As "midterm season" around Grounds finally comes to an end, the teams of the National Football League just completed Week 9 of their 17-week season. In the spirit of such halfway evaluations, I'd like to hand out some midseason awards of my own.
And without further ado, may I have a drum roll please
M.V.P.:Although the debate over who is the league's best player would involve many more participants, this year's most valuable player comes down to two signal-callers: Buffalo's Drew Bledsoe and Green Bay's Brett Favre. Bledsoe's case is a strong one -- he leads the AFC in yards thrown and is second in touchdown passes and third in quarterback rating. Most importantly, he has led a Bills team that finished 3-13 last year to a 5-4 record so far this season. Of those victories, however, only one has come against a team with a winning record. And that takes us to Favre. The Packers' rifleman leads the NFL in quarterback rating and ranks second in the NFC in touchdown passes -- feats he has accomplished with a whole new corps of receivers. Green Bay is running away with the NFC North and now has the best record in the league. Favre has carried a team plagued with injuries, including some of his own. Despite such injuries, Favre made his 165th consecutive start last night against the Dolphins, further increasing his own record. With all of that said, I'll take Favre by a nose.
Best New Addition: Since Bledsoe was my runner-up MVP selection, then he at least has to win this category, right? Not so fast, Drew. Although Bledsoe undoubtedly has made a bad Bills team respectable, Miami Dolphin running back Ricky Williams has made a good team great. With that distinction in mind, the enigmatic former Heisman winner takes home the hardware for this award. Williams has given the Dolphins a reliable workhorse and made opposing defenses honor the run, opening up Miami's passing game. Moreover, he has allowed the stingy Miami defense to rest longer on the sidelines as they watch Williams rack up another 100-yard game. Because of his presence in the backfield, the Dolphins now are serious Super Bowl contenders.
Best Addition by Subtraction: In yet another odd twist of events, the other end of the trade that landed Williams in South Beach also is my choice for the "best addition by subtraction." During the off-season, the Saints were able to unload Williams and his distractions and open up a spot for second-year ball carrier Deuce McAllister to get more playing time. With more opportunity to shine, McAllister's star continues to rise. He leads the NFC in rushing yards and has the Saints off to an impressive 6-2 record. With the best combination back not named Marshall Faulk running the show, the Big Easy has reason to expect a playoff run by McAllister and the Saints.
Aretha Franklin Award: Let me spell this one out, R-E-S-P-E-C-T. He leads the NFL in rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns. No, not Faulk or Ahman Green or Shaun Alexander. Not even Williams or Deuce. Need another hint? He led the NFL in rushing last year as well. That distinction goes to Kansas City do-it-all running back Priest Holmes. Holmes, discarded by the Ravens a few years ago, has proved last year was no fluke and established himself as the league's best player halfway through the season.
Team most likely to lose to the Oklahoma Sooners head-to-head:
Although I was all set to give this award to the Cincinnati "Bungles," their 38-3 pounding of the expansion Houston Texans this Sunday made me rethink my evaluation. Although it was Cincinnati who looked like the expansion team most of this season, the Texans take home the prize for this one. With that said, though, I'll take the Sooner defense over either of these squads.
And do you want to know the best part about this quintet of NFL midseason awards? Unlike all of my academic midterms, these evaluations don't count for anything in the end.
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