Double-T Nation Post Season Awards :: Most Improved Defensive Player
by Seth C on Jan 18, 2010 9:01 AM CST
in Texas Tech Football
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This is the first annual "Double-T Nation's Post Season Awards". The categories which the DTN community will be nominating and voting are as follows: Offensive Rookie of the Year; Defensive Rookie of the Year; Most Improved Offensive Player; Most Improved Defensive Player; Special Teams Player of the Year; Offensive Player of the Year; Defensive Player of the Year; and Most Valuable Player.
I'd also ask that you not vote for Leach. I appreciate your loyalty, but I was trying to do something for the players. There are 20 different posts where you can discuss how pissed you are, but you'd be doing me a solid if you could play along.
DTN Post Season Award Winners:
- Offensive Rookie of the Year: WR Alexander Torres
- Defensive Rookie of the Year: S Cody Davis
- Offensive Most Improved Player: WR Lyle Leong
Earlier this week, the DTN community voted on the most improved offensive player and today, we're voting on the most improved defensive player. As an aside, I've listed the "winners" on the list above, but will update if another player takes the lead as the polls are still open.
This list really isn't much of a list without talking about both starting defensive ends Brandon Sharpe and Daniel Howard. I don't know if there was a person around at this time last year that would have projected that this duo would account for the following numbers:
Sharpe: 36 tackles; 18.0 tackles-for-loss; 15.0 sacks; 5 passes-broken-up; 6 quarterback hurries; and 3 forced fumbles.
Howard: 42 tackles; 9.0 tackles-for-loss; 8.0 sacks; 1 passes-broken-up; 3 quarterback hurries; 1 forced fumble and 1 very important touchdown against Nebraska.
I think this entire community has praised both of these gentlemen for what they were able to accomplish on the field. They were simply outstanding.
CB LaRon Moore is a bit under the radar, but when next year rolls around, I get the feeling that everyone will know how important his play actually is. Moore finished 2008 with only 10 tackles, but in 2009, Moore burst on the scene, finishing with 42 tackles, 4 tackles-for-loss, 2 interceptions, 8 passes defended and 1 fumble recovery.
When Daniel Charbonnet and Darcel McBath graduated after the 2008 season, we were all concerned about the safety position. Mitchem wasn't perfect and like just about any safety, he had his issues in coverage, but in only 10 games, Mitchem finished with 57 tackles, 1 tackles-for-loss, 2 interceptions, and 5 passes defended.
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Daniel Howard gets my vote every time
Due to his strenght of character and that of his dad’s.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Tie between Howard and Sharpe...
One compliments the other. If Sharpe got in on a play that’s because Howard was wrecking shop and tearing s*** up on the other side. This goes both ways. I’m really gonna miss this combo. Big Motors and the never quit mentality go a long long way….
One very important TD against Nebraska could not be stressed enough. Howard had his head on a swivel and didn’t stop the entire play, even with the switch of possesion.
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
I was at the NU game....
And we didn’t know what the hell was going on with that play….it really took the wind out of the stadium. Who knew they sold shots at the stadium club there…..well, they do.
" I crammed 4 years of Tech into 5"- me
by oldschoolraider on Jan 18, 2010 8:56 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I think Sharpe got a lot of votes based on documented accomplishment.
which may be a bit unfair to Howard. If I knew how to score a player like a defensive coach, I might be able to make a clearer evaluation.
Both of the DE’s were a happy surprise for our defense. Both brought a high level of play and all the effort to get that.
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
I feel the same
It’s hard for me to accurately look back because it’s mostly stats at this point with some foggy memory to help/hurt.
Scoring DE’s takes much more than looking at stats.
"Blind faith will lead you to the promised land...trust us." Texas Tech Administrators and Board of Regents (not a direct quote but it smells about right)
by Damien Franco on Jan 18, 2010 9:58 AM CST up reply actions
Exactly why I voted Sharpe
Came outta nowhere and might go as early as 4th round. He can thank B. Williams, Sesay, Dixon. BTW, really hope Williams fully recovers from that Knee injury and is a solid pro.
Give 'Em Hell Tech!!!!!
MOST IMPROVED
No doubt in my mind that Brandon Sharpe was the most improved, he had limited action in prior seasons and really turned up the volume in his final season. Fantastic job Mr. Sharpe. He is one helluva man, graduated on time while raising and child and always said yes sir and no sir in every conversation I had with him. Seth, you said no one predicted what these two would accomplish, but if you looked at my posts before the season I said those two would out sack the previous combo and would be in double digits. Daniel had 3 forced fumbles , I just made hi-light tapes, and if they credited those FF’s as sacks , he made the double digits. But that really doesn’t matter, what matters is both those guys played hard and are are members of the winningest Sr class in TT history. Both graduated and both love all you guys for all the support you gave. Brandon was the most improved with-out question, Both bleed Raider Red and were the best 1-2 punch at DE in the country. I knew they would be.
Duane Howard
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