Offensive and Defensive MVPs

[huntnfish]

Defensive MVP: Rolando Humphrey- only consistent player on defense, leads team in tackles (not a good thing when he is your CB), 7 TFL and & 7 Pass Breakups

Offensive MVP: No question- Chris Foster, great player who plays above his head, and to think he had to come to us and Recruit SMU instead of the other way around

[SWC2010]

Ok, Fish, I'll bite...

No doubt Chris Foster is the MVP. Tough catches (all over), longest yards, etc.

Can't find a defensive MVP, though.

[giacfsp]

Defensive MVP is Ro Humphrey, without question. I remember reading Coach Bennett's quotes after game in Ro's freshman year when he talked about how he (Humphrey) "is hurting" (he got beat a few times that day) but that "he's going to be a good player one day, a real good player." Or something to that effect. Well, that day has arrived. Ro has been very solid. He's lightning-fast, and he's no longer just a guy who runs with receivers -- the man can now play the run. A CORNERBACK is leading the team in tackles for loss? There are a lot of arguments can be made about what that says about the rest of the defense, but what it also says loud and clear is that Ro is becoming a complete corner. Hats off to him for all his hard work -- keep it up.

Offensive MVP: I have to agree about Foster. But I have three runners-up:

WR Bobby Chase: he has become a very good player. He's never going to run by someone with a 4.3. But he's using his frame to shield defenders from the ball, he's fighting for the ball in the air, and he's a hellacious downfield blocker.

TE Ryan Kennedy: no, he doesn't have enough catches yet. But he's a monster of a blocker, has terrific hands and runs better than any guy that size should be able to. When he gets more balls thrown his way, he might prove unstoppable. He could become this team's best player with some more experience.

OL coach Ronnie Vinklarek: the offensive line is the position where most coaches say it takes the longest time to be ready to play; there's a ton to learn, and the players need to have physical and mental maturity to compete. Coach V has basically 8 guys (5 starters, 3 reserves), and the offensive line is better than last year. Significantly better. Can't wait to see what he can do when the big boys up front are juniors and seniors.

[huntnfish]

We need a stud middle linebacker really bad, we have had some good ones the past 15 years and the last 2-3 years without a playmaker in the middle is showing

[PonyFan]

I'm eager to see if Reggie Carrington can be that guy.

Anyone know how he's doing rehabbing that torn pec muscle?

[The PonyGrad]

For Special Teams it is either
Chris McMurtray with 22pts and 4/5 FGs or
Ryan Mentzel punting for 41.58 and #2 in the WAC

Honorable Mention: Blake Warren, #4 in the WAC with a punt return average of 12.1

For Newcomer of the year it is FR LB Wilton McCray

[PonySnob]

For Special Teams it is either
Chris McMurtray with 22pts and 4/5 FGs or
Ryan Mentzel punting for 41.58 and #2 in the WAC

Honorable Mention: Blake Warren, #4 in the WAC with a punt return average of 12.1

For Newcomer of the year it is FR LB Wilton McCray

That 12.1 punt return average is really helping us. With the dismal performance of the team this year, not sure that there should really be any "MVP's" as it is a team game.

[PonyFan]

I like giacfsp's nomination of Coach V. Last year's line had two seniors, but still often seemed out of sync. This year's bunch has done a surprisingly good job, considering the overall youth on the line.

Kenard Burley was bumped up from the scout team this week and could play, if needed. Also, I heard Eric Neal is back from his injury and made the travel squad. Hope that foot/ankle doesn't bother him any more - a little more experience on the line can only help. I thought Eric was done - glad he's recovered.

[PerunaPunch]

I've got a lot of respect for Eric Neal. He tore up his leg and everybody thought he was done. And while it seems that much of the team has already given up, not so with Eric. The man is yelling like crazy at every game trying to get the team and the fans pumped up. Glad to have some spirit like that back in pads.

[PonyTales]

And from what I hear, he's done some things in practice that some of the young guys haven't yet picked up. This from a guy who never has played for OL Coach V, but has a larger base of knowledge and experience. I don't know how much he can play, but I would think his mere presence will be something of a lift.

Congratulations on coming back, Eric.
Go MUSTANGS!

[Stallion]

What does that say about your football team when you name a CB with NO INTERCEPTIONS and almost leading the team in tackles as your MVP. A CB that makes a high number of tackles generally means he's getting burned all day. I'll agree that Humphrey has stepped it up a tad from his previous performance but he certainly hasn't been spectacular. And the final humiliating stat of the week-4 of SMU's top 5 tacklers play in the secondary.

[jtstang]

Not sure about the usefulness of an exercise to pick the MVP of a team which has won one game in two years.

[Corso]

What does that say about your football team when you name a CB with NO INTERCEPTIONS and almost leading the team in tackles as your MVP. A CB that makes a high number of tackles generally means he's getting burned all day. I'll agree that Humphrey has stepped it up a tad from his previous performance but he certainly hasn't been spectacular. And the final humiliating stat of the week-4 of SMU's top 5 tacklers play in the secondary.

Bill Parcells pointed out in his press conference today that "just because he has 6 sacks, you (media) guys think Greg Ellis is perfect. Sacks aren't all there is to playing DE, even though you guys think it is." Likewise, INTs aren't the only aspect of playing CB. Sure, we'd all like to see Ro in the end zone twice a week with interceptions. But until that happens, it should be noted that he's knocked away a bunch of passes and he's playing the run much better than in the pass, when he was as likely to make hard tackles Deion Sanders was. Nobody's been great this year, but Ro is one guy who has played much better.

[The PonyGrad]

I think it is a healthy thing to acknowledge the relatively good things that some players are doing since this board spends so much time focusing on the negative.