Mark Schlabach Thinks Trent is The Best

[TUSKaloosa]

I wholeheartedly agree with him.

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/55361/richardson-tops-solid-heisman-quintet

 

[TrampLineman]

This sealed the deal for me...

I still believe Richardson is the best player in the country. He looked like the best player on the field in No. 2 Alabama's 9-6 loss in overtime to No. 1 LSU on Nov. 5. He had 89 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards in a game where every yard mattered. He finished the season with 1,583 yards with 20 touchdown runs and three touchdown catches. He's also Mr. Dependable, not losing a fumble in his past 520 touches and only once in 614 career touches.

 

[TideMom2Boys]

I have definitely liked his analysis this whole year about Alabama and our players.

 

[kcmusic]

Yeah, I wonder how many INTs RGIII and Luck have produced.
Trent with no fumbles in 520 touches. Amazing.

 

[RunAtlanta]

I love Trent. I really, really love him, and he's , next to Julio, my favorite player to come out of our school in the last 10 years.

But RG3 deserves this award.


Trent might've had 89 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards in a game where every yard mattered.... But he had 0 points in a game where every point mattered. Sorry if I'm looking at it cynically. But RG3 took his team to a couple victories that they shouldn't have won. Baylor's an irrelevant team without him. Trent performed well (but not Heisman-worthy) against LSU (our one game where we could have conceivably lost (except arguably Arkansas). Yea, we can make up excuses/reasons for Alabama lost the game (interception/field goals.. etc). But the fact is, we didn't win, and Trent had two passes thrown to him in overtime (his time to shine). He dropped the easy screen pass. And he dropped the (considerably more difficult) downfield grab. That was his potential win-the-voters-and-end-the-discussion Heisman moment- not juking out some defenders on a 70 yard run (it was awesome, though)... Not destroying Auburn (which felt great and was a pleasure to watch), but his TRUE HEISMAN TIME TO SHINE MOMENT was overtime against the LSU team that was ranked ahead of us. Period. I want him dominating in an Alabama win a month from now. But, for the Heisman, RG3 deserves it. If Trent wins it, I'll be happy as anyone else. But if he loses it, I won't be rioting down here in Atlanta, screaming "unfairness".
~fair-minded Alabama fan

 

[Tide1986]

And he dropped the (considerably more difficult) downfield grab. That was his potential win-the-voters-and-end-the-discussion Heisman moment- not juking out some defenders on a 70 yard run (it was awesome, though)... Not destroying Auburn (which felt great and was a pleasure to watch), but his TRUE HEISMAN TIME TO SHINE MOMENT was overtime against the LSU team that was ranked ahead of us.

Agreed...I had this very thought in the minutes following the loss.

 

[TheRealPokeChop]

Whats it got to do with "deserves"? TR > everybody. period

 

[bamanut_aj]

I love Trent. I really, really love him, and he's , next to Julio, my favorite player to come out of our school in the last 10 years.

But RG3 deserves this award.


Trent might've had 89 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards in a game where every yard mattered.... But he had 0 points in a game where every point mattered. Sorry if I'm looking at it cynically. But RG3 took his team to a couple victories that they shouldn't have won. Baylor's an irrelevant team without him. Trent performed well (but not Heisman-worthy) against LSU (our one game where we could have conceivably lost (except arguably Arkansas). Yea, we can make up excuses/reasons for Alabama lost the game (interception/field goals.. etc). But the fact is, we didn't win, and Trent had two passes thrown to him in overtime (his time to shine). He dropped the easy screen pass. And he dropped the (considerably more difficult) downfield grab. That was his potential win-the-voters-and-end-the-discussion Heisman moment- not juking out some defenders on a 70 yard run (it was awesome, though)... Not destroying Auburn (which felt great and was a pleasure to watch), but his TRUE HEISMAN TIME TO SHINE MOMENT was overtime against the LSU team that was ranked ahead of us. Period. I want him dominating in an Alabama win a month from now. But, for the Heisman, RG3 deserves it. If Trent wins it, I'll be happy as anyone else. But if he loses it, I won't be rioting down here in Atlanta, screaming "unfairness".
~fair-minded Alabama fan

yep. RGIII is gonna get it, and I, for one, won't complain when he does.

However, anyone other than Trent or RGIII and I'll burn down the internet.

 

[JTBama]

I love Trent. I really, really love him, and he's , next to Julio, my favorite player to come out of our school in the last 10 years.

But RG3 deserves this award.


Trent might've had 89 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards in a game where every yard mattered.... But he had 0 points in a game where every point mattered. Sorry if I'm looking at it cynically. But RG3 took his team to a couple victories that they shouldn't have won. Baylor's an irrelevant team without him. Trent performed well (but not Heisman-worthy) against LSU (our one game where we could have conceivably lost (except arguably Arkansas). Yea, we can make up excuses/reasons for Alabama lost the game (interception/field goals.. etc). But the fact is, we didn't win, and Trent had two passes thrown to him in overtime (his time to shine). He dropped the easy screen pass. And he dropped the (considerably more difficult) downfield grab. That was his potential win-the-voters-and-end-the-discussion Heisman moment- not juking out some defenders on a 70 yard run (it was awesome, though)... Not destroying Auburn (which felt great and was a pleasure to watch), but his TRUE HEISMAN TIME TO SHINE MOMENT was overtime against the LSU team that was ranked ahead of us. Period. I want him dominating in an Alabama win a month from now. But, for the Heisman, RG3 deserves it. If Trent wins it, I'll be happy as anyone else. But if he loses it, I won't be rioting down here in Atlanta, screaming "unfairness".
~fair-minded Alabama fan

I don't believe that anyone has done more for their team then Trent. Heisman contenders have moments of greatness and moments that they didn't shine, but it's hard for me to find a more valuable player and more dependable player than Trent Richardson. That in my opinion is what the Heisman is about. RG is an awesome player, but I have never seen a player carry guys for extra yardage and consistantly produce when the entire opposing defenses are set to stop you. As for the juke move against Ole Miss, that is what Heisman moments are about, doing something that leaves you jaw dropping.

 

[aerospace_ray]

For the record, I concur with Mr. Schlabach's assessment . RTR

 

[jdatide]

I like rg3 and he was my early pick to win the Heisman Trophy. But did you watch rg3 in his "one game that mattered" against oklahoma state? Against the 110th ranked defense in the country the only receivers he found in the end zone were wearing black and orange. Baylor did not score a TD until the fourth quarter...when the score was 49-3. Yes, 49-3. Of course, rg3 threw for many yards in trash time and finished with a nice stat sheet. But against the only good opponent (but yet with a horrific defense) on the baylor schedule, he choked. I would not be impressed by a 300 yard rushing game by TR if it occurred in trash time of a blowout loss, and likewise I am not impressed by rg3 tossing it around in an effort to save face. Of rg3's best passing games (by yardage), 2 of 3 were in blowout losses where the other team had already begun celebration. Trent carried his team to greatness, rg3 put up good individual stats.
Observant Alabama fan

I love Trent. I really, really love him, and he's , next to Julio, my favorite player to come out of our school in the last 10 years.

But RG3 deserves this award.


Trent might've had 89 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards in a game where every yard mattered.... But he had 0 points in a game where every point mattered. Sorry if I'm looking at it cynically. But RG3 took his team to a couple victories that they shouldn't have won. Baylor's an irrelevant team without him. Trent performed well (but not Heisman-worthy) against LSU (our one game where we could have conceivably lost (except arguably Arkansas). Yea, we can make up excuses/reasons for Alabama lost the game (interception/field goals.. etc). But the fact is, we didn't win, and Trent had two passes thrown to him in overtime (his time to shine). He dropped the easy screen pass. And he dropped the (considerably more difficult) downfield grab. That was his potential win-the-voters-and-end-the-discussion Heisman moment- not juking out some defenders on a 70 yard run (it was awesome, though)... Not destroying Auburn (which felt great and was a pleasure to watch), but his TRUE HEISMAN TIME TO SHINE MOMENT was overtime against the LSU team that was ranked ahead of us. Period. I want him dominating in an Alabama win a month from now. But, for the Heisman, RG3 deserves it. If Trent wins it, I'll be happy as anyone else. But if he loses it, I won't be rioting down here in Atlanta, screaming "unfairness".
~fair-minded Alabama fan

 

[BamaFlum]

Watching Trent swat away defenders, juke DB's out of their socks...twice...on the same play, carry defenders, multiple defenders, piles of defenders down the field for a few extra yards, makes me hope he gets it. But, if doesn't get, I hope he gets something shinier in January.

 

[GMacFan]

Trent couldn't have played better against LSU. We were never in the redzone because we didn't give it to him enough, not because of any fault of his. It's not like we got down to the five-yard line and he couldn't punch it in.

And you can't hold that "drop" in OT against him. He had to change direction last second and make an adjustment. That's an NFL caliber catch and TR is a running back. He's not a receiver. Not to mention, if he didn't play as well as he did, our offense isn't as successful and LSU has the ball a lot more often.

RGIII has lost a couple of games. Against one team (can't remember) he threw a pick six at the last second. And Luck was throwin some big picks in that game against Oregon. So to bring one dropped pass on a poorly thrown ball is a sad way to detract from Trent. If that takes off, say ten points, then RGIII and Lucks INTs and pick sixes in critical moments have got to take off a couple hundred.

 

[GMacFan]

And if you don't think highlight plays against poor competition matters, then how did Bradford win it in 2008? He played just alright against the only two good teams he faced. He wasn't great against Texas or Florida, but when his highlight reel came on the voters forgot that.

 

[RJ YellowHammer]

I love Trent. I really, really love him, and he's , next to Julio, my favorite player to come out of our school in the last 10 years.

But RG3 deserves this award.


Trent might've had 89 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards in a game where every yard mattered.... But he had 0 points in a game where every point mattered. Sorry if I'm looking at it cynically. But RG3 took his team to a couple victories that they shouldn't have won. Baylor's an irrelevant team without him. Trent performed well (but not Heisman-worthy) against LSU (our one game where we could have conceivably lost (except arguably Arkansas). Yea, we can make up excuses/reasons for Alabama lost the game (interception/field goals.. etc). But the fact is, we didn't win, and Trent had two passes thrown to him in overtime (his time to shine). He dropped the easy screen pass. And he dropped the (considerably more difficult) downfield grab. That was his potential win-the-voters-and-end-the-discussion Heisman moment- not juking out some defenders on a 70 yard run (it was awesome, though)... Not destroying Auburn (which felt great and was a pleasure to watch), but his TRUE HEISMAN TIME TO SHINE MOMENT was overtime against the LSU team that was ranked ahead of us. Period. I want him dominating in an Alabama win a month from now. But, for the Heisman, RG3 deserves it. If Trent wins it, I'll be happy as anyone else. But if he loses it, I won't be rioting down here in Atlanta, screaming "unfairness".
~fair-minded Alabama fan

Nice first post...

The part you're trying to emphasize (and YOU capitalized) is preposterous.

Go back and watch the OT period chief. You're right! If we had put the ball in his gut 4 times in 5 plays it would have been his time to shine, and, imo, Alabama would've won the game. But the coaching staff didn't. The play calling in OT isn't TR's cross to bear. He's the best player in the country.

 

[lincoln_osiris]

Trent is a BAD MAN!!!

 

[markenk]

Trent is absolutely the best college football player and deserves the Heisman trophy 110%. Many pundits forget that Heisman is all about the best football player. It's not about putting up massive stats or how important the individual is to the team's success. It's simply about the best college football player in the nation.

 

[KrAzY3]

And he dropped the (considerably more difficult) downfield grab. That was his potential win-the-voters-and-end-the-discussion Heisman moment- not juking out some defenders on a 70 yard run (it was awesome, though)...

Give me a break. Did you watch that from more than one angle? I watched it several times and he can't drop what never touched him. That was a bad pass, that only an elite WR could have had a shot at. To blame him for a pass that was several yards outside his vertical route is to not have watched that play closely. If he missed a cut fine, but if he was supposed to streak up field it was just a bad pass and that's all there is to it.

 

[RunAtlanta]

I don't believe that anyone has done more for their team then Trent. Heisman contenders have moments of greatness and moments that they didn't shine, but it's hard for me to find a more valuable player and more dependable player than Trent Richardson. That in my opinion is what the Heisman is about. RG is an awesome player, but I have never seen a player carry guys for extra yardage and consistantly produce when the entire opposing defenses are set to stop you. As for the juke move against Ole Miss, that is what Heisman moments are about, doing something that leaves you jaw dropping.

Okay, juked out Ole Miss. If Montee Ball had juked out Minnesota (the joke of the Big 10), then everyone here would pull the "it's frikkin Minnesota. they suck". But, of course, he jukes out Ole Miss, and everything about him screams Heisman even though Ole Miss is the laughingstock of the SEC. I agree with everything else you said. I just feel RG3 was more valuable. He doesn't consistently carry guys for extra yardage, but I would argue that HE DOES consistently avoid sacks/produce when the opposing defense is entire focused on him and his pass plays.

I like rg3 and he was my early pick to win the Heisman Trophy. But did you watch rg3 in his "one game that mattered" against oklahoma state? Against the 110th ranked defense in the country the only receivers he found in the end zone were wearing black and orange. Baylor did not score a TD until the fourth quarter...when the score was 49-3. Yes, 49-3. Of course, rg3 threw for many yards in trash time and finished with a nice stat sheet. But against the only good opponent (but yet with a horrific defense) on the baylor schedule, he choked. I would not be impressed by a 300 yard rushing game by TR if it occurred in trash time of a blowout loss, and likewise I am not impressed by rg3 tossing it around in an effort to save face. Of rg3's best passing games (by yardage), 2 of 3 were in blowout losses where the other team had already begun celebration. Trent carried his team to greatness, rg3 put up good individual stats.
Observant Alabama fan

This post has a lot of sense. But here's my counterargument. You say you wont be impressed by a 300 yard rushing game against a weak defense? Okay, so look at Trent's stats. Take out the touchdowns/yards against North Texas/Kent State/GS.... that's NINE TDs refuted by your own argument. NOT including 4 TDs on Ole Miss (or is Ole Miss good competition now) Unless you're going to argue that Bama NEEDED Trent to score that much in order to win. I agree that Trent carried his team to greatness. But Alabama is ridiculously good without him. Baylor ONLY had RG3. ANd RG3 didn't have "one game that mattered"! They had a conceivable chance of losing EVERY game they played. RG3 led them to beat OU (and please don't pull the OU lost to OKST argument so they're not that good. that's just dumb and shortsighted) and a few other games Baylor had no business winning.

Trent couldn't have played better against LSU. We were never in the redzone because we didn't give it to him enough, not because of any fault of his. It's not like we got down to the five-yard line and he couldn't punch it in.

And you can't hold that "drop" in OT against him. He had to change direction last second and make an adjustment. That's an NFL caliber catch and TR is a running back. He's not a receiver. Not to mention, if he didn't play as well as he did, our offense isn't as successful and LSU has the ball a lot more often.

RGIII has lost a couple of games. Against one team (can't remember) he threw a pick six at the last second. And Luck was throwin some big picks in that game against Oregon. So to bring one dropped pass on a poorly thrown ball is a sad way to detract from Trent. If that takes off, say ten points, then RGIII and Lucks INTs and pick sixes in critical moments have got to take off a couple hundred.

Okay, first of all, it was not an NFL caliber catch. It was a receiver-not-running-back caliber catch. And Trent, like I've said before, SHOULD have caught it anyway. That's what would've defined him. I completely agree we did not give him the ball enough and that we would have won if we had! But the Heisman isn't won on someone saying "yo, we should've given this guy the ball more but we didn't so he didn't win us the game". The Heisman is won by someone saying "yo, we passed it to him on third down and he is a running back but still caught the ball and got us a first down in overtime that won us the game". And you said, "if he didn't play as well as he did....", well, to be blunt, a loss is a loss, and he didn't play well enough at the end. It's the truth, whether we like it or not. I don't think Luck should win the Heisman. I don't have a counterargument for your 10pt/100pt comment. I disagree with it. But it's essentially comes down to me feeling he should've caught it/caught the screen pass before. And you essentially feeling that it was one play that isn't representative of the whole.

Nice first post...

The part you're trying to emphasize (and YOU capitalized) is preposterous.

Go back and watch the OT period chief. You're right! If we had put the ball in his gut 4 times in 5 plays it would have been his time to shine, and, imo, Alabama would've won the game. But the coaching staff didn't. The play calling in OT isn't TR's cross to bear. He's the best player in the country.

First of all, despite your snide comment, it actually was a nice first post. It was filled with my opinion and was fair to both Trent and RG3. And we gave him a shot twice in OT. Fact remains he dropped the screen pass, and the other pass as well. If he'd hauled them in, everyone would've been like "he deserves this". He didn't. You can blame it on the coaching staff for not giving him the ball more/earlier/whatever. You can blame it on whatever you want. But the FACT is that he dropped a screen pass and missed another one. So two of 3 plays went to our Heisman candidate, and, unfortunately, he didn't make them. I think it's funny that you tell me to watch the overtime period with your "4 times in 5 plays" comment because we DIDNT RUN 5 PLAYS in overtime. So maybe you should rewatch it. 2 out of 3 plays to the number one player on our team. What more could you want? Maybe it isn't his cross to bear, but the fact remains that HE DIDNT CATCH THEM WHEN HE HAD A CHANCE.

 

[CoastGhost]

Chuck Norris called ... sez Trent is the best player in the country ... or else.