Eff the AP
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stonebreakerwasgod
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Time for a john rant.
NDOM
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Thats a bunch of bull_ _ _ _! He should be on there somewhere. Just a bunch of Notre Dame hatters more than likely.
onenybrother
The Giver of Articles
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Did yall really expect him to be on that list. Let's not be naive guys. You had to know that the haters will do anything to keep us down. With our record this year we gave them all the ammo the need. Let's not sweat it guys. We know the kid had a great year. Let the haters hate. But when they invite Claussen to NYC in the next year or so, watch the wagon get to heavy to pull again. The Dame will rise again.
LET'S GO DAME !!!
LET'S GO DAME !!!
Ultimate Penn St. Hater
Go Irish!
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trevor belongs on that list. There's no doubt about it. Just like the BCS, the Heisman, and the Coaches poll, the AP is a joke.
GoshenGipper
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As retarted as it is for him to not be 1st team I'm really not that suprised that he didn't make any off the teams. Although I thought there might be a chance that he would maybe make the 2nd or 3rd teams or get a honorable mention.
kjones
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Not surprised justice wasn't done. Most of the talking heads couldn't even name more than ONE total defensive lineman, much less make an accurate comparison between the field of them. Why is the Heisman always an offensive back (or rarely a WR)? It's not about who's the best, its about who people have heard of.
johnnd05
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(Via the Roundup.)
The 2008 Associated Press football All-America teams were <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22203796/" target="_blank">announced on Tuesday</a>, and guess what? Notre Dame's <strong>Trevor Laws</strong>, who led the nation in tackles from the defensive line positions (and was the only defensive lineman ranked in the <a href="http://www.cfbstats.com/2007/leader/national/player/split01/category19/sort01.html" target="_blank">top 100</a>, let alone the top 50), isn't on the first team. No surprise there, though: that sort of honor doesn't go to a relatively unknown player from a 3-9 football team, even if that team does happen to be Notre Dame. But most of us figured that his spectacular numbers and consistently solid performance on an undertalented defense would land him SOME sort of All-America status: and so what's genuinely shocking is that Trevor is NOWHERE to be found on ANY of the three All-America teams.
To give you a sense of the craziness of this, here's a comparison of Laws's 2008 statistics with the players who made the AA squads over him - I've included both defensive ends and defensive tackles (first-teamers in yellow, seconds in green, thirds in blue), since Laws played a sort of "tweener" role in the 3-4:
<iframe src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pxGUTlbeQLEOBB3l5pIc3SQ&output=html&gid=0&single=true&range=a1:j14" frameborder="0" height="270" width="450"></iframe>
So there you have it folks. If the fiasco of last year's Heisman "race" wasn't enough for you, here's some hard evidence that postseason awards are MEANINGLESS indicators of the quality of one's on-the-field play.
Lest I be accused of being just another whiny homer making a case for his own guy, let me be clear that I felt very much the same way - and seem to recall saying as much - when <strong>Tom Zbikowski</strong> was named a second-team All-American after the 2006 season. That was all about hype and name recognition, and had basically nothing to do with what Zibby had and (mostly) hadn't done on the football field that year. Is the snubbing of Laws a matter of just desserts for the overexposure of Notre Dame football in years past? Maybe. But it's really a shame to see a season like the one that Trevor had this year go so wholly unnoticed on the national scene, ESPECIALLY given the less-than-ideal circumstances (you know, 3-9 record, historically awful offensive ineptitude, and so on) that surrounded it.
Congratulations to all the guys who made the AA teams. Obviously they had really seasons, and deserved some serious recognition. It's just a shame that Laws wasn't able to get his due.
The 2008 Associated Press football All-America teams were <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22203796/" target="_blank">announced on Tuesday</a>, and guess what? Notre Dame's <strong>Trevor Laws</strong>, who led the nation in tackles from the defensive line positions (and was the only defensive lineman ranked in the <a href="http://www.cfbstats.com/2007/leader/national/player/split01/category19/sort01.html" target="_blank">top 100</a>, let alone the top 50), isn't on the first team. No surprise there, though: that sort of honor doesn't go to a relatively unknown player from a 3-9 football team, even if that team does happen to be Notre Dame. But most of us figured that his spectacular numbers and consistently solid performance on an undertalented defense would land him SOME sort of All-America status: and so what's genuinely shocking is that Trevor is NOWHERE to be found on ANY of the three All-America teams.
To give you a sense of the craziness of this, here's a comparison of Laws's 2008 statistics with the players who made the AA squads over him - I've included both defensive ends and defensive tackles (first-teamers in yellow, seconds in green, thirds in blue), since Laws played a sort of "tweener" role in the 3-4:
<iframe src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pxGUTlbeQLEOBB3l5pIc3SQ&output=html&gid=0&single=true&range=a1:j14" frameborder="0" height="270" width="450"></iframe>
So there you have it folks. If the fiasco of last year's Heisman "race" wasn't enough for you, here's some hard evidence that postseason awards are MEANINGLESS indicators of the quality of one's on-the-field play.
Lest I be accused of being just another whiny homer making a case for his own guy, let me be clear that I felt very much the same way - and seem to recall saying as much - when <strong>Tom Zbikowski</strong> was named a second-team All-American after the 2006 season. That was all about hype and name recognition, and had basically nothing to do with what Zibby had and (mostly) hadn't done on the football field that year. Is the snubbing of Laws a matter of just desserts for the overexposure of Notre Dame football in years past? Maybe. But it's really a shame to see a season like the one that Trevor had this year go so wholly unnoticed on the national scene, ESPECIALLY given the less-than-ideal circumstances (you know, 3-9 record, historically awful offensive ineptitude, and so on) that surrounded it.
Congratulations to all the guys who made the AA teams. Obviously they had really seasons, and deserved some serious recognition. It's just a shame that Laws wasn't able to get his due.
That's OK. Laws will get the payoff that really counts come draft day (refer to: Heisman Winner Troy's Myth.)
Once you take sports writers out of the equation and it comes down to people who base their entire livelihood on evaluating talent (NFL scouts and GMs) then I think we'll see Laws go as one of the top 5 DLs in the draft. A lot of exactly where he will go comes down to draft order and team needs, but I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that at the very least he'll be a 1st day pick.
But who knows for sure? He may go overlooked because of the dismal performance of the team this year. But even if that ends up being the case I have the utmost confidence that Trevor Laws is a name we'll be hearing called quite frequently on Sundays in the upcoming years.
For as much as people have talked about premier players coming out of Notre Dame in the past being "overrated" or "over-hyped" I find it rather difficult to not slap that tag on one Glenn Dorsey. I really wouldn't be surprised if he turns out to be the next Ryan Leaf.
EDIT: Scratch the Leaf comment - that was a bit extreme. But I am comfortable saying that whichever GM wastes their 1st round pick on Dorsey will most likely be kicking himself in the ass in a few years for not going after Laws instead.
Once you take sports writers out of the equation and it comes down to people who base their entire livelihood on evaluating talent (NFL scouts and GMs) then I think we'll see Laws go as one of the top 5 DLs in the draft. A lot of exactly where he will go comes down to draft order and team needs, but I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that at the very least he'll be a 1st day pick.
But who knows for sure? He may go overlooked because of the dismal performance of the team this year. But even if that ends up being the case I have the utmost confidence that Trevor Laws is a name we'll be hearing called quite frequently on Sundays in the upcoming years.
For as much as people have talked about premier players coming out of Notre Dame in the past being "overrated" or "over-hyped" I find it rather difficult to not slap that tag on one Glenn Dorsey. I really wouldn't be surprised if he turns out to be the next Ryan Leaf.
EDIT: Scratch the Leaf comment - that was a bit extreme. But I am comfortable saying that whichever GM wastes their 1st round pick on Dorsey will most likely be kicking himself in the ass in a few years for not going after Laws instead.
Last edited:
kjones
Zahm Hall Football Coach
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Laws just may be the next Bryant Young, who had an amazingly solid career while not being overly hyped coming out. As a 49 fan, we'll be sad to see him go when he retires after this year. Even at 35 the man has 6.5 sacks to lead the team. Laws seems like the same mold to me.
connor_in
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The reason Laws got hosed was simply name recognition...the guys who get name recognition are the sacks and tackles for loss guys. Even though he blew everyone away on total tackles, the press only loves the guys who get in the backfield to do it.
BTW, didn't Laws have at least one forced fumble against UCLA?
BTW, didn't Laws have at least one forced fumble against UCLA?
N
NDGirlzRock
Guest
Someone call Brady Quinn and tell him to get into Savage's and Crennel's ears!!! Laws is the real deal!!! He had a season for the ages....and if memory serves....he flattened the sh*t out of a certain OG from Michigan that made first team AA!!! Sorry but that speaks volumns!!!
SoCalDomer
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don't forget the blocked FGs too
johnnd05
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No, I think they gave credit for that to Zibby. From what I recall, Laws made the hit, but it was Tommy Z. who knocked the ball away.
SoCalDomer
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Note to self: do not to get on john's bad side... seeing as how he ripped the AP and Dayn[sic] new ones.
Newc
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This just goes to show you that college football awards are no longer valid. The guy was arguably one the the best d-linemen in the country and was clearly among the most productive. That doesn't get you onto any of the four lists??
The Heisman has long lost its luster and now the AA lists are in danger of the same because of outright stupidity like this.
The Heisman has long lost its luster and now the AA lists are in danger of the same because of outright stupidity like this.
kmoose
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*chuckles*
This is nothing. Kevin Love of UCLA was named a preseason All-American in basketball!! What's wrong with that, you ask? The kid is a true freshman!! He's not played ONE minute of college ball, and he is on the preseason All American team. What a joke.
SoCalDomer
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Like watching the paint dry I guess. Ahh, those were the good ole' days
kmoose
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We used to have to get up before we went to bed, bale the hay, milk the cows, then walk the two miles to school, uphill both ways, in the snow....
KamaraPolice
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what a bunch of baloney. the silver lining is that he played for a bad team and never quit. his heart alone should make him a first rounder.
KamaraPolice
Reps Are a Girls BFF
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We used to have to get up before we went to bed, bale the hay, milk the cows, then walk the two miles to school, uphill both ways, in the snow....
with one pair of shoes to share between you.
kjones
Zahm Hall Football Coach
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We used to have to get up before we went to bed, bale the hay, milk the cows, then walk the two miles to school, uphill both ways, in the snow....
So you had to do all this, but the Heisman still meant something, MAN is that hard choice
.
johnnd05
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Snubbed
Snubbed
(Via the Roundup.)
Let me just say that <a href="http://irishbandofbrothers.blogspot.com/2007/12/voters-response-to-trevor-laws-ap-snub.html" target="_blank">this</a>, from SB Tribune writer (and AP All-America voter) <strong>Eric Hansen</strong> via <a href="http://irishbandofbrothers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Irish Band of Brothers</a>, is a bunch of crap:
<blockquote>I think <strong>Trevor [Laws]</strong> had an amazing year and his numbers were better than most defensive tackles. But in ND's system, they labeled him as an end. And in that light, his numbers didn't compare. We could not just simply vote for defensive linemen. We had to vote for two tackles and two ends on the first and second teams. (We did not vote for the third team or honorable mention -- those selections came from the points system associated with the voting).</blockquote>
In the first place, while it's TECHNICALLY true that the 2007 ND <a href="http://und.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/depth-chart" target="_blank">depth chart</a> lists Laws's position as "LDE," everyone knows that his responsibilities in the 3-4 were largely those of a defensive tackle. Secondly, even if we consider Laws to have been a defensive end, why should the fact that he didn't have a lot of sacks and tackles for a loss - which is basically what Hansen's point boils down to (especially since Laws's numbers were <a href="http://www.irishenvy.com/irishroundup/eff-the-ap" target="_blank">better than</a> pretty much all of the other DE honorees in every other category) - make a difference? From what I understand about the the 3-4 defense, the strong-side defensive end is assigned run-stopping duties, and the outside linebackers handle more of the blitzes. Laws did a SPECTACULAR job in doing what he was asked to do: why didn't he get credit for that?
Basically, what Hansen is telling us is that the current system makes it all but impossible for a defensive end in a 3-4 system to be considered for All-America honors. Would the same go for <a href="http://www.cfbstats.com/2007/player/235/1001120/index.html" target="_blank">a quarterback whose passing yardage wasn't even in the top 20 nationally but who ran for over 800 yards and 20 scores</a>? Apparently not. Sorry Eric, but you're going to have to do better than that.
Snubbed
(Via the Roundup.)
Let me just say that <a href="http://irishbandofbrothers.blogspot.com/2007/12/voters-response-to-trevor-laws-ap-snub.html" target="_blank">this</a>, from SB Tribune writer (and AP All-America voter) <strong>Eric Hansen</strong> via <a href="http://irishbandofbrothers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Irish Band of Brothers</a>, is a bunch of crap:
<blockquote>I think <strong>Trevor [Laws]</strong> had an amazing year and his numbers were better than most defensive tackles. But in ND's system, they labeled him as an end. And in that light, his numbers didn't compare. We could not just simply vote for defensive linemen. We had to vote for two tackles and two ends on the first and second teams. (We did not vote for the third team or honorable mention -- those selections came from the points system associated with the voting).</blockquote>
In the first place, while it's TECHNICALLY true that the 2007 ND <a href="http://und.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/depth-chart" target="_blank">depth chart</a> lists Laws's position as "LDE," everyone knows that his responsibilities in the 3-4 were largely those of a defensive tackle. Secondly, even if we consider Laws to have been a defensive end, why should the fact that he didn't have a lot of sacks and tackles for a loss - which is basically what Hansen's point boils down to (especially since Laws's numbers were <a href="http://www.irishenvy.com/irishroundup/eff-the-ap" target="_blank">better than</a> pretty much all of the other DE honorees in every other category) - make a difference? From what I understand about the the 3-4 defense, the strong-side defensive end is assigned run-stopping duties, and the outside linebackers handle more of the blitzes. Laws did a SPECTACULAR job in doing what he was asked to do: why didn't he get credit for that?
Basically, what Hansen is telling us is that the current system makes it all but impossible for a defensive end in a 3-4 system to be considered for All-America honors. Would the same go for <a href="http://www.cfbstats.com/2007/player/235/1001120/index.html" target="_blank">a quarterback whose passing yardage wasn't even in the top 20 nationally but who ran for over 800 yards and 20 scores</a>? Apparently not. Sorry Eric, but you're going to have to do better than that.