Prisco's Awards
Two weeks ago I ranted about the Pro Bowl not waiting until the end of the season to close the polls, thereby penalizing players who crank it up in November and December -- and, yes, I'm talking about Fred Taylor.
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| Brady: 48 TD passes, 8 picks; any arguments? (US Presswire) |
I know because someone told me.
Anyway, not much should change with one weekend, other than New England pushing the 1972 Miami Dolphins off every columnist's speed dial and no more explanations of Tony Romo's travails from that renowned amateur psychologist, Dr. Terrell Owens
So let's get started. What follows is the good, the bad and the Atlanta Falcons.
MVP: Tom Brady, QB, New England. He hasn't lost a game. He's never missed a start. Ever. He set team and league passing records. He's on the verge of hitting 50 in touchdown passes. And he dates the most famous runway model on the planet. Yeah, if only he was attractive he'd have it all. 2. Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay; 3. (tie) Tony Romo, QB, Dallas; Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis.
Offensive Player of the Year: Brady. I'm not sure which is more impressive: the 48 touchdown passes or the eight interceptions. What I am sure of is that we're witnessing a season of such remarkable quarterbacking that it will serve as the platinum standard for years. 2. Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia; 3. Randy Moss, WR, New England.
Defensive Player of the Year: Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee. All I know is when he didn't play, opponents ganged up on the Titans. And when he did suit up the Titans fought back. You can look it up: They were 9-3 with him and 0-3 without. The guy is relentless, and opponents are defenseless. 2. Bob Sanders, S, Indianapolis; 3. (tie) Jared Allen, DE, Kansas City; Patrick Kerney, DE, Seattle.
Coach of the Year: Mike McCarthy, Green Bay. I'm not going to launch into my Why Not Bill Belichick defense again. There's a penalty for breaking the law, and he has a year to sit this one out. McCarthy did the improbable, which was to return prestige, interest and runaway success to a Packers club that a year ago looked old and in need of a redesign. 2. Tony Dungy, Indianapolis; 3. Romeo Crennel, Cleveland.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota. Rewind the videotapes to the 35-17 shredding of San Diego. Then keep going until you get to the 34-31 win over Chicago. That should be enough. The experts were right when they billed this guy as the second coming of Eric Dickerson. 2. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Buffalo; 3. Joe Thomas, T, Cleveland.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco. He just completed a 20-tackle game against Tampa Bay, which is astounding until you consider he had two others with 18 tackles in each. Yes, there is a lot wrong with the 49ers, but you can exclude their first-round draft pick from the conversation. 2. Jon Beason, LB, Carolina; 3. David Harris, LB, N.Y. Jets.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Josh McDaniels, QB coach and offensive coordinator, New England. Brady has a career season, and the Patriots are about to set the league record for scoring, yet all I hear is Belichick, Belichick, Belichick. Sure, credit the guy for hiring McDaniels and giving him a chance, but, pardon me, doesn't Belichick coach defense? It's about time McDaniels is recognized for the accomplishments of his quarterback and his offense. 2. Dirk Koetter, OC, Jacksonville. 3. (tie) Monte Kiffin, DC, Tampa Bay; Jason Garrett, OC, Dallas; Rob Chudzinski, OC, Cleveland.
