Mid-Season Awards

MVP/Offensive Player of the Year: Big Ben is officially eliminated from this list…so we will go with Peyton Manning. His team is undefeated and he clearly is the leader of that team. Honorable Mention: LJ, LT and Brady…I would have Steve Smith here if they were still undefeated with him playing, but they lost two very winnable games the last two weeks to knock him out.

Defensive MVP: Champ Bailey…he is the best shut down corner in the NFL on the best scoring defense in the league…and no I am not saying this because of last week’s game. He cuts the field in half and takes out the opposing team’s best WR. Honorable Mention: Shawn Merrimen.

Coach of the Year: Sean Payton – he has brought the NO up in practically all statistical areas including the most important one…wins. He brought Brees in to lead his team. He has been magnificent in using Reggie and Deuce. Honorable Mention: Herm Edwards for bringing that Defense back to respectability and handling the Green injury. Marty Schottenheimer for his handling of Philip Rivers and making that team believe in him.

Worst Coach of the Year – Nick Saban – Daunte should never have seen the field until he was healthier and now the season is gone. Honorable Mention: Dare I say Bill Cohwer?

Comeback Player of the Year: Ray Lewis – he is once again leading a great defense. He only played in 6 games last year and they looked lost without his leadership. Honorable Mention: Damon Huard – wasn’t he in the QB graveyard?...I am pretty sure you have to have been somewhere though to be the comeback player.

Best Coaching Move of the Year: Naming Tony Romo the starter in Dallas…the statue of Drew was getting killed. Honorable Mention: Jack Del Rio putting Garrard in at QB...this still needs some time to prove out. Putting Matt Leinart in at QB – the Cards aren’t going anywhere and now he is getting valuable experience.

Worst Coaching Move of the Year: Putting Tony Romo in to start the second half against the G-men…this seems contradictory to the above, but it is not. He did not have the proper preparation to be thrown to the wolves like that. Honorable Mention: Playing Big Ben against Oakland one week removed from a concussion…that has to be the reason the Steelers lost that game and all hope. Starting Daunte Culpepper at the beginning of the year when he wasn’t healthy – I can’t give the same guy two awards can I?

Surprise of the Year: This one is a tie for me with Damon Huard and Philip Rivers…both have been very good and playing above expectations.

Best Offseason Move of the Year: The Aints taking a chance on Drew Brees…he has that offense in the top 10 and the folks around him believing. Honorable mention: I personally think there are a lot of good ones but here are a couple of others: KC signing Damon Huard to be their back up. SD not resigning Brees and handing the reigns to Rivers. Ravens getting Steve McNair.

Worst Offseason Move of the Year: Houston drafting Mario Williams – he has been a non-factor for most of the year and they missed out on a talent like Reggie Bush. Honorable Mention: The Pats refusing to sign Deion Branch even though they had plenty of room under the cap. The Seahawks giving all that money to Nate Burleson (their 4th WR when they are healthy) instead of Steve Hutchinson. Raiders signing Aaron Brooks – he wasn’t very good on a bad NO team…what made you think he would be any good on a bad Raiders team?