2009 NFL Awards Predictions

Similar to what Chris posted earlier this week, I am going to take a stab at who will win the awards when it is all said and done.  Full disclosure that my main motivation is to have my picks look better than Chris’ at the end of the year and not so much if readers agree or disagree.

MVP: Tom Brady.  The Patriots will be noticeably better this year with Mr. Gisele Bundchen under center, which is saying a lot since they narrowly missed the playoffs last season with an 11-5 record.  Will Brady put up the numbers he had in 2007?  Probably not, but Moss and Welker will be back and they added cagey vets like Joey Galloway and Fred Taylor to the mix.  The Patriots will be a Super Bowl contender all year and quite frankly Brady is the media darling that my runner-up pick is not.

Runner-up: Aaron Rodgers

Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees.  2008 was not a fluke for Brees and will have another legitimate shot to break Marino’s passing yards record.  Playing in Sean Payton’s offense and a healthy Marques Colston, he may have a shot to break even more records.  Tampa Bay’s defense is not what it once be and Atlanta and Carolina are shaky at best, so there are opportunities for Brees.

Runner-up: Rodgers; Adrian Peterson (tie)

Defensive Player of the Year: Troy Polamalu.  The Steelers have arguably the best defense in the NFL and even though James Harrison won the award last year, Polamalu is their best defender.  The five-time Pro Bowl safety is in his prime and is on the verge on stamping his name among the league’s (if he hasn’t already).

Runner-up: Mario Williams

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Mark Sanchez. I know that the track record is not good with quarterbacks leaving college early and starting right away, but I think Sanchez breaks the mold.  Remember Vince Young won ROY before he fell off the deep-end.  All indications is that Sanchez looks mature and ready for the show.  He also plays behind a pretty solidoffensive line and has a decent running game to fall back on.  With Rex Ryan’s defense, the Jets will give Sanchez a chance to be competitive this season.

Runner-up: Chris (Beanie) Wells

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Rey Maualuga.  A lot of us had Maualuga going in the first round in the draft, but I’m sure the Bengals are thrilled he fell to them in the second round.  A LB has won this award every year since 2002 (Julius Peppers) and I like to see the trend continue. He is getting the chance to play right away and I think will have an impact on an improved Bengals defense.  He also knows how to get down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdDGYsYXHKc

Runner-up: Brian Cushing

Comeback Player of the Year: Tom Brady. Not saying he doesn’t deserve this award, but Brady is pretty and well liked, so the votes gets swayed.  But who really cares since this is just a ‘feel-good’ award.

Runner-up: Carson Palmer

Coach of the Year: Jeff Fisher. Surprisingly, Fisher has never won the award, even when guys like Dick Jauron, Jim Hasslet and Ray Rhodes have.  Like him or hate him, he has been one of the best coaches in the last 10-15 years and finally gets his due after coaching a Kerry Collins-led team to success for the second straight season.

Runner-up: Mike McCarthy

Breakout Player: DeSean Jackson. Chris mentioned Jackson in his predictions post, but I think I was the one who first brought it up to him.  Outside of being one of my big fantasy sleepers, Jackson should improve nicely after a solid rookie season.  McNabb has been looking for a target like this for years and he may have found his man.  Oh and Jackson doesn’t perform calisthenics in his driveway in front of TV cameras.  Or so we have heard.

Runner-up: Greg Olsen

Player to take a step back: Terrell Owens. This one may be too easy, but it’s true.  We all know of Owens’ track record of his first season with a new team, but what do these two quarterbacks have in common: Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo?  They are not named Trent Edwards.  The Bills also traded away their best offensive lineman in Jason Peters this offseason and T.O. is already upset with the team’s no-huddle offense.  This may end badly for both parties.

Runner-up: DeAngelo Williams

A few bold predictions:

NFC:

1.) Steve Breaston will finish with more catches and yards than Anquan Boldin.

2.) Vick won’t have much impact in the Wildcat, but will win a few games when McNabb gets hurt.

AFC:

1.) Brett Ratliff will win at least one game for the Browns this year.

2.) Despite having one of the league’s best records, Norv Turner gets fired after losing early in the playoffs.

So there you have it folks,feel free to comment, dissect, rip or praise my picks.  I will probably only get about half of these right, but hey as long as I look better (on paper, not in real looks) than Chris I can sleep well at night.

So who is excited for Sunday?! (ok, dumb question…)

-Adam Somers