Barnes a finalist!

[LowryFalcon]

and Barnes gets hosed!! Tates a tool! Barnes is the Best WR in the nation no matter who they say won that trophy

[TG1996]

Stupid Golden Tate. Yeah, he had a great year, too, but he acted like nothing but a douche everytime he touched the ball (or dropped the ball and expected PI). If Freddie couldn't win, I was pulling for Shipley.

Regardless, this "loss" takes nothing away from what Freddie Barnes has done for and meant to BG. He's been a pleasure to watch the last four years and an even bigger pleasure to "get to know" over the course of this season through is public appearances.

Here's to 20 catches and 300 yards in Boise, just to show 'em where to stick it.

[footballguy51]

Damn, it figures that I just turned it on and missed it. I saw Corso talking to Tim Brown and should have none that Tate won.

[Falconfreak90]

We knew it was gonna happen. Freddie, I'm sure, would say he was just happy to be there but dammit...he deserved that award. Just another slap in the face to the non bcs players.

Oh well...Freddie needs to take it out on the Idaho D and get about 27 receptions.

YOU DA MAN, FREDDIE.

[Falconfreak90]

Fowler called Barnes "Eric Berry"

I thought that's what he said! I looked at Mrs. Freak and said "Did Fowler just call Freddie Eric Berry???"

It's almost as bad as the ESPNU announcers calling Freddie "Freddie Brown" for half the game.

[Falconian]

These awards are popularity contests. The big name programs will win every time. The NFL draft I have always felt is a better gage on who is the best at a position. With a little research, I probably could easily find many instances where the award winner wasn't the best at the pro level.

[hammb]

These awards are popularity contests. The big name programs will win every time. The NFL draft I have always felt is a better gage on who is the best at a position. With a little research, I probably could easily find many instances where the award winner wasn't the best at the pro level.

This is true.

And Barnes won't be picked anywhere near Tate in the draft, either.

Barnes had an outstanding year. I would have loved to see him get honored, what he did for this team cannot be overstated. Still, Tate had comparable stats and played for a "big time" program. Doesn't change the fact that Barnes had a tremendous year. Just the way these awards work.

[Bleeding Orange]

What bothers me about Tate winning this award is that character doesn't seem to count at all, even though it is listed as one of the criteria to be considered when evaluating candidates. I have watched a lot of Notre Dame games this year, and in every one of them Tate has conduced himself with nothing resembling character - and I'm not even talking about swan diving into a marching band. The way he carries himself when he makes a play, or even when he doesn't, is riddled with self-absorbed arrogance.

Conversely, I have never seen Freddie Barns try to show anyone up. I have never seen him do more in the end zone than chest bump someone, and hand the ball to the official. I've never seen him demand a flag when he screws up a route, or doesn't make a catch that hit him in the numbers. And I've never seen him taunt an opposing player.

I understand that this is all a popularity contest, but if it is going to be just that, then why not drop all of the holier-than-thou criteria? It is silly to lay out a bunch of guidelines and follow none of them. Freddie's numbers were better than Tate's, and he plays the game with more class that Tate will ever posses. Freddie should have won this award hands down. Honestly, based on the way things played out at the ceremony, I got the feeling that they gave the award to Tate just so ESPN could put Tate on the spot about Kelly's hiring. They had to do something to spice up a shitty awards ceremony punctuated by canned, crappy game intro music.

[hammb]

You won't hear me argue with you there BO. Tate is a douche. A great WR, but a douche nonetheless. And I agree that if they're going to put that stuff in the criteria then they should consider it when it comes time to vote. But you & I both know that it would only come into play if there are 2 players with identical stats from identical programs; even then it's a stretch.

Barnes is a great person, a great WR, and had a great year for BG. I haven't enjoyed watching an individual talent this much since 2003 Harris.

Maybe I'm too jaded by these sorts of awards, but I was honestly just happy to see Barnes make the final 3. Winning would have been nice, but I think we all knew it wasn't going to happen. Barnes did have better stats, but not enough so to overcome that golden dome crap.

[Bleeding Orange]

You won't hear me argue with you there BO. Tate is a douche. A great WR, but a douche nonetheless. And I agree that if they're going to put that stuff in the criteria then they should consider it when it comes time to vote. But you & I both know that it would only come into play if there are 2 players with identical stats from identical programs; even then it's a stretch.

Barnes is a great person, a great WR, and had a great year for BG. I haven't enjoyed watching an individual talent this much since 2003 Harris.

Maybe I'm too jaded by these sorts of awards, but I was honestly just happy to see Barnes make the final 3. Winning would have been nice, but I think we all knew it wasn't going to happen. Barnes did have better stats, but not enough so to overcome that golden dome crap.

And that is the most important thing - Freddie Barns is a fantastic person from a fantastic family, and we can all be very proud of that as Falcons. I am so thankful that I got to watch him play in the Burnt Orange and Seal Brown for the past four years. Whether he was playing QB against the Badgers, or making ridiculous catches against everyone else, it has been an a great privilege to watch him and call him one of our own.

I guess I was just upset (and quite frankly still am) that Tate got the award over him. I wouldn't have had a problem with Shipley winning it over him, stats aside. At least Jordan plays the game the way it is supposed to be played at this level.

[TG1996]

Freddie was named to the Walter Camp All-American second team, behind Shipley and Taint.

http://waltercamp.org/index.php/news/20 ... announced/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Who knew that such an honor could feel hollow? But regardless, congrats (again) Freddie!

[VDub26Falcon]

Some thoughts on the Biletnikoff...at the bottom of my blog...
http://vdubssportsperspective.blogspot.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bgsufalcon24]

I loved reading that blog post, excellent job V-dub. I share most of the exact opinions that you gave on both Browns-Steelers and Tate-Barnes.