Passing Out The Hardware: 2010 NFL Award Winners

The predictions for each team's aspirations have been decided for weeks now. How many games will (insert team) win this year?

That may be difficult to predict, but it's fun to hear some of the arguments.

Looking ahead to this season (which finally begins in less than a week) it's time to figure out who the individual awards could be going to this year.

Of course, individual success can mean team success as well, but not always. I have the winners and the runner up for each individual award for this upcoming NFL season.

Let me know where I am wrong, and who will be getting the award. Some of the picks are safe bets, others may be "reaches". Voice your opinion here.

Comeback Player of the Year: Troy Polamalu, Steelers

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 02: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls out signals during the preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on September 2, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Steelers safety is back, and even though most of the talk has been about his hair this off-season, let it be known that he is ready and focused.

Troy knows that overcoming the loss of Big Ben for the first four games will be key if they want to return to the playoffs.

The Ravens and Bengals are getting all of the talk in the division, but Troy will make sure everyone remembers their defense.

Runner Up: Wes Welker, Patriots

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Dez Bryant, Cowboys

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys holds the ball before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Cowboys Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Bryant is a great fit for the Dallas offense, and you know how much Jerry Jones was salivating before the draft. They made a desperate move to get him because they saw something they liked.

Don’t be surprised if Dez is the No. 1 receiving option going into next season for the Cowboys.

Runner Up: C.J. Spiller, Bills

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Earl Thomas, Seahawks

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 20: Earl Thomas #12 of the Texas Longhorns defends during the game against the Rice Owls on September 20, 2008 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas won 52-10. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Thomas comes in with the title of one of the best corners in the draft. He was outstanding at Texas, and is a true ball hawk.

He has made his fair share of impressive plays this preseason, and with the quarterbacks in the NFC West, the balls should be ripe for the picking.

Runner Up: Rolando McClain, Raiders

Coach of the Year: Mike Singletary, 49ers

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 02: Head coach Mike Singletary watches his team during the San Francisco 49ers training camp at their training complex on August 2, 2010 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

If Singletary is able to take this team to the playoffs in only his second full-season as head coach, he must get a look at this award.

The 49ers have been a joke for the better part of the last decade, and he looks to restore them to the top.

This award depends on your interpretation: Is it the coach with the team that exceeded expectations, or the coach that finishes with the best record?

If it is the latter, it could go to the runner up.

Runner Up: Norv Turner, Chargers

Offensive Player of the Year: Tom Brady, Patriots

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 02: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a first quarter pass against the New York Giants on September 2, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Think of this formula if you will. Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Kevin Faulk and the other three running backs….all…healthy.

A rejuvenated squad is tired of hearing about the Jets and the Dolphins making a run.

They have had a chip on their shoulder ever since losing the Super Bowl to the Giants. Brady will make a statement, as will the rest of the team on offense.

Not sure about another 50 touchdown passes, but look for this offense to put up big numbers all year.

Runner Up: Andre Johnson, Texans

Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Willis, 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 29: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers is introduced against the Jacksonville Jaguars during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on November 29, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Not only has he been great for the 49ers during his relatively short NFL career, but he has been one of the best linebackers in the game since his rookie season.

Labeled by many people as the next Ray Lewis, Willis has been showing his size, speed, and power at the position.

He has transformed the 49ers defense from one of the worst in the league when he entered, to now a top-five level defense in the league.

With No. 52 in the defensive backfield, the 49ers have a shot at the playoffs.

Runner Up: DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys

NFL MVP: Aaron Rodgers, Packers

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GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 26: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks for a receiver against the Indianapolis Colts during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Colts 59-24. (Photo by

Though most fans in Green Bay aren’t ready to list him above No. 4, there is no doubt he is showing the same type of play that Brett showed them for so many years.

Rodgers is in command of an explosive offense that shows no signs of slowing down.

With weapons all around him at his disposal, look for Rodgers to have a Drew Brees-like season under center for the Packers.

If the second half of last season and the games leading up to this regular season have showed us anything, it’s that the offense for the Packers may be one of the best, and Rodgers is in the pilot seat.

Runner Up: Peyton Manning, Colts