Who were the ten best players of 2002?
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Pete Fiutak
I'm not going off value, MVP, head-to-head matchups or draft status. For me, these were simply the ten best college football players this season.
1. Willis McGahee, RB Miami
All I know is that the guy came through every single time Miami needed a big play. He was getting slowed down by Florida State. Then BOOM. A big catch and run to set up the winning score. Game in and game out, no player was consistently better than McGahee. He is going to be an NFL superstar.
2. Larry Johnson, RB Penn State
I know he was average in the three big games, but he was ridiculously good in the others.
3. David Pollack, DE Georgia
Every time I was watching Georgia, Pollack was making a big play or was blowing something up.
4. LaMarcus McDonald, LB TCU
I immediately dismiss any All-America team that doesn't have McDonald on the first team. To me, that says you didn't watch enough college football.
5. Terrell Suggs, DE Arizona State
The guy is just a menace coming off the edge. I can't remember seeing a player so consistently able to get into the backfield.
6. Rashaun Woods, WR Oklahoma State
Defensive backs simply couldn't cover him. His performances against UCLA and Oklahoma were unbelievable.
7. E.J. Henderson, LB Maryland
I'm a sucker for great linebackers, and Henderson was great early in the season when he was hobbling, then he really turned it on.
8. Jason Gesser, QB Washington State
He doesn't get enough credit for making plays when he was injured. He had one bad game against Ohio State.
9. Brad Banks, QB Iowa
Banks lit up defenses with no star wide receivers to throw to. It helped that he operated behind one of the nation's best offensive lines.
10. Carson Palmer, QB USC
I don't think enough is made about his supporting cast. He got to play with a 2006 Who's Who of NFL talent. The Notre Dame secondary really is that good, and Palmer went through it like it wasn't there
Richard Cirminiello
#1 QB Carson Palmer, USC-Beginning on October 19, it took Palmer just six games to make the unlikely transformation from blue-chip bust to player of the year. Capped by a brilliant performance against a stingy Notre Dame defense, he guided the Trojans to a 10-2 mark and a berth in the 2003 Orange Bowl, all the while shedding the unsavory labels that had plagued him in his first four years in Los Angeles. Beyond the torrid finish and the Pac-10 passing records, what separates Palmer from the rest of the talented field is that he performed his aerial mastery against the toughest schedule in the country. While others had the luxury of padding their numbers against the occasional cream puff, the senior was facing the likes of Auburn, Colorado, Kansas State and the Irish before the Pac-10 schedule began.
#2 RB Willis McGahee, Miami
#3 RB Larry Johnson, Penn State
#4 QB Brad Banks, Iowa
#5 DE Terrell Suggs, Arizona State
#6 QB Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech
#7 CB Terence Newman, Kansas State
#8 QB Jason Gesser, Washington State
#9 LB E.J. Henderson, Maryland
#10 DE David Pollack, Georgia
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Matthew Zemek
1-Willis McGahee. He carried the water for an exceptional football team. And lest you think it was all because of Miami?s balance and Miami?s O-line, think again. The signature plays of the year, the big plays of Miami?s season, were McGahee runs that he himself created. Did it against Boston College, did it against Florida State, did it against Pittsburgh. He took the ball and did something with it. Against FSU, he outran the Noles along the sideline with an impressive burst of speed. Against both BC and Pitt, he had no initial hole and singlehandedly carved out a pathway through an opposing defense for six big points. McGahee did it his way, and that?s why he?s the best.
2-Carson Palmer. USC?s passing game was a thing of beauty. The fact that Palmer struggled in previous seasons makes this breakthrough that much more impressive, laudable and historic. It took time, but the much-ballyhooed prospect finally became the success story many thought he?d be. He?ll ride this to the NFL Draft and deservedly get a very, very high pick. He?s the best quarterback in the land, no doubt.
3-Matt Wilhelm. Because I?ve been so impressed with the soundness of the most airtight defense in the country, I have to give an appropriately lofty ranking to the anchor of that defense, Mr. Wilhelm. Because of all the great values Ohio State?and particularly its defense?represents, I must accordingly say that Wilhelm, as the quarterback of this defense, stands for everything that is good and right in collegiate athletics, the paragon of what a linebacker?and a college football player?should be.
4-David Pollack. If Wilhelm is rated third, the Georgia defensive tackle has to be next in line. In a preview of the Georgia-Kentucky game back in late October, I called Pollack ?your grandpappy?s kind of SEC warrior.? Indeed. Whether it was his incredible interception/steal of Corey Jenkins in the South Carolina game, or his courageous goal-line tackle later in that game, or his big plays in the Florida game, or just the week-in, week-out display of guts, leadership and flawless football instincts, Pollack proved to be the soul of a great Georgia defense that made this season a special one in Athens. There might be better raw physical talent out there (same thing for Wilhelm), but I?d go to war with a David Pollack (same for Wilhelm) any day of the week.
5-Chris Gamble. Hey, did he rack up huge stats? Heck, did he even play his natural position most of the time? (One wonders what his natural position IS right now?) But in terms of impacting the college football season with clutch, athletic plays on an island?just like Charles Woodson in 1997?did anyone do more than the Ohio State receiver? errrr, ahhhh? cover corner?
6-Brad Banks. In a Heisman context, the value of Iowa?s quarterback is slightly devalued. But in terms of ranking all college football players within a context of both offensive and defensive players, intangible value has more weight. Therefore, Banks deserves to be on the short list of players who were ?the best? in 2002. He started out somewhat slowly at first, and took some time to find a deep passing game to his receivers on the edges. But once he found his groove, Banks and the Iowa offense became absolutely unstoppable, a full-fledged juggernaut that could have taught the rest of the Big Ten a thing or two about how to attack Ohio State?s defense. One thing that remained constant, however, was Banks? ball security: a 26/4 TD/INT ratio is outstanding in any year.
7-Jason Gesser. Why this quarterback?s Heisman candidacy was devalued so quickly, whereas Byron Leftwich and also Banks were elevated to the very end, mystifies me. Sure, Washington State had a great defense, but Gesser was and is the heart and soul of the Cougars. Without his quick release, enormous toughness (he posted 48 points on Cal while wearing a flak jacket) and football savvy, the Cougars would have been NOTHING this year, despite an army of rangy receivers. Gesser was a stud in 2002, hands down.
8-Byron Leftwich. He can?t be left off the short list. His loss at Virginia Tech was marred by the fact that his receiving corps caught a huge case of the dropsies. (Marshall?s receivers could indeed ?catch? diseases, but not footballs, on that night in Blacksburg.) This is a class kid, a great poster-boy for the beauty and passion of college football, who?moreover?is a classic pocket passer with great arm strength and accuracy. He?s a keeper, no two ways about it.
9-Cory Redding. This guy was a manchild, and a man possessed for the Longhorns this year. In smothering performances against Iowa State and especially on the road at Kansas State, this Texas terror told his mates to climb on his bucking bronco back and hang on. His combination of leadership and toughness carried Texas before Chris Simms hit his stride in November. A force such as Redding has to make the short list of great players in 2002.
10-Tie, Mike Williams and Rashaun Woods. These two receivers, after their performances alone against Notre Dame and Oklahoma respectively, deserve to be on a short list. But they were great throughout the course of the 2002 seasons as well?Williams dazzling with his range, Woods more with his quickness and his ability to get open. In their own ways, these two receivers showed the stuff of more than ordinary men.
And in closing, if I left a player off a list, it?s not because I forgot. This is a short list, for one thing. (otherwise, the expression ?he deserves to be on the short list? wouldn?t mean anything) Secondly, I interpreted this more generic ?best player rankings? to account more for intangible value and less for pure, stat-centered ?Heisman Trophy-style? value, which need ?production? that exceeds leadership qualities. Here, I sought more of a balance between the two. That?s why Larry Johnson?s loud stats, for example, excluded him from this, a list that accounted for both offensive and defensive players. Finally, if I left someone off, that should not be interpreted as a slam on you, your family, your school, your team, your conference, your intelligence, or anything about you. It?s my analysis?detatched, unemotional, sit-down-and-think analysis. Nothing more, nothing less
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Pete Fiutak
I'm not going off value, MVP, head-to-head matchups or draft status. For me, these were simply the ten best college football players this season.
1. Willis McGahee, RB Miami
All I know is that the guy came through every single time Miami needed a big play. He was getting slowed down by Florida State. Then BOOM. A big catch and run to set up the winning score. Game in and game out, no player was consistently better than McGahee. He is going to be an NFL superstar.
2. Larry Johnson, RB Penn State
I know he was average in the three big games, but he was ridiculously good in the others.
3. David Pollack, DE Georgia
Every time I was watching Georgia, Pollack was making a big play or was blowing something up.
4. LaMarcus McDonald, LB TCU
I immediately dismiss any All-America team that doesn't have McDonald on the first team. To me, that says you didn't watch enough college football.
5. Terrell Suggs, DE Arizona State
The guy is just a menace coming off the edge. I can't remember seeing a player so consistently able to get into the backfield.
6. Rashaun Woods, WR Oklahoma State
Defensive backs simply couldn't cover him. His performances against UCLA and Oklahoma were unbelievable.
7. E.J. Henderson, LB Maryland
I'm a sucker for great linebackers, and Henderson was great early in the season when he was hobbling, then he really turned it on.
8. Jason Gesser, QB Washington State
He doesn't get enough credit for making plays when he was injured. He had one bad game against Ohio State.
9. Brad Banks, QB Iowa
Banks lit up defenses with no star wide receivers to throw to. It helped that he operated behind one of the nation's best offensive lines.
10. Carson Palmer, QB USC
I don't think enough is made about his supporting cast. He got to play with a 2006 Who's Who of NFL talent. The Notre Dame secondary really is that good, and Palmer went through it like it wasn't there
Richard Cirminiello
#1 QB Carson Palmer, USC-Beginning on October 19, it took Palmer just six games to make the unlikely transformation from blue-chip bust to player of the year. Capped by a brilliant performance against a stingy Notre Dame defense, he guided the Trojans to a 10-2 mark and a berth in the 2003 Orange Bowl, all the while shedding the unsavory labels that had plagued him in his first four years in Los Angeles. Beyond the torrid finish and the Pac-10 passing records, what separates Palmer from the rest of the talented field is that he performed his aerial mastery against the toughest schedule in the country. While others had the luxury of padding their numbers against the occasional cream puff, the senior was facing the likes of Auburn, Colorado, Kansas State and the Irish before the Pac-10 schedule began.
#2 RB Willis McGahee, Miami
#3 RB Larry Johnson, Penn State
#4 QB Brad Banks, Iowa
#5 DE Terrell Suggs, Arizona State
#6 QB Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech
#7 CB Terence Newman, Kansas State
#8 QB Jason Gesser, Washington State
#9 LB E.J. Henderson, Maryland
#10 DE David Pollack, Georgia
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Matthew Zemek
1-Willis McGahee. He carried the water for an exceptional football team. And lest you think it was all because of Miami?s balance and Miami?s O-line, think again. The signature plays of the year, the big plays of Miami?s season, were McGahee runs that he himself created. Did it against Boston College, did it against Florida State, did it against Pittsburgh. He took the ball and did something with it. Against FSU, he outran the Noles along the sideline with an impressive burst of speed. Against both BC and Pitt, he had no initial hole and singlehandedly carved out a pathway through an opposing defense for six big points. McGahee did it his way, and that?s why he?s the best.
2-Carson Palmer. USC?s passing game was a thing of beauty. The fact that Palmer struggled in previous seasons makes this breakthrough that much more impressive, laudable and historic. It took time, but the much-ballyhooed prospect finally became the success story many thought he?d be. He?ll ride this to the NFL Draft and deservedly get a very, very high pick. He?s the best quarterback in the land, no doubt.
3-Matt Wilhelm. Because I?ve been so impressed with the soundness of the most airtight defense in the country, I have to give an appropriately lofty ranking to the anchor of that defense, Mr. Wilhelm. Because of all the great values Ohio State?and particularly its defense?represents, I must accordingly say that Wilhelm, as the quarterback of this defense, stands for everything that is good and right in collegiate athletics, the paragon of what a linebacker?and a college football player?should be.
4-David Pollack. If Wilhelm is rated third, the Georgia defensive tackle has to be next in line. In a preview of the Georgia-Kentucky game back in late October, I called Pollack ?your grandpappy?s kind of SEC warrior.? Indeed. Whether it was his incredible interception/steal of Corey Jenkins in the South Carolina game, or his courageous goal-line tackle later in that game, or his big plays in the Florida game, or just the week-in, week-out display of guts, leadership and flawless football instincts, Pollack proved to be the soul of a great Georgia defense that made this season a special one in Athens. There might be better raw physical talent out there (same thing for Wilhelm), but I?d go to war with a David Pollack (same for Wilhelm) any day of the week.
5-Chris Gamble. Hey, did he rack up huge stats? Heck, did he even play his natural position most of the time? (One wonders what his natural position IS right now?) But in terms of impacting the college football season with clutch, athletic plays on an island?just like Charles Woodson in 1997?did anyone do more than the Ohio State receiver? errrr, ahhhh? cover corner?
6-Brad Banks. In a Heisman context, the value of Iowa?s quarterback is slightly devalued. But in terms of ranking all college football players within a context of both offensive and defensive players, intangible value has more weight. Therefore, Banks deserves to be on the short list of players who were ?the best? in 2002. He started out somewhat slowly at first, and took some time to find a deep passing game to his receivers on the edges. But once he found his groove, Banks and the Iowa offense became absolutely unstoppable, a full-fledged juggernaut that could have taught the rest of the Big Ten a thing or two about how to attack Ohio State?s defense. One thing that remained constant, however, was Banks? ball security: a 26/4 TD/INT ratio is outstanding in any year.
7-Jason Gesser. Why this quarterback?s Heisman candidacy was devalued so quickly, whereas Byron Leftwich and also Banks were elevated to the very end, mystifies me. Sure, Washington State had a great defense, but Gesser was and is the heart and soul of the Cougars. Without his quick release, enormous toughness (he posted 48 points on Cal while wearing a flak jacket) and football savvy, the Cougars would have been NOTHING this year, despite an army of rangy receivers. Gesser was a stud in 2002, hands down.
8-Byron Leftwich. He can?t be left off the short list. His loss at Virginia Tech was marred by the fact that his receiving corps caught a huge case of the dropsies. (Marshall?s receivers could indeed ?catch? diseases, but not footballs, on that night in Blacksburg.) This is a class kid, a great poster-boy for the beauty and passion of college football, who?moreover?is a classic pocket passer with great arm strength and accuracy. He?s a keeper, no two ways about it.
9-Cory Redding. This guy was a manchild, and a man possessed for the Longhorns this year. In smothering performances against Iowa State and especially on the road at Kansas State, this Texas terror told his mates to climb on his bucking bronco back and hang on. His combination of leadership and toughness carried Texas before Chris Simms hit his stride in November. A force such as Redding has to make the short list of great players in 2002.
10-Tie, Mike Williams and Rashaun Woods. These two receivers, after their performances alone against Notre Dame and Oklahoma respectively, deserve to be on a short list. But they were great throughout the course of the 2002 seasons as well?Williams dazzling with his range, Woods more with his quickness and his ability to get open. In their own ways, these two receivers showed the stuff of more than ordinary men.
And in closing, if I left a player off a list, it?s not because I forgot. This is a short list, for one thing. (otherwise, the expression ?he deserves to be on the short list? wouldn?t mean anything) Secondly, I interpreted this more generic ?best player rankings? to account more for intangible value and less for pure, stat-centered ?Heisman Trophy-style? value, which need ?production? that exceeds leadership qualities. Here, I sought more of a balance between the two. That?s why Larry Johnson?s loud stats, for example, excluded him from this, a list that accounted for both offensive and defensive players. Finally, if I left someone off, that should not be interpreted as a slam on you, your family, your school, your team, your conference, your intelligence, or anything about you. It?s my analysis?detatched, unemotional, sit-down-and-think analysis. Nothing more, nothing less
