DROY: Woolen vs Garden

[kidhawk]

ESPN has Gardner ranked as the Number 1 rookie in the NFL with Woolen as Number 4 overall, and 2nd ranked defensive rookie. I haven't watched the Jets play a single play this season, but I have watched every down Woolen has played, so I have an obvious bias. I looked up the stats and I'd still give the nod to Woolen. Anyone want to pipe in and explain what is making Gardner ranked higher than Woolen (no need to call it East coast bias, I've considered that and although haven't ruled it out, I'm sure there are some actual football reasons I'd like to hear).

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[keasley45]

It's BS that Sauce is #1.

The only reason he's above Woolen is because so many of the talking heads proclaimed him a star and want to be proven right. If Woolen comes out on top, then the whole lot will have been wrong and they don't want that to happen.

I'm hoping Woolen gets 4 more picks and further distances himself from Sauce so that if they do wanna keep their collectively heads in the sand and hand the award to Gardner, that they look like completely biased blowhards.

 

[hawkfan68]

Gardner was a top 5 pick. I think that's why the mediots are hanging on his jock.

 

[Maelstrom787]

It's mostly name recognition bias due to Sauce's draft position. He doesn't follow receivers generally and is not much better in coverage. Obviously not better in ball production.

There's a perception that he's so good in coverage that he doesn't get thrown at, but he gets thrown at more than Woolen.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Typical high pick and big market hype. He's damn good, I don't doubt that. But no way in hell he is better than Woolen this season. No

 

[Mase]

-- Maybe Tariq should have worn a necklace with a sheep on it or something. People's fascination at the draft with that stupid sauce necklace was sad.

-- Some linen store has to get hold of Tariq and have a "Covered like a Woolen blanket" campaign.

Mase

 

[Donn2390]

ESPN has Gardner ranked as the Number 1 rookie in the NFL with Woolen as Number 4 overall, and 2nd ranked defensive rookie. I haven't watched the Jets play a single play this season, but I have watched every down Woolen has played, so I have an obvious bias. I looked up the stats and I'd still give the nod to Woolen. Anyone want to pipe in and explain what is making Gardner ranked higher than Woolen (no need to call it East coast bias, I've considered that and although haven't ruled it out, I'm sure there are some actual football reasons I'd like to hear).

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All name recognition, he was the bigger name coming out of college. He is an easy pick when one is too lazy to do one's homework.

 

[JPatera76]

ESPN has Gardner ranked as the Number 1 rookie in the NFL with Woolen as Number 4 overall, and 2nd ranked defensive rookie. I haven't watched the Jets play a single play this season, but I have watched every down Woolen has played, so I have an obvious bias. I looked up the stats and I'd still give the nod to Woolen. Anyone want to pipe in and explain what is making Gardner ranked higher than Woolen (no need to call it East coast bias, I've considered that and although haven't ruled it out, I'm sure there are some actual football reasons I'd like to hear).

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bigger name and a much bigger and crowded market. Only reason. Stat wise Woolen is better.

But these awards arent on stats. Most the NFL awards are more of a popularity contest.

 

[kidhawk]

Sounds like it's rather unanimous (here at least) that Woolen is having the better season, but since he wasn't rated as high coming out of the draft, media types are pushing for Gardener. If that's truly the only reason, that's a sad state of affairs.

 

[Rat]

Sauce is really good. Jets are damn lucky to have landed him. I don't think him being named DPOY would be some all-time travesty, but it would help if Tariq could distance himself even more with INTs. That'll be impossible to ignore at some point. Sauce does a better job promoting himself too, which is stupid, but probably subconsciously help his standing among the voters.

 

[CPHawk]

Easy to figure out. One plays in NY the other Seattle.

 

[evergreen]

Plus he plays on a good defense.

 

[DarkVictory23]

Gardner holds receivers to less yards per completion, looks a little better stat wise given how much he's targeted.

Woolen has a much bigger overall impact, though. He gives up some more yardage but makes bigger plays.

Gardner is still winning based on preseason expectation, primarily, if I were to guess--but he's no slouch and is playing quite well. I think Woolen has the potential to take the spot, though. If he makes a couple of splash plays Thursday against the Niners in primetime, the narrative might change.

It'll help his case if the Seahawks defense returns to the form of a winning defense instead of a sieve that every RB in the league can run through.