NFL Midseason Awards

Sports and awards go hand-in-hand.

It would be hard to forget your first green ribbon for "participation" at your first kindergarten track meet, the first time mom and dad cleared space on the mantle for your third place taekwondo trophy, or standing their as your high school A.D. puts your all-conference honor into the trophy case.

Awards always recognize personal achievement as part of a greater goal. In individual sports, awards mark progress made in pursuit of greatness.

For team sports, awards recognize the success of phenomenal athletes who stood out because (or in spite) of their teammates.

So, as CBS rolls out their official NFL midseason awards, Aron Glatzer has asked me to step onto the red carpet and do a list of my own. Make sure you stay tuned to the end for some "not so flattering" awards.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

AFC: Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts
Collie has stepped into one of the most complex NFL offenses with one of the most demanding on-the-field generals and has succeeded.

The former BYU Cougar doesn't have the deep speed of Steelers' rookie Mike Wallace but he does have picture perfect route running and great hands for a young kid. Collie leads all rookies with 32 receptions and is tied with Hakeem Nicks with four receiving touchdowns.

NFC: Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings
Harvin is getting a reputation as AP2 in Minnesota circles for being as dynamic a player on the outside as Adrian Peterson is in the backfield. The recognition is well deserved.

Harvin is tied for second among rookies with 28 receptions and three receiving touchdowns. Harvin is also fourth in the entire league in kick return yardage and is second in rookie scoring.

Honorable Mentions: Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh; Jonny Knox, Chicago

Defensive Rookie of the Year

AFC: Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills
The Duck out of water has really learned to fly.

A former Oregon cornerback, Byrd—now a safety—is tied for first among all NFL players in interceptions (seven) and passes defended (16).

He has three consecutive games with multiple interceptions (tying an NFL record) and has five more than any other rookie. He is on pace for 14, tying the NFL record.

NFC: Louis Delmas, Detroit Lions
If tackles were the only quantifiable stat, James Laurinaitis would walk away with this award easily. However, when your defense is giving up 4.2 yards per rush, it is hard to get excited about leading your team in tackles.

Delmas stepped onto the field day one for the sideshow that is the Detroit Lions and has been in the top of every NFC rookie statistical category. He is first among NFC defensive backs with seven passes defended.

Delmas is the only NFL rookie with a sack and interception and a touchdown.

Honorable Mentions: James Laurinaitis, St. Louis; Derek Cox, Jacksonville

Coach of the Year

AFC: Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts
In a crowded field, this first year guy stands above the rest.

Although Josh McDaniels has performed miracles in his first year, the Denver front office has done just as much for that renewal.

Marvin Lewis is having a great year in Cincy but so is a healthy Carson Palmer.

Caldwell gets this award because, not only are the Colts undefeated halfway through the season but because of the coaching perils he has maneuvered through—brand new receiving corps, injuries in the defensive backfield, and having your top assistants temporarily retire in the preseason.

Caldwell has been through a lot and his team is still 8-0.

NFC: Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints
This field is significantly less crowded. Only one other NFC team is having any sort of a banner year, and if you think Brad Childress belongs anywhere near this list, you haven't watched a Vikings game.

Sean Payton wins this award because he understands what coaching is all about. For years, he was the "offensive mad genius" who put up huge numbers but still lost games. Then he gave up a large chunk of his salary to pay for Gregg Williams.

That move improved not only the defense in New Orleans, but the offense is scoring 10 extra points a game and are on pace to set the season scoring record.

Oh yeah, they haven't lost a game either.

Honorable Mentions: Josh McDaniels, Denver; Marvin Lewis, Cincy

Most Improved Player

AFC: Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals
Another award that shouldn't even be close. Some consider this the "comeback" award which is also fitting for Benson—the one-time first round pick and cornerstone of the Bears' franchise who ran himself out of town (if you believe the Bears) or was run out of town (if you believe Benson).

Once a player who was out of the league, Benson is second in total rushing yards, and is one of only two backs who is averaging over 100 yards per game.

NFC: Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys
More "improved" rather than "comeback," Austin is leading the 6-2 Dallas Cowboys in receiving yards after being sixth on the team in 2008.

He is 11th in the league in receiving yardage (612) and first in yards per reception (22.7). He is also tied for first in receiving TD's (7) and catched of 20+ yards (11).

That Roy Williams trade just keeps looking better and better.

Honorable Mentions: Brett Favre, Minnesota; Steve Smith, Giants; Cadillac Williams, Tampa Bay

Offensive Player of the Year

AFC: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
*Second in the NFL passing yardage—2545
*First in the AFC QB Rating—105.2
*Second in the NFL passing touchdowns—16
*Tied for First in the NFL Passing Percentage—70.6

That's a pretty decent resume before you consider all the things Manning does which don't show up on the stat sheet.

Manning is grooming a whole new receiving corps with guys like Collie and Pierre Garcon. He's helping out a rookie head coach and easing the transition as many long time assistants plan to retire.

And, he's 8-0 as a starter.

NFC: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Speaking of 8-0...

Drew Brees isn't just having a good season, he's having an epic season. He is top five in any quantifiable passing statistic including being number one in passing touchdowns and yards per attempt.

He is guiding an offense which is having an historic year, while posting career bests in passing rating, percentage, and touchdowns.

Honorable Mentions: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh; Andre Johnson, Houston, Chris Johnson, Houston

Defensive Player of the Year

AFC: Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers
There are plenty of deserving players for this award. But, as of right now, no defensive player is making the impact on the league that Polamalu is.

His team is 4-0 when he is in the line up, 2-2 without him.

There is no single defensive player in the league who changes a team from great to championship quality simply by stepping onto the field.

Statistically, Polamalu is still a top ten defensive back even after missing half of a season.

NFC: Darren Sharper, New Orleans Saints
Making the case for Darren Sharper is easy. Seven interceptions, three of which were touchdowns, along with twelve passes defended—all best in the NFL.

Some Minnesota fans will want Jared Allen here—all I have to say is this. When you play next to the Williams Wall against the left tackles in the NFC North, 10.5 sacks isn't nearly as impressive as the number sounds. 7.5 of his sacks have been against Green Bay.

Either way, as disruptive as Allen has been in the offensive backfield, Sharper is just as disruptive in the defensive backfield and is on pace to tie the total season interception record and shatter the season interception touchdown record.

Honorable Mentions: Jairus Byrd, Buffalo; Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis; Elvis Dumervil, Denver

Most Valuble Player

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

The obvious competition here is Drew Brees and Brett Favre, both of whom are having great seasons. One can easily make arguments for all three and many writers have declared a tie or a three-way tie for this meaningless midseason award.

Taking a stand, it has to go to Peyton Manning.

Favre stepped into a ready made offense with a great offensive line, the league's best running back, a top defense and a good receiving corps. And, quite frankly, this isn't the "best game manager" award. Favre's 7.52 yards per attempt is lowest among the top ten quarterbacks.

Drew Brees is having the best year of his career on an offense that returned just about everyone from last year's great offensive season.

Peyton Manning does more than the numbers. As I pointed out in the "Offensive Player of the Year" slide, Manning would have had every excuse to be the 5-3 and having an average year. Yet his team is 8-0 and he has been, in many people's estimations, the best quarterback.

Take Peyton Manning off of this Colts team and they are barely a .500 squad. He is the most valuable player in the league.

The Shoddy's

Having a name which is a homophone for an adjective meaning "of poor quality," isn't always a great thing for an aspiring journalist. Though, when it is awards time it really comes in handy for a round of awards to the other half of the league.

The Shoddy for Least Valuable Player—Albert Haynesworth:Value, price, worth, and importance are all related but very different things. Albert Haynesworth is tied for 247th in the league with 25 tackles and 51st in sacks with three. He has yet to force a fumble. Daniel Snyder is, once again, not getting what he paid for.

The Shoddy for the Most Offensive Player—Jamarcus Russell:Offensive to watch or even think about, Russell is the starting Quarterback for the Oakland Raiders and has no idea where his receivers are. If it weren't for Zach Miller, Russell would only have 60 completions. Take the running backs out of the equation—23.

The Shoddy for the Player with the Least Defense—Derrick Harvey:Harvey, a former first rounder, is indefensible. 23 tackles, no sacks, no forced fumbles—nothing! He is a starter for heaven's sake! Glad that hold out last year really worked out for you Derrick.

The Shoddy for Coach in the Rear—Tom Cable: Cable (allegedly) leads all coaches in both women and assistants assaulted and is already a lame duck who the NFL is deciding whether or not to force into therapy. Cable is my "Coach in the Rear" both because he is on the hot seat and because he is a horse's you-know-what.

Michael Schottey is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and the producer and host of The Average Joe Sports Show on 860AM KNUJ (New Ulm, MN). He is also an NFL Analyst and Senior Writer for DraftTek.com.