It i hard to believe that the NFL regular season is over. It seems like just weeks ago 32 teams were in training camp, eagerly anticipating the start of a new season. It feels like only yesterday that all the teams took the field on opening day with high expectations and Superbowl aspirations. But now, 17 short weeks later, the dust has cleared and there are only twelve teams left standing.
This season has been full of surprises, unpredictability, intense matchups, broken records, and broken dreams. It was a roller coaster season full of ups and downs, breakout performances, replacement refs, and very few on-field Tebow sightings. It was as hectic at the end as it was at the beginning. One thing is for sure: this was a season to remember.
2012 may be remembered as the year the rookies took over, with rookies playing key roles on both sides of the ball. #1 & #2 overall picks Andrew Luck and RG3, the two most talked about rookies this year, have had an immediate impact, leading their respective teams to the playoffs. Rookie running backs like Tampa's Doug Martin, and Washington's Alfred Morris, an unheralded 6th round draft pick, have made huge splashes, both landing in the top 5 in rushing yards, touchdowns, and total yards from scrimmage. These offensive rookies, however, may be overshadowed by Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson, who is leading the hottest team in the NFC into the playoffs with victories in Chicago and home victories against division winning New England and San Francisco. He gets my vote for OROY.
In my preseason predictions, I said Luke Kuechly would win the Defensive Rookie of the Year and I also predicted he would lead his team in tackles. Not only did he lead his team, he led the entire league with 164 tackles. This should make him the frontrunner for the award over other standouts like New England's Chandler Jones and Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner.
2012 may also be remembered as the year of the comeback. Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis came back from three major surgeries on his knee. Peyton manning came back strong after missing an entire season due to neck surgery. Adrian Peterson came back less than eight months after major ACL surgery to finish within nine yards of breaking the single season rushing record. Since AD only missed one game last season, I cannot call it a legitimate comeback, therefore, Manning gets the award.
This season was full of spectacular offensive performances. From Peterson closing in on the rushing record to Aaron Rodgers leading the league in passing TDs, there are plenty of players eligible for Offensive Player of the Year. The person I think is most deserving is Megatron, Calvin Johnson. He broke Jerry Rice's single season receiving yards record and came within a hair of being the first player in history with 2,000 receiving yards. He was my preseason pick for MVP and if his team made the playoffs I might give it to him, but for now he can take OPOY.
With so much focus on offense, there were some incredible defensive performances this year, as well. Charles Tillman had ten forced fumbles and scored three defensive touchdowns. Aldon Smith had 19.5 sacks for the Niners defense. My Defensive Player of the Year Award goes to J.J. Watt who led the league with 20.5 sacks and was an unblockable monster up front, even batting down 16 passes at the line.
My MVP Award has changed a few times throughout the season. I predicted Calvin Johnson would take it in the beginning, but that soon went out the window. Soon, it became a race between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, with neither passer gaining enough ground to pull ahead. Soon, Peyton Manning became my frontrunner because I think he has turned Denver into the best team in the NFL after a slow start. Adrian Peterson entered the discussion toward the end of the season, since he is the Vikings only offensive weapon. It came down to a few things for me. Last season, the Broncos made the playoffs, and even won a game in Pittsburgh, and they did it without Peyton Manning. This season, the Vikings made the playoffs, but without AD, I doubt they win four games. For that reason, my MVP is Adrian Peterson.
It is sad to think that in about a month there will be no more football games for about six months, although I bet my girlfriend will be happy to have me back on Sundays. It is the worst time of the year for me as a sports fan. That makes the playoffs all the more special to me. And this year, if the postseason is anything like the regular season, I will not be disappointed.
This season has been full of surprises, unpredictability, intense matchups, broken records, and broken dreams. It was a roller coaster season full of ups and downs, breakout performances, replacement refs, and very few on-field Tebow sightings. It was as hectic at the end as it was at the beginning. One thing is for sure: this was a season to remember.
2012 may be remembered as the year the rookies took over, with rookies playing key roles on both sides of the ball. #1 & #2 overall picks Andrew Luck and RG3, the two most talked about rookies this year, have had an immediate impact, leading their respective teams to the playoffs. Rookie running backs like Tampa's Doug Martin, and Washington's Alfred Morris, an unheralded 6th round draft pick, have made huge splashes, both landing in the top 5 in rushing yards, touchdowns, and total yards from scrimmage. These offensive rookies, however, may be overshadowed by Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson, who is leading the hottest team in the NFC into the playoffs with victories in Chicago and home victories against division winning New England and San Francisco. He gets my vote for OROY.
In my preseason predictions, I said Luke Kuechly would win the Defensive Rookie of the Year and I also predicted he would lead his team in tackles. Not only did he lead his team, he led the entire league with 164 tackles. This should make him the frontrunner for the award over other standouts like New England's Chandler Jones and Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner.
2012 may also be remembered as the year of the comeback. Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis came back from three major surgeries on his knee. Peyton manning came back strong after missing an entire season due to neck surgery. Adrian Peterson came back less than eight months after major ACL surgery to finish within nine yards of breaking the single season rushing record. Since AD only missed one game last season, I cannot call it a legitimate comeback, therefore, Manning gets the award.
This season was full of spectacular offensive performances. From Peterson closing in on the rushing record to Aaron Rodgers leading the league in passing TDs, there are plenty of players eligible for Offensive Player of the Year. The person I think is most deserving is Megatron, Calvin Johnson. He broke Jerry Rice's single season receiving yards record and came within a hair of being the first player in history with 2,000 receiving yards. He was my preseason pick for MVP and if his team made the playoffs I might give it to him, but for now he can take OPOY.
With so much focus on offense, there were some incredible defensive performances this year, as well. Charles Tillman had ten forced fumbles and scored three defensive touchdowns. Aldon Smith had 19.5 sacks for the Niners defense. My Defensive Player of the Year Award goes to J.J. Watt who led the league with 20.5 sacks and was an unblockable monster up front, even batting down 16 passes at the line.
My MVP Award has changed a few times throughout the season. I predicted Calvin Johnson would take it in the beginning, but that soon went out the window. Soon, it became a race between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, with neither passer gaining enough ground to pull ahead. Soon, Peyton Manning became my frontrunner because I think he has turned Denver into the best team in the NFL after a slow start. Adrian Peterson entered the discussion toward the end of the season, since he is the Vikings only offensive weapon. It came down to a few things for me. Last season, the Broncos made the playoffs, and even won a game in Pittsburgh, and they did it without Peyton Manning. This season, the Vikings made the playoffs, but without AD, I doubt they win four games. For that reason, my MVP is Adrian Peterson.
It is sad to think that in about a month there will be no more football games for about six months, although I bet my girlfriend will be happy to have me back on Sundays. It is the worst time of the year for me as a sports fan. That makes the playoffs all the more special to me. And this year, if the postseason is anything like the regular season, I will not be disappointed.
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