This blog has been created since I spend all of my life arguing sports with Willis Austin. Being the two knowledgeable sports fans that we are this is our first attempt to include people on the daily banter that often consumes one's life. This blog will often have a daily topic in which you the public will have the opportunity to chime in and give your respective opinions.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
NFL Midseason Awards
Every team has played 9 games so far this season. Who are your mid season awards winners?
Yes, the offense has been bad and they've had significant injuries and "chemistry" issues (read: Brett Favre showing up late, Randy Moss coming and going), but the defense was supposed to be above average.
Key Stats:
- '09 46 sacks... '10 13 sacks - last in NFL in turnover differential this year - 23rd in Offensive 3rd Down % this year (5th last year) 26th in Defensive 3rd Down % this year (3rd last year)
Basically, they aren't getting the same pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season. They aren't getting the other team's offense off the field on third down. And the offense can't stay on the field.
SURPRISING TEAM - Pittsburgh Steelers
3-1 without Ben. We know how important the quarterback is to any franchise. Yet, with 3 backup quarterbacks, the Steelers won by 6, 8, and 25 points. Their loss, to an intense rival and a top defense year after year, was by 3 points.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER - Probably easy to go with Clay Matthews, but I'm going with Charles Woodson.
Despite having a down year regarding interceptions, a large part of the reason Clay Matthews is able to dominate the opposing QBs is the coverage of Woodson. The things that don't show up in the stat sheets are coverage sacks, taking away the other team's #1 receiver, covering the slot receiver when the offense dictates that, and pressuring the QB on a blitz. Woodson, year after year, is the complete defender. He's on pace for a career high in tackles (many of them on running backs out of the backfield) and forced fumbles. This is all in his 13th season.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER - Mike Vick
Replay any game he's started and finished this season.
MVP - Peyton Manning
They should just give the award to him at the start of every season until he retires, then they should name the award after him. He's the most valuable player to his team because if he goes down for any reason, for any significant amount of time, the Colts won't win a game. (Poor argument) The Colts are a significantly worse team without Peyton calling the shots at the line of scrimmage. During their potential run at perfection, the Colts offense looked like a JV team. And if the offense isn't putting up 2 touchdowns per quarter, the defense is vulnerable to being pounded by the run. In their 2 losses last season, 450 rush yards against. In their 3 losses this season, 257, 174, and 195 rush yards against.
OFFENSIVE R.O.Y. - Sam Bradford
ReplyDeleteName any of his receivers...
DEFENSIVE R.O.Y. - Ndamukong Suh
I could be swayed off that choice.
DISAPPOINTING TEAM - Minnesota Vikings
Yes, the offense has been bad and they've had significant injuries and "chemistry" issues (read: Brett Favre showing up late, Randy Moss coming and going), but the defense was supposed to be above average.
Key Stats:
- '09 46 sacks... '10 13 sacks
- last in NFL in turnover differential this year
- 23rd in Offensive 3rd Down % this year (5th last year)
26th in Defensive 3rd Down % this year (3rd last year)
Basically, they aren't getting the same pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season. They aren't getting the other team's offense off the field on third down. And the offense can't stay on the field.
SURPRISING TEAM - Pittsburgh Steelers
3-1 without Ben. We know how important the quarterback is to any franchise. Yet, with 3 backup quarterbacks, the Steelers won by 6, 8, and 25 points. Their loss, to an intense rival and a top defense year after year, was by 3 points.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER - Probably easy to go with Clay Matthews, but I'm going with Charles Woodson.
Despite having a down year regarding interceptions, a large part of the reason Clay Matthews is able to dominate the opposing QBs is the coverage of Woodson. The things that don't show up in the stat sheets are coverage sacks, taking away the other team's #1 receiver, covering the slot receiver when the offense dictates that, and pressuring the QB on a blitz. Woodson, year after year, is the complete defender. He's on pace for a career high in tackles (many of them on running backs out of the backfield) and forced fumbles. This is all in his 13th season.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER - Mike Vick
Replay any game he's started and finished this season.
MVP - Peyton Manning
They should just give the award to him at the start of every season until he retires, then they should name the award after him. He's the most valuable player to his team because if he goes down for any reason, for any significant amount of time, the Colts won't win a game. (Poor argument) The Colts are a significantly worse team without Peyton calling the shots at the line of scrimmage. During their potential run at perfection, the Colts offense looked like a JV team. And if the offense isn't putting up 2 touchdowns per quarter, the defense is vulnerable to being pounded by the run. In their 2 losses last season, 450 rush yards against. In their 3 losses this season, 257, 174, and 195 rush yards against.
Offensive Rookie- Dez Bryant with Sam Bradford a close second.
ReplyDeleteDef Rookie- Ndakomug Suh; not even a discussion
Surprising Team- Tampa Bay buccaneers
Dissapointing - Dallas Cowboys without a doubt
Def Player- Clay Matthews
Off Player- Phillip Rivers
MVP- Peyton Manning
OFF ROY: Sam Bradford!
ReplyDeleteDef ROY: Ndakomug Suh
Suprising Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Dissappointing: Dallas Cowboys
Def Player: Clay Matthews
Off Player: Peyton Manning
MVP: Phillip Rivers