Double-T Nation Post Season Awards :: Need Defensive MVP Nominees

Sharpe was a game changer. Defenses had to account for this guy and there were a couple of games where he flat out took over. It’s a shame he didn’t show up sooner!

Honorable mentions to Wall due to his ability to affect outcomes with his hitting (KU game/balance of OSU’s season!) and Duncan, for his steady play in the middle (just wish he was better at running down dual-threat QBs).

Close, for me at least, between Sharpe and Howard (he didn’t have alot of numbers but things would have been different without him) and Torres was just about the only receiver with any kind of consistency.

Batch was inconsistent (not always his fault) and Sheffield didn’t get enough snaps to be O-MVP.

Not knocking him, I’m only stating facts.

In 6 (slightly less than half) of the games, he put up less than 50 yards. Also, his YPC fluctuated drastically over the season from 3 to almost 10. Yes, he ran hard everytime he got a touch and I don’t believe his problems have to do with him (same goes for Sticks). I think he’s a hell of a player and next year will show that. However, in my mind, he was not consistent enough to get O-MVP.

When they gave him the ball, he produced. He averaged 5.68 yards every time he touched the ball. When Tech put the ball in his hands, they moved the chains and were successful, e.g. Houston (although Tech lost—not Batch’s fault), KU, OU, and Michigan State. Even his line against Nebraska looks impressive. He had a clutch score in that game and some key runs on a key drive.

That’s the real answer with regard to Batch. Even in games with ugly stat lines, he made key plays at key times. The definition of “clutch”. Sticks is the other guy with this aptitude—he just didn’t get face time in enough games to get my vote.

Who was on the field when the games were won? Who was difficult if not impossible to replace when they were out?
Without Whitlock, Tech’s defense was knifed through by opposing teams’ running game. He was consistently double teamed by every Tech opponent.
Although Potts, Sheffield, and Batch had games when they “shined”, the constant on-the-field force when “wins” occurred was Carter. His graduation leaves the biggest shoes to replace on offense; and, I think we all learned as fans this year that replacing offensive linemen isn’t as easy as we would like to believe it should be (ask our battered QBs).

Yall can pick who you want, but Daniel Howard is my pick, he was forced to play virtually every snap, due to lack of personell. He was relentless and had more sacks then given credit for (11.5). The other teams consistantly ran away from his side because he was disciplined, stayed at home and did his job. B Sharpe should thank his lucky stars Daniel played the rush side, because they don’t make movies(The Blindside) about the strong side O tackle, so he had to take on the All-Americans every snap. He showed up for every practice(dressed accordingly Adam James) and was at every workout. He didn’t complain, whine about playing time, or ever lay down on his team. Led the defense in forced fumbles, fumbles returned for TD’s, blocked field goals,and led the D-line in solo tackles. He suited up for every game. DNP only one game(K-State rout). But most of all he HUSTLED and nobody can say they ever out worked him, Game or Practice. But the real reason he is my Defensive MVP is because He’s my son, so maybe I am a litlle biased, but wouldn’t you be? They are all MVP’s in my book.