2008 NFL Season Awards

Hello everyone and welcome to the Face Sports Network.

For my first post, I'd like to address a fundamental problem with the NFL award system. Why don't they wait until the playoffs are over to decide who the best players really are? In theory, they should all still be playing well into January. That being said, here is who should have won and why.

Comeback Player of the Year: DeAngelo Williams RB Car

If this award is the NFL's version of the NBA's Most Improved Player, which is how I interpret it, there's no question this award belongs to DeAngelo Williams. Williams didn't start a single game in 2007 and he wasn't even Carolina's leading rusher. He went from 4 touchdowns in 2007 to a league-leading 18 touchdowns in 2008. Williams was third in yards and boasted a whopping 5.5 yards per carry.

Runner Up: Chad Pennington QB Mia

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Matt Ryan QB Atl

They got this one right, but Joe Flacco was very efficient in the postseason, becoming the first rookie to win two playoff games and strengthening his case for the rookie of the year. His postseason play is what earned him the Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year, which despite being named after a soda, does not carry the same prestige as the AP award. Both rookie QBs turned around their teams with the help of strong running attacks, and they appear to have very bright futures.

Runner Up: Joe Flacco QB Bal

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Ari

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had an excellent rookie season, grabbing 4 picks and deflecting 23 passes, including one interception return for a touchdown. DRC was dominant throughout most of the playoffs, deflecting 11 passes intercepting 2. He did give up a few big plays in the Super Bowl, but that doesn't dismiss the great things he did for Arizona this year.

Runner Up: Jerod Mayo LB NE

Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees QB NO

This is another choice I wouldn't change. Brees had a record-breaking season for New Orleans this season. The Saints didn't win many games this year, but they wouldn't have won any without Drew Brees.

Runner Up: Michael Turner RB Atl

Defensive Player of the Year: Ed Reed FS Bal

The choice of James Harrison baffled me. Not that I don't think James Harrison was an awful selection, because he had a monster year for Pittsburgh. When compared to Ed Reed though, it's quite apparent who really deserved this award.

Sacks: Harrison 16, Reed 1

Passes Deflected: Reed 25, Harrison 4

Interceptions: Reed 9, Harrison 1

Fumbles Forced: Harrison 7, Reed 1

Fumbles Recovered: Reed 2, Harrison 0

Total Touchdowns: Reed 3, Harrison 0

In the postseason, Reed continued to be a force, deflecting 5 passes, intercepting another 2 and returning one 76 yards for a touchdown. Harrison also returned a pick 100 yards for a touchdown in the Super Bowl. That was Harrison's first touchdown of the year. Reed had 4 for the year. No defender strikes fear into the heart of an offense more than one that not only takes away the ball, but is a threat to score every time.

Runner Up: James Harrison LB Pit

Most Valuable Player: Kurt Warner QB Ari

This is the most important award in the NFL, but somehow it doesn't account for the playoffs. Kurt Warner's performance in the playoffs and the Super Bowl were nothing short of spectacular. Peyton Manning was the de facto choice at a time during the season when there was no clear cut candidate, and he couldn't get his Colts past the 8-8 Chargers in the first round of the playoffs.

Runner Up: Michael Turner RB Atl