Do Heisman Winners Translate To The NFL?

Ever wondered why a college player who is so fantastic goes to the NFL and doesn't do much? I'm not sure I know the answer to that question. But in an effort to show the elite players, mostly offensive, Heisman trophy winners, I have decided to do a little research. Hopefully this research is impartial. I'm at least trying. Only tangible things like years in the NFL, Pro Bowl and Super Bowl appearances are being considered. Certainly no "eye tests" here. As to why some players do not translate, I really think that sometimes when you are so good at say college level football, it can be difficult to transition to the next level that is indisputably the best of the best. Intimidating? Maybe. Disillusionment? Possibly. Too tired or injured? Maybe. Drafted to the wrong team, a losing team? Quite possibly. I will present evidence of past Heisman winners and their viability in the NFL.

I wondered how far back I should go. So, I thought maybe just until the USFL disbanded (that's when players salaries skyrocketed). Then I saw several players just before that time period who were successful in the NFL ( in an effort to be fair).

My personal belief is that being a Heisman winner somewhat stacks the deck against you. Sometimes, when you are so good in college, you have a hard time translating to the pro game. Yet, we shall see.

We will begin with year, player's name, years in the NFL, Pro Bowl appearances, and Super Bowl appearances.

1980 George Rogers, 1981-1987, 1 Super Bowl, 2 Pro Bowls.
1981 Marcus Allen, 1982-1997, 1 Super Bowl, 6 Pro Bowls.
1982 Herschel Walker, 1986-1997, 2 Pro Bowls.
1983 Mike Rozier, 1985-1991, 2 Pro Bowls.
1984 Doug Flutie, 1986-1989, 1998-2005, 1 Pro Bowl.
1985 Bo Jackson, 1987-1990, 1 Pro Bowl.
1986 Vinny Testaverde, 1987-2007, 2 Pro Bowls.
1987 Tim Brown, 1988-2004, 9 Pro Bowls.
1988 Barry Sanders, 1989-1998, 10 Pro Bowls.
1989 Andre Ware, 1990-1993 (1994-1995 practice squad).
1990 Ty Detmer, 1992-2003 (2004-2005 practice squad).
1991 Desmond Howard, 1992-2002, 1 Pro Bowl, 1 Super Bowl.
1992 Gino Torreta, 1993-1997.
1993 Charlie Ward, NBA
1994 Rashaan Salaam, 1995-1999 (2003 practice squad).
1995 Eddie George, 1996-2004, 4 Pro Bowls, 1 Super Bowl.
1996 Danny Wuerrfel, 1997-2002.
1997 Charles Woodson, 1998-current, 8 Pro Bowls, 1 Super Bowl.
1998 Ricky Williams, 1999-2003, 2005, 2007-2011, 1 Pro Bowl.
1999 Ron Dayne, 2000-2007, 1 Super Bowl appearance.
2000 Chris Weinke, 2001-2007, 1 Super Bowl appearance.
2001 Eric Crouch, 2002-2005.
2002 Carson Palmer, 2003-current, 2 Pro Bowls.
2003 Jason White,   None (2005 practice squad).
2004 Matt Leinart, 2006-2012 (2013 preseason), 1 Super Bowl appearance.
2006 Troy Smith, 2007-2010 (2012 off season).
2007 Tim Tebow, 2010-2012 (2013 preseason).
2008 Sam Bradford, 2010-present.
2009 Mark Ingram, 2011-present.
2010 Cam Newton, 2011-present, 1 Pro Bowl.
2011 Robert Griffin, III 2012-present, 1 Pro Bowl.
2012 Johnny Manziel, Still in college.
2013 ??????


So, out of 32 Heisman Trophy winners, only 8 have been to a Super Bowl. Mind you, that's not necessarily WINNING the Super Bowl. That's about a 25% chance if you win the Heisman you will go to the big game. 16 H.T.W. have been to the Pro Bowl. That's a 50% chance at a game that is quite similar to a popularity contest.

After totaling up all the seasons played divided by the number of HTW (taking out those currently still playing) the average seasons played by HTW is 7.96. In today's terms, you'll get through the rookie salary cap contract and a few more years.

Is that translating? I just don't know. To me, if winning the Heisman makes you "great", then you should be really spectacular in the NFL. But the reasons listed before are why I think they don't translate. Or maybe when you get to the NFL, it truly becomes a team sport at that point. Thought s are welcome in the comments as always.

MDK In The House

We Must Protect This House

No 24 hrs Needed

This week has been an all new football low for me personally. Last weeks loss to the Bengals felt all encompassing. Little did I know that 6 short days later, my ORIGINAL team, FSU, would disappoint in a way never imagined by myself or the twitter world apparently. Tonights game was one of THE most disappointing FSU games I have personally ever witnessed. I don't care what anyone says. Jimbo Fisher forced Bobby Bowden out. Jimbo "thought" he was ready to run a major college football franchise. Let's be honest folks, it's a franchise. Jimbo thought he would walk right in and turn it around. And to a certain extent he did. We have won several matchups with Florida but only because they were lesser teams. That's not Florida State. We go in as the underdog and outplay other teams. That used to be our M.O.. Now we lose to unranked NC State because we can. E.J., God Bless You. You are not Charlie Ward. I'm not even sure you are a team leader. And you know what else I know? Jimbo you can't be an offensive coordinator AND head coach. Other coaches can. YOU CANNOT. It has been proven many times but tonight is the straw that broke the camel's back. You have lost the FSU faithful. You won't be able to sell out Doak. I live in Jacksonville. But I no longer call it Jacksonville. I call it Gainesville North. I'm Sick of it. SICK. Sick. Sick. Sick.

What's going to have to happen to restore FSU to it's proper place? I mean we haven't even had a scandal. What will have to happen to bring glory back to Florida State? GET RID OF FISHER. SOON. And get us a real coach with a REAL offensive coordinator.

Did anyone happen to notice that this week, FSU lost 2 4-star recruits??!! Anybody?! I want to know why!!!!

But you know what, at least I ain't crying about it like Tim Tebow would. There's no crying in football. But there certainly is anger and frustration.

MDK in the House

We must protect this house

Is a Big Splash In Free Agency Necessary? And Miscellaneous

 Some of you may have been wondering why I have been silent on the Jaguars for awhile. Well, I'm just trying to give them some breathing room. They have a new coach and a new owner. I don't like to start hating until I've seen something. This whole thing is almost brand new for me. So, I'm going to give them plenty of slack. And to all of you fans out there that are mad there was no BIG splash in free agency. I give you this analogy (or metaphor or whatever it's called) Ever watch diving in the Olympics? The person with the least splash usually scores higher. It's not just about splash. Style points are given as well. So all you haters listen up. It's not about the BIG splash.
Miscellaneous:
 Jimbo. Jimbo. Jimbo. Jimbo Fisher. Dude, you knew this was coming. I would like for him to DO several things in this off season. Please work on your 4th quarter time management skills. They leave little to be desired (UVA game). Please accomplish something when you start yelling and screaming at officials. You are starting to look like Will Muschamp. Just because you vacation together that does not excuse the fact you are acting like a Gator and nullifying your contract with FSU fans. Please train E.J. Manuel to look like he belongs in the HALLOWED halls of Florida State Football (I.E.- Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke both Heisman Trophy winners). I still wish you would consider hiring an Offensive Coordinator. You continue to prove you can't do it alone. The last thing you can do for me Jimbo, please let us live up to the hype so I don't have to hear the trash talking from the Gators. We've beat them 2 years in a row, that should be enough. With UF, it's never enough.
  From the beginning with Bobby Petrino. Let's start with his contract with Louisville. He began coaching at Louisville in 2003. By July 2006 they offered a contract of 10 years, 25.6 million dollars, which he accepted. In January 2007, he accepted a head coaching position with the Atlanta Falcons. December 2007, in the proverbial middle of the night and several games left in the NFL season, Petrino takes a job at Arkansas. Fast forward to last month. Petrino gets Jessica Dorrell hired and then they have a motorcycle accident. He lies and says he was alone. None of this is really that earth shattering if you look at his whole body of work.  He left the Falcons without a proper goodbye to players that struggled all year without Michael Vick. Be a man for heaven's sake. Do the right thing for once. How does his wife and kids stand him? I guess only time will tell.

MDK in the House