TSC's NFL Post Season Awards

I know this receives little fanfare. It rightfully shouldn't either. After all, exactly what is my opinion worth?

The 2010 NFL regular season saw a few eyebrow raising moments. We saw the first division winner with a losing record. We observed a QB go on a run without throw a pick. We witnessed the end of a tremendous streak. As always, the NFL provides many moments and achievements.

Without further ado...TSC's Post Season Awards.

Defensive Player of the Year Nominees:
James Harrison, Pittsburgh; Jerod Mayo, New England; Justin Tuck, New York Giants.
I know the first thing you might be thinking...Where's Clay Matthews? In all honesty, I thought all three of the guys I have listed had better season and not only from a numbers standpoint either.

Most people think of all the fines when Harrison's name is mentioned. I think that's a tad unfair. He's one of the top ten players in the NFL in my book. He was the only player to amass 10 or more sacks (10.5) and 100 tackles.

All Mayo did was help a "rebuilding" Patriots defense to a league best 14-2 record. And along the way, he led the league in all three tackle categories (combined, total and assists).

Tuck may be the one the raises an eyebrow or two. He was second among defensive lineman in combined tackles (Kyle Williams of Buffalo was first) and tied for third among those lineman in sacks behind Atlanta's John Abraham and Tennessee's Justin Babin.

My winner is James Harrison. If I had to start a defense, he's the guy I want. His numbers show he cannot only rush the passer, he's as capable a tackler as anyone in football.

Offensive Player of the Year Nominees:
Arian Foster, Houston; Roddy White, Atlanta; Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City.

Foster's season started out exactly how Texans fans needed it to...a rushing performance of 33 carries for 231 yards and 3 TD against the Indianapolis Colts. He was the only running back this season to top 1,600 yards. Foster also had 66 catches for over 600 yards. His 18 total TDs led the NFL.

White led the NFL in receptions (115) and second in receiving yards (1,389) proving to be a more than dependable target for teammate Matt Ryan. White was impressive in 2009 and backed up the fact the he is definitely among the NFL's elite receivers. Of his 115 receptions, 73 went for a first down.

Bowe was a beneficiary of Charlie Weis' arrival in KC. He led all receivers in TD catches with 15. Having missed time last year due to suspension, Bowe bounced back and become an integral part of the revamped Chiefs offense. You couldn't just zone in on Jamaal Charles or Thomas Jones.

My winner is Arian Foster. I know the Texans disappointed in the the win/loss deal of things, but this guy was not even drafted and produced an excellent season for Houston. We know where the weaknesses in Houston lie.

Coach of the Year Nominees:
Todd Haley, Kansas City; Raheem Morris, Tampa Bay, Bill Belichick, New England.
(I know I could have easily thrown Lovie Smith of the Bears in here, too.)

Haley helped return the Chiefs to playoffs in 2010. A few people had given teh Chiefs a shot at the AFC West at the beginning of the season because of the weaknesses that had entrenched the San Diego Chargers. Haley and his staff took advantage of that and land a home payoff game. Arrowhead is not an easy place to play.

Many were a bit puzzled when Raheem Morris was handed the top job in Tamp prior to the 2009 season. He fired his offensive coordinator just before the start of that 2009 regular season and was ready to take the lumps for it. It paid of handsomely in 2010. The Bucs will not be taken lightly in 2011 and Morris deserves every bit the credit.

You might be shaking your head about Belichick being here. Think about. This very well could be his best coaching job yet. After the Pats embarrassing exit from the playoffs in 2009, the world assumed there was a gash in the franchise. Boy did Belichick pull one over on us.

My winner is Raheem Morris. I don't believe I really need to explain the fact that almost everyone had the Bucs pegged as the NFC South's cellar dwellers during preseason. His Bucs nearly made the playoffs.

Rookie of the Year Nominees:
Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams, Devin McCourty, New England, Ndamukong Suh, Detroit.

The 2009's #1 overall pick by the Rams, Bradford had a chance to lead the Rams into the playoffs. While he fell short on that bid, his season proved that the Rams were right on the button in taking him as the top pick. After questions concerning his durability emerged prior to last year's draft, Bradford has quickly dispensed those. He started all 16 games in 2010. Being a rookie QB and having 18 TD and 15 INT is every bit impressive as any numbers he could accumulate.

McCourty was thrust into the starting corner position in New England. Did the rookie ever respond. He tied for second in INT (7) and was tied for fifth in passes defended (24). He also ranked fifth in combined tackles (82) among all NFL rookies.

Suh was the obvious pick for the Lions after the Rams took Bradford. A few doubts were raised merely because of the "bust factor" that's associated with the position. I think it's safe to say Suh is no bust. Opposing teams have to gameplan for him. He lad all rookies in sacks (10).

My winner is Sam Bradford. Actually, I feel you could pick any of these three and be in the right, but Bradford led the Rams to seven wins in 2010. After winning three games in the previous two seasons...total. Bradford and his play give Rams fans cause for optimism.

MVP Nominees:
Michael Vick, Philadelphia; Tom Brady, New England; Philip Rivers, San Diego.

The story of Vick and his change is not only Hollywood script, it's almost mind boggling. We've seen glimpses of what he brought to the table when he was in Atlanta. But we've also seen he develop as a QB. I think it's easy to say, no Vick, no Eagles in the playoffs.

While Brady to set the world on fire with an insane number of TD passes and passing yards, he did, once again, lead the Pats to the best record in the league. Jst check out his numbers: 3,900 passing yards, 65.9 completion percentage, 36 TD and 4 INT. That all translates into a passer rating of 111.0, ranking as the fifth best rating ever for a season.

Maybe there's a bit of the old east coast bias sneaking in when it concerns Rivers. Some also think he's too brash and cocky. Personally, I like that in one of my team leaders. And Rivers is the leader for the Bolts. If not for the Chargers usually slow start, Rivers cold be making another playoff appearance. Rivers had a higher completion percentage than Brady (66.0 to 65.9). He also led the NFL in pass completions over 40 yards (14).

My winner is Tom Brady. At the midway point of the season, it was Vick. Brady then went umpteen million attempts without throwing an interception. That sealed the deal for me.

I know some of my selections won't jive with those when the real hardware is handed out later on down the line. But still all of the players and coaches I mentioned had superb seasons.

Now to the fun part....

The not so prestigious TSC "other" awards.

The "I Hope I Have Unlimited Text and Pics" Award: Brett Favre
This goes without saying. The whole Jenn Sterger firestorm and now another heap of trouble for the future Hall of Famer. I have to ask if this will somewhat tarnish his legacy?

The "Was I Worthy of a First Round Pick?" Award: Darrius Heyward-Bey
I supplied Bey with the "Who Am I?" award at last year's midseason point. He earns this based on two years of these stats: 35 receptions, 490 yards a 2 TD. Again, he was selected ahead of Michael Crabtree, Kenny Britt and Hakeem Nicks.

The "I Got It" Award: Dez Bryant.
We all know that it's a tradition for rookies to endure some type of crazy initiation in the NFL. A popular one is the carrying of a veteran's equipment. Well, Bryant was conducting an interview when teammate Roy Williams dropped his shoulder pads by Bryant's feet. Williams asked Bryant if he had them and Bryant responded something like "I got 'em". This is, Bryant didn't get them. He got grief instead.

The "Two Egos are Too Much" Award: Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens.
The Bengals were a running team last year. They were 10-6. The Bengals attempted to bolster the passing attack maybe a bit too much when they acquired Owens. They were 4-12 this year. Chad on Dancing with the Stars and having his own dating show. The TOcho Show was proof that it was all way too much. Cincinnati barely has room for Ochocinco's ego. All the talk and only one ball. Take that however you will.

The "Why Can't I Punt Out of Bounds" Award: Matt Dodge.
Why no earth with the game still in doubt do you punt to DeSean Jackson? Because you goofed, that's why. Dodge couldn't punt the ball even toward the sideline, a trait that's almost lost on all NFL punters today. All Jackson did was return the errant punt back for a game winning TD to provide "The Miracle at the New Meadowlands". And maybe the play of the year.

The "I Had No Idea" Award: Josh McDaniels.
Gimme a break here. You mean to tell me that McDaniels had no clue that his video guy was taping a 49ers practice? And that none of this is associated in any way shape or form with Spygate? All it did was bring embarrassment for DenverBroncos owner Pat Bowlen...and his walking papers. Almost makes me think Brandon Marshall and Tony Sheffler were in the right last year.

The "I Got My Money" Award: Albert Haynesworth.
Was there any doubt about this one? All Haynesworth did was fail to report to OTAs, report to training camp "out of shape", continuously fail the "fitness test" and piss off Mike Shanahan. All the while, Haynesworth collected a $21 million check as a bonus plus his salary of about $3.4 million for 2.5 sacks and 16 tackles in 8 games. Think Dan Snyder wants to rethink that deal?

The "I Deserve Better" Award: Donovan McNabb.
How do you bench a future Hall of Fame QB for Rex Grossman? Well, Mike Shanahan found a way to do so. He yanked McNabb in a game against the Detroit Lions in order for Grossman to run the two-minute offense. How'd that work out for ya coach? Shanahan then benched McNabb for the Redskins last three games in order to see what else the Redskins had. Huh? Granted, McNabb posted a career low in passer rating (77.1) and he did throw more INT (15) than TD (14), but something doesn't smell right here. And to compound this matter is that Shanahan himself made the trade for McNabb.

Well, there you have it. TSC's NFL awards.