Offensive Rookie of the Year: Atlanta QB Matt Ryan
The first award is the toughest this year. So many impact rookies this year, ranging from quarterbacks Ryan and Joe Flacco, to running backs like Matt Forte, Steve Slaton, Chris Johnson, and Jonathan Stewart who have been so key to their teams success. Wide receivers Eddie Royal and DeSean Jackson have had great years as well, and offensive tackles Jake Long and Ryan Clady have both given vital contributions of their teams offensive line play. As tough as it is, for what has transpired in Atlanta over the last year, for the Falcons to in the playoffs this year after that debacle is incredible, and Matt Ryan is the reason for it. However, if the Chicago Bears end up making the playoffs, Matt Forte might make this race even close.
Runner(s) Up: Forte, Johnson
Defensive Rookie of the Year: New England LB Jerod Mayo
Not nearly as competitive as the last award, and Mayo certainly deserves it. The top 10 pick from last year has lived up to the hype, making over 120 tackles, good for 9th best in the league this year. The rookie out of Tennessee has been a stable in the starting lineup for New England all year, and with all the injuries to Patriots defense, Mayo has become a leader quickly, and is one of the major reasons that New England has a chance to make the playoffs come Week 17.
Runner(s) Up: Tampa Bay CB Aqib Talib
Offensive Player of the Year: New Orleans QB Drew Brees
First of all, this is not the most valuable player award. This is the player that has had the most impact statistically and to his team from an offensive standpoint. You can't deny that Brees is not worthy of this award. However, it's tough to justify that Brees is even the best candidate in his own conference, as Arizona QB Kurt Warner and Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson have both had outstanding season. I just think Brees slightly gets the nod. Just a smidge over 400 yards away from Dan Marino's single-season passing yards record, Brees has been moving through the record books all year, and when all is said and done, he may have that record. He's leading the NFL in yards, NFC in touchdown passes, and is 5th in the league in quarterback rating. He's the second quarterback in history to average over 300 yards passing a game for an entire season, and even though his 586 passing attempts are most in the league, his completion percentage is 4th in the NFL. That's downright impressive.
Runner(s) Up: Houston WR Andre Johnson, Peterson, Warner, San Diego QB Philip Rivers
Defensive Player of the Year: Dallas LB DaMarcus Ware
Toughest award to decide this year. So many candidates, but only one award. Ware's 20 sacks are tops in the league, but not far behind is Miami LB Joey Porter with 17.5, Atlanta DE John Abraham with 16.5, and Pittsburgh LB James Harrison with 16.5. It's hard to compare Ware with players like Safeties Ed Reed and Troy Polumalu, who each have had tremendous years in the secondary, ranking at the top of the interception list with 7. The difference between Ware and them is that Ware is unquestionably the Defensive Player of the Year on his own team, while Reed, Ray Lewis, and Terrell Suggs jostle for that position on the Ravens and Polumalu is on the same team has Harrison and James Farrior, who has also had a tremendous year.
Runner(s) Up: Reed, Polumalu, Porter, Harrison, Lewis
Most Valuable Player: Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning
Some people think this is a tough decision, but it's a no brainer for me. No player has meant more to his teams success than Manning. Coming off 2 knee surgeries in the offseason, Manning came back from injury too soon, and his team struggled. Now healthy, Manning and the Colts have won 9 straight games to clinch a wildcard spot, with all the injuries to pro-bowl players like RB Joseph Addai, WR Marvin Harrison, C Jeff Saturday, and S Bob Sanders. Manning statistically is having a great season as well, just 90 yards away from his 9th 4,000 passing yard season., and his 26 touchdowns rank 4th in the NFL. However, the stats don't say the story, without Manning, the Colts don't win a game this year. Manning is the best quarterback in the NFL, yes, even better than last years winner Tom Brady. By the way, where has Brady been all year?
Runner(s) up: Ryan, Brees, Dolphins QB Chad Pennington, Eagles RB Brian Westbrook
Other Awards
Comeback player of the year: Arizona QB Kurt Warner
Newcomer of the Year: Atlanta RB Michael Turner
Breakout Player of the Year: Houston WR Andre Johnson
Coach of the Year: Miami's Tony Sporano/ Atlanta's Mike Smith
Goat of the Year: New York WR Plaxico Burress
Punching Bag of the Year: Detroit Lions
Luckiest Player of the Year: Philadelphia WR Hank Baskett (he's marrying a playboy playmate)
Happy Holidays
1 comment:
MVP: Matt Ryan
Yes Manning can be considered the Most Valuable Player, but for HIS TEAM not the LEAGUE. The MVP award goes to the player who has had the biggest impact for the league. Yes Manning went through the first half of the season still recovering from his surgery and his team went through some injuries as well. He also carried his team back to the playoffs after a 3-4 start. But those heroics make him the most valuable player for his team. Last year Michael Vick could not have given the Falcons and the league a worse image. That followed by the abandonment of the Falcons coach before the end of the season topped off what could be considered the worst seasons in NFL history (it could be topped off by a lions 0-16 season…that’s up for debate). In comes rookie QB Matt Ryan who signs one of the richest contracts for an NFL player and had to carry a team with a damaged reputation on his shoulders along with dealing with all the pressure that came along with it. Rated 32nd on the NFL preseason rankings while also beginning what was considered to be the first year of a 4-5 year rebuilding project, The Falcons now see themselves in the NFL playoffs with a chance to win the division going into week 17. Matt Ryan has done more for his team and for THE LEAGUE than Manning has which is why he deserves the NFL’s MVP.
Breakout Player of the Year: Matt Cassel
After not starting a game since high school, Matt Cassel had to fill the shoes of one of the best QB’s in the league, Tom Brady, after going down for the season. With low expectations Cassel has proven that he can be a starter in the NFL. With his 21 TD’s 11 INT’s 3,615 passing yards so far this season, Cassel has given the New England Patriots a chance to once again make an appearance in the playoffs. He had a two game streak of 400 yard passing games and put up 218 yards with 4 TD’s less than a week after his father died. Yes I agree that Andre Johnson has had a great year leading the league in receiving yards, however everyone knew he was capable of putting up those numbers (he was my third pick in my fantasy league). No one predicted that Matt Cassel would be having the year he is having now which is why he should be the Break out Player of the Year.
Punching bag of the year: Pac-man Jones’s bodyguard
I agree that it should be the Detroit Lions but lets have some fun with this award. As a bodyguard it is your job to make sure you protect the person you are assigned to protect. How can you protect Pac-man if you are getting your butt whooped by him in a hotel lobby. I thought bodyguards are suppose to be the tough guy not the punching bag for player he is suppose to be protecting. He should be embarrassed to call himself a bodyguard and should go find a new job that involves getting on his knees considering that’s basically what Pac-man paid him to do.
Defensive Player of the Year: Ed Reed
Enough said...
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