I'm thinking maybe Jordan Taylor on offense although he has some legitimate competition.

But man on defense, I honestly have no clue. I know the defense has played great for much of the season and even though we lose some seniors, I think the future is very bright for that unit. It seems like every young guy we've played has done well.

Who would be your choices?

Nordstrom or Callahan on defense. Don't hear Callahan's name too much because they tend to stay away from him (the Philip Gaines treatment).

Not sure on offense. Taylor missed too many games for my preference, though if he gets 3 more games that is less important. Dillard doesn't get enough carries. DJ has been good, but not quite for MVP (with the exception of general game management). I don't have a good enough eye to pick one of the linemen if there is a standout. I guess Taor if he has a good final 2-3 games.

edit: Radcliffe and Lyons also with very solid seasons.

offense I think is pretty obvious: DJ

defense, maybe Alex Lyons? or maaybe Callahan

The offense got going only after Taylor's return. On defense, shouldn't someone consider Patt?

(11-23-2014 08:05 PM)ChicagoOwl (BS 07) Wrote:  offense I think is pretty obvious: DJ

defense, maybe Alex Lyons? or maaybe Callahan

Lyons, Callahan, Nordstrom, Radcliffe... all great choices on defense. I'd go with Nordstrom and Jackson.

(11-23-2014 08:08 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  The offense got going only after Taylor's return. On defense, shouldn't someone consider Patt?

Someone probably should. My thought was he'd missed a couple of games and Nordstrom's stats are a little better, but something that Patt offers (along with Covington) is the ability to chase down plays from behind out on the edges.

Looking at the stats to try to answer this question.

We have been remarkable in ball security. Only 8 turnovers in 11 games. We had 19 in 14 games last year. I believe a lot of the difference is at QB.

So I'll go for DJ as MVP. He has been inconsistent with accuracy at times, but job one is to take care of the ball and he has done well with that.

Defense is harder. It's kind of the no name bunch, and lots of injuries. Callahan clearly has the lifetime achievement award (as does JT on offense). Let's see if someone steps up against La Tech.

69/70--we have had lots of discussions after painful losses about whether fumbling is an indicator of coaching, talent, luck, or some combination. the dramatic decline in fumbling, though, is worth noting. in 2012, we fumbled 24 times and lost 17 In 2013 it was 15/10. This year it is 8/3.

8 << 24. so well done by DJ and the skill guys.

Simonette. He is replacing a top talent at a key position, and the fact we rarely hear his number called says a lot. Possibly a factor in reduced fumbles, at least the ones on the snaps.

Nordstrom. He is a force on defense, lots of TFLs.

Both walk ons .

I'd go with Taylor. He has been pretty consistently oustanding at his position....DJ has not. On D I go with Nordstrom, he is the essence of consistency, and he never stops, never takes a play off.

Good topic. Offense I think is clearly Driphus. Defense, Nordstrom has just been so productive.

(11-24-2014 12:07 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Simonette. He is replacing a top talent at a key position, and the fact we rarely hear his number called says a lot. Possibly a factor in reduced fumbles, at least the ones on the snaps.

Nordstrom. He is a force on defense, lots of TFLs.

Both walk ons .

Former walk-ons.

I imagine we have the best walk-on program this side of Nebraska. I love that.

Though I'd probably go with Jackson for offensive MVP.

Since no single player has really stood out and blown us away on offense, I think you have to go with DJ due to his consistently good decision making. He has allowed us to rarely skip a beat on offense (save for Marshall). If JT had been healthy all year, I think it goes to him as you can see the impact he makes on the offense when he is in, either making plays or drawing attention away from others.

For defense, I don't know the stats on how many times Bryce has been targeted, so unless his numbers match favorably to Gaines' last year, I would say that either Nordstrom or Patt deserve the honor since they have been destroying the backfield with sacks and TFLs. We haven't had our best D-lineman for a significant portion of the year, yet we are still one of the best teams in the nation at getting to the QB. I'd probably lean Nordstrom's way because of how many more TFLs he has (18.5 to 9.5).

My picks are DJ and Nordstrom.
Why DJ? Take a look at North Texas and UTSA. Both teams were said to be returning a good amount of starters. The only question mark was QB. DJ, though very workman and seldom flashy, has kept this team running well. Notice how we fell into a hole against ODU when he went out for the 1st half. Notice how steady the team has been. Even if his numbers have not been note worthy, his leadership alone is palpable. North Texas and UTSA thought that replacing their departing Senior QB would be a piece of cake. We all know first hand how difficult it is to replace a productive signal caller. DJ has more than answered the bell. His toughness and discipline are leading this team.

Nordstrom. Wow. Over the Spring and Summer, I looked at his measurables (6-3 230) and thought, "how can a 230lb guy hold his position at the Anchor position?" I thogught, "we are going to get run over." Man, I am happy to be wrong about Brian. He is an outstanding player. He plays smart, he is deceptively strong, quick, and has phenomenal technique at the position. I don't think that he is 6-3/230. I think that he is closer to 6-4/240. But regardless, I'm amazed that the position I was vexed over before the season began is a huge strength for Rice. I would call Nordstrom the MVP because of his body of work and consistency. It's obvious that Covington and Patt are tremendous players when on the field. But Nordstrom has played all year. And he has played at a high level. He has literally anchored the defensive line with Patt and Covington out. Dylan Klare also deserves an honorable mention. But in my opinion, Nordstrom is the man.

Driphus on offfense - Nordstrom on defense. Although I agree with RiceLad15 - it would be interesting to see the stats on how many times Bryce has been targeted.

Looks like there is a budding consensus with DJ and Nordstrom.

What about freshman of the year?

Seems odd to lobby for a guy with five catches, but Mayden has three TDs are WR.

(11-24-2014 11:08 AM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  Looks like there is a budding consensus with DJ and Nordstrom.

What about freshman of the year?

Seems odd to lobby for a guy with five catches, but Mayden has three TDs are WR.

Offense HAS to be DJ; I don't think anyone else comes even close. DJ is responsible for managing the offense and making the decisions, and though his throwing has been suspect at times, one cannot question his game management, ball control and leadership...and he's played the majority of the season with a dislocated shoulder and torn ligament which will require surgery after the season.

As for defense, really too tough to call, and though Nordstrom is a logical choice, the entire front 7 as a unit deserves the honor.

The use (or lack thereof) of Mayden is mystifying. His speed makes him a difference maker, yet we have limited his playing time and number of targets to no more than a couple times a game. Playing Mayden and Taylor together would take the double and triple teams away from Jordan.

Does Mayden still qualify for a Redshirt or has he seen too much playing time?

(11-24-2014 11:45 AM)Pan95 Wrote:  Does Mayden still qualify for a Redshirt or has he seen too much playing time?

A player can't take a conventional redshirt year if he plays at all.

A player can get a so-called medical "redshirt" if he plays under certain conditions (link), which Mayden doesn't meet.

Even with Mayden's three TDs, I don't think any of the Freshmen has been as contributed as much as Greyson Shantz - I think it would go to him.

Temi Aleka, James Mayden, Nick Uretsky, Emmanuel Ellerbee - I think they've all shown promise for the future, but I don't think any has gotten as much playing time as Shantz.

DJ on offense. While he may lack the measurables, his decision making, leadership and toughness makes him the MVP.

Defense could go so many ways. I think I'd similarly find who has been the 'leader' on that side of the ball and give it to them. I'm guessing Radcliff, but I'm not there to witness. I think the defensive coaches have done an excellent job through much hardship/injury/replacing lots of players.