McFadden for Heisman -- #5 Darren McFadden

McFadden, Tebow Lead AP All-America Team

dduncanbaird — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:26:28 +0000

When it comes to being an All-American, Darren McFadden doesn’t have to settle for second. The Arkansas running back and two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up was one of four players voted to The Associated Press All-America team for the second consecutive season.Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis were the other two-time first-team AP All-Americans on the team released Tuesday. Continue reading…

McFadden Will Surpass Tebow In NFL

dduncanbaird — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:24:52 +0000

Harry King compared Tim Tebow and Darren McFadden’s NFL futures in his column yesterday:

Call me crass, but Tim Tebow can have the here and now and I’ll take Darren McFadden’s future portfolio.In other words, a 25-pound bronze statute vs. a bundle of boodle.Considering the payday prospects of Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, McFadden is in line to make millions during the next few years. I’m not sure McFadden is as shifty as the former Oklahoma back, but comparing those two is the quick and easy approach. Continue reading…

Heisman fraternity weaker without Darren McFadden

dduncanbaird — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:30:05 +0000

From Rainer Sabin of the Northwest Arkansas Times today:

NEW YORK - Tony Dorsett and Archie Griffin hovered in the background. Nearby, Tim Brown and Desmond Howard stared out at the audience. Some of the best college football stars of the past were lined up shoulder to shoulder as they watched a new member initiated into their exclusive fraternity. In the years that follow, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden will likely never stand amongst them.

That’s a shame.

For the second consecutive year, McFadden was denied the Heisman Trophy - the award that is presented each year to the best amateur player. Continue Reading…

New England Patriots Could Be Interested in McFadden

dduncanbaird — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 23:16:20 +0000

Ryan Wilson over at Fanhouse writes today about Darren McFadden’s NFL future:

So if you’re the Patriots, what one player might improve the league’s most potent offense? How about Arkansas running back Darren McFadden? You think that might help?

Yes, New England lost their first-round pick for cheating earlier this season, but the team traded out of the first round last April so the 49ers could to draft tackle Joe Staley. In exchange, the Pats received San Francisco’s 2008 first-rounder. And given that the 49ers are currently rocking a 3-9 record, it’s a safe bet New England will have a top-5 pick. In fact, if the season ended today, the Pats would own the No. 2 overall selection. Yep, that seems fair.

Congratulations Tim Tebow…

dduncanbaird — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 01:56:22 +0000

Winner of the 73rd annual Heisman Award.

Getting to Know The Heisman Memorial Trophy

dduncanbaird — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 20:22:18 +0000

The Columbia Tribune takes a look at the history, how the balloting works, and other tidbits about the Heisman…

McFadden is Sporting News’ 2007 College Football Player of the Year

dduncanbaird — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 23:40:44 +0000

From Sporting News:

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Darren McFadden RB, Arkansas, Jr.
McFadden entered every game as a marked man. Stop him and you’ll beat Arkansas, coaches preached. Easier said than done. McFadden is big. He’s fast. Oh, and he throws touchdown passes, too.

McFadden is the quintessential one-man gang. He ranked fourth in the nation with 1,725 rushing yards — and he tossed four touchdown passes. He was at his best in games against South Carolina (when he tied the SEC single-game rushing mark with 321 yards and also had a TD pass) and No. 1 LSU (206 yards rushing with three TDs and 34 yards passing with one TD). McFadden, simply, is the best.

McFadden Deserves Heisman Over Tebow

dduncanbaird — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:39:08 +0000

Desmond Conner lays it all out in the Hartford Courant today:

Folks are drooling over that stat, the rushing scores in particular because the 22 TDs set a Southeastern Conference record, surpassing what any running back had done.

But Tebow supporters have to know that stat can be lit up pretty easily. What? C’mon, now. While some were impressive, you know the degree of difficulty on many of those TD runs wasn’t very high. Does anybody want to talk about the fact his rushing touchdowns were, on average, almost from point-blank range? Nope.

…

Listen, we’re not trying to diminish what Tebow has done. It’s a heck of an accomplishment, but when you break it down it’s not as impressive as it sounds, those rushing scores in particular. Tebow was one of 10 quarterbacks to throw 29 or more TD passes in Division I-A this year. Tebow’s 22 rushing TDs, on average, were scored from less than 5 yards. Compare that to McFadden’s 15 rushing TDs, punched in, on average, from about 18 yards.

Tebow is a big, strong guy who really is a running back more than a quarterback anyway. He should be able to score from that distance. And he’s doing this at Florida, where the recruiting classes have been great for years.

This year’s Heisman race is going to be close between Tebow and McFadden. If Tebow wins, it means voters will have fallen in love with the 20-20 stat rather than giving it to the outstanding player, who is pretty versatile himself.

Don’t forget to visit 5DarrenMcFadden.com

dduncanbaird — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:33:09 +0000

Don’t forget to visit 5DarrenMcFadden.com, the official Darren McFadden website, to view more headlines, photos, videos and statistics.

McFadden Wins Doak Walker, Walter Camp Awards

dduncanbaird — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 03:25:57 +0000

From ArkansasSports360 tonight:

Arkansas running back Darren McFadden won the Doak Walker Award for the second year in row and was named the 2007 player of the year by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the first Razorback player to receive the honor.

McFadden is only the second player to win the Doak Walker back-to-back. Ricky Williams also won the award in consecutive years. Other finalists for the Walker Award were Mike Hart of Michigan and Ray Rice of Rutgers.