said it with the camera rolling, but that was wrong. The Pahokee comments, in the same vein, were over the top. After that, if you’re really holding him to the fire for trusting ESPN – something he could do while at USC – you’re stretching for material.
And if they insist on judging him based on games that haven’t been played yet, then I’ll insist they pay me back today for the four hundred million dollars I’m going to give them one hundred years from now.
by David Hooper on Aug 11, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
He made people want to beat him!!
Without Kiffin, Florida has no motivation to beat Tennessee!!
Without him taking away Alabama’s coaching staff, the Crimson Tide just wouldn’t show up!
He, uh, shot back at Spurrier when Spurrier tried to throw barbs at him, so .. that’s bad, or something.
These guys want to “get even” with Tennessee, because obviously they need something to motivate them, the fact that they are playing football in the best conference in the NCAA isn’t reason enough, the fact that they all have postseason hopes isn’t enough, and the fact that they have an inkling of pride isn’t reason enough.
Thing is, Lane Kiffin has gone on record as saying the Meyer comments were a mistake, and the Pahokee comments were a mistake, and don’t forget that the main reason that got blown out of proportion was because Mr. Gator Pahokee Principal banned our recruiters from campus. The Pahokee football coach went on to say that he didn’t like that, and how many young men from Pahokee went to Tennessee’s Camps? As I recall, it was a lot of them.
Kiffin has also gone on record as saying, before this all happened, that he was going to stir the pot to get people thinking about Tennessee. He definately did that, and right now in Fall Practice we are reaping the rewards, with Bryce Brown, David Oku, and Nu’Kense(sp?) all looking like they will be really good someday. Now, after the fact, Kiffin has said things along the lines of “I know I did some questionable things, but they were things that had to be done since we’re coming off a 5-7 season.” How many teams do you know of that go 5-7 and then land a top 10 recruiting class?
And if you agree with ESPN, you’ll be pumping gas your whole life.
by bobo_the_vol on Aug 11, 2009 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Berry WILL win the heisman
No need for evidence. He simply will.
SECONDARY VIOLATIONS at 6 and HOLDING
We need a sign that says _ Days without a Secondary Violation.
And, my cookies are still frosted that Ole Miss had 5 secondary violations that no one ever heard about until this story. Apologies for recycling, but hooper’s great list of accomplishments (and bobo’s comment as well) reminded me that we have been clean for a while.
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