Every year in both the NFL and NBA I like to come up with pre-season predictions. It started with some of my friends and I predicting who would win the major awards, make the playoffs, and win the championship. We would sort of “compete” with each other to see who could get the most right. One thing with the NFL is that their is so much parity that anyone can have a good year after being terrible. Let’s just look at the NFC East for example. Each team in the division has won the division title the last four years. Today, I will correctly predict the major NFL awards (I will be lucky to get one right).
MVP: Andrew Luck
It is nothing short of impressive what Andrew Luck has done since entering the league. I still remember when he was at Stanford and was anointed the savoir of the Panthers franchise. Then he decided to return to college. He is living up to that hype with the Indianapolis Colts. He has led an under-talented squad to the playoffs each season, and to the AFC title game last season. Last season, Luck led the league in touchdown passes with 40, while passing for over 4700 yards, and a passer rating of 96.5. The only thing that may have kept him out of the MVP discussion is his turnovers. 16 interceptions is way too high. That is close to Jay Cutler who had 18 interceptions this past season. The reason why I am going with Luck is that he has not even reached his statistical height yet. I think Luck takes another step this year in his quest to becoming the best quarterback in the NFL.
Defensive Player of the Year: J.J. Watt
I am really going out on a limb when making this pick. I mean, where to start with this guy. For the fans of Hard Knocks , Watt told us the he flipped a 1,000 pound tire 65 times! This guy is a freak. Let us not forget how close he was to winning MVP last year. He had 20.5 sacks and was second in the league in pass deflections. Perhaps no other guy in the league commands more double teams than Watt which makes these stats more impressive. And he was also catching touchdown passes as a tight end for Houston. I think if anyone else wins this award after Watt has won it twice in three years would be an upset.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jameis Winston
It would be easy for me to pick the number one pick in the draft, so that’s what I did. In all seriousness though I think Winston has the chance to be the real deal. He was a winner at Florida State and is the most “pro-ready” rookie this year. He will be throwing to Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson which makes his job much easier than Mariota’s. I was considering Amari Cooper here but it is not like he has Eli Manning throwing to him like Odell Beckham Jr. did last season. I do like David Carr but he is still young. Jameis might win this easily this year.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Leonard Williams
The Jets got a gem to fall to them in the draft. All we heard leading up to the draft was how it was going to be him or Mariota going to Tennessee. Now Williams is in a great defense led by head coach Todd Bowels that should be great this year. With all of the other talent out there, Williams should be able to thrive without facing too many double teams like he would have with the Titans. Williams could have a big year if he is an every down player in New York.
Coach of the Year: Chip Kelly
This was the hardest one for me to pick. It really depends on what happens during the year and making the playoffs usually has an effect on if you win it. There was no doubt Arians won the award last year with all of the injuries at quarterback, while still going 11-5 in a tough NFC West. With all of the roster turnover, if Kelly can lead the Eagles to the playoffs, the award is his. No team made more moves, let more pro bowlers go, than the Eagles. I guess if you consider retiring as letting a player go, than the 49ers are up there too. Two things will determine how good of a coach Kelly is. The obvious one is if he puts up nearly 30 points per game again and makes the playoffs this year. It will also be determined by Nick Foles ‘ performance in St. Louis.
Comeback Player of the Year: Sam Bradford
What a Homer! Sue me! I am definitely not the only one who thinks that the Eagles can make the playoffs this year, and if they do, it will have something to do with Bradford. I do not consider self-inflicted absence like suspension worthy of winning this award. If that were the case then I would pick Adrian Peterson . Also, I cannot think of anyone else who can win this award. After coming off of a torn ACL, if Bradford can stay healthy, he will have a good year under Chip Kelly. This is the pick I am most confident in.
Who are your award winners this year?