Prisco's Midseason Awards: Matt Ryan, not Tom Brady, is MVP; Zeke among top rookies
Cam Newton and the Packers are among the biggest disappointments halfway through 2016
By
Pete Prisco
•
3 min read
It would be easy to give New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady the MVP for the first half of the season. He's been on fire since returning from his four-game suspension, playing perhaps the best football of his career, which is saying something.
But I penalize him for missing four games. So in my halfway awards, I will go with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan as my halfway MVP. Ryan has been sensational leading the Falcons to a 6-3 record in first place in the NFC South.
Ryan leads the NFL in passing yards (2,930 yards), touchdowns (23) and is averaging an amazing 9.5 yards per attempt. Ryan's passer rating is 119.2, by far the best of his career.
This comes after a year in 2015 where some foolishly questioned whether he was a good quarterback. That's because Ryan threw 16 interceptions and 21 touchdowns for a team that struggled.
It was a case where he was miscast in the offense. He was asked to do too much outside the pocket, which is not his strong point. That led to my criticism of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
But I want to now give a lot of credit to Shanahan for adapting. There are too many coaches who are stubborn in the NFL and won't adjust to their players, but rather make their players adjust to them.
Shanahan, the son of former NFL coach Mike Shanahan, has changed his offense to fit Ryan. He is using him much more in the pocket, which is where he belongs. The result is a big-play passing game that leads the NFL in scoring and has made Shanahan a candidate to be a head coach next year.
As much as I would love to say Brady deserves to be the halfway MVP, I think it has to be Ryan.
Now for the rest of the first-half awards:
MVP: Matt Ryan, Falcons
He is on pace to throw for the third-highest yardage total in league history. Can anybody slow him down? Runners-up: Tom Brady, QB. Patriots, Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys and Derek Carr, QB, Raiders.
Coach: Jason Garrett, Cowboys
He is 7-1 with the best team in the NFC with a fourth-round rookie starter at QB. Runners-up: Mike Zimmer, Vikings; Bill Belichick, Patriots; Dan Quinn, Falcons; Jack Del Rio, Raiders; and Adam Gase, Dolphins.
Offensive Player: Tom Brady, Patriots
He has 12 touchdown passes and no picks and has lit up every team he's faced. Runners-up: Derek Carr, QB, Raiders; Drew Brees, QB, Saints; Julio Jones, WR, Falcons; David Johnson, RB, Cardinals; and Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys,
Defensive Player: Von Miller, Broncos
He leads the NFL in sacks with 9½ and he's been disruptive more than that numbers indicate. He is a game changer. Runner-up: Aaron Donald, DT, Rams.
Offensive Rookie: Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys
He leads the NFL in rushing with 891 yards. He is averaging 5.0 yards per rush. Runners-up: Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys; Jordan Howard, RB, Bears; and Laremy Tunsil, G, Dolphins.
Defensive Rookie: Joey Bosa, Chargers
He has four sacks in five games. He's also been disruptive in the run game. Runners-up: Keanu Neal, S, Falcons; Deion Jones, LB, Falcons; Su'a Cravens, S, Redskins; and Jalen Ramsey, CB, Jaguars.
Assistant coach: Dante Scarnecchia, Patriots
He fixed a trouble spot for a team that needed it. He's done an amazing job with the offensive line. Runner-up: Kyle Shanahan, offensive coordinator, Falcons.
Biggest surprise team: Falcons
They are in first place, which few saw coming. Runners-up: Giants, Lions and Saints.
Biggest surprise player: Lorenzo Alexander, Bills
He is tied for the league lead in sacks with nine. He's been a free-agent bargain. Runners-up: Jay Ajayi, RB, Dolphins.
Most disappointing team: Packers
They are losing games at home, which is a bad sign. The offense hasn't come close to being the same team. Runners-up: Cardinals, Jaguars and Steelers.
Most disappointing player: Cam Newton, Panthers
The MVP hasn't come close to his 2015 numbers. He just hasn't looked like the same player. Runners-up: Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals; Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers; and Blake Bortles, QB, Jaguars.
