Shark named Biletnikoff Finalist

[irishfan]

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson and Notre Dame's Jeff Samardzija were among the finalists named for the Biletnikoff Award on Friday.


Rice's Jarett Dillard was the other finalist for the award, named for College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff and presented by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation on Dec. 7 to the nation's most outstanding receiver.


A junior who often is double-teamed, Johnson has 52 catches for 808 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Yellow Jackets. He is considered a top-three pick in the NFL draft were he to bypass his final year of eligibility.


A senior who holds numerous school records, Samardzija has 55 receptions for 792 yards and nine TDs for the Fighting Irish.


Just a sophomore, Dillard has 71 receptions for 958 yards and a national-best 16 TDs for the Owls. He has caught a touchdown in 12 consecutive games, the longest streak in the country and third longest in NCAA history.

 

[jiggafini19]

I'm guessing Calvin Johnson is the front runner here?

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Interesting given that McKnight has similar stats:
Jeff Samardzija 55-catches 792-yards 14.4-avg 51-long 9-TDs
Rhema McKnight 55-catches 726-yards 13.2-avg 44-long 12-TDs

 

[scooper]

I'm guessing Calvin Johnson is the front runner here?

He should be. I thought Samardzija got robbed last year, but I'd have a hard time not giving it to Johnson. The guy is that good, and this year he has the numbers to back it up.

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

I love the Shark but Johnson has got this one, remember he has Reggie Ball throwing to him.

 

[Famboo28]

I think Jeff should win it. I mean look at some of the TD catches he has made this year, they have been clutch and won games for us (see UCLA and Mich. St.). Also, in the ND game Johnson got shut down in the second half and against Clemson, he didn't step up when his team needed him to.

 

[punishment]

Also, in the ND game Johnson got shut down in the second half and against Clemson, he didn't step up when his team needed him to.

The same can be said about Samarzidja in the Michigan game.

 

[Famboo28]

Touche

 

[punishment]

Johnson is the best receiver this year though. Although I am really hoping that Jeff will win it.

 

[Clotho]

What a crock. Jeff is going to get jobbed two years in a row on this award. Of he and Johnson, they should have given each one this award one of the past two years. They blew it with that Hass nonsense, and now Jeff is going to be a twice-finalist who never wins this. It's a joke.

 

[onenybrother]

What a crock. Jeff is going to get jobbed two years in a row on this award. Of he and Johnson, they should have given each one this award one of the past two years. They blew it with that Hass nonsense, and now Jeff is going to be a twice-finalist who never wins this. It's a joke.

Not this year for the Shark. After Tim Brown my favorite wideout ever at The Dame.

 

[bc525]

I have a tough time looking @ Jeff's numbers...I mean what would they be if RM wasn't there? Would Jeff essentially have those numbers added to his stats? If you think of it that way, Jeff could end up being hurt for the award.....but I can also see the flip side....with RM there it could be argued that it allows Jeff to get more single coverage? Of course I think just the opposite is the case...b/c Jeff is there RM has gotten much more single coverage...

It is tough to not give it to CJ, but I sure can't say Jeff doesn't deserve it! It would be nice to see an Indiana high school grad bring such an award home, not to mention it does wonders for our program to see these types of accolades!

GO IRISH!

 

[sonomairishfan]

I love the Shark but Johnson has got this one, remember he has Reggie Ball throwing to him.

you mean reggie ball throwing to him once in awhile. i've watched them 3 times this year and it blows me away seeing ball not even looking on his side of the field. i would throw to the guy 4 out of 5 times, even if he was triple covered. imagine if we had him, shark and rhema?? wow.

 

[njuneardave]

the media loves CJ. I honestly haven't watched enough of him to know exactly how good he is, so I can't make a fair assessment. But, if the award were based on results, I would have to give it to Jeff for his incredible consistency added with the game winner against UCLA