Mouse pads and Heismans

On the road to the Heisman Trophy, Oregon's Joey Harrington has a $250,000 10-story high billboard in Times Square. \nAntwaan Randle El has mouse pads. \nHey, they're neat mouse pads. Colorful and bright, they boast IU's quarterback-turned-receiver as a "Heisman Trophy Frontrunner." So does the 2001 IU football media guide, front and center. In fact, Randle El's figure, some red flowers and the Sample Gates cover the cover. Six other Hoosiers got to share the back cover. \nDon't feel sorry for them. It's Randle El who's turned IU football toward the national spotlight. Or maybe the Big Ten spotlight. Or, well, when you attract only 30,000 fans per game it's hard to say Hoosier football draws a spotlight from anyone.\nBut, Randle El is the real deal. At quarterback. \nAt receiver? Who knows? We soon will. But how long will coach Cam Cameron's stunt last? He said he wanted to let junior Tommy Jones play quarterback last season. Instead, Jones got hurt, Randle El rushed and passed for more than 3,000 combined and accounted for 23 touchdowns. Jones threw 16 passes for one touchdown.\nBut, let's stick to the Heisman for now. We can figure out how that Jones/Randle El thing will work after we've seen Jones throw more than 16 passes. \nRandle El could be stuck in the same quicksand as Anthony Thompson, who played his final season on a 5-6 team, finishing second to Houston's Andre Ware. Randle El finished 13th last season, on a 3-8 team. Three returning players -- Northwestern running back Damien Anderson, Oregon State running back Ken Simonton and Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch -- placed higher than Randle El in the 2000 balloting.\nMaybe Thompson, now an IU assistant coach, can help Randle El figure out how to harness the Heisman. But, let's hope Randle El doesn't need help. Let's hope IU can at least win six games, sneak into a bowl game and help Randle El's chances. \n"If we win games, it will happen," Randle El said. "If we don't win, I don't have a chance."\nThe biggest concern -- for both Randle El's Heisman hopes and IU's bowl aspirations -- is whether or not Randle El can get the ball at receiver. Cameron said "it's simpler than you think." \n"You've already seen what he can do at quarterback," Cameron said. "Now, you'll see the same things after he catches the ball."\nAfter the offensive line blocks, Jones passes a strike and Randle El catches. Not all that simple. Not as simple as just giving him the ball and saying "Here, jumpy-feet, go run." \nWhat was wrong with the old plan? Letting Randle El run and pass for more than 1,000 yards and make opposing coaches call him the "best player in the country," like Illinois' Ron Turner did before the slippery Randle El ran for 209 yards and threw for 130 more. After Randle El went berserk, Illini linebacker Robert Franklin compared catching Randle El to trying to holding on to melted butter.\nMinnesota coach Glen Mason tried to imagine what Randle El would be like at Nebraska. Randle El cut up the Gopher defense for more than 400 yards of offense and four touchdowns last season, prompting Gopher defensive tackle John Schlecht to say he'd vote Randle El for the Heisman. Schlecht won't get to vote this season. Too bad. \nAll that under the old plan. But Jones is now behind center, and Randle El is somewhere running across the field, dodging defenders before and after he has the ball. IU offensive lineman A.C. Myler compares Randle El to Michigan alumnus Desmond Howard and former Notre Dame star Rocket Ismail, both Heisman winners, but both playing at national powers. Myler, who admitted blocking for Jones might be easier than trying to clear a path for Randle El as he jukes, jumps and jives across the field, has joined Randle El's Heisman wagon. Heck, Myler even said he might have a shot at the Heisman, should he get a few "pancake blocks."\n"I have that type of talent," Myler joked, smiling and glancing at Randle El. \nHow long the new Randle El-at-receiver plan will last no one knows. Randle El might take over in the IU opener at North Carolina State. He might stay at receiver all season. Time will tell. But chance are he'll finish higher than 13th in the 2001 Heisman balloting. If Jones can get him the ball. And Myler doesn't win the Heisman himself. \nAnyone have an extra Randle El mouse pad?