The shape the NFL has begun to take over the first four weeks of play should come as a surprise to everyone. Fired coaches, injured quarterbacks, and surpassed expectations are the easiest ways to define the direction of the 2008 NFL season.
The unpredictable nature of the NFL usually allows for one or two players to emerge from obscurity. However, 2008 has seen forgotten players seize every opportunity to showcase their abilities, while the league's former perennial stars fade from the highlight reels.
If the season ended today, the usual suspects for league MVP and Offensive Player of the Year would be conspicuously absent. No Tom Brady or Peyton Manning will be mentioned today. There will be no accolades for LaDainian Tomlinson or Bob Sanders.
The new look for 2008 is only meaningful with new stars and new faces.
MVP: QB Jason Campbell, WAS
The Washington Redskins season was to live—or die—with Campbell's ability to effectively lead his team. If he wasn't ready for the season, the Redskins would be looking at the basement of the NFC East and counting down until the start of the Colt Brennan show.
Campbell's efficiency through the first four weeks has placed the Redskins on everyone's radar. With a 102.2 rating, 858 passing yards, and six touchdowns, Campbell's statistics may be modest for an NFL MVP candidate, but it's his efficiency that's made the Redskins so effective.
He's playing mistake-free football and helping everyone around him look better. Clinton Portis is running wild, and Santana Moss is flourishing once again.
For your consideration: QB Philip Rivers, SD
While LaDainian Tomlinson continues to search for his soul, Rivers is the aggressive personality on offense that San Diego needs to succeed.
Despite two disappointing losses early in the season, Rivers has been the undisputed leader of the Chargers' offense. Without his contributions, San Diego's dynamic attack becomes more one-dimensional.
Rivers is hitting receivers all over the field, making tough throws in coverage, and is approaching every drive as an opportunity to score. His refusal to let errors get the best of him has been a necessary talent while the Chargers' defense looks to refine their identity without Shawne Merriman.
Comeback Player of the Year: QB Kerry Collins, TEN
Did anyone think the Titans would be 4-0?
More appropriately, did anyone think it would be with Kerry Collins at the helm?
Collins' life is like a bad inspirational sports movie. It's a tale of the old quarterback that's been written off, but then he's given one more chance. Just like Denzel Washington in Remember the Titans, he's told the job is his until he loses. Then he proceeds to win everyone's heart as he battles personal demons and seemingly insurmountable odds.
Despite the dramatics, Collins brings a much-needed level of consistency to the Titans' offense. He brings respectability to the passing game and alleviates some of the pressure from the Titans' rush attack.
More importantly, he allows an already excellent defense to play more aggressively, as they no longer have to protect leads.
33 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Buddy Smith 9 months ago
I think you can make the case for Cutler in the MVP slot...but offensive player of the year works.
What about that Felix Jones, or Darren McFadden for the rook?
This article is a fun conversation starter. Nice work Angel.
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Angel Navedo 9 months ago
The thing with Cutler is that I'm not sure if it's just a hot-streak he's on. He's played very well, make no mistakes—but he's doing it with help. If he's an MVP candidate, than Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal have to be considered as Co-MVP's. I don't think he could do it alone.
As for Felix Jones, I did edit the article to clarify why I didn't select him. He's a piece of a very strong Dallas system. I haven't watched much of him, but from what I have seen, he's very good. But he's benefited from the system in place. There are too many weapons in Dallas anyway.
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Ryan Droege 9 months ago
Great work as always, Angel.
Personally, I'd put McNabb above Collins. I've always thought the Titans would be better with almost anybody not named Vince Young. They're a phenomenal team that's been slowed by subpar quarterback play. All they need is a guy to manage the offense and not lose the game for them, and Collins is doing just that.
McNabb has come back from the great beyond and is play lights out. 1,100 yards and six TDs are leaps and bounds beyond what most people not residing in Philly were predicting for him.
Either player is a solid choice and should be in the running, if their seasons progress without interruption.
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Angel Navedo 9 months ago
I really did debate with the McNabb and Collins placements. Donovan topped my article a few weeks back about Comeback Players of the Year.
The thing with Collins is that he was even prone to error when he wasn't asked to do much. But being the quarterback no one expected, on an undefeated team at that is definitely a comeback. As the season goes on, I think those two are going to go on a see-saw. With Delhomme chiming in to tip the scales every now and then.
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Zach Kruse 9 months ago
Maybe I'm biased, but Charles Woodson HAS to be considered for some kind of defensive award. He's played the whole year on a broken toe, has 3 interceptions, 2 touchdowns, and held the best receiver in the game (T.O.) to 17 yards on 2 catches. I haven't seen much of Finnegan, but Woodson is playing unbelievable.
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Angel Navedo 9 months ago
You're absolutely right. Woodson is all over the opposition this season. I did consider placing him for your consideration in favor of Justin Tuck, but I had to make one of those tough decisions.
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Nik Scalise 9 months ago
Chris Johnson Rookie Offensive MVP...He is doing great things for my fantasy team.
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Chris Radez 9 months ago
Wonderful job Angel... I'll probably do a similar piece after the trade deadline (with my own flavor, of course).
:)
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Angel Navedo 9 months ago
I look forward to reading it! I had one in mind as well. Something along the lines of "Trades That Have to Happen" or something. But I definitely want to see what you come up with!
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Shaun Ahmad 9 months ago
EXCELLENT work. I was surprised that someone outside of Washington realized that Chris Horton, a 7th round pick, had the three INTs and has played a critical role in the success of the Skins.
Great stuff.
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Angel Navedo 9 months ago
It's his draft place that puts him so high for me. These guys rarely ever make final rosters, let alone take advantage of opportunities on the field. He's going to be really good for the Skins for a long time.
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Todd Morse 9 months ago
no love for the Bills, just how I like it
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Angel Navedo 9 months ago
I'll be real with you, Todd. I really wanted to put Trent Edwards as the close second for MVP. He's blown out teams, and led his teams for some narrow victories. I definitely do have love for him, but it would've been cheating if I just kept naming everyone that could potentially get it, you know?
But how much more love you need? 4-0, atop the division? Don't be greedy, lol.
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Todd Morse 9 months ago
Thats nice of you to say. Edwards is playing really well. This is really good analysis overall. I really thought Campbell was going to be terrible watching him in the preseason.
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Jim Sheridan 9 months ago
Excellent call on deSean Jackson, I picked him up on fantacy after the Dallas game and don't regret it. Also good call on Courtney Finnegan. well done Angel.
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Angel Navedo 9 months ago
Thank you, sir!
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Neel Patel 9 months ago
Matt Forte! With that horrendous offensive line, and Kyle Orton at the helm, the Bears could easily be 4-0, thanks to the defense and.....
Matt Forte for Offensive Rookie of the Year
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Angel Navedo 9 months ago
Neel, at the risk of making you hate me, I have to admit that I'm not sold on Forte. He's doing an excellent job, without a doubt, but I don't think it's indicative of what his career will become. I'll be the first to eat my words if I'm wrong, but I want to see how he plays when the element of surprise is no longer a factor.
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Neel Patel 9 months ago
i agree, but ROY is a 1 yr deal. but the bears do have a bad track record with position players lol.
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Neel Patel 9 months ago
i agree, but ROY is a 1 yr deal. but the bears do have a bad track record with position players lol.
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Jordan Webber 9 months ago
Jake Delhomme for comeback player of the year. This man is comming off a surgury that no other NFL player has been succeccful recovering from. Also, Deangelo Williams was not a mistake. He had just as many yards as Deshawn Foster did last year and not nearly as many carries. Most teams in the NFL are going to the two back system so really bath are the starter.
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Angel Navedo 9 months ago
Fair point. DeAngelo has done very well in Carolina since being drafted. But most teams that look to adopt a two-back system rarely do it with two first round picks. I just have a gut feeling that as time goes on, Stewart will be honored much more in Carolina.
As for Delhomme, you're absolutely right. But I wanted to limit my options to two. While Delhomme has played well, it took Week Four for him to really come back, you know? Trust me, I did feel bad leaving him off.. but I also figured he'd be too easy of a pick to make. I really wanted to try and make a case for some of the other guys that deserve it.
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Ben White 9 months ago
Yay Jason Campbell. Good article.
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Angel Navedo 9 months ago
Thank you very much, sir!
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Ari Horing 9 months ago
Chris Johnson is easily the rookie of the year so far.
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Osi Umenyiora 9 months ago
Good article. But Jason Campbell for MVP? Yeah, he was efficient -- if you consider it efficient to throw for 6 yards on 3rd-and-7, which he did around 25 times against the Giants. Eli for MVP baby. He plays best when the chips are down and singlehandedly pulls his team's chestnuts from the fire whenever he has to.
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Jim Graham 9 months ago
Basing an opinion of Campbell on the Giants game would seem to be missing the point. Entirely.
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John Mckinnon 9 months ago
This may have something to do with Campbell not Eli being the highest rated passer in the NFC East so far. Just maybe.
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Osi Umenyiora 9 months ago
Passer ratings don't take into account W-L records. Like I said, Campbell threw a lot of useless passes that helped his ratings against the Giants but didn't help his team win, and which is most important?
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Jim Graham 9 months ago
It's weird that there really hasn't been a runaway standout performer. Four weeks in, no backs or WRs have hit the 500 yard mark. No QB is putting of the combination of big numbers and big win totals. I suppose Campbell is as good a choice as anyone else, but there are about 8 or 9 players for whom a decent argument could be made for quarter-pole MVP.
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Angel Navedo 9 months ago
I agree, and disagree, Jim. I feel like the lack of a standout performer is more because the standouts of previous years are MIA.
But I also feel like it's a testament to the growing quality of players. It's been four games, and there are a handful of QBs without over 6 touchdown passes. Standout performances are just looking more pedestrian because there are a few more players lighting it up.
Like you said, I made some good choices, but an argument could be made for people across the board. I think I'm alone with Jonathan Stewart is Rookie of the Year, though.
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James Church 9 months ago
the best rookie who is leading his team on offense right now is chris johnson ten titans, there isnt any competition so far and if the titans keep winning he will keep it up, im even a cowboys fans but for some reason they arent using felix to much any way.
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William Blake 9 months ago
Nice article. I agree with James though, Chris Johnson is one of the best rookies out there.
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