Tech’s Dwyer is the nation’s second-best back

GT65_UGA89

GT65_UGA89

Took less NIL to stay here
Joined
Nov 18, 2005
Messages
12,722
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-b...nd-best-back/?cxntfid=blogs_mark_bradley_blog

“Despite playing in a major college football media market, Dwyer still is a bit under the radar. But he has everything necessary to make a Heisman run: power, excellent speed and a system (the Triple Option) where it’s hard to key on him. In 2008, he ran for almost 1,400 yards while he and his teammates were still in the incubation stage of Paul Johnson’s system. The scary part was this 233-pounder still had runs of at least 58 yards in four of Tech’s final five games of the season.
 
Sadly, I don't think Dwyer will ever win a Heisman, but if he has a season like last year, he'll be in the conversation a lot. I think alot of teams will try to do what LSU did to us, and key in on the pitch and dive, and force the QB to pick up yards. I also think that Dwyer's best chance at winning Heisman would be next year after a good season this year, but I think he'll go pro before that.
 
I gave up on the Heisman a long time ago.

Draft pick order is the "real" Heisman.
 
No RB has a shot this year, given all the media hype regarding the squad of returning QBs. If he stays for his senior year, though, he's got a serious shot.
 
I think our team will be more balanced on offense this year and Dwyer just won't get the yards to win a Heisman. Anthony Allen, Roddy Jones, Nesbitt, BeBe, Cox, Wright should all get mad yardage too. Isn't that the sign that our offense is working as it should?
 
I don't really think it's physically possible for Dwyer to get more yards than he got last year. What will put him into the Heisman talk is:

A) Tebow goes away
B) People fishing for someone to talk about other than Tebow

If he stays for his senior year, he'll get both of those.

Remember, the Heisman is a media popularity contest. If Tech wins the ACC this year he will be a serious, national name, as long as he cracks 1000. If he comes back, then the media gap left by Tebow's Exodus To The Promised Land will need to be filled, and Dwyer will be an obvious choice. But all that assumes he stays healthy, and stays at Tech for his senior year.
 
GiveEmHellJackets said:
I think our team will be more balanced on offense this year and Dwyer just won't get the yards to win a Heisman. Anthony Allen, Roddy Jones, Nesbitt, BeBe, Cox, Wright should all get mad yardage too. Isn't that the sign that our offense is working as it should?
Click to expand...
Maybe, maybe the media will pay attention to his YPC. He may not get 1,400 yds but I bet his YPC will be damned impressive, like last year.
 
Why couldn't he get at least 117 yards per game? Doesn't seem so hard.
 
Because sometimes Ds are going to key on him (like VT) and the QB or the pitch are going to get the carries.
 
I don't disagree that defenses will key on Dwyer, but check out these stats for Adrian Peterson at Georgia Southern (regular season only) from year 1 to year 2 in CPJ's offense.

1998: 11 games, 1932 yds/257 carries = 7.52 ypc
1999: 11 games, 1807 yds/248 carries = 7.29 ypc

There's a drop off there, but it's not all that significant IMO in terms of overall performance. If you look at the full season stats for those two years the story is more interesting:

1998: 15 games, 2606 yds/365 carries = 7.14 ypc
1999: 15 games, 2704 yds/353 carries = 7.66 ypc

These stats would indicate that AP (and the team) performed better against the best opponents. So, a slight uptick in ypc if you look at total season stats. But again, IMO nothing significant.

I was there for all of the home games and many away games during 1998-99 (my dad's a season ticket holder), and defenses definitely keyed on AP. Southern also had plenty of talent quarterback and A-back, so the more balanced offense argument carries some weight, but I don't think it's a huge player. The other guys will most definitely get their carries and yards, but you continue to give the ball to your stud.

You can also make the argument that it's a I-A vs. I-AA comparison, but I don't buy that argument. I think the relative speed is similar. Also, Southern plays in what I consider to easily be the top I-AA conference (at that time and in years since).

The only breakdown here is that AP could have clearly played I-A ball if academics weren't an issue, so you might argue that he was faster/stronger relative to typical I-AA speed/strength.

I'm not saying JD will win the Heisman (although I think he'll get garner lots of national attention), but I don't see any reason why he can't be just as successful this year as last. Especially if we learn how to run this offense as efficiently as Southern did back in the day or Navy did in more recent years. Just my :twocents:.
 
Dwyer's a legit candidate for the Heisman, but the competition is fierce from football factory QBs. For Jon to win the trophy, the following must happen:

1. Run for at least as many yards as last year or more.
2. Have at least one game late in the season where by "individual" effort he spectatularly snags a win from what would seem to be loss.
3. Win a berth in the Orange bowl...at a minimum.

What's exciting is all three are well within the realm of possibilities.


#3 is why Joe Ham didn't win the trophy.
 
GEETEELEE said:
Dwyer's a legit candidate for the Heisman, but the competition is fierce from football factory QBs. For Jon to win the trophy, the following must happen:

1. Run for at least as many yards as last year or more.
2. Have at least one game late in the season where by "individual" effort he spectatularly snags a win from what would seem to be loss.
3. Win a berth in the Orange bowl...at a minimum.

What's exciting is all three are well within the realm of possibilities.


#3 is why Joe Ham didn't win the trophy.
Click to expand...


A few more things must happen also. He has to have a big game against Miami. It is an early season, nationally televised game. If JD makes it a showcase game, he gets on people's watch list with the big named QBs.

Big games against FSU or VT. And both of those teams have to be doing well. This is how the BE got so much attention a few years ago. There were highly ranked teams matching up every week.

Finally, a big game against UGa would help too. Especially if UGa is doing well.
 
Jon has no shot this year, but two spectacular games vs Clemson and Miami back to back couldn't hurt, especially if Spiller gets a lot of pregame Heisman hype and the announcers turn that on its head during the game.
 
Joe Hamilton was in the running for a Heisman? I thought 1999 was the year that the Heisman went on hiatus and was replaced by the College Football Lifetime Achievement Award. Surely Hamilton would have won if the Heisman was being awarded that year since, you know, he was by far the "most outstanding player".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top