By Max Gross
Published: November 8, 2007 PrintEmail
MVP: Randy Moss: We have all seen Tom Brady without Randy Moss and now we see Tom Brady with Randy Moss. Moss changes the entire dynamic of this offense. The highest scoring offense in NFL history occurred when Randall Cunningham posted career-high numbers across the board in his 13th season. The driving force behind that offense? Randy Moss taking the league by surprise, scoring 17 TDs as a rookie and showing that he was simply superior to any coverage scheme.
The new highest scoring offense in NFL history is likely to be the New England Patriots, with Tom Brady posting career-high numbers across the board. What brought about this quantum leap in numbers? Perhaps it was Randy Moss, taking the league by surprise and proving superior to any coverage scheme. Ask yourselves this, too: would an offense with Moss, Welker, Stallworth, Watson, Maroney and a great offensive line be highly successful with a lesser QB than Brady? (I say yes). Now, would this offense be half as scary as it is minus Randy Moss? (I say no)
Runners Up: Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson Offensive Player of the Year: Tom Brady: He is one of the top two QBs in the league and a legitimate Hall of Famer already. The numbers that he is posting are off the charts. He wins the prize.
Runners Up: Adrian Peterson, Ben Roethlisberger, Randy Moss
Defensive Player of the Year:Julian Peterson: Go ahead, laugh. Hidden in the Northwest, however, is a formerly dominant linebacker posting some pretty impressive numbers again: 7 sacks, an interception, 4 forced fumbles and 47 tackles. I considered a lot of players here, including Thomas Howard and DeMeco Ryans. It’s strange, but all of the successful defenses are lacking a standout making consistent, game-changing plays, so I had to pick a dominant player on a weaker team.
Runners Up: Howard, Ryans, Aaron Kampman, Trent Cole, Osi Umenyora Offensive Rookie of the Year: Adrian Peterson: Duh.
Runners Up: None even close.
Defensive Rookie of the Year:Patrick Willis: Duh.
Runners Up: None even close.
Coach of the Year: Mike McCarthy: The Packers find a way to win (almost) every week. Favre is playing under much better control and discipline. Obvious shortcomings are overcome, while well-known strengths are able to continue to stay strong despite the attention of opposing teams. This is a man that is compensating for weaknesses, has his team over-performing and winning close games. What better expression of coaching success could you ask for?
Runners Up: Tom Coughlin, Bill Belichick
Polish Up Your Resumes (the good way):
Rod Chudzinski, Offensive Coordinator, Cleveland Browns: It’s not as though the Browns don’t have solid players on offense, because they certainly do. But the evolution of this offense and the cohesion on a patched-together, but talented offensive line (free agents and draft picks) speak well of whoever is running the show on that side of the ball.
Jim Schwartz, Defensive Coordinator, Tennessee Titans: I don’t want to be called a Vince Young hater (again), but this team is winning games thanks to an outstanding defensive effort right now. After losing Pacman Jones and having trouble at CB anyway, this team figured to have its struggles on this side of the ball, but they have emerged as a dominant unit that is carrying the team.
Polish Up Your Resumes (the bad way):
Scott Linehan, Head Coach, St. Louis Rams: Though Linehan doesn’t deserve the blame for the fact that his starting RB, QB and three offensive linemen have all missed significant time with injuries, the team as a whole is performing at such a low level that he assuredly will be shown the door and have to make his name again as a coordinator, where he has shown moderate success and should find again.
Jim Hostler, Offensive Coordinator, San Francisco 49ers: Norv Turner’s Replacement has seen a regression in almost every facet of his unit. From QB play to offensive line play, this team would have been too embarrassing for the league to send overseas. A change must be made and I think that Mike Nolan still has the confidence of ownership—though I’m beginning to wonder if he deserves it (defense isn’t too impressive itself).
Proposed Rule Change: Division Winners should only be granted an automatic playoff spot if they achieve a winning record. I know that this would NEVER fly past ownership, as only one vote outside of the AFC and NFC West divisions would be required to block the ¾ majority necessary (and we know those divisions wouldn’t support it). However, in looking at the playoff races, you find that the Seahawks, Cardinals, Chargers, Chiefs or Broncos could easily make it in possibly at 8-8 or maybe even 7-9, while a 9-7 or 10-6 wild card team is forced to sit home. I understand the structure and the rules and the reasons, but if no one in your division can post a winning record, your division doesn’t deserve representation. Period. Survival of the Fittest: NFC:
Through 8 games, the top 4 teams in the NFC are the Cowboys, Packers, Giants and Lions. In addition to their overall records, these four teams have posted a 16-3 record against the rest of the conference. There have already been two games pitting these teams against each other, resulting in the Giants’ only two losses (Packers and Cowboys). However, in the remaining weeks of the season, these teams will play 6 games against each other, creating a great atmosphere for determining the cream of the NFC crop. The Lions and Packers play twice; the Cowboys and Giants play once; then the Lions play the Cowboys and Giants each once.
While these six clashes of the Titans may serve to show separation among four closely-packed teams, it could also have a negative impact. If these four teams prove to be fairly balanced, adding an automatic 6 losses to their records (equaling their total losses thus far) could allow the rest of the NFC pack to close the gap. The Bucs, Saints and Redskins seem particularly capable of making good out of the top teams beating up on each other—and one of those clubs will sit out the playoffs at the expense of the Seahawks. Some interesting Statistics:
Tom Brady is on pace for 59 TDs and 7 INTs
Brett Favre is 1455 yards shy of the all-time pass yardage record
Aaron Kampman is on pace to record 18 sacks one season after recording 15.5
Ben Roethlisberger is on pace to throw 40 TDs and 12 INTs
Adrian Peterson is leading the rushing race by 268 yards—or close to 34 yards per game
Randy Moss is on pace to tie Jerry Rice’s season TD record of 22
However, TJ Houshmandzadeh is close behind, on pace for 20
In the Chargers’ past two games, CB Antonie Cromartie has as many TDs than Ladanian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates combined.
Three of the four best records in the NFL—New England, Dallas and Green Bay—all rank in the bottom six for penalty yards enforced against them.
The 49ers don’t have much going for them, but with a 49.9 yard punt average, only a 5.5 yard average return and 19 punts downed inside the 20, their punting game is outstanding… then again, it better be, as the 49ers have punted 53 times—more than the Colts and Patriots combined (or heck, more than the Broncos and Texans combined).
