This much is clear when we talk about the 2009 NFL season. There are the “have’s” and the “have-not’s”. The pundits will tell us that there are some truly exceptional teams and there are some really crappy teams. Things have changed so much from what we thought we knew at the beginning of the season, to what we thought at the quarter pole, to what has defined at the end of the first half speaks volumes to the parity in the NFL. With that being said, here the studs who are making some of these teams play phenomenally. Oh, and I definitely expect some of you to disagree. Here we go…
MVP of the 1st Half: Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings
Obviously the easier choices here are Drew Brees and Peyton Manning, as their teams are both 8-0. However, nothing about their offense is any different that its been in prior years. Minnesota on the other hand, had been EXTREMELY handicapped in recent years as they relied on the likes of Brooks Bollinger, Gus Frerotte, and the Tavaris Jackson experience. #4 has made this team a Super Bowl contender and has energized an offense that now all of a sudden has a ton of playmakers, plus the ability to change the world with a single throw. Look at Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, and Sidney Rice…is there a better trio of WR’s in the league right now better than those three? Purple Jesus is still in the backfield, and the fact remains that this offensive line is very solid. The 40-year old graybeard can sit back in his Wranglers’ and pick apart defenses like he’s shooting cans on a fenceline. Easy pickin’.
Offensive Player of the 1st Half: Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals
Clearly if I went by the pure numbers then you’d again go with Brees or Manning, or even by who’s leading the league in rushing I could’ve selected Chris Johnson of the Titans, however…there’s no way in hell you could’ve told me that in 2009 that CEDRIC BENSON would be 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards and on pace to finish with almost 1700 yards rushing??!? Never, couldn’t happen. He wins this by a landslide, its not even close.
Defensive Player of the 1st Half: Darren Sharper, New Orleans Saints
For someone who was released by the Minnesota Vikings, for someone who’s been an all-time great in our generation of football, to see that the Saints safety already has 7 interceptions through 8 games and has helped turn a mediocre defensive 11 into an elite 11 is truly astounding. D-Sharp is doing it all, as he has returned three interceptions for touchdowns this year and has assumed a leadership role for his team. My buddy Tyrell, who is an avid Saints fan, would always get nervous when teams would throw deep on the Saints. They were liable to give up a big play nearly every time. Sharper has eliminated that fear, and is leading the Saints to glory in 2009.
Rookie of the 1st Half: Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings
By far the easiest choice I’ve made in a long time. Easier than choosing Alpha, easier than choosing my prom date back in high school, easier than choosing my favorite ice cream, (butter pecan) Percy Harvin has done EVERYTHING the Vikings have asked him to and excelled. Catching the ball, running the ball, returning the ball…Percy’s done it all. He is the essential X-Factor in football, and anytime he gets his hands on the ball he is feared that he’ll take it to the house.
Coach of the 1st Half: Josh McDaniels, Denver Broncos
Simply put, I cannot believe what’s going on in Denver. There was more turmoil in the Mile High City than could ever be imagined and they hadn’t even played a game yet. He traded away their supposed franchise QB, had multiple quarrels with their superstar wide receiver, and made some questionable free agent acquisitions in the off-season. They were picked to be in the CELLAR behind the RAIDERS & CHIEFS! What???? Now they are 6-2 and sitting pretty atop the AFC West where the Chargers were predicted to stand all along. Yes they just hit a 2-game skid, but there’s no shame in losing to the Ravens and Steelers. McDaniels is a smart & young coach and he’ll figure it out. Denver’s making us all look real bad.
Team of the 1st Half: Indianapolis Colts
No Marvin Harrison, no Anthony Gonzalez, no Bob Sanders, and a severely depleted offensive line have all been major speed bumps to the Colts. However, losing the Gandhi of pro football in Tony Dungy might be an even bigger blow to this team. Yet, Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Dwight Freeney have manned up and put on a masterful performance through the first 8 games of this season. #18 is simply a maestro on the football field. I don’t even think Jim Caldwell is actually coaching anyone out there, he’s just a figurehead. #18 does it all. The defense has been high-energy all year and there are a ton of new faces that are continually making plays for this team. Plus, with the AFC as loaded as it is now, their 8-0 record looks all the more elite with every passing week.
THOUGHTS ON THE 1ST HALF AWARDS? WHO WOULD YOU PICK? LET US KNOW YOUR PICKS!
-Ed.
Article by Eddie Maisonet
Ed The Sports Fan is a twenty-something sports & lifestyle blogger from Oklahoma. He writes the 2008 Best Black Sports Blog. Check him out at www.edthesportsfan.com.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I’d take the Saints over the Colts. The Colts start every year like this, the saints however normally look good and can score but don’t reflect it in the record. They’ve dominated, they’ve come from behind, the O has put up points like they were on sale, when they couldn’t the defense scored.
You are killing me with your picks. Denver just got BLASTED two weeks straight where there offense only put up 10 points in those two games and he was an offensive coordinator prior to Denver.. Now Brett Farve should have some consideration of MVP I will give you that, but if you take Favre out of the line up the would still be a playoff team, unlike the Colts with no Manning or the Saints with no Brees. The Saints would be marginal at best with out Brees and Colt would be about the same with Manning. MVP means that you are the MOST VALUABLE. Vikings could lost Farve and still be 10-6. Ed I challenge you to make more resposible choices with you Mid Season Awards. Defensive Player of the year is correct only because that Troy in Pittsburgh missed some games. Holla Back Eddie.
Thanks for your consideration “The Coldest” however I challenge you with a couple of points…
#1. Denver was picked to be IN THE CELLAR with the things that happened in the offseason. They were 6-2 as of the article and leading their division. That’s huge. Lost a franchise QB, dissension with their franchise WR, and suspect offseason moves. Just a thought.
#2. Favre off of the Vikings makes them a good team, Favre on the Vikings makes them fearsome and a surefire Super Bowl contender. That is immensely valuable.
#3. If you want responsible choices then read ESPN, i find responsible choices as you don’t have any nuts. Stank you very much.
-Ed.
Dear Eddie I sense that you are a little angry based on your last comment. Denver is who we thought they were from the jump they won in Cincy off a tipped ball and two of there wins came against the Brown (CLOWNS) and the Raiders, then the ravens and Steelers smashed them, their offense is only scoring an average of less than 10 points (9pts to be exact) over the last three weeks. Its in the Numbers Eddie. Eddie I advised you in my earlier post that Favre should have some consideration, but if you take Peyton/Brees off there respective teams they would be .500 at best. Farve is handing the Ball to the best back in football (Arguably). Now Eddie you talk about nuts it seems to me you lack the NUTTS to do the research to back your picks. I see that you are not up to a CHALLENGE because you don’t want me to read you post. SCARED. MVP means most valuable player and when you look at it Brees/Peyton are the most valuable because without them there teams will lose more games. Eddie I hope that you will not be angered by post.
Clearly these are the 1st half awards, not the end of the year awards…there isn’t any shame in losing to the Ravens and Steelers, not at all. It is what it is. Moreover, I would say this about the Saints, Darren Sharper got the vote of defensive MVP for a reason…that team isn’t doing anything different offensively then they did a year ago. They’re 9-0 because of the defense. So major kudos to #42. I can’t really argue with Manning, but i could make Manning the MVP every year, so I chose someone else.
Fact is, these are midseason awards, hell in one weeks time Denver lost their QB, Benson’s hurt, and the coach of the year is Bill Belichick just off the decision he made last night (regardless of if it worked or not)
And you could never make me angry, I just appreciate the commentary. Thanks bruh.
-Ed.