NFL Mid-Season Awards

3. Cedric Benson - I never thought I would say his name unless I was talking about the biggest NFL busts. At the end of last seaon Benson started to show why he was drafted so highly and carried that on into this season. Benson is fourth in league in rushing yards, also 4 TD's and averaging an impressive 4.4 YPC while anchoring the Bengals offense.

2. Drew Brees - This guy is probably somewhere throwing touchdowns right now cause that's what he does. Brees has thrown 16 TD's and completed nearly 70 percent of passes in route to leading the Saints to a NFC's best 7 - 0 record.

1. Chris Johnson - The lone bright spot on what seems to be the leagues biggest question, what happened to the Titans? Johnson has been putting up incredible numbers leading the league in rushing and averaging 6.9 YPC and also a contributor in the passing game. Johnson has a shot at 2,000 yards on the ground this season.

3. Darren Sharper - 'Nobody 's Sharper' Sharper. "Who Dey" say the Saints can't play some defense. Brees and the offense aren't the only reason the Saints are 7 - 0. Sharper brought his ball hawk state of mind to the team and has showed his nose for endzone by scoring three TD's this season.

2. Jared Allen - Possibly the leagues best haircut and celebration after recording any of his league high 10.5 sack on the season. Also forcing three fumbles in his wave of distruction. The only reason he isn't my number one choice is because the Willams boys in the middle, Pat and Kevin.

1. Elvis Dumervil - I will be honest and say that I had never heard of this man until this season, now when I tune into a Broncos game I can't stop hearing about him. Playing great in the 3 - 4 defensive has allowed him to record 10 sacks and force two fumbles in the leagues biggest surprise of the season, the Broncos are 6 - 1.

3. Austin Collie - Manning loses one of his old dogs and adds a young Collie to the club. This young man had big shoes to fill and he has stepped up nicely catching 30 balls and grabbing 4 TD's.

2. Mark Sanchez - 'Sanchise' has had a up and down season but the Jets finished the first half with a 500 record. He's thrown for almost 1,400 yards and 8 TD's.

1. Percy Harvin - This man has not missed a beat from the swamp to the tundra of Minnesota. Early on emerging as one of Favre favorite targets has carried him to 28 catches and 3 TD's, that is a foot note to the role he has played in the special teams return game taking two back to the house and always putting the vikings great field position after the kickoff.

3. Jim Caldwell - Although he is a first time head coach, the success that Caldwell is having is not surprising. He has been an assistant for years, took over from a great head coach, and has PEYTON MANNING, who might as well be the head coach.

2. Sean Payton - I, like many others, started off this season waiting for this team to have a let down on the defensive side of the ball and they haven't. We all know what a great offensive mind Payton is, but bringing a defensive specialist to coach has made him look like one of the elite coaches in the NFL.

1. Josh McDaniels - By far this season, the Broncos are playing the part of cinderella and they are led by Belchick Jr.. McDaniels is the opposite of Belchick personallity wise, but the Broncos play this year has echoed the evil one's style. Considering the way the off season started for them, he should be a shoe in for this award.

Any of the following could be the mid season award winner.

** All Players ranked in Top 5 of the statistical categories

1B. Peyton Manning - What else can you say about this man, he is like a machine. Has his team off to another fast start and this time he is doing it with new faces on the offense.

1A. Drew Brees - Although he has started to turn the ball over of late, Brees also leads the most high powered offense in the league and seems to score at will. I think this will be his year to win for the fact that the other two men I am mentioning have won the award three times each.

1. Brett Favre - I never thought I would be able to put him in this category again, espcially when he came to camp late and had to get on the same page with all new teammates. Oh yeah, he's 40! By the end of the season it will probably be Adrian Peterson that will be getting the MVP votes for the Vikings but right now there is no question who has been the teams and possible league MVP thus far.