Bleacher Report's Preseason Week 2 NFL Awards

The 2015 NFL preseason has reached the halfway point.

For some teams, it came with renewed hope. The Tennessee Titans saw a strong second showing from rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota. Johnny Manziel actually looked like an NFL signal-caller for the Cleveland Browns.

For others, the week brought disaster. A pair of Super Bowl contenders suffered major setbacks, with Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (season-ending ACL injury) and Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey (left ankle surgery likely) both going down.

As they do every week, the National Lead Writers and NFL Analysts here at Bleacher Report gathered together to offer their takes on the best (and worst) of the week that was.

Here's what they had to say.

Team of the Week

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

Winner: Tennessee Titans (5 votes)

Yes, you read that right.

The Tennessee Titans were the worst team in the AFC last year. They didn't look especially good in their preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons, either.

However, Sunday night's 27-14 win against the St. Louis Rams was a different story. Rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota looked sharp delivering the ball on the move. Bishop Sankey ran hard, gaining 45 yards on six carries. The Tennessee offensive line won the battle at the line of scrimmage.

And the Tennessee defense completely stymied the St. Louis Rams' first-team offense. In fact, the Titans defense outscored the Rams' first-team offense.

It was a performance on both sides of the ball that impressed ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky:

"

The Titans were crisp and in control on both sides of the ball, handling a physical football team with relative ease and building a significant lead. It was 10-0 when some starters, including Mariota, were finished, but 17-0 by the time they were all done. Free-agent addition Perrish Cox made a big play early, jumping a Kenny Britt route for an interception he returned for an easy 24-yard touchdown. Cox read the formation. Britt came off kind of slow "and I knew what was coming right when he came off the ball," Cox said.

"

I covered the game for Bleacher Report. Watched every snap.

And I was impressed, too.

Others receiving votes: Philadelphia Eagles (3 votes)

Coach of the Week

David Richard/Associated Press

Winner: Rex Ryan, Buffalo Bills (4 votes)

There are a few things in life that are guaranteed. One day we will all die. The Cleveland Browns will make me cry. Donald Trump's hairpiece is an alien sent to take over the Earth.

You know, the constants.

And Rex Ryan will never be at a loss for words.

Unless, that is, it's in regard to which player the Bills' starting quarterback will be in Week 1, as relayed by the Buffalo News:

"

Will make that, like I said, when I think it’s time. But I want to go through this game, I think this game’s important. We may give all four guys a shot at it, get them in there against Pittsburgh, and then we’ll see. We’ll get together as a staff, with Whales (Doug Whaley) and everybody, and then we’ll see if that’s the appropriate time or not. But we very well may make that decision then, I would anticipate that we would, but like you say we’ll see how long we can keep it from you guys.

"

It's hard to fault Ryan here, especially after he had the sense to afford a quarterback (Tyrod Taylor) a legitimate shot to win the job no one thought he had a chance at.

A job that Taylor appears to be winning.

The former Ravens had a good showing vs. the Browns in an 11-10 victory Thursday, going 7-of-10 for 65 yards through the air while gaining 41 yards on the ground.

Just as in his early days with the New York Jets, the Bills appear to be buying Ryan's rah-rah philosophy.

And in those early days in New York, the Jets were a dangerous football team.

Others receiving votes: Jim Tomsula, San Francisco 49ers (2 votes), Ken Whisenhunt, Tennessee Titans (2 votes)

Goat of the Week

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

"Winner:" Jay Gruden, HC, Washington Redskins (4 votes) 

Does Jay Gruden even want to be head coach of the Washington Redskins?

It's a fair question.

Gruden's made dubious decision after dubious decision since joining the team. His demeanor is more that of a man stuck working a graveyard shift at a Walmart than a coach living his dream. Sure, losing and criticism will wear on you, but it's been this way since Day 1.

Especially where quarterback Robert Griffin III is concerned.

Gruden's apparent disdain for Griffin reached a new low in the team's preseason tilt with the Lions, a 21-17 win, when the coach left Griffin on the field to take numerous shots from the Detroit defense.

In a game that doesn't count.

Jerry Brewer of the Washington Post was left shaking his head:

"

It was quarterback abuse at its ugliest. Griffin dropped back to pass eight times, and he was hit on six of those attempts, including three sacks. He had one pass batted down, the result of Detroit linebacker Tahir Whitehead overpowering Smith. He got off one clean pass in four offensive series. Griffin took blows that made for gruesome instant videos posted on social media. Nevertheless, Gruden kept putting Griffin back in the game, a reckless series of decisions akin to a seaman who declares he fears no storm.

"

I'll just say it. Gruden may well be a fine offensive mind, but he's just out of his depth as a head coach. He's Chan Gailey.

Only Gailey likes quarterbacks.

Others receiving votes: Washington Redskins offensive line (3 votes), Nick Foles, QB, St. Louis Rams (1 vote)

Rookie of the Week

Peter Morgan/Associated Press

Winner: Leonard Williams, DE, New York Jets (8 votes)

Heading into the 2015 NFL draft, more than one pundit, including Mike Mayock of NFL Network, said that USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams was the top overall prospect in the class.

"Williams was the best player in the draft regardless of position," Mayock said. "If you're the Jets, you had to take him. The sky's the limit with this kid. He's stout against the run and athletic as can be."

And as Rich Cimini of ESPN.com wrote, the No. 6 overall pick is rapidly making Mayock and those pundits look pretty prescient:

"

After a relatively quiet start, Williams busted out in a big way in the New York Jets' second preseason game. He made the biggest defensive play, sacking backup quarterback T.J. Yates in the end zone for a safety. Later, he split a sack with Jason Babin and recorded another tackle for loss, earning praise from his coach and teammates. The most effusive review came from Willie Colon, who said, "It's crazy, but he doesn't know how good he can be. He's just playing football. When he gets his bearings, he's going to be scary."

"

Williams' slide to sixth was a gift for the Jets. Then Sheldon Richardson got suspended and the selection looked even better. Now, with Williams shining and Richardson in even more hot water?

It looks like brilliance and a unanimous pick for rookie of the week.

Best QB Performance

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Winner: Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots (5 votes) 

Depending on how the appeal of Tom Brady's Deflategate suspension works out (if you know, you're psychic—buy a lottery ticket), the New England Patriots are going to be without their four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback for anywhere from zero to four games.

If Jimmy Garoppolo's performance Saturday against the New Orleans Saints was any indication, the Pats are going to be just fine either way.

Garoppolo played the majority of the 26-24 win, going 28-of-33 for 269 yards with one touchdown, one interception and even led a game-winning drive.

Yes, that drive came against the Saints reserves, but as Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports wrote, Garoppolo did exactly what the Patriots need him to:

"

Garoppolo had an interception in the second half in which he overthrew his target, but mostly he played in control and was efficient. He didn't take a ton of chances deep downfield but was good at getting the ball out on quick, short throws and also finding receivers at intermediate levels. That's what the Patriots offense is built on anyway, and Garoppolo looked comfortable running it. If you thought the Patriots would be vulnerable with Garoppolo likely starting the first four games, watching Garoppolo complete pass after pass on Saturday night couldn't have been fun.

"

What did you expect? A 0-4 start?

Darth Hoodie's evil powers are strong.

Others receiving votes: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (2 votes), Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins (1 vote)

Best RB Performance

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Winner: Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans (4 votes)

Sunday night I watched the beginning of the apocalypse unfold. And it wasn't the premiere of Fear the Walking Dead.

I watched Tennessee Titans tailback Bishop Sankey run well against a good Rams defense, which I'm pretty sure is a sign that the end is nigh.

Repent.

Kidding aside, Sankey looked nothing like the plodding rookie disappointment of 2014 against St. Louis. In picking up 45 yards on only six carries, Sankey ran mad. He was decisive. He was powerful. He fought for extra yardage.

He looked like a running back who should have been the first player at his position off the board, as he was a year ago.

And he looked like a back firmly out in front in the battle to start at tailback this season for the Titans. 

Others receiving votes: Jeremy Langford, Chicago Bears (2 votes), Zach Zenner, Detroit Lions (1 vote),  Kevin Monangai, Philadelphia Eagles (1 vote)

Best WR Performance

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Winner: Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints (7 votes) 

Heading into the 2015 season, there may not be a more hyped young receiver this side of Odell Beckham Jr. than Brandin Cooks of the New Orleans Saints.

And on Saturday against the New England Patriots, Cooks showed what everyone's all a-twitter about.

Cooks hauled in four passes for 117 yards and a touchdown, although the second-year pro was quick to credit his quarterback while speaking with Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune.

"Obviously, Drew [Brees] puts the ball where it needs to be," he said. "All I have to do is catch the ball. He did all the hard work."

However, someone else saw things a bit differently.

"I'm glad we don't have to play him twice a year and he's not in our division," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said. "He's a really good player."

That's right. Darth Hoodie said something nice.

Others receiving votes: Brandon Gibson, New England Patriots (1 vote)

Best TE Performance

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Winner: Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (5 votes)

As Nick Birdsong of Sporting News reported, injured Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin recently got some moral support from an unusual source:

"

One of the team's youngest supporters took matters into his own hands to wish the wide receiver that would've been Cam Newton's top target in 2015 well. Tight end Greg Olsen's four-year-old son Tate was at the training session in Spartanburg, S.C., when the 6-5, 245-pounder went down. The next day, he wrote his dad's teammate a card, expressing hope that Benjamin comes back stronger than ever. The little man, who'll probably be huge one day, has a heart of gold.

"

It's a sweet story, but a get-well card does little to fill the huge hole left in the Carolina passing game in light of Benjamin's ACL tear.

No, for that the Panthers need Olsen to match last year's career numbers—or better them.

That's no small feat given Olsen's first 1,000-yard receiving season came last year, but there isn't going to be any shortage of targets for the 30-year-old this season.

Olsen had a decent showing in Carolina's 31-30 win over the Miami Dolphins, catching three passes for 27 yards.

Time to go make Tate proud, pops. 

Others receiving votes: Chase Coffman, Tennessee Titans (2 votes), Gerell Robinson, Miami Dolphins (1 vote)

Best Defensive Performance

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Detroit Lions (4 votes) 

There was a good deal of concern this offseason that the Detroit Lions would struggle to repeat last year's defensive success with Ndamukong Suh now in Miami. The Lions must have wondered at least a little themselves, given that the team traded for defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.

Well, Ngata hasn't even made it onto the field yet, but so far so good.

The Lions pummeled Washington's first team in Week 2, forcing Robert Griffin III from the game in the process. Head coach Jim Caldwell told the Associated Press (via CBS Detroit) it remains a work in progress, but he's been impressed by what he's seen so far:

"

I think there’s some encouraging things about it. Obviously we were able to get some pressure on the quarterback, but it’s week by week. I think you make progressions along the way and that was a step in the right direction. We got after the quarterback a little bit better than we did the week before, and we’ll see how we do this next week coming up.

"

Our voters were impressed as well. 

Others receiving votes: Leonard Williams, DE, New York Jets (3 votes), Marcell Dareus, DT, Buffalo Bills (1 vote)

Best Decision

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Rex Ryan taking a hard look at Tyrod Taylor (7 votes)

This is a category where votes are usually all over the place. If there's anything close to a consensus here, somebody did something right.

And our voters believe that's exactly what Rex Ryan did when he allowed Tyrod Taylor a chance to show what he can do.

After Taylor threw for 65 yards and ran for 41 more vs. the Browns (his second straight game with over 40 yards on the ground), Greg Gabriel of the National Football Post believes something else.

He thinks the Bills have found their starter under center in 2015:

"

With the acquisition of LeSean McCoy this spring, they will have a strong running game. They have the makings of a good passing attack with Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, and Percy Harvin at wide receiver. All Taylor has to do is play within himself, not turn the ball over, and the Bills will have a chance in every game.

Having watched their first two pre-season games, I believe that Taylor can do that. He has a strong arm and shows good timing and accuracy with his throws. Really, all he needs is game experience to help develop his confidence. I have not seen him make a poor throw in the first two games.

While Taylor will never be mistaken for the likes of Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck, he can be similar to Michael Vick in his prime. If that happens, the Buffalo Bills may well be the surprise team of the AFC in 2015!

"

Given that the alternatives are Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel, I'm not inclined to argue.

Others receiving votes: 49ers removing NaVorro Bowman after just three plays (1 vote)

Worst Decision

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

"Winner:" Leaving RG3 in against the Lions (5 votes)

We've already touched on Jay Gruden's decision to leave in Robert Griffin III at quarterback against the Detroit Lions despite the pounding he was taking, and despite the fact that left tackle Trent Williams was pulled after a single series.

The result? A concussion for Griffin and questions galore. Accusations, too.

Such as the one from one NFL head coach, per Bleacher Report NFL Lead Writer Mike Freeman, that the decision was more personal than pragmatic:

"

What is baffling is that I can't think of a single head coach in the NFL who would take an injury-prone quarterback, put him behind a very shaky offensive line, in a preseason game, watch him take those kinds of hits and leave him in the game. It looks personal to me.

I have never, ever, on any level, seen a head coach treat his quarterback with such a lack of respect.

"

You read that right. Another head coach honestly believes one of his peers got his own star quarterback concussed out of spite.

Like I said—Gruden is in over his head.

Others receiving votes: Chip Kelly calling the zone-read with Sam Bradford (2 votes), Redskins pulling Trent Williams after one series (1 vote)

Player of the Week

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo Bills (7 votes) 

Last week, after a solid preseason debut from Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo general manager Doug Whaley told Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News that the former Ravens backup had all the tools an NFL team needs in a starting quarterback:

"

It’s a production-based business. He produced with the twos so we’re excited for him to get in there Thursday with the ones to see what he can do. Everybody knows what he can do with his feet. But I’m impressed with a couple of his throws.

He’s got everything you’re looking for. We just have to make sure he can produce when his time’s called.

"

Not only did Taylor hold up his end of the deal, but he looked better in preseason game No. 2.

However, as I mentioned earlier, Ryan said he's in no hurry to name a starter for the season opener.

Taylor insisted to Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today that despite the success and added attention, nothing has changed in his eyes.

“All you can do is focus on your job," Taylor said. "They’re going to make a decision they feel is best for the team, anyway.”

It appears the best thing for the team is Taylor under center at home against the Indianapolis Colts on September 13. 

Others receiving votes: Sam Bradford, QB, Philadelphia Eagles (1 vote)