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.
For your consideration: QB Donovan McNabb, PHI
Since the Super Bowl appearance, fans have wondered when the Donovan McNabb era would draw to a close in Philadelphia. Hampered by nagging injuries over the last three seasons, expectations for McNabb and a full return to quality play were at a low.
Finally returned to health, McNabb has been able to do all of the things that made him a great quarterback earlier in his career. He is mobile, tough, and continues to bring the best out of his receivers.
Going into the season, speculation ran wild regarding the quality of McNabb's targets. Four weeks into the season, and there isn't a defense on the Eagles' schedule that isn't watching Hank Baskett and DeSean Jackson.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: RB Jonathan Stewart, CAR
There are a few candidates for this honor. Felix Jones has played well, but he's merely an addition to an already effective system. Jonathan Stewart has been exactly what Carolina
We're going to send you the most entertaining Washington Redskins articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
33 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete