And the Winner Is…
We do love us some ‘ToineUPDATE: Winfield wins the award in close voting over Holmes (who, a day later would go on to win Super Bowl MVP honors) and captures the inaugural “Houndie”.
We’re just days away from the Super Bowl and with that brings the nominations for our first-ever Buckeye NFLer of the Year award. Most players will readily admit that winning this award would be the highlight of their careers, so please take a minute to review the candidates below and then vote in the poll to the right.
Chris Gamble, Carolina Panthers (CB)
Gamble was the only three-time winner of the award this season as he once again turned in a stellar campaign for the Panthers finishing with 93 tackles 19 passes defensed, good enough for third in the league. He was a big part of helping his team take the NFC South championship and was rewarded for his play with a six-year $53 million contract extension.
Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Vikings (CB)
Winfield won the award twice this season, in week 17 and 3, and if not for some controversy, would have captured the award a third time. His 95 tackles led all NFL corners as his Vikings captured the NFC North crown. That and he’s my favorite Buckeye player of all time, so he’ll probably still make this list in retirement.
Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh Steelers (WR)
The only former Buckeye in the Super Bowl, Holmes had an impressive season finishing 2nd on the Steelers with 55 receptions for 821 yards and 5 touchdowns. He captured the award in weeks 14 and 16 and his return game played a huge role in getting the Steelers to where they are.
Ted Ginn Jr., Miami Dolphins (WR)
After a rather non-productive rookie season last year, Ginn started 2008 slow as well, racking up only 8 catches for 75 yards through his first three games. In week five, he captured his first NFLer of the week award with a 7 catch, 55 yard performance and then blew up against the Bills in week 8, winning his 2nd award after hauling in 7 receptions for 175 yards. From that point on, he continued to play a significant role in the Dolphins offense as new coach Tony Sporano seemed to have a handle on how to employ the burner.
Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis Colts (WR)
Gonzo continued his evolution into a latter day Brandon Stokely, winning the weekly award twice and finishing with 57 receptions for 664 yards and four touchdowns. His finest game came during week two, when he torched the Vikings for 9 catches and 137 yards and he registered at least one reception in every game this season, though his production did tail off towards the end of the year.
So, quite a few worthy candidates. Picking a winner won’t be easy. If you could also be so kind as to suggest a new name for the award next season, we’d appreciate it. “Buckeye NFLer of the Week” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.
gamble is good, but it’s winfield. he’s a hall of famer, was easily one of he best DBs this year, and hits like a mack truck despite being roughly the same height as my sister. i love holmes and teddy and gonzo, but they had what most NFLers would call “average to good” years.
Troy Smith’s tonsils should be on the list because the only thing that keep him from leading the Ravens to the AFC title game was his throat!
2 suggestions for the name:
The BuckNOW Award
or I think I have it; simply The HOUND Award (Houndie). When you have an out-of-hound week, you get a Houndie.
i lol’d.
I too had a good chuckle with that one!
I gotta admit, Houndie has a nice ring to it.
indeed, i like it
It’s ‘Toine in a close one, Gamble is a beast.
Can we have a co-champ?
Buckeye NFL’er of the year = Dick LeBeau
Right On, Brother!!
He’s overrated :)
Is anyone else troubled that there isn’t a front 7 guy or OL anywhere close to this list?
see below
looks like we got our QB for this class. kenneth guiton
Dude’s a string bean. 6-2, 175?
It’s gotta be Winfield. Only Buckeye Pro Bowler this year, unless I’m forgetting someone.
mangold got in as a reserve, and that dude mightend up being in the HoF if he stays healthy, people are really high on him.
Some people need to take off the Black and Gold glasses. Yes, Santonio has been stellar in the playoffs, but this is a regular season award, and no one comes close to Winfield this year. He continues to be one of the least appreciated GREAT players in the league.
i concur
It’s a tough one. Winfield and Gamble had better seasons overall, but Holmes is going to the Super Bowl, and it’s not too hard to say that the Steelers wouldn’t be there without him, given some of his very important big plays this playoff season.
I still voted Winfield, though. I like how the numbers show that OSU corners know how to tackle :)
Antoine Winfield: The most underrated NFL CB that has a chance to take a trip to Canton one day.
Give me Antoine Winfield or give me death!!!
Amen.
Twice!
PJ HILL!!
Gotta go Winfield. And how bout name the award the “BigNuts of the Week” I think it’s fitting…
Looks like our 2009 class won’t be without a QB commit…
http://www.cleveland.com/buckeyeblog/index.ssf/2009/01/ohio_state_football_who_is_ken.html
“Guiton is ranked as the No. 53 quarterback prospect in the 2009 class by Scout.com while Rivals.com ranks him as the No. 35 dual-threat quarterback in the country.”
I’ve got two nominations: Mike Vrabel (just because) and Kirk Barton, since, according to ohiostatebuckeyes.com Kirk is listed as being on the roster of TWO NFL teams. Beat that!
In lieu of the above, My vote is for young Mr. Winfield.
Two good vids of Kenneth Guiton on this page, click bottom link for game highlights.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=55058&season=2009
I will go for a write in vote for Nick Mangold
Good shizzy…Troy Smith anyone?
Not really a fair comparison. Smith might have been somewhat of an afterthought, but he also had 4 stars on Rivals and was ranked the #12 Dual Threat QB in his class. Was also invited to the elite 11. I love Smith’s story, and still do, but Guiton has a long way to go. Wish him the best though and I hope he’s a hard worker and pushes Bauserman.
I didn’t know Troy’s star ranking, just that he was recruited as an “athelete” more so than a QB. My point was more of a guy that came here as an afterthought with long odds to play.
Guiton was also Elite 11 as per the Scout video.
holmes clearly buckeye nfl’er of the year