San Francisco 49ers: Season's First Half Awards

As the San Francisco 49ers emerge from their bye week, now is an ideal time to take a look at some of the 49ers' top awards for the first portion of the season. 

The 49ers are one of the pleasant surprises in the league, as their 5-1 start has them three games ahead of their nearest rivals in the NFC West.

We'll have some fun with the awards.  It's good to be a 49ers fan again!

Offensive Line Standout: Mike Iupati

The San Francisco 49ers selected Mike Iupati with the 17th-overall pick in the first round of the 2010 draft. 

Iupati played his college ball for the Idaho Vandals—not exactly a football powerhouse. 

He immediately impressed the 49ers with his work ethic, strength and tough-minded presence.

Iupati has the attitude that he wants to dominate you on the football field.  His run-blocking is superior, and he is also a solid pass-blocker.

Only in his second year with the 49ers, Iupati has already developed into their top offensive lineman.  He is both consistent and good. 

Iupati will be a Pro Bowl guard in the near future.

Top Skill Position Player: Vernon Davis

Vernon Davis is the 49ers' top pass-catching threat. 

He has 24 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns. 

Davis has good size and speed, so he creates mismatches for the 49ers.  Linebackers have trouble covering Davis because he is too fast for them.  Defensive backs also have problems because Davis is too big.

The 49ers have had injury problems at the wide receiver position, so quarterback Alex Smith has relied on Davis and fellow tight end Delanie Walker to make plays. 

Davis is also an excellent blocker and a key to the success of the 49ers' running game.

Offensive MVP: Frank Gore

Frank Gore has rebounded from a slow start to his 2011 season. 

He has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of his last three games, including a season-high 141 yards in the 49ers' win over the Lions.

Gore missed the final five games of 2010 with a severe hip injury.  There were rumblings that he had lost his explosiveness after the first three games of this season. 

All of that is now forgotten.  Gore is back to his old form.

Gore has rushed for 541 yards on 109 carries, good for a 5.0 average.  He has also scored four touchdowns. 

Gore's is one of those heart-and-soul players.  He is respected by his teammates for his work ethic and the way he plays the game—all-out on every play. 

Gore's effectiveness also takes a lot of pressure off of Alex Smith, which makes Gore our Offensive MVP.

Defensive Line Standout: Justin Smith

Justin Smith earned Pro Bowl honors in 2009 and 2010. 

He is well on his way to another trip to the Pro Bowl in 2011.

Smith plays with the proverbial never-ending motor.  His hustle and determination have made him into one of the top defensive ends in the league.

No play exemplified this more than late in the Philadelphia game, with the Niners holding a slim lead. Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin had caught the ball and was running deep into 49ers territory. 

Smith never gave up on the play and hit Maclin from behind, some 20 yards down the field.  Maclin fumbled the ball, the 49ers recovered, enabling them to win the game.

Smith has 4.5 sacks thus far in 2011.  He is the unquestioned leader along the 49ers' defensive front, and his work ethic is becoming legendary.

Linebacker of the Year: Navorro Bowman

Navorro Bowman was a third-round pick in the 2010 draft. 

He played behind Takeo Spikes in his rookie campaign but showed flashes of his athleticism and ability when given the chance.

When Spikes left as a free agent for San Diego, Bowman stepped into the starting inside linebacker spot, next to fellow backer Patrick Willis. 

Bowman has been both consistent and spectacular.  He is one of the main reasons the 49ers defense is the No. 1 rated unit in the NFC.

Bowman has accounted for 41 tackles and 13 assists in only six games.  He and Willis are arguably the top inside linebacker combo in the NFL.

Defensive Back Standout: Carlos Rogers

The San Francisco 49ers signed Carlos Rogers as a free agent this offseason. 

He has led an opportunistic 49ers defense that has improved steadily as the season has progressed.

Rogers has a career-high three interceptions in just the first six games of the year.  He has been the best cover man on the 49ers defense and is also a good tackler on running plays.

Rogers signed a one-year deal to come to the 49ers, and the team will try to complete a contract extension to keep him for the long term.

Defensive MVP: Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis is the cornerstone of the 49ers defense. 

As one of the team captains, he leads the defense with his effort and performance.

Willis has made the Pro Bowl in each of his previous four seasons.  He is also a three time All-Pro selection.  2011 should be no different, as Willis is having another stellar season.

Willis has accounted for 37 tackles and 10 assists thus far in 2011. 

He is an outstanding player and deserves the nod for our defensive MVP.

Top 2011 Rookie: Aldon Smith

Aldon Smith was the seventh pick in the 2011 NFL draft.  He was an underclassman that came out early. 

The 49ers hoped he would ultimately bring a strong pass-rush to the 49ers defense.

Smith has come along faster than expected and is now getting a lot of playing time.  He is pressing Parys Haralson for the starting job, although he is still quite raw in pass coverage.

Smith is best suited as a pass-rushing specialist—this is where he excels. 

He leads the 49ers in sacks with 5.5.  We will continue to see this young rookie get increased playing time, and he will continue to develop.  Smith has the potential to be an impact player whenever he is on the field.

Comeback Player of the Year: Alex Smith

Alex Smith was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft. 

He has failed to live up to expectations and has been lustily booed throughout his career in San Francisco.

Following the 2010 season, 49ers fans were ready to run Smith out of town—and he was more than willing to leave, also. 

The 49ers then hired Jim Harbaugh as their head coach.

Harbaugh carefully watched film on Smith and liked what he saw.  He also had a chance to talk to Smith, and the two hit it off very well.  The lockout also limited Harbaugh's options, so he convinced GM Trent Baalke to offer Smith a contract and also convinced Smith to stay in San Francisco.

Nobody would have ever believed Smith would be back after the 2010 season.  Harbaugh went out on a limb and believed in Smith.  He also believed in his own ability to teach Smith how to play quarterback in the NFL.

Fortunately for all concerned, he was right. 

Alex Smith has played well and managed the games effectively.  He has completed 63.3 percent of his passes and thrown for eight touchdowns and only two interceptions. 

Smith went from being on the first plane out of town to now being the quarterback of a 5-1 team.  For his efforts and performance, Smith is our Comeback Player of the Year.

Top Special Teams Performer: David Akers

The Special Teams award is the toughest to give out. 

We have Ted Ginn Jr., who returned two punts for touchdowns in the opening game of the year.  Ginn has given the 49ers a positive jolt when they need it in the return game.

Punter Andy Lee has been excellent.  He has helped the 49ers win the field-position battle with his directional punting inside the 20-yard line.  He also has been booming punts when he needs it.

However, I must give the Special Teams award to David Akers. 

He has been rock solid on field goals, converting 13 of his 18 attempts.  His kickoffs have been good, and he is a proven performer in the clutch.

Unsung Hero Award: Andy Lee

Andy Lee is second in the NFL in punting, with a 50.5 yards per punt average. 

His net punting is tied for the top in the league at 44.4 yards, also.

Lee has also dropped nine punts inside the 20-yard line.  His effectiveness has helped the 49ers to win the field-position battle. 

Lee is the recipient of the Unsung Hero award.

Difference Maker Award: Vic Fangio

Vic Fangio is the defensive coordinator for the 49ers. 

He has done a tremendous job building the 49ers defense into a tough, hard-hitting group.

The San Francisco defense has improved dramatically as the season has progressed.  The main reason for the improvement is Fangio. 

He is a true difference maker for the 49ers.

NFL Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh has led the 49ers to a 5-1 record. 

He has taken a team that finished fourth in the NFC West and transformed them into the surprise of the league.

Harbaugh has instilled a belief in this team that they can win the tough, close games.  Harbaugh has also helped Alex Smith immensely.  Smith is developing into a solid NFL quarterback, and he owes it all to Harbaugh.

Harbaugh gets my vote for the NFL Coach of the Year.

San Francisco Has Been the Surprise of the League

The San Francisco 49ers have been one of the biggest surprises in the league. 

They own a 5-1 record and lead the NFC West by a three-game margin over Seattle.

With 10 games remaining, the 49ers still have five against division opponents.  Their road to the playoffs looks extremely good, and the 49ers are the talk of the town in San Francisco. 

This team has a top-notch defense that will keep them in every game, and the offense is improving week by week.

This group believes in what Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff are teaching. 

Success breeds success, and the 49ers are firmly positioned on the road to the playoffs.