Blog Awards

John StepnickJan 5, 2009

League Awards

League MVP

Ian's choice: Chad Pennington (QB-Mia).
Why Pennington over Manning? Easy, Chad won his division. Chad brought a team that was the joke of the league last year to a division title. Adrian Peterson also got consideration for carrying his team to the division title, but I give the nod to Pennington on this one.

John's choice:

Offensive Player of the Year

Ian's choice: Drew Brees (QB-NO)
Brees almost broke Dan Marino's single-season passing record. Even though the Saints finished in last in the NFC South, Brees still had a heck of a year. This team would be dangerous if they had a defense.

John's choice:

Defensive Player of the Year

Ian's choice: James Harrison (LB-Pit)
DeMarcus Ware had more sacks, but Harrison made plays when the team needed it. Ed Reed also got some consideration because of his playmaking ability, but I'm a homer and give the nod to Harrison.

John's choice:

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Ian's choice: Matt Ryan (QB-Atl)
This could have gone to any number of people, including Flacco, Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, Jonathan Stewart, or Steve Slaton, but like Pennington for MVP, Ryan took the helm of a team that was an utter disaster last year and brought them to prominence.

John's choice:

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Ian's choice: Jerod Mayo (LB-NE)
He recorded 128 tackles (10th in the league) as a rookie, but failed to make "splash" plays, finishing with only 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 0 sacks, and 0 INTs.

John's choice:

Comeback Player of the Year

Ian's choice: Chad Pennington (QB-Mia)
After sharing time with Kellen Clemens last year in New York, Pennington directed an 11-5 season for Miami, tying the biggest turnaround by a team in NFL history.

John's choice:

Coach of the Year

Ian's choice: Tony Sparano (Mia)

John's choice:

Assistant Coach of the Year

Ian's choice: Dick LeBeau (Def Coordinator-Pit)

John's choice:

Team Awards

Steelers MVP

Ian's choice: James Harrison

John's choice:

Steelers Offensive POY

Ian's choice: Hines Ward

John's choice:

Steelers Defensive POY

Ian's choice: James Harrison

John's choice:

Rookie of the Year

Ian's choice: Patrick Bailey

John's choice: