Imagine if Reese Smith or Michael Mayer were one way players this year. We'd be scratching our heads over them too.

 

Damn right we would be.

At the least Vito could be used like Tre Fant was. Obviously I trust Spader and I think he’s a great coach, but if I were calling shots I’d at least get him a few touches a game. They very well could be saving him for later in the season, I have no clue honestly.

 

As for his defensive stats, they may not be as flashy because most teams tend to throw away from him. He makes a huge impact on defense just by being on the field.

 

Also, in the fourth quarter of the Raffertys Bowl he was begging to get one series on offense and the coaching staff just wouldn’t let him. The kid wants to win.

 

This is exactly where I am. Nice post.

The above answers your beginning question @bernies. With the offensive package Vito brings to the table, he is a Mr. Football frontrunner. Without it, he is simply a very good, highly recruited defensive back and not a Mr. Football candidate.

 

I don't like typing that, but it's true. And what does that mean for the team?

 

That is a fair question.

I don't know that that will warrant him being removed as a candidate. There is a long season ahead and he has a chance to make a big impact on defense.

 

The numbers some of these kids are going to put up will be insane. No way a kid with 80 tackles, 5 interceptions and 13 pass break ups belongs in that conversation.

 

Just being real.

The numbers some of these kids are going to put up will be insane. No way a kid with 80 tackles, 5 interceptions and 13 pass break ups belongs in that conversation.

 

Just being real.

 

Nobody likes to hear the truth, and I'm one of them. Thanks for keeping it real though.

One of the interesting things about the Mr. Football voting is that, historically, the award has not really heavily favored players whose strengths have shown on both sides of the ball. Only 7 of the Mr. Football winners were really considered true "two way players". However, three of the last four Mr. Football winners have been two way players: Kash Daniel, D'Mauriae VanCleave, and Wandale Robinson. Prior to that, you have to go back to Lamar Dawson in 2010.

 

There have been plenty of Mr. Football winners who actually played both ways, but most of them won on the basis of primarily being an offensive player or primarily being a defensive player, and the fact that they played on the other side of the ball was definitely secondary to that.

As for his defensive stats, they may not be as flashy because most teams tend to throw away from him. He makes a huge impact on defense just by being on the field.

 

The fact of the matter is that the Mr. Football ward is, at its core, an offensive award. The only winner in the group of 33 winners who was more or less exclusively a defensive player was Dennis Johnson from Harrodsburg, back in 1997. Also the only lineman (defensive or offensive) to win the award.

 

You're right...defensive stats can be heavily skewed by opponents shifting their offensive game away from a defensive stud.

I don't know that that will warrant him being removed as a candidate. There is a long season ahead and he has a chance to make a big impact on defense.

 

I don't know how the actual voters are thinking, but as the author of the weekly watchlist, I can tell you it's very fluid. It's possible he could drop from the list and return at a later date. His placement next week will be dictated by what happens this weekend.

One of the interesting things about the Mr. Football voting is that, historically, the award has not really heavily favored players whose strengths have shown on both sides of the ball. Only 7 of the Mr. Football winners were really considered true "two way players". However, three of the last four Mr. Football winners have been two way players: Kash Daniel, D'Mauriae VanCleave, and Wandale Robinson. Prior to that, you have to go back to Lamar Dawson in 2010.

 

There have been plenty of Mr. Football winners who actually played both ways, but most of them won on the basis of primarily being an offensive player or primarily being a defensive player, and the fact that they played on the other side of the ball was definitely secondary to that.

 

While true, in regards to Vito Tisdale, he is/was a front runner because of what he did on offense. Him being a two way player is insignificant. Him being a defensive back only removes him from the conversation.

While true, in regards to Vito Tisdale, he is/was a front runner because of what he did on offense. Him being a two way player is insignificant. Him being a defensive back only removes him from the conversation.

 

Oh, I absolutely agree with you. I would definitely include Tisdale in the group I mentioned in the second bit of that...considered primarily on the basis of being an offensive player, with the fact that he plays both ways being a distant secondary detail.

So just to get some thoughts on this. Is the Mr. Football award a career award or one year bang award? If it is a career award I think Vito definitely needs to be in the running regardless of what he does this year.

Strictly, as a Fan, this is ludicrous... Your Best 11 Have to Play in high school football... Of Course, we don’t know the specifics... so I will pass on judging... Bowling Green is a successful program at a very HIGH level... I Love the Color Purple, so go Purples...

The fact of the matter is that the Mr. Football ward is, at its core, an offensive award. The only winner in the group of 33 winners who was more or less exclusively a defensive player was Dennis Johnson from Harrodsburg, back in 1997. Also the only lineman (defensive or offensive) to win the award.

 

You're right...defensive stats can be heavily skewed by opponents shifting their offensive game away from a defensive stud.

 

I would add Micah Johnson (Ft Campbell, 2005) to that list, played some fullback, but he made his bones playing linebacker and was outstanding. Still a couple of defensive players out of 33 isn't many.