Burkhead for Heisman a nice thought but a longshot

The only thing more comical than listening to Heisman Trophy hype is listening to fan reaction such.

Heading into the 2012 season, Matt Barkley (USC) and Dennard Robinson (Michigan), to name a couple, pop into many people’s heads. Part of the reason is because of their outstanding talents along with the notion that both of their teams come into the season with high expectations, especially USC. The Trojans will probably be the preseason No. 1 by more than a handful of pollsters.

Depending on who you hear, Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead could potentially fit into the Heisman Trophy discussion. However, as much as I admire Burkhead’s weekly efforts and the character he exudes, I would consider his Heisman Trophy chances a longshot at this juncture. Below are Burkhead’s numbers compared to Wisconsin’s Monte Ball and Alabama’s Trent Richardson, both were Heisman candidates a year ago before Baylor’s Robert Griffin III won the award:

ATT    YDS    TD       YDS/ATT       REC    YDS    TD       TDS/REC

Ball                 307      1923    24        6.26                 24        306      6          12.75

Richardson      283      1679    21        5.93                 29        338      3          11.66

Burkhead         283      1357    15        4.80                 21        177      2          8.43

Burkhead’s numbers do not stack up with Ball or Richardson. However, it should also be noted that Ball and Richardson had much better offensive lines and a more consistent passing game to balance the scale than Burkhead had.

While it is possible for Burkhead to figure into the Heisman Trophy mix, let’s also keep in mind that Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck has openly talked about reducing Burkhead’s workload in 2012. Burkhead accounted for over 60 percent of Nebraska’s rushing attempts last season. The plus side of that decision, if it comes to fruition, is that Burkhead might be fresher and more productive at the end of the season but will also decrease his chances of putting up Heisman-like numbers. However, if the Huskers go 10-2 and win the Big Ten title who cares if he has 2,400 yards rushing or 24 yards rushing?

You also have to understand Burkhead’s style of running. If Burkhead rushes for say 175 yards on 25 carries, it is most likely to happen as a result of a steady diet of 4-7 yard runs with an occasional 15-20 yarder mixed in rather than say a 65-yarder into the equation. That is not meant to be a negative but let’s face it, the 65-yarders get on SportsCenter.

Nebraska having breakthrough team success also has to happen for Burkhead to be even considered. Remember Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in 2009? Suh put up eye-popping numbers as a senior, recording 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss on the way to becoming one of the most decorated players in college football history. Suh won numerous awards including the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. He was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, finishing fourth.

Two things played into Suh not winning the Heisman. For openers, defensive players already have their own awards and Nebraska also went 10-4. However, they came within a controversial call of beating Texas for the Big 12 title. It’s still a lousy call today if you ask me but I digress. On the other hand, Nebraska playing in that game also helped Suh garner even more recognition. He recorded 4.5 sacks in that game.

Burkhead may not be a top three “preseason” Heisman pick but to rule out him carrying the label Heisman contender is mistaken. Nebraska still remains a high-profile program, has huge fan base and potential to place in a BCS bowl. All are ingredients for a trip to the New York ceremony.

However, you also have to define the trophy for what it has become. More often than not, it will go to a quarterback with an occasional player from another position winning. If the trophy was awarded per it’s current description (most outstanding college player) then over half of the past 25 winners would not have won.

Right or wrong, it has become an award for the best player on one of the best teams. What it should be about is another story. I can think of several players that won, that in my opinion won because of the team they were on, not because of personal talent. Last year was dead on with the most outstanding player in RGIII. When was the last time an also ran school won the Heisman? It only happens when a player leaves the voters no other choice and still be able to justify their votes. The Heisman has become a sham and more and more fans are beginning to tune out the hype of the Heisman. It’s not as coveted as it once was.

Lee the man unless trouble hits

Don’t you find it mildly strange how the media is frequently ready to draw premature comparisons when a perceived young stud quarterback enters the picture?

Nebraska enters this week’s home game against Arkansas State fresh off a 49-3 season-opening win over Florida Atlantic. Making his first start on the Div. I-A level, Zac Lee completed 15-of-22 passes for 213 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Playing at No. 2 behind Lee (a junior) is true freshman Cody Green, who saw action late in the game, completing 2-of-3 passes for 18 yards. He also had an explosive 49-yard run.

Never mind that the run came in garbage time but both the Lincoln Journal Star: http://huskerextra.com/articles/2009/09/09/football/doc4aa70694e7889308066200.txt and Omaha World Herald: http://www.omaha.com/article/20090908/BIGRED/709089819 ran stories that featured Green. “Unpsportsmanlike Conduct,” which is an Omaha based sports talk show did two segments on the matter.

I didn’t necessarily have a problem with the way either story was presented. Plus, being a mainstream media member myself, I respect the job they have to do as far as filling sports pages and filling air time.

I just think it’s a little premature to feature Green not matter what his high school resume suggests.

My biggest issue comes on message boards, which in one respect has replaced going to the bar and having conversations. Well, not replaced per se, but an outlet nonetheless.

At any rate, various message board posters have posed the question throughout the offseason and even now that at what point does Green (a true freshman) start?

We’ve all heard the football axioms of how, “The most popular guy on the team is the backup quarterback,” and “If you have two capable middle linebackers it’s a competition but if you have two capable quarterbacks it is a controversy.”

The thing that really chaps me about the aforementioned Nebraska media, which does a very good job more often than not, and the message board postings is that yes Green showed his dynamic talent in his limited time – but it was in garbage time. Just like Lee’s snaps last season in relief of Joe Ganz and Patrick Witt. I can understand going gaga if say he came in to flash that ability with the game in the balance.

I’m not saying this to knock Green. He appears to be a talented young man but going gaga over him under the circumstances does him no good either.

Granted, Green won the No. 2 job in camp hut Lee is also familiar with the entire playbook (which has 320 plays) while Green admitted himself that he has only 15 plays that he feels comfortable with. Just doing the math, that’s 15 divided by 320. That’s not even five percent of the playbook, folks! Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson might not desire Bill Callahan like volume but he does not strike me as the type that will scale down the playbook.

Bottom line, barring injury, Green will not start at quarterback this year or maybe even next year.

I’m all for playing a freshman over a junior if he is a better athlete but quarterback is a much different animal. Yes, Tommie Frazier took over as the Huskers starting quarterback five games into 1992 – supplanting Mike Grant. Frazier went on to lead Nebraska to two National Championships. More recently, Terrelle Pryor took over as Ohio State’s starting quarterback as a true freshman and led the Buckeyes to the Fiesta Bowl. Vince Young started as a true freshman at Texas and led the Longhorns to two Rose Bowl wins, the second of which was a National title. Matt Barkley is USC’s starting signal-caller. This year’s Trojans have been considered “down” but they have enough talent to be 10-3 if they have a bad year.

The difference is this. Those teams had strong supporting casts. The current Nebraska team has a good but not great supporting cast.

Husker fans that truly know the sport understand that Lee will see about 90 percent of the snaps. Do you play Green in meaningful situations? Sure but do so with one of the 15 plays where he is comfortable and perhaps around the goal-line.

However, if Green is starting, it’s not a good sign for Nebraska because it means that Lee is either injured or ineffective and that the Huskers have opted to move forward.