Even though there is still one week left in the season 10 of the 12 playoff teams have been decided, including the top 4 seeds. Little is going to happen in week 17 that is going to change my mind on these awards. I hereby present my choice for the following awards:
All Pro Offensive Team:
QB – Tom Brady (Patriots) RB – LaDainian Tomlinson (Chargers) RB – Brian Westbrook (Eagles) WR – Randy Moss (Patriots) WR – Terrell Owens (Cowboys) TE – Jason Witten (Cowboys) OT - Matt Light (Patriots) OG – Allan Faneca (Steelers) OC – Jeff Saturday (Colts) OG – Steve Hutchinson (Vikings) OT - Flozell Adams (Cowboys)
All Pro Defensive Team:
DE – Aaron Kampman (Packers) DT – Kevin Williams (Vikings) DT – Albert Haynesworth (Titans) DE – Jared Allen (Chiefs) OLB - DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys) MLB – Lofa Tatupu (Seahawks) OLB – Mike Vrabel (Patriots) CB – Al Harris (Packers) CB – Asante Samuel (Patriots) SS – Bob Sanders (Colts) FS – Ed Reed (Ravens)
All Pro Special Teams:
K – Mason Crosby (Packers) P - Shane Lechler (Raiders) KR – Devin Hester (Bears) STP - Brendon Ayanbadejo (Bears)
MVP: Tom Brady & Randy Moss – I have been saying that Randy Moss should be the MVP. A lot more people have been saying Tom Brady. I think if the AP were ever going to do a Co-MVP for two players from the same team it would be this duo. Unless the Giants can do the unthinkable, they will be the main stars of the first 16-0 team. How can just one player be the most responsible for such an achievement? Randy Moss had 42 receptions for 533 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2007. He has 92 receptions for 1393 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. But Tom Brady had only 3529 yards passing and 24 touchdowns last season. He has 4450 yards and 48 touchdowns this season. It is clear that while these players are special on their own when you put the two on the same field it is unbelievable what can be achieved. Therefore I believe they should share the MVP hardware.
Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Westbrook – Brian Westbrook is quietly having a remarkable season. He has 1291 yards rushing, 4.8 yards per carry, 86 receptions, 714 yards receiving, and 12 total touchdowns. Considering Donovan McNabb is coming off season ending knee surgery and that Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown are the starting receivers, Brian Westbrook is the center of the Eagles offense. He does everything for them. It is time this guy gets more recognition. He isn’t even the NFC starter in the Pro Bowl which is a crime, even with the season Adrian Peterson is having as a rookie.
Defensive Player of the Year: Bob Sanders – The reason I like Sanders is because how his production translates to the overall defensive unit’s success. Anyone that watched the 2006 Colts realized this was a terrible defense without Bob Sanders. What he has been able to do since the playoff run last season is amazing. Despite losing 2 starting cornerbacks and June to free agency, McFarland to season ending injury in preseason, and Dwight Freeney to injury after the Patriots game nothing has changed. The Colts have maintained their ability to stop other offenses. The Colts rank 3rd in yards per game allowed, 1st in pass yards allowed, and 4th in points allowed. Bob Sanders is the number one reason for that. While he has only 2.5 sacks and 2 interceptions, his 91 tackles rank among the top of the league for defensive backs. Most of the time a safety will have a lot of tackles because the front 7 is getting gashed on a consistent basis. That’s not the case for Bob Sanders. He is the straw that stirs the Colts drink on defense and he deserves recognition for that this season.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Adrian Peterson – This was pretty much a no brainer. He is 3rd in the NFL in rushing with 1305 yards rushing and he missed 2 games due to injury. He wasn’t even the starter at the opening of the year. He set a NFL single game rushing record with 296 yards against the San Diego Chargers. He had another 200 yard game against the Bears in Chicago. He also has 13 touchdowns. Enough said.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Patrick Willis – Patrick Willis would be eligible to be Defensive Player of the Year if he played on a relevant team and relevant defensive unit. However, for Defensive Rookie of the Year he too is a no brainer. He leads the NFL with 162 tackles including consecutive 18 tackle games at Arizona and at Carolina and 20 tackles against Tampa Bay. He should be a staple in the 49ers defense for years to come.
Comeback Player of the Year: Brett Favre & Randy Moss – Funny that these guys would be linked together for this award considering they almost became teammates in April. Both have experienced great seasons. I already talked about Moss’s rebirth in the MVP section. Favre rose his completion percentage from 56.0 to 66.2. His rating went up from 72.7 to 94.1. He has 26 touchdowns compared to 18 in 2006. His interceptions have also dropped from 18 to 15. He also had his first 4,000 yard season since 2004. All this production is coming with a rookie running back, full back, and third wide receiver. Don’t forget that Greg Jennings is only in his second year and the offensive line has 3 second year starters up the middle. Many people thought #4 was holding the Packers franchise back by continuing to play. Instead, he has put them on his back. It’s too hard to decide which one has had the better comeback. Therefore, I went with both.
Breakout Player of the Year: Braylon Edwards – The Browns finally found a quarterback, and suddenly his numbers went through the roof. He had only 9 touchdowns his first two years in the league. He has 15 touchdowns this year. His previous best was 61 receptions and 884 yards. He has 77 receptions for 1222 yards. People usually target the 3rd year as a receiver’s breakout season, and Edwards did not disappoint in 2007.
Most Surprising Player: Derek Anderson - If anyone would have told you that the Brown’s quarterback would have 3635 yards, 28 touchdowns, 18 picks, and an 82.7 QB rating you would have thought the Browns struck it big with Brady Quinn. Certainly, it would not have been their 3rd string QB Derek Anderson. Yet, when Frye disappointed in the opener and was traded to the Seahawks, many thought that Anderson would be a short term solution until the lame duck coaching staff was ready to given the ball to Quinn. Instead Anderson played Pro Bowl caliber football and has had the Browns in playoff contention the entire season. If the Titans lose this weekend the Browns clinch their first playoff appearance since 2002.
Most Disappointing Player: Shaun Alexander – 27th in rushing yards with 685. A 3.4 yard per carry average. 3 rushing touchdowns. Alexaner was the MVP of the league and set a single season touchdown record back in 2005. While injuries hurt his productivity, this guy had a dramatic drop in statistics this season. People thought Alexander would decline this season, but I don’t think anyone saw it coming this fast. He basically caused Mike Holmgren to abandon the running game all together.
Worst Free Agency Signing in 2007 - Joey Porter - The Dolphins gave this guy $20 million guaranteed salary to help them win 1 game in 2007. Part of the problem is they never were able to use him properly by lining him up on the same side of the ball as Jason Taylor. However, he only had 63 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 5.5 sacks for a defense that ranks at the bottom of the NFL. With a team that will be looking to get younger in 2008 the Dolphins will probably be paying for this bad signing for many years to come.
Player to Watch for a Breakout in 2008: Matt Schaub – Johnson and Schaub were never able to stay healthy the whole season. With the defense on the rise and another year in this offense, I would look for big things from Matt Schaub. He had a good completion percentage and threw for a lot of yards. His 9 touchdown to 9 interceptions don’t look too bad when you consider he had the 12th best QB rating in the league at 87.2. He is a player I was impressed with in limited duty that I would look for big things from in 2008 if he can stay healthy.
Player to Watch for Decline in 2008: Ray Lewis – While he still had 121 tackles this season, the injuries seemed more frequent and he also seemed to have lost a step. With 12 years of NFL experience and 33 years of age going into next season I just wonder if this guy has enough to put up the numbers we are accustomed too. I hope I am wrong. He is as exciting as any player on defense in the NFL.
Head Coach of the Year: Romeo Crennel - While a lot of people will go with Mike McCarthy or Darth Bill, I believe Romeo deserves the nod. This is a team that has averaged 5 wins a season since returning to the league in 1999. They had one playoff season in that span. Everyone said he went from the hot seat to the firing squad this season and when the Browns opened up with a 34-7 home loss to the Steelers. When Frye was traded that week, everyone thought panic was in full effect. Instead the Browns traded Frye, went with Derek Anderson, and went 9-5 thereafter. With a Titans loss the Browns will be in the playoffs. Even if they miss the playoffs they will still probably finish 10-6. This team picked 3rd in the draft last season. For them to be on the brink of 10 wins is amazing. While McCarthy and The Hood had fantastic seasons, they had two future Hall of Famers in Brady and Favre. What Crennel did with Anderson was nothing short of amazing.
Front Office of the Year: Green Bay Packers – Everyone including me thought Ted Thompson was clueless for relying on Frank Walker as their only free agent signing. What Ted Thompson saw was a young group of players on the rise. While having #4 will make any GM look good and passing on Randy Moss would appear to be a mistake, you can’t argue with 12-3 and a first round bye out of the youngest team in the NFL. Credit Ted Thompson for doing it his way and assembling this group out of young players and no names from a team that was 12-20 in 2005 and 2006.
Best Team: New England Patriots – When you go 15-0 there really isn’t much debate. They have set all kinds of records in what has been a historic season.
Worst Team: Miami Dolphins – Lost their first 13 games before pulling one out against the Ravens. They returned to normal with a 28-7 loss to New England the following week. With only 1 win they are a lock to be drafting first in April. Hopefully The Tuna can turn around this once proud franchise.
Most Surprising Team: Green Bay Packers – The Packers gave some hints this was on the horizon when they ended 2006 on a 4 game winning streak. While some people thought they would flirt with .500 no one saw this coming. They shot straight to the top of the NFC with a couple good draft classes, a second year head coach, and a Hall of Fame QB who many thought had nothing left in the tank.
Most Improved Team: Cleveland Browns – As I said above, this was a traditional 5 win club with a lot of promising young players, but nothing to put together those pieces. Derek Anderson really put together the Browns offense. To watch how this team has improved from the first day of training camp to the end of the season is remarkable.
Most Disappointing Team: Baltimore Ravens & Chicago Bears – Both teams were 13-3 and had top ranked defensive units. The Ravens lost to eventual champion Indy and the Bears did the same in the Super Bowl. The Ravens started off 4-2, before collapsing to 4-11. The Bears never really got started. They failed to win consecutive games and are 6-9. While the Saints were also a strong candidate, at least they are still in playoff contention. These teams never made it to Thanksgiving as serious contenders for anything.
Most Dysfunctional Team: Atlanta Falcons - A QB in jail, a coach that left with 3 games left in the season, and a Big Tuna that left Arthur Blank standing at The Alter. This has become the definition of Team Chaos. It will take years to fix this mess. Good luck.
That’s all for my 2007 NFL awards. What are your thoughts? Do you like the picks or think I should have chosen someone else? Now that we have only one week left what it the one thing you took away from this season? Let me know your thoughts.
Patrick Kerney from the Seahawks could be a defensive honorable mention. He may also fit as comeback player. He leads the NLF in sacks with 14.5. But I think Patrick Willis probably should be defensive player. You say he doesnt get it due to playing for a bad team, but I think that actually makes him more appealing. For a team that bad he does probably 70% of there defense by himself. haha
Last edited by busa89 on December 27th at 1:01 PM.
Busa89 - Good thoughts. I am of the school of thought that players that accumulate stats on bad units shouldn't get lots of honors. The 49ers rank 19th in points allowed and 25th in yards allowed. I think Willis is an amazing player. I just can't see giving an award like that to a guy on that type of unit.
Brian Westbrook, who is also on a losing team plays on an offense that ranks 5th in yards and 17th in points. Its easier for me to give an award to a player like that who single handily makes his unit a feared unit. While Willis is a great player, no one fears playing the 49ers defense. People fear playing the Eagles offense. I think Willis will get to that point as both he and his unit improve.
As far as Kerney goes. Can't argue with you there. Only so many spots to go around. I think the division and the schedule hurt Kerney. I like what he has done this year with 14.5 sacks. I like what Allen and Kampman do a little more in run support. I wouldn't fault someone for feeling Kerney belongs on the All-Pro list or as the Comeback Player of the Year. He has had a great year.
Last edited by StreetCred on December 27th at 1:45 PM.
I agree with your all pro picks except for 1. The kicker should be Folk, not Crosby.
Folk was 24 for 28 for a 85.7%
Crosby was 29 for 37 for a 78.4%
Folk had 4 misses and 3 of the misses were from over 50 yards and 1 was blocked, Chicago game. Other then that he was money.
Crosby on the other hand had 5 misses from 40-49 and 1 from 30-39.
The other one I disagree with is Front Office of the Year. Jerry Jones should get the Executive of the year award, and since he is GM/Owner he should be the front office winner. He hired Phillips and Garrett. That alone should win him the award. The national media and fans lambasted Jerry for selecting Phillips as the head coach. Saying he was a lifetime loser and a step back from Parcells. After this year, nothing could be farther from the truth. Garrett was also pooh poohed because he was brought in before Phillips. It was said that he was too young and inexperienced to be a head coach and now he will be the hottest coaching prospect in the off season. Jones also brought in Leonard Davis, 2007 Pro Bowler, who has solidified the OL making it one of the best in the NFL, sending 3 members to Pro Bowl. Everybody thought this was the worst move in free agency. Once again the critics were wrong.
QCisco - Good thoughts. I understand Folk was more accurate than Crosby. Here is my arguement for Crosby:
1) You are totally ignoring the kickoff game. Crosby had 14 touchbacks to Folk's 4 touchbacks. The average start on Folk kickoffs was the 23.2 yard line to the Packer's 20.8. Also Folk had a touchdown returned on him and Crosby didn't. When you consider that Crosby play's Hester twice, that is important.
2) Crosby kicks in much worse weather than Folk. 6 of Crosby's 8 misses came in 3 games. Washington, Carolina, and Oakland. The Washington game was a very rainy game and Carolina were very cold. In the 14 games where Crosby kicked field goals, he was perfect in 10 of them. So was Folk.
3) They both had only one miss inside 40 yards.
4) Crosby has 131 points to Folks 125 points
It was a close call between the two. I thought to Pro Bowl voters got that wrong. I think considering everything Crosby brings to the table, he has been the best mix of scoring, accuaracy, distance, and kickoffs in the NFL this season.
Last edited by StreetCred on December 27th at 5:09 PM.
QCisco - With regards to the front office. When Parcells took over in 2002 the Cowboys had finished their 3rd consecutive 5 win season under Campo. Parcells put together the majority of this team. Romo, Barber III, Owens, Whitten, Crayton, Ware, Spears, Roy Williams, Ellis, Newman, and any other signifigant player on that roster was brought in by Parcells.
The Cowboys shortcomings in 2005 and 2006 were caused by Parcells The Coach, not Parcells the Talent Evaluator. The reason Parcells got the job in Miami is because of all the Pro Bowlers he identified for Dallas.
While I agree with you that Dallas did a great job of hiring a coaching staff to coach the talent, I think what Green Bay did was more impressive. How many people thought Ryan Grant could solve the running game? How many people thought Mason Crosby could lead all kickers in points and improve the kickoff game as a rookie? That James Jones could be a quality 3rd receiver?
This team was 12-20 over the last 2 years. Everyone thought they needed to break the bank like San Fran to be competitive.
Green Bay was most impressive for what they didn't do. They didn't resign Green or Martin. They didn't go after some of the busts in this years free agency class. They relied on the draft and their youth to move this team forward. Thompson and McCarthy are responsible for all this young talent in place. The result is a promising young team and a lot of cap room.
While you could say they should have signed Randy Moss this offseason, that was their only mistake. Everything else has been A+.
Last edited by StreetCred on December 27th at 5:22 PM.
Folk had nothing to do with that kick being returned. The return was for 103 yards. He did his job. Keith Davis who is Dallas's best special team player(1st alternate in Pro Bowl) and gunner was hurt for 2 weeks and Dallas gave up TDs both weeks he was out(punt return to Dante Hall was other score).
Folk didn't miss inside the 40. There was a missed block by the OL and his chippy FG(extra point basicly) was blocked in the Chicago game.
Crosby had 9 more FG attempts then Folk, that's why he has 6 more points.
Parcells didn't acquire Romo, Sean Payton did. He beat out Shanahan for Romo. All are Eastern Illinios alum. Owens was brought in by Jones, not Parcells. Parcells didn't want Owens. Parcells goofed on getting Ware. He wanted Spears with the 1st pick in the draft and Jones overruled him and selected Ware. Spears was still available when Dallas was selecting with their 2nd pick in the 1st round. Newman was a no brainer with the 6th pick in the draft. Ellis & Williams were already on the roster when Parcells became coach.
A lot of the drafting credit has to go to Jeff Ireland who became the head of scouting when Parcells joined the team. Ireland was also a Jones hire. That's one of the reasons the Dallas drafts have improved, also Jones trusting the draft board and not thinking he knows more then his scouting department.
QCisco - We'll have to agree to disagree I guess. I still think you completely ignored the weather arguement. The 3 games that Crosby kicked poorly in were either in rainy weather or cold weather. I think it is a lot easier to be accurate in Dallas that Green Bay. Furthermore, Crosby does get better distance on his kicks. It may not have been Folk's fault on the return, but Crosby is still much stronger in the kickoff game.
Here's the deal with Parcells. He wasn't there only scout. Obviously he had people around him that helped him evaluate talent. The key though is that he has a great philosophy and surrounds himself with quality football people. His track record speaks for itself. Look at NYG, NE, NYJ, and DAL in the five years before he got there as opposed to the 5 years after he was there. Each franchise got better. That is why Parcells is still being offered employment from multiple losing franchises.
Dallas went this route before. They got rid of Jimmy Johnson, had some success with Switzer, and fell of the map. While I think Phillips is a better football guy than Barry, he definatley fell into the right place at the right time. It will take a couple years to see whether that move was in the long term best interest of the franchise. Regardless, Bill Parcells is largely responsible for the success Dallas is having. Whether he personally identified the talent, had one of his guys do it, or closed his eyes and hit the bulls eye on the dart board; his regime is responsible for the acquisition of talent hat has Dallas at the top of the NFC.
Last edited by StreetCred on December 28th at 9:13 AM.
I live in Chicago, but am originally from Wisconsin. I am disgruntled Green Bay Packer fan that now loves the Jets. My favorite sports are Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Hockey and soccer are at the bottom of my list. I would rather watch the Spelling Bee than either of those sports. My favorite athletes of all time are Brett Favre and Michael Jordan. While I like debating many sports, NFL Football is by far my favorite topic to discuss.
In addition to this blog I am also a writer for the Fantasy Football Maniaxs. It is quite an honor to be writing with a group of knowledgeable football fanatics. The address is http://www.fa ntasyfootball maniaxs.com. I hope you enjoy the blog.
