TBG’s MVPs: Florida Running Backs

award. As with any award, I will gladly get a real trophy produced and deliver it to the winner in return for some athletic swag. Autographed items are always accepted.

For each position, an award will be presented to the individual voted the winner based on the previous season and we’ll also take a guess at who we think will take home the MVP for the following year. Each member of the panel selected their top three and each player received three points for a first-place vote, two points for a second-place vote, and one point for a third-place vote.

We’re starting with the Florida running backs because you should all know who took home the hardware in the quarterback category. This is like those Academy Awards they give out before the show. Tim Tebow goes down in history as the first ever recipient of a TBG MVP. I’m sure somewhere his parents are beaming with pride.

So on to the running backs and the winner…

Percy Harvin – 12 pts. (4 first-place votes)

I had originally thought to include Harvin in as a wide receiver, but through the urging of my fellow panelists, didn’t only allow them to vote him at whatever position they desired, but also put him at the top of my ballot. He is the unanimous winner.

As One-Eyed Willy said: “There was discussion as to whether Percy should be considered as a RB or a WR. I say why not both! No matter what position Percy lined up in last season every defensive player on the field had to know where he was. Easily the most explosive guy in the country, Percy actually only carried the ball 70 times all season. But it was the 9.4 yards per carry and the 10 TDs that give him top billing. Percy’s ability to make guys miss and to find the smallest of holes and exploit them made him the most impressive and dangerous RB on the field last year.”

2. Jeffery Demps/Tim Tebow – 5
3. Chris Rainey – 2

And looking ahead to the 2009 season…

Jeffery Demps – 9 (3)

WARNING: May contain explicit language and offensive displays of superior athletic abilities.

Although Demps didn’t get the sweep Harvin did (one of the panelists believes he will line up in the slot more in 2009 and therefore gave Rainey the nod), he gets our pick as the early favorite to take home next season’s TBG MVP. Without Percy on the roster, this one should be a wide-open race though. In 2008, four players carried the ball at least 70 times (with Moody adding 58). There’s no reason to think that won’t happen again. And don’t count out the first name down there at number five just because he’s a freshman. We all remember the impact Harvin had in 2006.

V. Money: “Speedy runner adds explosiveness to the table. In Urban Meyer’s book, that’s a good thing.”

2. Chris Rainey – 8 (1)
3. Tim Tebow – 3
4. Emmanuel Moody – 2
5. Andre Debose/Christopher Scott – 1

So there you have it. The first recipients of TBG MVP awards. Feel free to debate away in the comments section (although stay away from bashing Scott, he is a favorite around these parts). And come back tomorrow as we announce the winning pass catcher.

If you’re interested in joining the panel, more participants are always welcome. Email me at thebullgator@live.com.