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Week 10 Cheat Sheet: Midseason awards
The David Blaine Award
For the greatest disappearing act:
Winner: Joseph Addai, Indianapolis: Heading into the 2008 season, the Colts running back was considered one of the top 3-4 running backs in the entire league. A consensus top 5 pick in just about every fantasy football guide on the newsstand, there was even talk of Addai challenging LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson for "top back in the league" status. Yet, we're eight games into the NFL season, and Addai's been downright non-existent. Blame nagging injuries, an inefficient offensive line or a herky-jerky Colts offense, but in six games played, Addai has only rushed for 283 yards, good for a paltry 3.1 yards per carry.
Runner-up: Braylon Edwards, Cleveland.
The 10-Year-Old Boy Playing Madden Award
For the most curious play calling of 2008:
Winner: Scott Linehan, Week 4: With his Rams sitting at the bottom of the NFC West standings with an 0-3 record and his job rumored to be on the line, the then-head coach went buck wild with his play calling in the first half against the Bills. In two quarters of football, Linehan called three wide receiver reverses, and went for it on fourth-and-3 in Buffalo territory. The Rams ultimately lost, 31-14, and Linehan was fired the next day.
Runner-up: Lane Kiffin sending Sebastian Janikowski out to attempt a 76-yard-field goal in Week 4.
When awards get real
MVP: Jake Delhomme, Panthers
Off. Player of Year: Kurt Warner, Cardinals
Def. Player of Year: Justin Tuck, Giants
Off. Rookie of Year: Matt Ryan, Falcons
Def. Rookie of Year: Chris Horton, Redskins
Comeback Player: Gus Frerotte, Vikings
Coach of Year: Mike Smith, Atlanta
The Crew from "Entourage" Award
For the group of guys we thought would be fun, interesting and likeable . . . but just aren't:
Winner: The Dallas Cowboys Offense: The Cowboys are the most scrutinized team in the league this season, and for good reason. At 5-4 and at the bottom of the NFC East standings, they haven't played like the world beaters the fans and media expected they'd be. But aside from all the turmoil, injuries and ineffectiveness, perhaps the most intriguing storyline in Dallas has been how darn bland the offense has been.
With Jason Garrett making head-coach money, Roy Williams added to the roster and an offensive line made of All-Pros, this team should be able to do something on offense -- with or without their starting quarterback. Even before Romo's injury, Felix Jones was not seeing the ball when healthy nearly enough, and Marion Barber seemed like a third option. Question marks all around. The Cowboys -- for all the drama, chaos, and media attention they're receiving off the field -- have been a fairly boring team to watch when on it.
Runner-up: The Cincinnati Bengals Offense.
The "Mad Men" Award
For the best show you're not watching on Sundays:
Winner: The Matt Ryan-Michael Turner-Roddy White trio: With virtually zero media attention, no nationally televised games, and pretty much no love whatsoever from outside the 404 -- the Atlanta Falcons offensive trio quietly became the best 1-2-3 in all of football. Behind R-T-W (we need a Run TMC-like nickname for these guys), the Falcons are 5-3 and right in the thick of the NFC postseason hunt. Ryan's putting up the best numbers for a rookie quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger's '05 campaign, and White and Turner are third in the NFC in receptions and rushing yards, respectively. You probably haven't seen these three in action yet. You might want to.
Runner-up: Andre Johnson.
The Heidi and L.C. Award
For the biggest "he said/he said" soap opera of the season:
Winner: Al Davis and Lane Kiffin: With lawsuits, press conferences involving overhead projectors and words like "flat-out liar," plain old "liar," and "propaganda," this one played out like an episode of MTV's "The Hills."
Runner-up: Brett Favre and just about every member of the media surrounding his Week 2 "hunting trip" conversation with Matt Millen. Favre involved in a soap opera? No, I can't believe such a thing.
The "More Things Change, the More they Stay the Same" Award
Winner: The Detroit Lions Defense: The Lions shook things up in the offseason, placed a new focus on stopping the rush and were supposed to be much improved. Eight games into the 2009 season, Detroit's D is last in the league in points per game, last in the league in yards per game and last in the league in interceptions. They stink. Yet again.
Runner-up: Adam Jones.
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| Kurt Warner. (Donald Miralle / Getty Images) |
The "Heidi Klum in the new 'Guitar Hero' ads" Award
For the guy who's looking better than ever, even after all these years:
Winner: Kurt Warner: You can make the argument that nine weeks through the 2008 NFL season, 37-year-old Kurt Warner is the league's MVP. Yes, the same Kurt Warner who was the NFL MVP twice before, in 1999 and 2001. Warner's the top-rated passer in the NFC, the NFL leader in completion percentage and the locker-room leader of the NFC West's undisputed top squad.
Runner-up: Kerry Collins.
The "Talking in Text Messaging Lingo" Award
For the fad that, unfortunately, does not seem to be going away anytime soon:
Winner: The calling a timeout at the very last moment before the ball is snapped on a last-second field-goal attempt move: We've now seen this one not only not work, but backfire twice this season.
A few weeks ago, Ken Whisenhunt called a timeout just prior to a Nick Folk game-tying attempt. The ball was snapped anyway, and Folk missed the boot. On his second try -- after being "iced" -- Folk nailed it through the uprights, sending the game into overtime.
The same scenario happened the following week in the game between the Jets and Raiders. Jay Feely missed his first game-tying attempt at the end of regulation, got another try at it after being "iced" and calmly banged it through.
Coaches, it's not working. If anything, it's giving kickers the opportunity to visualize and practice a freebie kick. For the fans, it's annoying. Please stop doing it.
Runner-up: The Surprise On-Side Kick.
The Marques Colston Award
For the best rookie selected in the seventh round:
Winner: Chris Horton, Washington: The 249th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Redskins rookie linebacker has three interceptions, two sacks and a forced fumble. He's been a welcomed addition to the Washington defense, and arguably the 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Runner-up: Peyton Hillis, Denver.
The Dirk Diggler Award
For the NFL coach who pulled his pants down for his entire team at halftime during his very first game:
Winner: Mike Singletary.
Runner-up: None
The Elephant in the Locker Room Award
For the high-profile guy who's not playing much of a role for a playoff-bound team:
Winner: Matt Leinart: This was supposed to be his team this season, wasn't it? Cue the crickets . . . or the beer bong.
Runner-up: Vince Young.
The "Calling Brett Favre a Gun Slinger" Award
For the latest "buzzword" the TV announcers can't utter enough:
Winner: "The Wildcat Formation": Listen to how excited the announcers get when teams break this offensive formation out. It's like Christmas every time a running back lines up under center. Jim Nantz almost jumped through the screen when Fred Jackson took a third-down snap in Sunday's Bills-Jets game, and that was the least excited I've heard an announcer be over the formation this season.
Runner-up: Referencing the TV show "Dallas" -- which hasn't been on the air for 20 years -- when discussing the 2008 Cowboys.
NFL Week 17
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Week 17 action
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Vikings 20, Giants 19 -- Recap | Box
Panthers 33, Saints 31 -- Recap | Box
Packers 31, Lions 21 -- Recap | Box
Falcons 31, Rams 27 -- Recap | Box
Texans 31, Bears 24 -- Recap | Box
Patriots 13, Bills 0 -- Recap | Box
Colts 23, Titans 0 -- Recap | Box
Steelers 31, Browns 0 -- Recap | Box
Raiders 31, Bucs 24 -- Recap | Box
Bengals 16, Chiefs 6 -- Recap | Box
Eagles 44, Cowboys 6 -- Recap | Box
Dolphins 24, Jets 17 -- Recap | Box
49ers 27, Redskins 24 -- Recap | Box
Ravens 27, Jaguars 7 -- Recap | Box
Cardinals 34, 'Hawks 24 -- Recap | Box
Chargers 52, Broncos 21 -- Recap | Box
Analysis
Video
Photos
And now for this week's Cheat Sheet
Denver at Cleveland, 8:15 p.m., Thursday
Believe it or not, this was once the premier rivalry in the AFC. John Elway, Bernie Kosar, Marty Schottenheimer, Dan Reeves . . . the late '80s were all about the Browns and Broncos. Alas, 20 years later, it's just a meeting between two of this season's most disappointing underachievers. The Brady Quinn era begins in Cleveland . . . with a loss. The Pick: Denver 31, Cleveland 22
Buffalo at New England, 1 p.m., Sunday:
In the log-jam atop the AFC East standings, Buffalo, New England and New York all share a hold of first place with 5-3 records. Meanwhile, the Dolphins lurk at 4-4 with wins over both the Bills and the Pats. Banged up New England will gut out a tough one at home on Sunday. The Pick: New England 24, Buffalo 20
New Orleans at Atlanta, 1 p.m.
Though New Orleans and Atlanta are technically in last and second-to-last place in the NFC South, you can make the argument that their quarterbacks are 1-2 in the MVP race. Brees and Co. top Ryan's guys in a shootout on Sunday. The Pick: New Orleans 34, Atlanta 27
Seattle at Miami, 1 p.m.
Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter seemed to have gotten in Broncos wideout Brandon Marshall's head during last Sunday's 26-17 Dolphins victory. The veteran linebacker explained to reporters afterwards, "He went from not talking to me to wanting to talk to me on every play. 'Why you talking to me? I'm not even covering you.' When you're giving me all your attention, I know you're not on your game.'' So, yeah, the old Joey Porter is back. And so is an entertaining pro football team in Miami. The Pick: Miami 30, Seattle 20
Jacksonville at Detroit, 1 p.m.
Though the Cowboys, Browns and Chargers are getting the bulk of the media's scorn this season, there's been arguably no more disappointing team in the league than the Jacksonville Jaguars. Expected to make the "leap" and surpass the Colts and Titans in the AFC South, the Jags are now 3-5 with consecutive losses to the lowly Browns and Bengals. They'll squeak by Detroit on Sunday. The Pick: Jacksonville 28, Detroit 27
Tennessee at Chicago, 1 p.m.
The last time Chris Johnson squared off against Matt Forte, the two players combined for 300 total yards and four touchdowns. Of course, that was in November of 2007, and occurred in a 35-12 East Carolina win over Tulane. Look for Johnson to get the best of Forte again on Sunday, in a battle between two NFL division leaders. The Pick: Tennessee 29, Chicago 16
Baltimore at Houston, 1 p.m.
Like Forte and Johnson, rookies Ray Rice and Steve Slaton went up against each other throughout their college careers, too. Slaton always got the best of Rice (3-0), and should do so again on Sunday. Whether it's Schaub or Sage taking the snaps, look for the Texans to get back on track with a tough win in this one. The Pick: Houston 30, Baltimore 20
Green Bay at Minnesota, 1 p.m.
Aaron Rodgers got the best of Minnesota in Week 1, but that was the T-Jack-led Vikings, not the high-flying Gus Frerotte version of today. Yes, "high-flying" and Gus Frerotte were just used in the same sentence. It's been a weird year, folks. The Pick: Minnesota 28, Green Bay 20
St. Louis at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
The Rams were outscored 27-0 in the second quarter of last Sunday's game vs. Arizona, and yet, no one will dispute that they look head and shoulders better now than they did a month ago. Yes, the Scott Linehan era was a rather forgettable one in St. Louis. The Pick: New York Jets 34, St. Louis 23
Carolina at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.
Good stuff out of Steve Corkran at the Contra Costa Times last Saturday, reporting that former Falcons Ashley Lelie, Justin Griffith and DeAngelo Hall would all overwhelmingly support the Raiders' signing of Michael Vick when he's released from prison. Who can blame all of them for thinking about the future? After all, 2008 is already a lost cause. The Pick: Carolina 26, Oakland 7
Indianapolis at Pittsburgh, 4:15 p.m.
With their season on the line, the Colts gutted out a tough one vs. New England last weekend. Peyton Manning won't go away easily into the night; the Colts are your 2008 second half story. Here's your upset pick for the weekend. The Pick: Indianapolis 27, Pittsburgh 23
Kansas City at San Diego, 4:15 p.m.
Maybe the Tyler Thigpen era won't be so bad, after all. The second-year quarterback out of Coastal Carolina has looked pretty darn good the past two weeks. Alas, the Chiefs aren't beating a rested Chargers team coming off a bye on Sunday.The Pick: San Diego 34, Kansas City 18
New York Giants at Philadelphia, 8:15 p.m.
While in New York last week promoting his new video game, NFL Blitz: The League II, Lawrence Taylor laughed at the notion that the Colts and Patriots were the premier rivalry of the decade. L.T. told me, "They've had a few good games, I guess. But that's not a rivalry. Giants-Eagles -- that's a rivalry. You knew that when we played against Philly, someone was going to get their head knocked in." Twenty years later, things haven't changed all that much. This one should be a classic. The Pick: New York Giants 20, Philadelphia 17 (OT)
San Francisco at Arizona, Monday night
The media was so quick to praise Mike Singletary for his "old school" in his coaching debut two weeks ago. Well, in one game, he publicly embarrassed a player of his, openly spoke about publicly embarrassing the player in a press conference after the game, benched his starting quarterback after a quarter, pulled his pants down at halftime . . . and lost, 34-13. If that's "old school style," I'll take "new school". Thanks. The Pick: Arizona 38, San Francisco 24
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