Commentary: Armanti

tops list of FCS talent

By Steve Behr, sports editor

sports@wataugademocrat.com

This playoffs thing fits Armanti Edwards like a tailor-made jersey.

Call Edwards the Magnificent 14, because he’s twice as good as anybody wearing No. 7 these days.

In fact, he’s playing better than anybody in the playing Football Championship Subdivision.

This Thursday, the Walter Payton Award will go to the top player in the FCS — at least in theory.

There are some great players out there. They’ve piled up big numbers and they’ve won football games and blah, blah, blah.

I’ve only seen games involving Appalachian State this year. I work for a living. I don’t have time to cover ASU, then chase down 20 other games going on.

I do know this — Edwards is currently the best player in FCS.

Anybody with a pair of eyes watching Appalachian State’s 55-35 win over Richmond in the FCS semifinals should know that by now.

We need a revote for the Payton Award.

It should have been obvious when Appalachian State beat Michigan 34-32 in week one. Had that game been on ESPN instead of the Big 10 Network, which is not in nearly as many homes around the nation, things might have been different.

Instead, somebody else from a conference that has a lot of voters will win the award.

I want a recount.

Edwards did not help himself by missing four games due to injury. He showed rust in his return games, a loss to Wofford and another loss to Georgia Southern.

But he also didn’t just suddenly get hot at playoff time. He rushed for 615 yards in November, when his sore shoulder wasn’t bothering him as much, including 295 at The Citadel. He completed 56-of-83 passes for 628 and four touchdowns with just two interceptions in November in leading Appalachian State into the playoffs.

He will not win the award, but his chances are pretty good at winning a second championship ring and that’s what Edwards is about. I haven’t asked him about the Payton Award, but I’ve been around him to know that given the choice between a national championship and an individual award, he’ll take the ring over the trophy.

The same situation came up in 2005. Richie Williams, hands down in my opinion, was the best football player in Division I-AA.

He could run the ball. He could pass it.

Heck, he could pass it on an injured ankle that was so painful, he asked students not to carry him off the Finley Stadium field on their shoulders after he led the Mountaineers to a 21-16 victory over Northern Iowa in the national championship game.

So where did Williams finish in that Payton Award balloting?

Sixth.

Not second, or third, or even fourth.

Sixth.

Incredible.

The winner, Eastern Washington quarterback Erik Meyer was deserving. He had a great 2005, no doubt, and this argument isn’t about his ability. He had a heck of a season, passing for 3,616 yards, 26 touchdowns and a 166.27 passing rating.

But Williams couldn’t finish any high than sixth?

Sorry, but there was massive brainlock that year. And after talking to Williams, he showed nothing but class when finding out just how numb the skulls voting that year were.

Edwards put on a performance Friday night that should not only get him some Payton interest in 2008, but a glance from Heisman watchers.

Stop rolling your eyes and tell me how many quarterbacks accounted for 495 yards in total offense without throwing it more than 16 times. I know Colt Brennan has passed for eleventy-thousand yards this year, but he’s also thrown the ball that many times, too.

My guess is he can’t run like Edwards.

Only one FCS quarterback I’ve seen can match Edwards’ running — Georgia Southern’s Jayson Foster. Former Eagles coach Brian Van Gorder didn’t figure that out, but Chris Hatcher did and that’s why the new Georgia Southern coach won seven games with Foster at quarterback, instead of the three Van Gorder won with Foster at receiver.

And let’s not forget what Williams and Edwards have in common — they win.

Williams was the unquestioned leader of the Mountaineers for three seasons. He was their team captain and the Mountaineers rewarded him with a national championship.

Edwards has proven time and time again that he can be counted on to make the big play. On one play, it was second-and-15 and Edwards gained 37 yards for a first down.

On another key second-half possession after Richmond had tied the game 35-35, Appalachian State faced a third-and-nine from its own 33. The Mountaineers’ defense was reeling and in a state of shock. The Spiders had the hot hand and an Appalachian State punt could have easily been converted into another score.

No problem. Edwards back to pass. Edwards scrambles. Edwards gains 44 yards for a first down.

Later on the drive, Edwards hit Hans Batichon for a 21-yard gain on a first-and-20 after the Mountaineers were called for holding on a long gain by Tavaris Washington.

Four plays later, Appalachian State scored to take a 42-35 lead.

Edwards is not a textbook passer, but he’s still one of just five quarterbacks to run for 1,000 yards and throw for 2,000 in a season, having done the trick in 2006.

He wins games. In fact, he wins playoff games. He’s 7-0 in playoff games with one ring on his finger.

He gets a chance to add a ring to another finger Friday night. The Payton Award winner, unless he’s from Delaware, can’t say that.