We’re already coming up on November and the halfway point of the 2008 NFL season, and what a season it’s been so far.
At the start of the season, who’d have expected the Tennessee Titans to be 7-0 right now and four games ahead of the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South? What about the San Diego Chargers being 3-5, despite Phillip Rivers having a career season?
Then there are the injuries to some of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, as Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Carson Palmer, and Matt Hasselbeck are all sidelined right now, with Brady and now Palmer done for ‘08.
So who are the best of the best so far? Everyone has their opinions, so I know mine are both alike and different than others. With that said, feel free to give your thoughts on who’s most deserving.
MVP
Clinton Portis, RB, Washington Redskins: With his league-leading 944 yards through eight games, Portis has 260 more yards than #2 Adrian Peterson. The Redskins are 6-2 with new coach Jim Zorn, and the playoffs are well in sight.
The question about Portis, though, is this: Is his success attributed to Jason Campbell playing near-flawless football, or is it the other way around? I’ll settle that by saying it doesn’t hurt either’s cause to have the other playing well.
Runner-Up: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
Offensive Player of the Year
Brees: Even with Brees putting up huge numbers, the Saints are still 4-4 and in last in the NFC South, but hey, he‘s not responsible for the defense‘s issues or an underachieving ground game.
Brees already has six 300+ yard games and four three-touchdown games, and he’s on pace to throw for 5,126 yards, which would break Dan Marino’s record. If he can break or get close to the mark, and the Saints are able to make the playoffs, then he could get the edge over Portis.
Runner-Up: Portis
Defensive Player of the Year
Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans: The Titans’ defense is full of guys who’ve had big seasons so far, like Cortland Finnegan and Michael Griffin with four interceptions each, but Haynesworth is showing why he’s going to get paid in the off-season, with six sacks. That total ties him with Minnesota’s Kevin Williams for the most sacks by a defensive tackle.
Runner-Up: Joey Porter, LB, Miami Dolphins
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans: While picking him with the 24th overall pick in April looked questionable, I thought it was a pick that could pay off immediately for the Titans, and it has.
LenDale White is still getting a lot of carries, and has 10 touchdowns, but Johnson, who has gotten the majority of the touches, has helped set up a lot of those touchdowns with his 626 yards rushing. Johnson, who tops the AFC (5th in the NFL) in rush yardage, also has five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving).
Runner-Up: Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Chris Horton, S, Washington Redskins: There aren’t a lot of rookie seventh-round picks that make an instant impact, but Horton has. The 249th overall pick in April has been a starter for the ‘Skins since Week 2, and he’s made 37 tackles and picked off three passes.
Runner-Up: Jerod Mayo, LB, New England Patriots
Coach of the Year
Jeff Fisher, Tennessee Titans: No-brainer here. The Titans are running away in the AFC South, and they are the only undefeated team in the NFL at 7-0, thanks to a suffocating defense and an offense that has chewed up a lot of yards and a lot of minutes on the ground.
Runner-Up: Dick Jauron, Buffao Bills
