Denard one of 3 B1G QBs on Manning Award watch list
CBSsports reports: 3 Big Ten QBs named to Manning Award watch list
Denard Robinson is one of three B1G players added to the watch list for the Manning Award. The other B1G QBs announced are Iowa's James Vandenberg and Nebraska's Taylor Martinez.
I found it a bit interesting that, unlike the O'Brien Award, Braxton Miller was not included. This award includes bowl performance but doubt their bowl ban figures in, as Matt Barkley was a finalist last year.
Hope so, as he will also be playing a MUCH tougher schedule than last year.
So no one has to create extra tabs in their browser, and in case there is interest, the full list is here (Nebraska site - linked in the article as well).
The stats guy in me also was interested in the distribution of that list across conferences. Among the candidates:
5 candidates - SEC and Big 12
4 candidates - ACC
3 candidates - Big Ten
2 candidates - Sun Belt, Pac-12, MAC, MWC
As for the Big Ten candidates specifically, I would have to think that, of those three, Denard is likely in the best position to have a standout year considering the other weapons on offense.
Not sure we really separate ourselves in terms of weapons on offense this year. Fitz playing would certainly change that, however.
It insults the entire Manning family name that an arm-punter like Martinez is regarded as a finalist for a passing award.
Let's play, "Name That Arm-Punter."
142/258, 2173 yds, 55.0% cmp, 8.42ypa, 20/15 td/int
162/288, 2089 yds, 56.3% cmp, 7.25ypa, 13/8 td/int
But there's a big difference between 8.42 ypa (near elite) and 7.25 ypa (average to below-average).
As noted below, the over 1 ypa difference is huge, as are the individual game breakdowns. Denard got significantly better as the season progressed (save for the bowl game) while Martinez regressed toward the end. And I'm not saying Denard is some testament to good passing, but he showed growth as well as being acclimated to a new offensive philosophy; Martinez's biggest excuse was playing against better competition.
You have to imagine that not having a staph infection for most of the season will help him.
Martinez and Denard have some throwing mechanics that are downright painful to watch.