So, the regular season is over. My New York Giants finished a respectable 10-6, good for the 6th best record in the NFC, but miss the playoffs. The season for the New York Jets, however, continues. So there is much to write about. Previews for the playoffs will be coming shortly, but first let's hand out some hardware. Not in the literal sense.
This season has shown some great stories, and some that you wish would just end (e.g. Brett Favre). We've seen some great successes like LeGarrete Blount. We've seen some great demises as well, like Wade Phillips. Turnaround seasons from Tampa Bay and Kansas City show us that new talents and new playoff pictures are always around the corner. Same old stories never give up either like Eric Mangini fired again, or Peyton Manning winning another division title. Let's get down to business.
AFC Rookie of the Year
Oddly enough, the two front runners for this award play the same position. On the same team. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez put up some gaudy numbers as rookie tight ends. They give Tom Brady more weapons, but I feel like Brady can do what he does with high schoolers on the field. Gronkowski snagged 42 balls for 546 yards and 10 TDs. Aaron Hernandez caught 45 balls for 563 yards and 6 TDs. Being that yards and receptions are neck and neck, the AFC Rookie of the Year honor goes to Rob Gronkowski for hauling in more touchdowns.
AFC Comeback Player of the Year
I was tempted to handily give out this award to Terrell Owens, but I remembered that Dwayne Bowe had a horrendous season last year. And this year? Well let's take a look, shall we? In 2009, Dwayne Bowe played in 11 games. He caught 47 balls for 589 yards, and a dismal 4 touchdowns. In 2010, Bowe flipped the switch. He played in all 16 games. In those 16 games, he caught 72 balls for 1,162 yards. Oh yea, he also had 15 touchdowns. No brainer here guys and gals. The AFC Comeback player of the year is without question Dwayne Bowe.
AFC Coach of the Year
This is always a tough category, because so many coaches do a great job. Rex Ryan, for all his flaws got the Jets back to the playoffs without a good quarterback. Tom Cable saw the Raiders through an unbeaten Divisional schedule. Yes, the Radiers. Bill Belichick is, well he's Bill Belichick. But the most impressive jobs done in the AFC this year were by Jim Caldwell for holding his finger in the dike for so long, and Todd Haley for taking the Chiefs from 4-12 to 10-6, good for a divisional crown. I'm a sucker for turn around stories, so the AFC Coach of the Year award goes to Todd Haley.
AFC Most Valuable Player
I save this award for last because it's the biggest one to dole out. But everyone knows who I am going to give it to. Doing more with less, Tom Brady had a remarkable season. With old friend, Deion Branch back in the fold along with Wes Welker, Danny Woodhead (Kevin Faulk 2.0) and his two rookie tight ends aforementioned, Brady had one of his most accurate seasons ever. He threw only 4 interceptions all year. He passed for 3,900 yards and 36 touchdowns, second best career mark. Another no brainer. AFC MVP, thy name is Tom Brady.
NFC Rookie of the Year
This is a lot tougher than the AFC was. Lots of good rookies had seasons worthy of this award. Sam Bradford had an admirable rookie campaign, and almost lead the Rams to a playoff home game. He threw for 3,512 yards, completed 60% of his passes, and threw for 18 touchdowns along with 15 picks. LeGarrette Blount rushed for 1,006 yards and 6 touchdowns in 201 attempts in only 13 games. The most impressive NFC rookie, however, was on the defensive side of the ball. Ndamukong Suh recorded 66 tackles (49 solo), 10 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and an interception for a touchdown. He also attempted a PAT and missed. Roll on big man. Right towards NFC Rookie of the year honors.
NFC Comeback Player of the Year
This is another no brainer. But let's discuss some of the contenders. Osi Uymeniora had a great bounce back season. He recorded 48 tackles (33 solo), 11.5 sacks, and forced an NFL tying-record 10 fumbles. John Abraham also had a great bounce back year. Abraham, coming off a disappointing 2009 campaign, came back with a vengeance, recording 40 tackle (35 solo), 13 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception. No one can compare to the Comeback season Michael Vick has put together. In 12 games, Vick has passed for 3,018 yards, thrown for 21 touchdowns against only 6 interceptions, and rushed for 676 yards with 9 touchdowns. The only bad stat are his 11 fumbles. But he takes the NFC Comeback Player of the Year Award hands down.
NFC Coach of the Year
More hard choices here. Andy Reid is always a contender, especially this year, when no one expected the Eagles to make the playoffs. Raheem Morris said early on that his team was the best in the NFC, and while they didn't make the playoffs, his team seemed to have bought into that statement and maybe in Morris too. Steve Spagnuolo turned the Rams around from a one win team a year ago, to 7-9 and nearly made the playoffs. Lovie Smith, Mike Smith, and Pete Carroll are all deserving too. But I will give it to Spagnuolo. To turn a franchise around so quickly as he has done is remarkable, and he is most deserving of this crowded field. Congratulations Spags, you're my NFC Coach of the Year.
NFC Most Valuable Player
While Roddy White and Matt Ryan made strong arguments in the beginning of the season for this award, Michael Vick just plowed right through their hopes of receiving the award in the middle of the season. But while Michael Vick faded in the last couple weeks of the season, their was one player who actually fought his way into the playoffs, and frankly, I'm surprised no one is really talking about him for MVP. Aaron Rodgers put up some great numbers this year, and while all of America has been on the fence of Michael Vick's success, Rodgers has quietly gone to work, and has done some fine quarterbacking for the Packers. Vick played in 12 games this year, throwing for 3,018 yards, 21 TDs and 6 picks. That's good for a 100.2 QB Rating. Aaron Rodgers has played in 15 games, throwing for 3,922 yards, 28 TDs, and 11 interceptions. His completion percentage was 65.7%, which is 5th in the league behind Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Phillip Rivers, and Tom Brady respectively. See Michael Vick 5 rungs down behind all of those guys plus Jon Kitna, David Garrard, Matt Schaub, and Eli Manning. Rodgers QB rating was good for 101.2, good for 3rd in the league, also ahead of Vick. Without Aaron Rodgers, the Packers would be without a doubt golfing right now. My NFC MVP is Aaron Rodgers.
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