Is Robert Griffin III Worthy of Stiff-Armed Trophy? Absolutely

Through the spectrum of a city that adores and shouts in delight, after Robert Griffin III was put on the pedestal for such a prestigious honor in college football, you can almost sense that he will be the winner.

Or at least from conversations, in addition to driving his team into what was almost BCS bowl contenders, Griffin is the feel-good story, a precious tale nobody can ever deny. There is, believe it or not, a sense that he will win the Heisman Trophy Saturday, a winner for considerably leading a substandard school into national spotlight.

The toughest quarterback in the nation, though he’s the top product at Baylor — an unappreciated school with less attention and no plaudits nationwide — is Griffin who is solely responsible for resurrection at Baylor. Griffin, who already has earned his undergraduate degree and possibly is ready to declare for the NFL with one season of eligibility left, is a playmaker and has carried the Bears to five Big 12 wins.

Folks, meet Griffin.

He’s not only electrifying on the field, he’s a top candidate for Saturday’s presentation after he was announced Monday night as one of the five finalists traveling to New York City for the honor to bring home the stiff-armed trophy. Right now, he is certainly a potential winner among Stanford’s Andrew Luck, Alabama’s Trent Richardson, LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu and Wisconsin’s Montee Ball.

A world of football fans who could use a few lessons for which athlete is worthy of the Heisman have a better description of Griffin, if those people weren’t already familiar with his mesmerizing performances that a national television audience haven’t seen much. In fact, assuming that he has solidified his status as one of the top contenders for the honorable award, Griffin can stiff-arm his way pass Luck and Richardson.

Like many athletes, those in the past, he can propel forward into the Heisman Trust if he’s the winner, guiding a team of achievers to the Alamo Bowl to take on Washington and marking a second straight bowl appearance for the first time since the early 1990s. The great ones always win the trophy and, this time of course, the great one is Griffin, a perfect discussion in relations to his Heisman Trophy chances.

This season, as he is known all around town, the kid had been applauded all over Waco and is clearly the scariest duel-threat quarterback in football for which he can’t be stopped or even touched.

He’s got my Heisman vote, and so should he get yours.

It’s fairly commonplace to honor the best in the game and it’s chivalrous to believe that he deserves the Heisman, when he’s one of the finalists for the 2011 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, a respectable award to the nation’s top senior quarterback. It is nice to laud a kid that has not come from college football national powers but from a smaller school, where a player has invigorated a football program and influenced folks nationwide to vote for him.

It was a game in Waco. He had fired the ball into the air all night. He had confused TCU’s stagnant defense and threw for 359 yards and a career-best five touchdowns to pull off the thrilling upset of TCU. It was another game in Waco, one that convinced Heisman voters that he’s best player in the nation. It was a night that he lifted Baylor to its best football season in school history, coming in a 48-24 win over Texas in a statement game which was nationally televised last Saturday.

So fast, Griffin ran down the field on his own two feet, raced past the goal line twice, and delivered two touchdown passes for an all-purpose night to stun the Longhorns. For Griffin, it’s a never-ending debate about his Heisman assumptions, curious for a nation that has seen him guide the Bears to wins over Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Texas and after all it was made certain that he deserves the award.


Griffin as the team leader had the wins, and better yet, he had the distinctive nature in his actions. A trip to the Nokia Theater at Time Square and a night in New York indicates that he has the numbers to be given individual accolades for such an awe-inspiring season. But it’s Baylor, remember, so he may not be given much limelight and honored with the prize. Then again, he is just as worthy as the rest of the finalists are in this compelling Heisman candidacy, a year we could actually distribute the trophy to a defensive back in Mathieu.

The downside to that is, Mathieu may not raise the prize and stare in triumph Saturday night after he tested positive for synthetic marijuana in a school-administered drug test. It’s not so much because Griffin almost led his team to BCS relevancy, but it’s partly because he’s a well-rounded athlete, having success with a school that won only three conference championships in 111 years.

That can mean but one thing: He merits the Heisman. Until now, the Bears had one of the longest droughts in school history, going 16 years minus a winning team.

And then, eventually, Griffin, a world-class athlete, came along and led the Bears to a 9-3 season. This is Baylor’s best record in 25 years. So yes, he deserves considerations for the award.

Andrew Staying In School Brings Luck to Stanford

His name is Andrew Luck, Stanford's NFL-ready gunslinger. Many were surprised when he chose the campus lifestyle over his Careerbuilder.com transition to the NFL, nonetheless used to the atmosphere at the university and loving every moment as a top star for a prominent school.

There, he's an asset for the well-known Pac-12 school -- and he can never breathe, rescuing a legit program from itself with his pro-like throwing motion and ability to avoid pressure in the pocket. Know what amazes me about Luck? He is not money-hungry and rather thrive for a higher education, and realize that the NFL is a propitious opportunity in the future, as long as Luck keeps accomplishing feats and literally lift his draft status to be considered a top prospect in the 2012 NFL Draft -- where he is believed strongly to land No. 1 in the draft.

That is among quarterbacks, projected to be the best pocket passer and all-encompassing star next April. But then -- he wasn't influenced or allured by money, and bypassed ultimately the richest deal on NFL payday, which cost Luck more than $40 million and possibly as much as $60 million.

Many were critical when Luck could have been the NFL's highest-paid rookie and decided to return to Stanford this fall as a fourth-year junior, in pursuit of a Pac-12 championship and a degree in architectural design. It seems that school comes first in Luck's view, an education significantly is his primary goal. But then, does he really need a backup plan??

He's already an elite quarterback with much potential to polish in the NFL as an immediate impact, during an era that the league is surrounded by the depth of first-class quarterbacks. The idea is also to win the stiffed-arm trophy, and he has the ambition in driving the Cardinal to a legitimate bowl game or even qualifying for individual accolades with his experience and a bright mind.

The students and alumni’s can dance, scream louder and celebrate the return of a valuable piece in Stanford's pursuit of a national title this season. The Stanford Tree, arguably one of the best mascots in all sports, can dance wilder than ever and perform silly antics near the sideline to entertain the feverish fans in Northern California.

It's now fair to openly admit Stanford is a football power of an evolving culture conducted by Luck and his capability to hurl downfield passes. It was not long ago that he finished as a Heisman runner-up -- but with that in mind -- he is favorite to win college football's most prestigious award. If it weren't for 2010 Heisman winner Cam Newton, in which Luck finished shy in the voting, he would have won the award and taken home a honorable trophy for such diligence, perseverance and craftiness.

What no one ever talks about is how Stanford is coming off its best season, a 12-1 season that ended with an Orange Bowl win against Virginia Tech. Above all, though, he chose to return and rebuffed interest in earnings of a massive paycheck. That's a rarity in the financial world we reside in today, but not in Luck's case, a star athlete at Stanford with the patience to work hard in school and then emerge into the professional ranks.

It wasn't only about the money or what he'd earn as an elite quarterback, it was about winning a national title and helping Stanford reach that point. Greater than all, it was about Luck mustering a foundation, well, to sought for a better tomorrow in the event he never advanced as a professional star. But, clearly and evidently, it's hard to imagine Luck becoming a bust.

All things seem possible, particularly when he was the element of Stanford ending the 2010 season ranked fourth. For now, it may sound weird, but he turned down money and really had school in mind all along and it's not too far-fetched to believe that Stanford is among the favorites to win a national title under Luck's final season in a Cardinal uniform. He had become one of the best quarterback's in Stanford history and to ever sustain so many feats at Stanford, a star liked on campus and the face of a university -- perhaps the biggest face -- since John Elway was at the helm.

He's an ideal competitor, a winner and a matured youngster of goodwill and civility leading an elite institution, worthy of the Heisman and other awards after staying in school. Not too many student athletes stay in college for a four-year term, but forgo their junior or senior seasons, just to collect bundles of cash whether they're having financial issues or happen to be just greedy for the love of money. Meanwhile, Luck isn't running for money, but chasing a dream.

He's not fleeing the university for millions, but staying for loyalty and royalty. He's not cutting his bond short at Stanford, but he's putting the Cardinal in good position to win a national title. It could happen, you know. As long as Luck exists, he can set a new culture for Stanford, a program that has become physical and fierce.

It's another promising season for Stanford, the team suddenly expected to win the Pac-12 title fortunate to possess a committed stud in Luck, turning down NO. 1 overall money and decided that he'd pursue football grandiosity and his degree over millions, while others would have delve for payments.

If there's one person who knows his quarterback, it's new Stanford coach David Shaw in the beginning of his regime, a successor to former coach Jim Harbaugh, who is now the 49ers head coach. As for Luck, he embraces the campus, immerses himself in textbooks and he arrives on time for practice to play an important role as a team leader.

By the time the year is over, he could be rightfully crowned a champ, despite that Stanford rebuilt an offensive line with a fully equipped rush attack. And, given his comeback to Stanford, we can't underestimate the Cardinal.

Not when there is much Luck.

And there's a whole lot of Luck.

This Most Prominent Trophy Will Be Given to Cam Newton

There has been everlasting talk of Cam Newton, arguably the best player in the nation, a singular superjock with godlike cleats for polishing as the greatest candidate for any award on the collegiate level, currently an adorable Heisman hopeful on Saturday when the prestigious stiffed-armed trophy is expected to be distributed in his favor.

On Tuesday night in Lake Buena Vista on the Boardwalk in Disney World, he realized that dreams come true at a magical locale, sporting a tailor-made black suit along with an orange tie and sauntered onto the stage in front of thousands.

The speculation of a distinguished star that was born in Auburn turns immense, after he was named the recipient of the Maxwell Award and Davey O'Brien Award, an indicator of which it could have been a preview of another gratifying evening.

If there's one way to relight romance in such a turbulent season, such as erasing the gloom of madness swirling around his image, it would be to win the Heisman in a landslide.

It's too often, in a sense, that an athlete's allegations or poor judgment away from the field is misguided. It's too often, in a way, that we ignore an athlete's accomplished feats on the field, as the disappointing missteps creates a ruckus to stain believability or even the university's reputation.


In the thrust of his scandal, he's not the most likable player, considering that the NCAA eligibility ruling relieved much uncertainty and enriched his Heisman status, allowing him to play without the system inflicting a severe sanction. It's easy to assume we can vote for the junior quarterback, the respected superstar and cornerstone at Auburn University, known as the famous legend in a town where fans lift signs that read "YES WE CAM!!"

The palatability of this annual voting is that fans have either rallied behind Newton or disregarded the sensational player, once the criticism of the NCAA's ruling left most of the nation in angst or disgust. Just this week, as we want to believe that Newton is beyond any infractions and instead an immaculate individual, he received 203 first-place votes, roughly 62.2 percent.

But the saddest issue of this special acknowledgement is that he was overlooked by 17.4 percent of voters, scorned dearly of his troubles to which he hardly bared a shred of specifics, given that skeptics had grudges and denounced his incredible breakthrough blinded by the negative publicity which could cost him the noble award. Yet increasingly, it's still imaginable that he acquires much commendation for such a monstrous season.

In the next month, when USC seeks relief for the penalties levied following the Reggie Bush investigation, the university won't ponder demanding an explanation for why Auburn quarterback was allowed a free pass or wasn't hit with sanctions. But from his success, he is expected to join the list of iconic legends in the past, even if cues from the NCAA present that Newton's father, Cecil, auctioned his son for money.

As an intense Heisman Watch so incredibly grabs our attention, it reminds us of the three other candidates anyway. Such are Oregon's explosive tailback LaMichael James, who recently just led the Ducks to an improbable BCS National Championship game; Stanford's Andrew Luck; and Boise State's Kellen Moore.

And, not surprisingly, James had been named the new Doak Walker Award winner. But he's really humbled for a greater opportunity, on the same stage in honor of the most glorified trophy and he gladly arrived to New York on Friday afternoon, filled with excitement and self-belief. With the Ducks appearance in the national setting on Jan. 10, millions of casual fans and observers will be introduced to James if they haven't already been aware of his rushing capacity, leading the nation in rushing yards.

"It means everything to the program, to the community," James said at a brief conference at the Marriott at Times Square. "We're going to the national championship. I think that means more."

Is he the fastest guy in the Heisman conversation? I'd like to think so.


Every so often, he's regarded as the foreign of college football, but it's hard to deny that he's a gifted runner. And the only thing in his way is Newton or Luck, despite that he set a school record for total touchdowns in a season (22), and led the Ducks to an undefeated season. Even as one of the nation's best, he's exactly embracing this moment with a modest attitude, willing to give the nod to Newton gracefully and thoughtfully.

"I don't care what happens off the field. Whatever that situation was, to me he's still the best player in the country," James said Wednesday at the College Football Awards media conference. "I would vote for him."

Even in a place like New York, where the media outlets are critical as well as most inquisitive reporters, are curious to ask Newton troublesome questions, such as details in relations to his veiling scandal. For once, his merit of worthiness for the prize that represents integrity veered when the investigation ended. Asked how he feels without his father in attendance:

"It hurts," Newton said. "That's the decision he made, he's doing it for the betterment of me, his son. I think that's a good thing. Whatever his decision is, I'm all for it."

He's as much an admirer of his father, even if Newton's father shamefully tried selling his own son as the most popular football star these days, acknowledged that he was unaware and had no ties or even communicated with any universities. Despite all of this commotion, he repeatedly alluded to that he loves his father, but more importantly, he wasn't distraught of his father's involvement of breaking the rules just to pocket money.

And again, in all genuineness, his father, Cecil, announced that he's not attending the ceremony as a way to reduce a distraction or worse a media frenzy on the night his son could celebrate a memorable moment in bliss if he is named the next Heisman winner. The festivities of this weekend, for all four players, is inexplicably highlighted by their outstanding performances to shine the spotlight on their schools, as Newton led the Tigers to one of its historical finishes in school history.

Not in recent memory, amid so much turmoil, has an admonishing quarterback from Auburn maintained the mentality or unflappability to lead the Tigers to an inconceivable 13-0 finish. As overwhelming as it seems that he's the frontrunner to claim college football's most prestigious award, ever since he was reinstated the eligibility, the suspense minimized vastly with Newton, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound player who has excellent stamina and agility.

This is important, on all levels, because of his nonpareil efficiency and versatility, proficient of making a defender miss in the open field. If so, from there, he's almost untouchable and becomes a force to be reckoned with. Better yet, he's a nimble pocket passer, always hitting a receiver downfield and certainly has been one of the most charismatic quarterbacks with strength to deliver in a prevailing pass attack.

In fact, as it happened, he leads the nation in passing efficiency, but is ranked 15th overall in the rushing department. And now, as Newton elevates his Heisman hopes to engrave a shred of history and hopefully put aside the burdens, he has run for a mere 1,409 yards and 20 touchdowns and has thrown for 2,589 yards and 28 touchdowns.

It was truly a season filled with a lot of disruptions surrounding Newton's status, but he played aggressively and energized the Tigers to clinch a berth in the grandest game in college football.

"I think he's the greatest one-year quarterback that I've seen in college football," said former Georgia coach Vince Dooley.


All over football, for some, Luck is the essence of an NFL-ready quarterback, but he's not projected to steal the Heisman, even if he's in the running for fascinating Stanford's vertical passing game. This is because, obviously, Luck is a factor as coach Jim Harbaugh elaborated on, flattered of his mobility and precision, all the essentials an NFL franchise takes a liking to.

This from a man who is eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft, nonetheless, he could potentially spend his junior year at Stanford if the NFL unravels and is afflicted by an ugly lockout. Almost as nice as it felt to witness a gunslinger, Luck is seventh in the nation in passing efficiency and he threw for 3,051 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Newton, one of the many quarterbacks on a unique level who is a proper candidate to place money on the table in a sporting bet, is the feel-good story which I believe the voters prefer a feel-good story.