Adam Jones second in Jerry Rice award voting.

[LTown Cat]

I gave up on these awards after Troy got hosed for the Buck...too much regional bias.

That was a big problem his year. The guy that won had good stats but in a weaker conference.

Exactly. Any non-objective voter would have seen Troy was the better player.

[GoodTimesAllTheTime]

Devil’s advocate here. Adam started out incredibly hot early in the non-conference schedule. His production wained quite a bit through conference, although still stayed a very important cog in the offensive machine. But he wasn’t getting all the attention. Scottre was. Then he had a huge Cat/gris game. So most of the voters minds were probably made up prior to the last weekend. I can see a very genuine way that the NDSU guy got it. His name was at the top of his team’s stat sheet through the bulk of the season.
When your #2 back for the season is voted as the 2nd best freshman in the country, your team is doing some great things.

I think this was probably the tipping point for some voters. It’s probably fair to say that MSU’s rushing success as a collective drowns out some of the individual impact

[ilovethecats]

Devil’s advocate here. Adam started out incredibly hot early in the non-conference schedule. His production wained quite a bit through conference, although still stayed a very important cog in the offensive machine. But he wasn’t getting all the attention. Scottre was. Then he had a huge Cat/gris game. So most of the voters minds were probably made up prior to the last weekend. I can see a very genuine way that the NDSU guy got it. His name was at the top of his team’s stat sheet through the bulk of the season.
When your #2 back for the season is voted as the 2nd best freshman in the country, your team is doing some great things.

I guess that was my only point. I hate NDSU as much as the next guy. And I certainly think "NDSU" jumps off the page for voters in these things sometimes. But the kid had solid numbers and appears to be their primary back. Maybe that was impressive enough for voters.

In the end I agree with what was said. These guys have one mission and one mission only and I don't think they give a crap about these individual awards. Though it would have been awesome to see Adam land it.

[technoCat]

Brown was 38 for 120 and 2tds in what I would consider their 3 biggest games.

Jones was 53 for 398 and 3 tds in what I would consider our 3 biggest games.

[tetoncat]

Devil’s advocate here. Adam started out incredibly hot early in the non-conference schedule. His production wained quite a bit through conference, although still stayed a very important cog in the offensive machine. But he wasn’t getting all the attention. Scottre was. Then he had a huge Cat/gris game. So most of the voters minds were probably made up prior to the last weekend. I can see a very genuine way that the NDSU guy got it. His name was at the top of his team’s stat sheet through the bulk of the season.
When your #2 back for the season is voted as the 2nd best freshman in the country, your team is doing some great things.

I guess that was my only point. I hate NDSU as much as the next guy. And I certainly think "NDSU" jumps off the page for voters in these things sometimes. But the kid had solid numbers and appears to be their primary back. Maybe that was impressive enough for voters.

In the end I agree with what was said. These guys have one mission and one mission only and I don't think they give a crap about these individual awards. Though it would have been awesome to see Adam land it.

But that is most posts point, Adam had similar yards, higher YPC, way more explosive plays, and had to share reps. Put him on NDSU and what are his stats, they go up with 60 more touches Put NDSU guy on Cats they most certainly drop.

[ilovethecats]

Devil’s advocate here. Adam started out incredibly hot early in the non-conference schedule. His production wained quite a bit through conference, although still stayed a very important cog in the offensive machine. But he wasn’t getting all the attention. Scottre was. Then he had a huge Cat/gris game. So most of the voters minds were probably made up prior to the last weekend. I can see a very genuine way that the NDSU guy got it. His name was at the top of his team’s stat sheet through the bulk of the season.
When your #2 back for the season is voted as the 2nd best freshman in the country, your team is doing some great things.

I guess that was my only point. I hate NDSU as much as the next guy. And I certainly think "NDSU" jumps off the page for voters in these things sometimes. But the kid had solid numbers and appears to be their primary back. Maybe that was impressive enough for voters.

In the end I agree with what was said. These guys have one mission and one mission only and I don't think they give a crap about these individual awards. Though it would have been awesome to see Adam land it.

But that is most posts point, Adam had similar yards, higher YPC, way more explosive plays, and had to share reps. Put him on NDSU and what are his stats, they go up with 60 more touches Put NDSU guy on Cats they most certainly drop.

Well sure. And maybe all the voters for Adam shared that line of thinking. Maybe all the voters for Brown thought it very impressive a freshman would beat out a junior as the lead RB on a very good NDSU team?

My whole point was I would have loved Adam to win it, but I don't find it as baffling as others they gave it to the kid from NDSU. They both had amazing seasons.

[tetoncat]

Devil’s advocate here. Adam started out incredibly hot early in the non-conference schedule. His production wained quite a bit through conference, although still stayed a very important cog in the offensive machine. But he wasn’t getting all the attention. Scottre was. Then he had a huge Cat/gris game. So most of the voters minds were probably made up prior to the last weekend. I can see a very genuine way that the NDSU guy got it. His name was at the top of his team’s stat sheet through the bulk of the season.
When your #2 back for the season is voted as the 2nd best freshman in the country, your team is doing some great things.

I guess that was my only point. I hate NDSU as much as the next guy. And I certainly think "NDSU" jumps off the page for voters in these things sometimes. But the kid had solid numbers and appears to be their primary back. Maybe that was impressive enough for voters.

In the end I agree with what was said. These guys have one mission and one mission only and I don't think they give a crap about these individual awards. Though it would have been awesome to see Adam land it.

But that is most posts point, Adam had similar yards, higher YPC, way more explosive plays, and had to share reps. Put him on NDSU and what are his stats, they go up with 60 more touches Put NDSU guy on Cats they most certainly drop.

Well sure. And maybe all the voters for Adam shared that line of thinking. Maybe all the voters for Brown thought it very impressive a freshman would beat out a junior as the lead RB on a very good NDSU team?

My whole point was I would have loved Adam to win it, but I don't find it as baffling as others they gave it to the kid from NDSU. They both had amazing seasons.

And same cam be said if Miller wins over Mellott.my point is similar stats on an undefeated team, that blew out opponents, is deep so reduced snaps should be rewarded. I believe they will be rewarded for playing for NDSU due to regional vote bias. It showed up all year and will likely continue

[kennethnoisewater]

Devil’s advocate here. Adam started out incredibly hot early in the non-conference schedule. His production wained quite a bit through conference, although still stayed a very important cog in the offensive machine. But he wasn’t getting all the attention. Scottre was. Then he had a huge Cat/gris game. So most of the voters minds were probably made up prior to the last weekend. I can see a very genuine way that the NDSU guy got it. His name was at the top of his team’s stat sheet through the bulk of the season.
When your #2 back for the season is voted as the 2nd best freshman in the country, your team is doing some great things.

I guess that was my only point. I hate NDSU as much as the next guy. And I certainly think "NDSU" jumps off the page for voters in these things sometimes. But the kid had solid numbers and appears to be their primary back. Maybe that was impressive enough for voters.

In the end I agree with what was said. These guys have one mission and one mission only and I don't think they give a crap about these individual awards. Though it would have been awesome to see Adam land it.

Yeah I'm with you. Obviously I would've loved to see Adam win it, but if I step back and look at it objectively, I'd pick the guy who meant more to his team. Adam meant a ton, but take him out and the next guy would have done pretty well too. Adam accounted for 24% of MSU's rushing yards while the NDSU guy accounted for 38% of their rushing yards.

[ilovethecats]

Devil’s advocate here. Adam started out incredibly hot early in the non-conference schedule. His production wained quite a bit through conference, although still stayed a very important cog in the offensive machine. But he wasn’t getting all the attention. Scottre was. Then he had a huge Cat/gris game. So most of the voters minds were probably made up prior to the last weekend. I can see a very genuine way that the NDSU guy got it. His name was at the top of his team’s stat sheet through the bulk of the season.
When your #2 back for the season is voted as the 2nd best freshman in the country, your team is doing some great things.

I guess that was my only point. I hate NDSU as much as the next guy. And I certainly think "NDSU" jumps off the page for voters in these things sometimes. But the kid had solid numbers and appears to be their primary back. Maybe that was impressive enough for voters.

In the end I agree with what was said. These guys have one mission and one mission only and I don't think they give a crap about these individual awards. Though it would have been awesome to see Adam land it.

Yeah I'm with you. Obviously I would've loved to see Adam win it, but if I step back and look at it objectively, I'd pick the guy who meant more to his team. Adam meant a ton, but take him out and the next guy would have done pretty well too. Adam accounted for 24% of MSU's rushing yards while the NDSU guy accounted for 38% of their rushing yards.

Totally. We're Cat fans that would have loved seeing Adam win it so we look at the stats that back up that claim. And likely many voters did which is why it was so close. But I just don't have a problem with this one.

And if it adds a little fuel to the fire for Adam even better

[RangeCat]

Objectively and subjectively speaking, I believe Jones should've won this award but I get the argument for the NDSU kid. I wonder if Conklin being on the ballet may have caused some vote splitting with Jones.

[TomCat88]

Brown Rice. Jones didn't have a chance.

Seriously, the vote was close as were their stats and their value to their teams.

[Travelingcat]

I would have loved Adam to win it but was it really bias? Looks like Brown led in about every statistical category?

Brown: 965 rush yards, 14 TDs, 5.1 YPC, 54 receiving yards, 0 receiving TDs
Jones: 908 rush yards, 9 TDs, 7.3 YPC, 150 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

So Brown had more TDs and rushing yards but Adam had a better YPC and more total yards if receiving is factored in. Adam may have been hurt by having his best game of the year right at the end when some voters could have already made up their minds. The statistical gap between the two was much greater around mid-season when Scottre was racking up the stats and Adam wasn't getting a ton of touches.

2.2 YPC more seems. . .significant. As does doing it for an undefeated team, rather than a 2 loss team.

But I'm sure Jones will use this as motivation, so all to the good.

[coloradocat]

There are solid arguments for winning but finishing 2nd for the national award (by only 5 points) is an amazing accomplishment for a backup RB. Congrats Adam!

[Joe Bobcat]

First and foremost congratulations Adam!

I don't know exactly how the voting is set up for this and other similar awards but I feel that 2 rounds of voting should be done.
looking at the vote tally this year there were really only 3 players that were serious contenders for the award. The voting panel should be given only those top 3 names to vote on again and no info should be given as to what each player got for votes on the first ballot. The format of 1st place vote gets 3 points, 2nd place vote gets 2 points, and 3rd place vote gets 1 point should be used for the second round of voting.

Think of it in terms of the long list and short list of hiring. When you decide who wins the job/the award you do it from the short list only.

Not saying it would change this or any other outcome but it could help eliminate the regional vote and the feel good vote that seems to exist.
If the burden of having to vote twice is too much for any of the panelists they should perhaps resign.

[BelligerentBobcat]

I would have loved Adam to win it but was it really bias? Looks like Brown led in about every statistical category?

Brown: 965 rush yards, 14 TDs, 5.1 YPC, 54 receiving yards, 0 receiving TDs
Jones: 908 rush yards, 9 TDs, 7.3 YPC, 150 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

So Brown had more TDs and rushing yards but Adam had a better YPC and more total yards if receiving is factored in. Adam may have been hurt by having his best game of the year right at the end when some voters could have already made up their minds. The statistical gap between the two was much greater around mid-season when Scottre was racking up the stats and Adam wasn't getting a ton of touches.

2.2 YPC more seems. . .significant. As does doing it for an undefeated team, rather than a 2 loss team.

But I'm sure Jones will use this as motivation, so all to the good.

One could argue that if Jones were the focal back his average would be less.

I think Jones could and should have won, but there’s arguments to be made both ways.

[Monymony]

Devil’s advocate here. Adam started out incredibly hot early in the non-conference schedule. His production wained quite a bit through conference, although still stayed a very important cog in the offensive machine. But he wasn’t getting all the attention. Scottre was. Then he had a huge Cat/gris game. So most of the voters minds were probably made up prior to the last weekend. I can see a very genuine way that the NDSU guy got it. His name was at the top of his team’s stat sheet through the bulk of the season.
When your #2 back for the season is voted as the 2nd best freshman in the country, your team is doing some great things.

Is he maybe even #3

[Monymony]

Thing I am liking is how much young talent has been in the BSC

[tdub]

Devil’s advocate here. Adam started out incredibly hot early in the non-conference schedule. His production wained quite a bit through conference, although still stayed a very important cog in the offensive machine. But he wasn’t getting all the attention. Scottre was. Then he had a huge Cat/gris game. So most of the voters minds were probably made up prior to the last weekend. I can see a very genuine way that the NDSU guy got it. His name was at the top of his team’s stat sheet through the bulk of the season.
When your #2 back for the season is voted as the 2nd best freshman in the country, your team is doing some great things.

Is he maybe even #3

Ya it could be argued that on the depth chart, but through injuries and production he was definitely the #2. He’s the clear passing-down #1 back though.

[Zoo_Cat]

Jones went up against some good competition for the Jerry Rice Award this year. I certainly was hoping he would win, but Brown is definitely a worthy recipient as well. Interesting enough, both had better stats than Eli Gilman had last year (857 yards and 10 touchdowns on 152 carries before the playoffs and 968 yards and 12 touchdowns on 194 carries after the playoffs) and he ran away with it.