Suh and Helu Make Two
7 comments so far
December 23, 2008 by
When the Big 12 coaches named their all-conference nominees, Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh probably got snubbed for first team honors. The AP rectified that a few days later.
But now Suh has appeared on perhaps an even more interesting list from the man charged with covering the Big 12 for the worldwide leader, Tim Griffin. He set out to rank the Big 12's top 25 players and Suh not only made the list, he wasn't alone.
Here's Griffin's methodology in his own words:
Imagine the Big 12 players as all being free agents for a football league and you could pick any of them in any order you wanted. Freshmen and sophomores could be as valuable as juniors and seniors for this exercise.
Griffin's number one pick was Michael Crabtree followed by Jermain Gresham, Sam Bradford, Graham Harrell, and Baylor's Jason Smith. Then, at number six on Griffin's board, comes Ndamukong Suh, placing him ahead of physical freak Brian Orakpo, the one who got away Travis Lewis, Mr. Doeverything Jeremy Maclin and All-American boy Colt McCoy. Why? Because according to Griffin "productive defensive tackles are the hardest position to find in football, making his value even greater."
So how good is Suh? He finished 33rd in the conference with 68 tackles which seems rather pedestrian until you consider that he was the only defensive lineman to crack the top 50. He finished tied for 11th in the conference, with Zach Potter no less, in sacks and tied for 6th in tackles for a loss. His two interceptions, somewhat sadly, tied for the team lead and both resulted in touchdowns. Put it all together and you're looking at something very valuable: a playmaker and one that, should he return as he's stated, will probably merit preseason All-American talk.
You have to go all the way to the end of Griffin's list to see Nebraska's other entrant but finding Roy Helu there could be considered a minor surprise given his limited exposure early in the season but Griffin sees him "blossoming into a 1,000-yard rusher with a potential for 50-catches."
The latter half of this season has only served to confirm a large number of Nebraska fans' suspicions surrounding Helu: he looks like a good one and we've seen some good ones out of the backfield.
Now getting excited about one man's opinion is great for confirming previously held beliefs--like Suh and Helu are pretty damn good--but, as much as I respect Griffin's work, it's still just that: Opinion. That said, it's almost Christmas and if we can't be slightly irrational, childlike and filled with wonderment and awe now, when can we?
Here's the real reason to be excited about this list, whether you'd shuffle the order or not: assuming Jeremy Maclin heads for the NFL as most are speculating, the only returning players from the North to make the list are Suh and Helu.
The Cornhuskers will have plenty of question marks heading into the 2009 season but--God willing, knock on wood, light a candle, swear off something, whatever your preference--Suh and Helu look a lot more like exclamation points.
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darren Dec 23 08
Great stuff, Brandon. Love reading Griffin's blog. Excellent NU spin.
Going off of his list, the talent gap is pretty wide between the N and the S. Nebraska's resurgence may be what is needed to bridge that...starting with Suh and Helu.
For years, BRN has held the opinion that a great team needs to have "5 great players (all conference, etc). For 2009, I think we can look to two for sure. Now...where are those other three? :-)
tom Dec 23 08
Well, I think a quarterback is going to emerge as a "great" player, so that makes three. I think Barry Turner will come back and make an impact with his experience, enough for all conference recognition. I'm hoping the fifth impact player will be one of our young receivers.
darren Dec 23 08
Good ideas, Tom. I'm sooooo glad to have Turner back, but he is coming off an injury. So we'll see. And it's tough for QB in their first year of starting.
I too hope a receiver emerges (Meno?). Somebody has to make the catches. Speaking of, I think McNeil will get All-Conference consideration at TE.
Maybe a healthy Dillard can make a difference. Anyone from NU's suddenly-crowded D backfield?
Brandon Dec 23 08
Too bad Mr. Griffin predicted a Clemson win.
Andy Dec 23 08
Brandon,
It seems like everyone on the east coast is predicting a Clemson win. I find it funny they all seem to site the momentum Clemson built during the second half of the season. What about our momentum? We were at 3-3 at the halfway point, and finished 5-1. That's momentum too, people!
Go Big Red
Doug Dec 23 08
Griffin also has Nebraska in 3 of the most exciting Big 12 games of the year. This says a lot for our coaching staff keeping the players heads in the game throughout all four quarters.
HUSKERDIVA Dec 26 08
First let me say, I really enjoy receiving "the news". You make my weekends!!! :-) Next, let's talk about "the Bowl game"...Clemson has built momentum as has NU. The difference between Clemson and NU is that NU continues with their momentum and Clemson seems to "lose interest" if you will thus losing their momentum. Alot has been said about the SEC and the Big 12 and, living in Big 10 country (Minneapolis), I am so grateful to hear people finally realizing the strength of our conference. While the North is weaker than the South, I truly believe the North will rise again. Sounds kinda like a novel, doesn't it? The Pelini brothers have made such a huge impact on the program at Nebraska, as we knew they would. We also knew it wouldn't happen overnight. It is so refreshing to have passion for the game back. It is truly great to have Dr. Tom back. Between the Pelini brothers and Dr. Tom we finally have the honor AND the passion. Two very important things that make a college program great. Thanks guys for letting me express my appreciation for all that is good at Nebraska. While Clemson is a good team, Nebraska is a better team. Why? We have honor and passion. That's why.