Monday, September 3, 2012

NFL Season Award and Superbowl Predictions 2012

MVP: Matt Ryan QB, Atlanta Falcons.


This is the year Ryan takes that next step into the elite class of NFL QB's, that was all the talk last year. He may have disappointed those that felt that way, I just believe they were a year ahead of schedule. Ryan opens up the season with ol' reliable Roddy White and a young, eager to prove himself receiver in Julio Jones, to go along with the always consistent (when healthy) Michael Turner which should make attaining the necessary stats the easy part.


Rookie of the Year: Andrew Luck QB, Indianapolis Colts


Filling the shoes of a Legend will not be easy in the long run scheme of things, but for his rookie season Andrew Luck should put up the numbers to justify the hype machine that has backed him the last 2 seasons. Veteran receiver Reggie Wayne while on the downside of his career will be a necessary safety blanket for Luck in his rookie year while fellow rookie, and former Stanford teammate Coby Fleener will give the QB the instant chemistry needed for success. I am one in the minority that does believe RGIII has the larger upside of the two to go along with an owner that won't be scared to spend money to bring Griffin help, but for the rookie campaign Luck is definitely the safer pick.


Defensive Rookie of the Year: Luke Kuechly LB, Carolina Panthers.


Luke Kuechly is the kind of player you see in EVERY PLAY in the film room, hitting guys with or without the ball just to make contact. He's a defensive coordinators dream, and will instantly form a top-tier LB group for the Carolina Panthers with Jon Beason  and James Anderson (if they can remain healthy). He was a tackle machine in his time at Boston College becoming the NCAA's 2nd all time leader in solo tackles with 532 in 38 games. He's been making an instant impact with the Panthers including 10 tackles in a preseason game vs the Jets. Expect great things from this kid, very very soon.


Offensive Player of the Year: Arian Foster RB, Houston Texans


If Arian Foster played QB he'd be in everyones conversation for MVP, since he plays the once prestigious, now for some reason unheralded RB position he's written off as just a Fantasy Football gem. Arian Foster will be BIG this year. Through his interviews he strikes me as a guy who plays for the love and pride moreso than the check, although a 5year 43.5 mil contract (20.5 guaranteed) might make me water up at the podium as well. I think those values will keep him from being a guy who receives an extension and feels like he no longer has anything to prove. Besides Andre Johnson's shaky health, nothing can stop this Texans team from achieving their Super Bowl aspirations with the Schuab's consistency and All-Purpose Arian.


Defensive Player of the Year: Aldon Smith LB, San Francisco 49ers

Coming off a great rookie season with the 49ers that put their defensive on front street as the 9ers made an improbable run to the NFC championship game, Aldon Smith is on pace for much more. Listed at 6'4 258 pounds this beast of a man nh looks to extremely build upon the 37 tackles and 2 forced fumbles from last year as he continues to play next to the best LB in the business Patrick Willis. I expect Smith's number of sacks to rise immensely as he'll get almost double the snaps compared to what he got last year, while continuing to be great vs the run. This 49ers defense is here to stay.


Coach of the Year: Greg Schiano, Tampa Bay Buccaneers


I don't know how often a rookie Head Coach is named Coach of the Year, so I definitely don't know if it'd happen two years in a row! With that said, I do believe Schiano has a chance both to win this award and to turn the Bucs back onto their pace from 2010-11 instead of 2011-12. Schiano has brought his no nonsense attitude into a team with a young budding star at QB in Josh Freeman who finally has the necessary weapons in Vincent Jackson and rookie all-purpose back Doug Martin from Boise State. They had a terrific draft bringing in Safety Mark Barron from Alabama, and the aforementioned Doug Martin. While I don't expect a playoff berth from Tampa Bay this season, I wouldn't be surprised if they were knocking on that Wild Card door.



AFC Champs: Houston Texans


In my opinion the Houston Texans are the best team in the NFL, as they maintain the best balance between both running game/passing game, and offense/defense as a whole. The AFC for the first time in a while is not as strong as the NFC. It's still top heavy with teams like the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens who may be able to trip up the Texans on their path but I believe a healthy Arian Foster and Andre Johnson will prove to be too much for the rest of the AFC.


NFC Champs: Atlanta Falcons

As I said when crowning Matt Ryan with this years MVP, this Falcons offense is stacked! However I do believe the NFC is extremely deep this season, but with the Saints coaching fiasco, the Packers defensive deficiencies, etc I think the Falcons will be able to overcome the odds and represent the NFC in the Superbowl.


Superbowl Champ: Houston Texans, MVP: Arian Foster

Once again, I truly believe the Texans are the best team in football this season. It took me a while to come to that conclusion, as a Jets fan it's tough to discount the Patriots because of Brady or the GOAT (in my humble opinion) Peyton Manning, especially a Manning with something to prove. I just believe the Texans with that defense, which can withstand the loss of Mario Williams, an offense boasting that kinda firepower AND balance they can't lose. I'm always afraid of the curse that gets put on a team overtime they become almost a unanimous favorite but with all the untimely injuries they've had the past few seasons, the Texans are due for some good fortune.