Mid Season Report

[BlindSite]

Mid Season Grades

Break Out Performer
Offense:
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers was expected to be a serviceable starter in his first year out from Brett Favre's shadow, but Rodgers has been able to surpass almost all expectations so far. Rodgers has shown that he's learned well under Favre's tutelage and his leadership in the huddle and on the field is undeniable. So far Rodgers has thrown for just under 2,000 yards, 13 tds and a 63% completion percentage, outperforming far more established veterans. His three rushing Tds speak volumes about his ability to read and react to a defence.

Defense:
Lamarr Woodley
LaMarr Woodley has been a revelation at outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thus far Woodley has been a brilliant pass rusher and solid when asked to drop back in coverage. Though it has to be acknowledged that he sees benefit from the play of James Harrison and the defensive line, Woodley is definitely the future of the Steelers defense, and the future looks bright.

Coaching Comments
It’s fairly safe to say that there's a pretty solid coaching staff that can be built from fired head coaches already this year. Mike Nolan for one should find work as a defensive coordinator and Lane Kiffin showed enough in his short tenure with Oakland to find a job as an offensive coordinator. If not I'm sure Linehan would be up for the job.

So far this year two three head coaches have been replaced mid season, at least for the Rams it’s clear that this was a good decision. Following week 17 there's at least two other candidates for the unemployment line. Brad Childress of the Minnesota Vikings figures to find himself on the scrap heap as Ziggy Wilfe wants to win yesterday and after several up and down seasons with high expectations it’s doubtful he hangs on to the reins. Marvin Lewis, Norv Turner and Jack Del Rio will likely all be feeling a little nervous in their service. After their teams appear to be falling well and truly short of expectations.

Worst Coach award: Marvin Lewis

Mike Smith, Jim Zorn, Tony Sparano and Ken Whisenhunt may all receive some consideration for coach of the year Mike Smith and Sparano have turned two bad teams around a lot faster than anyone expected with creative play from motivated personnel. Whisenhunt and Zorn have two talented teams finally realising their potential and in the mix so far for their respective divisions in the NFC.

Coach of the year pick: Tony Sparano
The turnover from one of the worst NFL teams ever to take the field to at the very least competitive unit has been impressive. Thanks in no large part to the pickup of Chad Pennington, Ronnie Browns return from injury and Joey Porter's new found ability to rush the pass, Sparano has his team playing with passion as a unit. Something that isn't easy to do with a team coming off such a poor year and losing one of its biggest leaders in the offseason.

MVP Discussion:
Midseason MVP: Drew Brees QB New Orleans Saints
Runners up: Clinton Portis RB Washington Redskins, Albert Haynesworth DT Tennessee Titans
Drew Brees has been as close to perfect as humanly possible for the Saints this season. Without his top targets Brees has still managed to hit 300 yards in all but two games this season. His poise, accuracy and quick release has lead to some masterful clinical displays of quarterbacking this season. It’s a shame that the New Orleans defense hasn’t lifted to give him more support.

Down the stretch depending on the Saints season it might be a little difficult for Brees to keep up his record pace, which gives Portis who's currently on pace for 14 Tds and 1800+ yards averaging a brilliant 5.0 ypc a glimmer of hope to eclipse Brees.

The Dark Horse: Kurt Warner, in the past couple of weeks Warner has been ramping up his production over the last couple of weeks and despite losing against Carolina was able to pick apart what was at the time, statistically the best pass defensive in the NFC. He's faced the best defensive teams and the worst and he's cut through them like a knife through butter. Though massively due to his receiver duo Warner has appeared at times unstoppable and with the schedule he's got ahead of him he won't be easy to stop.

Defensive Player Mid-Season
Albert Haynesworth is easily the best defensive player in the NFL right now and realistically speaking, it’s not even close. Haynesworth seems to be at his physical and mental peak and is playing with a fire not seen before in the 7 year vet.

Rookie awards
There's been a number of solid contributors in the NFL so far this year. Clearly the leaders are Chris Johnson, Matt Forte and Matt Ryan and the three players have been leading either head lines or stat lines quite often this season. Forte burst onto the scene during a primetime upset win over the Indianapolis colts, but since then as only garnered one 100 yard rushing effort.

Chris Johnson and Matt Ryan likewise forced the NFL to take notice on their opening days with solid performance in their team's wins. In the following week both players have helped lead their teams to hard fought victories and it appears that the offensive rookie award is really just a two horse race. That being said:

Offensive Rookie
Matt Ryan QB Atlanta Falcons
Ryan and Turner are the main reason that the Falcons are even competitive this year and his chemistry with Roddy White and Michael Jenkins has lead to several comebacks and explosive plays over the course of the year. Matt Ryan isn't just the offensive rookie of the year he's the best performing Rookie quarterback that I can remember and that includes Ben Roethlisberger.

Runner Up: Chris Johnson RB Tennessee

Honorable Mention: Joe Flacco

Defensive Rookie
Brandon Flowers CB Kansas City Chiefs
Flowers is playing on a team with almost nothing but the next beating to look forward to this season. Brandon Flowers has however been playing better than any other defensive rookie in the NFL. His 2 INTs, one returned for a touchdown, 6 passes defensed and 36 tackles show a incling of a solid future ahead of the young corner. He isn't afraid to get physical, has uncanny speed and has a knack or tracking the ball.

Runner Up: Jerod Mayo

Honorable Mention: Antione Cason

Homer Corner
6-2, 2-1 in the division and undefeated at home is a comfortable place to be for the Panthers. Rookie's Jeff Otah, Jon Stewart, and Charles Godfrey have been playing up to their draft status and Jake Delhomme should receive the comeback player of the year award.

Steve Smith currently leads all receivers in yards per game, averaging over 100 yards putting him on pace for 1400 yards receiving even though he missed the opening two games of the season.

With games against struggling Oakland, Detroit, and Denver in the future and the already beaten Atlanta, and New Orleans it'll be interesting to see if the Panthers can reach the 11-5 mark. Matches against Tampa, New York and Greenbay round out the rest of the schedule and should pose some questions that when answered (for better or worse) will show where this team truly lies.

John Kasay should receive some consideration in Probowl voting, he’s 100% on field goals including two from 50+ yards.

PS, Dwayne Jarrett is nowhere near a bust and has shown it this season.

Other stuff
Prediction update:
Brett Favre Will Flounder in New York 15 scores and 14 turnovers isn’t exactly what the Jets had in mind for Favre one year after a great year. That being said, he’s not exactly been terrible in all phases to class his performance as floundering. Thus far Push

Julius Peppers will have a Career Year Peppers is playing exactly where he should be to be a productive force. He's on pace for around 8 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. While I think he'll ramp up his production, for him having a career year, after the amazing years he's had its not looking too good. His production isn’t showing his impact which is unfortunate since he’s becoming a real force off the right side. Thus far Push.

The New Orleans Saints Won't Win the NFC South Tampa bay and Carolina are threatening to run away with the division if the Saints find a way to falter in the next few weeks. A week of rest giving them a chance to get healthy could have major benefits, if the team can hold off the steroid scandal to the offseason. At this point though: True

Ben Roethlisberger will be in the mix for MVP After a slow start Roethlisberger is beginning to improve both his performance and production a costly four INTs against the Giants is really hurting his case as right now his stat line reads:10 Tds for 7 Picks and under 1500 yards passing. Thus far False

Derek Anderson will come crashing back to earth I don't think I was alone in this prediction and so far it appears to be pretty accurate. The browns haven't been the force they were a year ago and one begins to wonder how much longer the Anderson era will continue. Thus far True

Drew Stanton Will be Given a shot Dan Orlovsky seems to be playing pretty well for the Lions but Stanton was drafted in prime position in the 07 draft. While Orlovsky seems to be a mortal lock to start without him being injured with the departure of Matt Millen I can see the front office wanting to know what they have in Stanton. Push

[fenikz]

it's weird that people chose this week to start hoping on the Warner bandwagon i think he has had 7 straight games with 2+ TDs

On pace for 4900 yards 32 TDs at a 70% clip (and that's only if Q misses 2 games like in the 1st half)

[Bruce Banner]

Originally Posted by fenikz

On pace for 4900 yards 32 TDs at a 70% clip (and that's only if Q misses 2 games like in the 1st half)

If the Cardinals end up in the 10-6 area.....


I'm thinking MVP ^

[d34ng3l021]

Good stuff. You have a typo and wrote Roddy White instead of Matt Ryan.

[fenikz]

In the final 8 games we play 4 in division 3 of them at home where we haven't lost since week 6 last year

[Mr. Stiller]

Originally Posted by BlindSite

Ben Roethlisberger will be in the mix for MVP After a slow start Roethlisberger is beginning to improve both his performance and production a costly four INTs against the Giants is really hurting his case as right now his stat line reads:10 Tds for 7 Picks and under 1500 yards passing. Thus far False

If Pittsburgh had a worthwhile offensive coordinator.. I don't think he'd be MVP, but he wouldn't be playing this bad.


Bruce Arians doesn't know what: Hot routes, Screens, A slant, 1 or 3 step drops

What are... Ways to nullify a pass rush with a bad offensive line?

Seem like other offensive coordinators get it.

Arians is a moron.

If Tomlin keeps him after this season, I will really question Tomlins ability to manage this team.

Zierlein needs to go as well.

Not to mention..

We have lost:

Marvel Smith, LT (going on 2-3 games now)
Santonio Holmes, WR (1 game against the Giants when he could have been a huge difference)
Willie Parker, RB (4 games)
RaShard Mendenhall, RB (Season)
Kendall Simmons, OG (Season)

Steelers are getting hit by Injuries more this year than last year.

Atleast Aaron Smith hasn't been injured or the defense would fall apart.

[BlindSite]

Originally Posted by fenikz

it's weird that people chose this week to start hoping on the Warner bandwagon i think he has had 7 straight games with 2+ TDs

On pace for 4900 yards 32 TDs at a 70% clip (and that's only if Q misses 2 games like in the 1st half)

The Dallas game really made me take notice, but his performance against Carolina made me think he might be the NFL MVP especially if NO flounders

Originally Posted by d34ng3l021

Good stuff. You have a typo and wrote Roddy White instead of Matt Ryan.

Thanks, fixed

[stephenson86]

still disagree with picking matt ryan over chris johnson

[bored of education]

I like the pick of Brandon Flowers. He will end the year with 7-8 ints, 70 tackles, 10 PDs and throw in another touchdown. He is an absolute stud. HE has to go up against JaMarcus and Cutler one more time each, Fitzpatrick so that could be 3 easy INTs for him, but that is speculation. Lets hope this injury is not serious. Suprisingly, you can make a case that Brandon Carr has had a better season. Two young studs at CB for the Chiefs.

I also like some of your points about Sparano, and Kurt Warner being MVP dark horse.

[Bengalsrocket]

Originally Posted by bored of education

I like the pick of Brandon Flowers. He will end the year with 7-8 ints, 70 tackles, 10 PDs and throw in another touchdown. He is an absolute stud. HE has to go up against JaMarcus and Cutler one more time each, Fitzpatrick so that could be 3 easy INTs for him, but that is speculation. Lets hope this injury is not serious. Suprisingly, you can make a case that Brandon Carr has had a better season. Two young studs at CB for the Chiefs.

I also like some of your points about Sparano, and Kurt Warner being MVP dark horse.

So what will be the winning power ball numbers in Cincinnati? Or does your precognition not work like that? :)

[wicket]

well i just want to point out a point as well. They always say really good teams can grind games out like tennesee did against green bay for instance (tru, with a little help of the ref but still). In stat thought i want to give a big compliment in detroits quest for perfection. Even when being up that big still grinding out a loss is really impressive, is 0-16 within their reach, maybe.

[Caddy]

Originally Posted by bored of education

I like the pick of Brandon Flowers. He will end the year with 7-8 ints, 70 tackles, 10 PDs and throw in another touchdown. He is an absolute stud. HE has to go up against JaMarcus and Cutler one more time each, Fitzpatrick so that could be 3 easy INTs for him, but that is speculation. Lets hope this injury is not serious. Suprisingly, you can make a case that Brandon Carr has had a better season. Two young studs at CB for the Chiefs.

I also like some of your points about Sparano, and Kurt Warner being MVP dark horse.

I always hoped that Flowers would fall to the Buccaneers in he 2nd round but as draft day got closer I realised that wouldn't happen.

But then again Talib has been a stud so far so it's not really that much of a loss. Although having Talib AND Flowers would have been incredible.

[bored of education]

Originally Posted by Bengalsrocket

So what will be the winning power ball numbers in Cincinnati? Or does your precognition not work like that? :)

1 13 24 27 33 65 72

:)

(those are keno numbers I play alot. now i will switch them up thanks guys.)

[SeanTaylorRIP]

Eh Cason over Chris Horton, not so sure about that.

[vidae]

Alright, some Brandon Flowers love! I like it!

I said before the draft that if I had to pick one player I really wanted here in KC it would be him, and he hasn't disappointed. Neither has Carr. We're starting two rookie corners but neither of them are playing like rookies.

Brandon Flowers suffered a concussion in yesterdays loss to the Buccs so we'll have to wait and see how long he's out. :(

[iloxygenil]

Drew Brees isn't on a winning team, the MVP is Clinton Portis, and on your true and false you give yourself way too much by allowing yourself pushes on stuff like Peppers having a career year, he's not going to, his standards are too high, he's playing well though, glad to see him bouncing back. Favre has won more games and took a bad team and made them pretty solid. So I'd say floundering is wrong. You've counted the Saints out too early, it's not over in the NFC South and the Panthers and Bucs neither one are running away with anything right now. There are 3 teams locked in the race, but New orleans despite all their troubles are right in the heat as well.

Anderson is not crashing back down to earth, the Browns are playing well and are in their race, they blew a game yesterday but it was Braylon not Anderson. You say that's true, when it's not, then you have Stanton being given a shot as a push, yeah it's not over yet, but he's not going to even get a sniff, they just brought in Daunte, the only way he 'gets a shot' is if there are many injuries.

You give yourself too much credit on most of your stuff. As far as defensive rookie, you'd like to see it go to Flowers, and he's doing a good job, but Mayo and Lofton are in the prime positions to win that award, because of the tackles etc, it's an award suited for the LBs, going to take something more than 2 interceptions to win the award. Chris Long will also get some mention because he's up to 4 sacks, that's impressive for a rookie on a bad defense and bad team.

I like your breakout performers though, because they're right on. Haynesworth is deserving of the credit he's getting no doubt, but he's going to have to maintain. Right now we have 3 guys in the NFL on pace for 20 or more sacks this season. Those guys if they hit that 17/18 mark are going to leapfrog him. John Abraham has been a machine and will get credit defensively if the Falcons can get into the playoffs, Porter is playing like a man possessed. So while it would be easy to say it's cut and dry, Tennessee has a LOT of talent there on the Defensive side of the ball. So when the Titans start losing and they will, then his name will cool.

[iloxygenil]

Originally Posted by stephenson86

still disagree with picking matt ryan over chris johnson

It's a coin flip right now. Johnson has been very impressive, but so has Ryan, it's the fact that Johnson is on a much better team, and Ryan is getting credit for the turnaround in Atlanta. If the Falcons continue this pace and go 10-6 you can pretty much forget about Chris Johnson getting the award, unless the Titans are 16-0. It's not because he's not deserving for sure he is, but at this point it's just going to fall on people's opinions, and Matt Ryan is going to get a lot of good press.

[giantsfan]

Not to be a homer or anything (I love phrases like that that people try to use to validate their homerism) but Corey Webster should be in contention for break out defender. He's been simply beastly and is now getting the INTs to fill out his stat sheet. That said he's been incredible in coverage and one of the biggest reasons why our D is playing very effectively despite missing Osi.

[BlindSite]

Originally Posted by iloxygenil

Drew Brees isn't on a winning team, the MVP is Clinton Portis, and on your true and false you give yourself way too much by allowing yourself pushes on stuff like Peppers having a career year, he's not going to, his standards are too high, he's playing well though, glad to see him bouncing back. Favre has won more games and took a bad team and made them pretty solid. So I'd say floundering is wrong. You've counted the Saints out too early, it's not over in the NFC South and the Panthers and Bucs neither one are running away with anything right now. There are 3 teams locked in the race, but New orleans despite all their troubles are right in the heat as well.

You say Brees isn't MVP because his team is .500 then you say I'm wrong saying they won't win the division because they could still have a winning season. Which is it?

Favre has been incredibly average in New York, and I believe they've been winning games more because of Jones' performances than favre's.

I haven't counted the Saints out as in completely gone but realistically they have hard games against Tampa, Atlanta, Carolina, Greenbay and Chicago coming up, to round out their schedule they've got some cream puffs in KC, and Detroit but unless they magically fix the issues they've got over night I can't really see them running the table to go 10-6 or 11-5 like I can see Carolina doing. I think the Saints will go 8-8 or 9-7 but I can't see them getting ten wins.

Originally Posted by iloxygenil

Anderson is not crashing back down to earth, the Browns are playing well and are in their race, they blew a game yesterday but it was Braylon not Anderson. You say that's true, when it's not, then you have Stanton being given a shot as a push, yeah it's not over yet, but he's not going to even get a sniff, they just brought in Daunte, the only way he 'gets a shot' is if there are many injuries.

Less than 50% of his passes have been completed, he's thrown 7INTs, 9 TDs and fumbled 7 times. H'es not playing well, he's not even playing averagely he's playing terribly.

There's another 8 games and you don't think that in one of those games Stanton will be given a few snaps? Call me crazy, but with a new front office coming in, they'll want to know their commodities, new front offices have a habit of cleaning house.

Originally Posted by iloxygenil

You give yourself too much credit on most of your stuff. As far as defensive rookie, you'd like to see it go to Flowers, and he's doing a good job, but Mayo and Lofton are in the prime positions to win that award, because of the tackles etc, it's an award suited for the LBs, going to take something more than 2 interceptions to win the award. Chris Long will also get some mention because he's up to 4 sacks, that's impressive for a rookie on a bad defense and bad team.

Mayo hasn't done anything BUT tackle. He hasn't been used to blitz, or to cover almost at all. At this pace he'll record 120 tackles, no sacks, no forced fumbles, no PDef, no INTs. He's not a rookie of the year.

As much as your homerlove Lofton he isn't either.

Flowers stats might look impressive and that might be why you think I picked him, but it isn't I saw KC vs Carolina, KC v Tampa and KC v Denver and in every game he worked his but off and played extremely well no matter what was asked of him. He's the best rookie on defense I've seen all year.

Originally Posted by giantsfan

Not to be a homer or anything (I love phrases like that that people try to use to validate their homerism) but Corey Webster should be in contention for break out defender. He's been simply beastly and is now getting the INTs to fill out his stat sheet. That said he's been incredible in coverage and one of the biggest reasons why our D is playing very effectively despite missing Osi.

Yeah, I like Webster a lot, but at the same time I don't believe he broke out so much this year as the tail end / playoffs last year.

[Gay Ork Wang]

did Blindsite just pwn Iloxigenil in the face? i think so

btw Orlovsky is out indefinitely so its either stanton or henson starting this week for the lions

[Hawk]

Please it's Aaron Rodgers. Get the spelling right.

[Burns336]

Originally Posted by SeanTaylorRIP

Eh Cason over Chris Horton, not so sure about that.

What do you mean?

Cason has been a solid contributor on the NFL's worst passing D in the lea....

Oh, I see what you mean.

[SchizophrenicBatman]

an outside perspective without disagreeing with you on everything for no reason:

Brett Favre Will Flounder in New York: You're being too hard on yourself, Favre has been a bust in NY. Pennington is having a much better year in MIAMI of all places. True

Julius Peppers will have a Career Year: He's certainly bounced back and while there's still an outside chance he goes off (we all know how streaky he is) it's extremely unlikely this is his career year. False

The New Orleans Saints Won't Win the NFC South: I wouldve agreed with you on this at that beginning of the year. In fact, there were only two things I knew about the South then: The Saints wouldn't win it, and the Falcons wouldnt finish in last. This is sort of like the Peppers thing in that there's still a CHANCE they could come back but it's doubtful, especially with their defense. True

Ben Roethlisberger will be in the mix for MVP: I'm not sure if this is even possible at this point. He'd have to go insane the rest of the season to even have a shot. Honestly I think he's hurt the Steelers more than people are willing to admit in that he waits too long trying to make a play and takes a ton of sacks to go along with the mediocre passing stats. False

Derek Anderson will come crashing back to earth: Yea, this was pretty easy to call and it's happened. Only question now is do they turn to Quinn before or after Crennel is fired? True

Drew Stanton Will be Given a shot: I've never understood the love for Stanton but given the situation the Lions are in I dont see any reason he wouldn't be given a couple games...but there's no indication that it's in the works yet. Push

[bigbluedefense]

I love Woodley. I liked Abriamiri better though. Im curious to see what he can do.

[Rayray52]

Chris Johnson after his performance against the Packers should be a lock for OROY Matt Ryan has been Solid and I would say an above average QB this year for a resurgant Falcons team where Chris Johnson has been pretty close to an elite Running Back