Zachary GirsbergerNFL: Midseason Awards
November 9th 2010 01:18
Category: No Category
Now that every team has played at least half of their games this season, it is time to hand out some awards for the season thus far. Some awards are of course based on their real counterparts (MVP) while some are just a bit more fun. Also I would like to apologize for not writing in a while, life happens and college can be demanding, but things are clearing up so more articles are to come.
BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE
And the winner is: The Baltimore Ravens.
This award is probably the toughest, and it came down to a choice between the Steelers, Ravens, and Patriots. The Steelers lost to the Ravens, and the Ravens lost to the Patriots, but the Patriots lost to the Browns, a team that both the Steelers and Ravens have beaten, so opposing record and common opponents did not help the decision here. I gave the nod to the Ravens for their balance, all year the Ravens have looked solid on both sides of the ball, while the Steelers and Patriots have had their ups and downs. Also in the mix: Steelers, Patriots, Falcons, Giants
WORST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE
And the winner is: The Dallas Cowboys.
I know it may seem a little foolish to pick a team that has won a game over a team that has yet to win one, but the Bills are at least competitive. Dallas has been the biggest disappointment this year (followed by the San Francisco 49ers, who are pretty bad themselves), and have looked like team that has given up following the injury to Tony Romo. As of right now Wade Phillips is still the coach, but I do not expect that to be the truth come week ten. EDIT: Wade Phillips has been fired and his offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will be taking over. Also in the mix: Panthers, Bills, 49ers
MVP
And the winner is: Philip Rivers, QB (San Diego)
I know I may look a little biased picking Rivers here over Peyton Manning, but Rivers is on pace to break Dan Marino’s single-season passing record by over 150 yards. This may not sound like a big deal because of the nature of the league now versus the eighties, but Rivers has done this to a receiving corps on its eighth receiver in four-wide sets (Jackson is suspended til week 12, Floyd and Naanee are injured, and Davis is on IR—again) and has resurrected a team that may host the worst special teams squad ever. The biggest knock on Rivers is the losing record of the Chargers, but I feel that by his level of play, Rivers is the MVP of the league. In the mix: Peyton Manning
MOST TIRED STORY
And the winner is: Brett Favre Saga
Could there be any other answer? Before the season we had the Jets loud mouthing. Early in the season we had Vick’s resurgence and if we should call it a feel-good story. We had Randy Moss leave his team. Twice. We had Donovan McNabb get benched in favor of Rex Grossman. We have had a continuing story of hard helmet-to-helmet hits. And through all of this, from offseason to now, we have heard every possible detail about Brett Favre and his interaction with anchors, teammates, and coaches in addition to his usual waffling summer. In the mix: None.
ROOKIES OF THE YEAR
And the winners are: Ndamukong Suh, DT(Detroit) and Mike Williams, WR (Tampa Bay)
Suh has lived up to or exceeded all expectations and has little if any competition this year. My biggest knock on him: he missed an extra point last week, with no warmup, so yeah, Suh is a heavy favorite. Williams on the other hand has competition with several other players, but leads rookies in receving yards and touchdowns, and is third in receptions. Williams has been key to Tampa’s surge this year, and if he continues playing well and his team succeeds, he will be the offensive rookie of the year. In the mix: Jahvid Best, Dez Bryant, Sam Bradford
PLAY OF THE YEAR
And the winner is: Randy Moss pass to Brett Favre in first game back with Vikings (denied by penalty)
There have been a multitude of great trick plays this year, from flea-flickers that determine drives (Flacco), to punt returners lateralling for touchdowns (Cribbs). While the above play did not count, it was a bold play and so far was the only play this season that I had to go back and watch live because I was so shocked. A wide receiver double reverse with a pass option to a forty-year-old quarterback for an eleven yard gain and a first down; could there be a more exciting play to open a game?
BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE
And the winner is: The Baltimore Ravens.
This award is probably the toughest, and it came down to a choice between the Steelers, Ravens, and Patriots. The Steelers lost to the Ravens, and the Ravens lost to the Patriots, but the Patriots lost to the Browns, a team that both the Steelers and Ravens have beaten, so opposing record and common opponents did not help the decision here. I gave the nod to the Ravens for their balance, all year the Ravens have looked solid on both sides of the ball, while the Steelers and Patriots have had their ups and downs. Also in the mix: Steelers, Patriots, Falcons, Giants
WORST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE
And the winner is: The Dallas Cowboys.
I know it may seem a little foolish to pick a team that has won a game over a team that has yet to win one, but the Bills are at least competitive. Dallas has been the biggest disappointment this year (followed by the San Francisco 49ers, who are pretty bad themselves), and have looked like team that has given up following the injury to Tony Romo. As of right now Wade Phillips is still the coach, but I do not expect that to be the truth come week ten. EDIT: Wade Phillips has been fired and his offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will be taking over. Also in the mix: Panthers, Bills, 49ers
MVP
And the winner is: Philip Rivers, QB (San Diego)
I know I may look a little biased picking Rivers here over Peyton Manning, but Rivers is on pace to break Dan Marino’s single-season passing record by over 150 yards. This may not sound like a big deal because of the nature of the league now versus the eighties, but Rivers has done this to a receiving corps on its eighth receiver in four-wide sets (Jackson is suspended til week 12, Floyd and Naanee are injured, and Davis is on IR—again) and has resurrected a team that may host the worst special teams squad ever. The biggest knock on Rivers is the losing record of the Chargers, but I feel that by his level of play, Rivers is the MVP of the league. In the mix: Peyton Manning
MOST TIRED STORY
And the winner is: Brett Favre Saga
Could there be any other answer? Before the season we had the Jets loud mouthing. Early in the season we had Vick’s resurgence and if we should call it a feel-good story. We had Randy Moss leave his team. Twice. We had Donovan McNabb get benched in favor of Rex Grossman. We have had a continuing story of hard helmet-to-helmet hits. And through all of this, from offseason to now, we have heard every possible detail about Brett Favre and his interaction with anchors, teammates, and coaches in addition to his usual waffling summer. In the mix: None.
ROOKIES OF THE YEAR
And the winners are: Ndamukong Suh, DT(Detroit) and Mike Williams, WR (Tampa Bay)
Suh has lived up to or exceeded all expectations and has little if any competition this year. My biggest knock on him: he missed an extra point last week, with no warmup, so yeah, Suh is a heavy favorite. Williams on the other hand has competition with several other players, but leads rookies in receving yards and touchdowns, and is third in receptions. Williams has been key to Tampa’s surge this year, and if he continues playing well and his team succeeds, he will be the offensive rookie of the year. In the mix: Jahvid Best, Dez Bryant, Sam Bradford
PLAY OF THE YEAR
And the winner is: Randy Moss pass to Brett Favre in first game back with Vikings (denied by penalty)
There have been a multitude of great trick plays this year, from flea-flickers that determine drives (Flacco), to punt returners lateralling for touchdowns (Cribbs). While the above play did not count, it was a bold play and so far was the only play this season that I had to go back and watch live because I was so shocked. A wide receiver double reverse with a pass option to a forty-year-old quarterback for an eleven yard gain and a first down; could there be a more exciting play to open a game?
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