Midseason Awards: Brees class of unclear MVP field

Judge's Midseason Awards | Team by team report

Can we have a season without a legitimate MVP candidate?

Well, we're halfway through and I'm not sure we have one. Look at the really good teams at the top and you decide.

Drew Brees: On track for Dan Marino's single-season yardage record. (AP)

Pick an MVP for the 7-0 Tennessee Titans. Quarterback? Nope. Runners? Nope. So look to the defense, which has carried the team. Maybe defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth deserves consideration, but can he be the MVP?

Try the New York Giants. Eli Manning is having a good season, but not MVP quality. The defense has been dominant, but nobody is to be confused with Lawrence Taylor.

So who is it? We really don't have one.

But for the sake of giving out the MVP in our halfway awards it came down to Washington running back Clinton Portis and New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees.

I opted for Brees.

Here's how. The Saints are 4-4, but Brees is the primary reason they're that good. He has thrown for 2,563 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has done so without his top weapons for most of the season and he has received little help in the running game.

Portis has rushed for a league-leading 944 yards. He's a big reason the Redskins are 6-2, but there are a lot of other factors. Among them: Santana Moss, Jason Campbell's interception-less season and a defense ranked in the top 10.

So Brees it is.

If this were the end of the season, it would be tough to give out the award. Here's hoping in the second half a clear MVP emerges.

MVP

Drew Brees, QB, Saints. Where would the Saints be without him? Runners-up: Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins; Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals; Albert Haynesworth, DT, Titans; Eli Manning, QB, Giants.

Offensive player

Brees. He's on a pace to break Dan Marino's single-season record for passing yards. Wow. Runners-up: Portis; Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers; Andre Johnson, WR, Texans; Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals.

Defensive player

Albert Haynesworth, DT, Titans. He's in a contract year and he's about to get paid in a big way. Runners-up: Charles Woodson, CB, Packers; Kevin Williams, DT, Vikings; Justin Tuck, DE, Giants; James Harrison, LB, Steelers; Ray Lewis, LB, Ravens; Cortland Finnegan, CB, Titans; Joey Porter, LB, Dolphins.

Offensive rookie

Chris Johnson has been great for the Titans. (Getty Images)

Chris Johnson, RB. Tennessee Titans. From the minute I saw him in camp, I knew he'd be a star. He has the speed and the ability to make people miss. Runners-up: Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons; Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens; DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles; Matt Forte, RB, Bears; Steve Slaton, RB, Texans; Jake Long, T, Dolphins; Ryan Clady, T, Broncos.

Defensive rookie

Jerod Mayo, LB, Patriots. He has added speed to a unit that cried for it. Runners-up: Brandon Flowers, CB, Chiefs; Chris Horton, S, Redskins; Chris Long, DE, Rams; Kendall Langford, DE, Dolphins; Curtis Lofton, LB, Falcons; Charles Godfrey, S, Panthers.

Coach

Jeff Fisher, Titans. Tennessee is undefeated with a backup quarterback. Amazing job. Runners-up: Mike Smith, Falcons; Jim Zorn, Redskins; Tom Coughlin, Giants; Dick Jauron, Bills.

Assistant coach

Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator, Titans. They give up 12.4 points a game. Time to give this guy a head-coaching job. Runners-up: Steve Spagnuolo, defensive coordinator, Giants; Kevin Gilbride, offensive coordinator, Giants; Rex Ryan, defensive coordinator, Ravens; Todd Haley, offensive coordinator, Cardinals; Dick LeBeau, defensive coordinator, Steelers; Mike Munchak, offensive line coach, Titans.

Best free-agent pickup

Michael Turner, RB, Falcons. He has done a great job helping his young team control the football. Runners-up: Jeff Faine, C, Bucs; Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks; Travis Laboy, DE, Cardinals; Asante Samuel, CB, Eagles; Alan Faneca, G, Jets.

Worst free-agent pickup

Jerry Porter is hardly an option for the Jags. (Getty Images)

Jerry Porter, WR, Jaguars. He has fought through hamstring surgery, but he has one catch. One. Runners-up: Javon Walker, WR, Raiders; Corey Williams, DT, Browns; Ernest Wilford, WR, Dolphins; Donte' Stallworth, WR, Browns.

Most-improved player

Kyle Orton, QB, Bears. He has become a guy who can win a game with his arm. Runners-up: Jay Cutler, QB, Bears; Reggie Bush, RB, Saints; Michael Griffin, S, Titans; Matt Jones, WR, Jaguars; Harvey Dahl, G, Falcons; Trent Edwards, QB, Bills; Gaines Adams, DE, Bucs.

Comeback player

Richard Seymour, DE, New England Patriots. Some tried to bury him last season after he missed time with injuries. Healthy again, he's playing at a Pro Bowl level again. Runners-up: Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins; Brandon Lloyd, WR, Bears; Ricky Williams, RB, Dolphins; Antonio Bryant, WR, Bucs

Best game

Denver 39, San Diego 38 in Week 2. Most will remember that game for Ed Hochuli's blown call that gave Denver the game. Lost in that was a terrific game that saw the Chargers rally to take the lead in the second half only to have the Broncos win in the final seconds. Runners-up: Denver 34, New Orleans 32 in Week 3; Dallas 41, Philadelphia 37 in Week 2; New Orleans 37, San Diego 32 in Week 8; Arizona 30, Dallas 24 in Week 6.

Worst moment

Hochuli blowing the call in the Denver-San Diego game, costing the Chargers a victory -- and, who knows, maybe the playoffs. Runner-up: Tom Brady going down with the knee injury.