Of course, these awards are not official. The only award that has been announced so far has been the defensive rookie of the year which was handed out to Brian Cushing of the Houston Texans. I agree with that pick over Jarius Byrd of Buffalo, mainly because there wasn't a rookie who made that big of an impact on defense in the NFL this season. Cushing was an animal for the Texans defense and it freed up Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans to make more plays. This improved the defense and the Texans were an opening week victory against the Jets away from making their first postseason in franchise history.
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Percy Harvin (WR - MIN)
I think this comes down to Mark Sanchez of the Jets and Percy Harvin of the Vikings. The reason I think Harvin should win this award is because of Sanchez's numbers compared to Harvin. Granted, it's easier to be a rookie receiver than it is a quarterback in the NFL, but Sanchez finished the season with 12 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. I believe that the Jets making the playoffs had very little to do with Mark Sanchez, but rather, the strong running game (which was lead by Thomas Jones) and the Jets defense (which lead the league in points per game and yards per game). So, in Percy's case, Harvin racked up over 2,000 all-purpose yards this season, and he's getting a trip to Hawaii because of it. The Vikings offense is a lot different when Percy is in there. Take the game against Cincinatti for example. The Vikings had to rely on the ground game without Percy opening up the slot for Sidney Rice and Bernard Berrian. That's why I have to be a homer with this pick.
HONORABLE MENTION: Mark Sanchez (NYJ)
Coach of the Year - Jim Caldwell (IND)
This was a tough choice. I struggled between several coaches, but you have to go with the one with the best record this year. Caldwell went 14-0 with an above average team. He also gained control of the locker room after Tony Dungy retired. To gain the trust of Peyton Manning and Co. is huge, but you still have to find ways to win games, which the Colts did. Consider that the Colts trailed 9 times in the fourth quarter this season and they rallied to win 7 of those games. Some of that is thanks to Mr. Manning, but someone has to make the right decisions.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Marvin Lewis (CIN), Rex Ryan (NYJ), Sean Payton (NOR)
Offensive Player of the Year - Chris Johnson (TEN)
A couple of years ago, I gave this guy the Al Davis award. This usually goes to the biggest athletic freak at the combine. I didn't expect Johnson to do anything in the NFL, mainly because of his alma mater, East Carolina. A swing and a miss! Johnson not only had a great rookie campaign, but this season, he hit the 2,000 yard mark. (2,006 rushing yards) and broke the single season yards from scrimmage record held by Marshall Faulk. Now, the rumor is he wants to race Usain Bolt. Wouldn't hurt his publicity. This guy is a star in the making, and he's most likely the #1 pick in most fantasy football leagues next season.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Brett Favre (MIN), Drew Brees (NOR), Peyton Manning (IND)
Defensive Player of the Year - Charles Woodson (GB)
Yup, I'll be fair here. I was thinking Jared Allen at the beginning of the year, but in the end, Woodson has just been better. He's what Percy Harvin is to the Vikings offense. He's a defensive playmaker. Just when it looked like the Packers were done when Al Harris and Aaron Kampman both blew their knees out vs. San Francisco, Woodson rallied the defense and the Packers have had one of the best passing defenses in the league (with the exception of the Pittsburgh game).
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Elvis Dummervil (DEN), Darren Sharper (NOR), Darrelle Revis (NYJ)
Most Valuable Player -
I have it between four candidates for the MVP. Chris Johnson, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees. By process of elimination, I take out Chris Johnson, not because the Titans didn't make the playoffs, but the Titans MVP in my eyes was Vince Young. The Titans went 0-6 with Kerry Collins under center, then Jeff Fisher made the switch to Young, who went 8-2. It wasn't like Johnson was hurt during those first 6 games, but teams were stacking the box against him. Young came in and was able to make downfield throws, opening the field up for Johnson. So Johnson is the first to go.
My next one is Drew Brees. This was tough, but the Saints, like the Colts, are an above average team. The Saints victories have come off of untimely interceptions, missed field goals, lightning striking the field, and black magic. Brees has had a great year, but not quite the 5,000 yard season he put together last year. The Saints recent struggles have cost him this award.
So that leaves Favre vs. Manning. Two guys looking for their fourth MVP awards. Favre has come in and solidified the one position the Vikings haven't solidified ever. The number of games that Favre has won over Tarvaris Jackson is in the 4-5 range I believe, and the Vikings are the 2 seed in the AFC. However, I have to give the award to Peyton Manning. There's just more talent on the Vikings than there is the Colts, and the Colts were able to win every game until they stopped trying. Peyton Manning should win the MVP, but hopefully Favre can win the only award that matters: The Super Bowl
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