First Quarter Awards

By Jeff Chudnofsky – Staff Writer

Four weeks into the NFL season, we’ve learned (once again) that not everything goes as planned. We’ve seen playoff teams become cellar dwellers and doormats become legitimate forces. We’ve seen Daunte struggle in his new environment while Donovan is back on the scene. We’ve been introduced the rookie of the year in the Big Easy, and his name isn’t Reggie Bush. Although the regular season still holds 13 more weeks, let’s take a time out to appreciate what was the first quarter of the 2006 season.

MVP Candidates – Peyton Manning, Steve McNair, Donovan McNabb

Manning and McNair sit atop their respective divisions at 4-0, while McNabb is leading the league in passing with 1,248 yards. Manning is second in passing yardage (1,112) and has added two rushing scores to go along with his six TD tosses. While Manning has put his team on his back, McNair has been fortunate to ride the AFC’s best defense. While his numbers aren’t gaudy, don’t look past McNair’s consecutive game winning drives in weeks 3 and 4. In a close race, I’d go with Peyton Manning.

Offensive Player of the Year – Donovan McNabb

This one is easy, as McNabb has thrown for nine touchdowns and has ran for two more. He trails only David Carr (108.0) and Damon Huard (106.9) in passer rating. Yes, David Carr and Damon Huard.

Defensive player of the year – Bart Scott

If you had to guess which Baltimore defender would crown DPOY honors at the start of the season, most bets would be placed on Ray Lewis or Ed Reed. While he is not a household name, Bart Scott has been a catalyst for the dynamic Ravens’ defense with 42 total tackles, five sacks, one interception and four passes defended.

Offensive Rookie of the year Candidates – Marques Colston, Laurence Maroney

Once again, the big surprise in New Orleans is not Reggie Bush. Colston is currently sixth in the NFL in receiving yards with 336, while he has converted three of his 20 catches for scores. Maroney has been electrifying, currently 11th in rushing with 294 yards, a 4.9 average, and three rushing touchdowns. While both players are difference makers on their respective teams, my vote is going with Colston until he slows down.

Defensive Rookie of the year – DeMeco Ryans

Nothing flashy here, but Ryans is currently tied for fifth in total tackles along with 0.5 sacks.

Comeback Player of the year – Chad Pennington

Who would have thought that Pennington would be eighth in passing yardage with a 102.3 passer rating, much less survive four games? He has led the Jets to a surprising 2-2 record and has them believing in a playoff run.

Biggest Disappointment – Daunte Culpepper, Randy Moss

I’ll admit, I was drinking the Fish-flavored Kool-Aid at the start of the season, but C-Pep reminds us again that he is nothing without Randy Moss. Speaking of Moss, his play versus Cleveland last week resembled the speed of Joe Paterno running across the field to use the john. In Moss’ defense, he is stuck in no man’s land, and unless he is shipped off to Jacksonville, he will continue to misjudge Andrew Walter’s ducks.


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2 responses to “First Quarter Awards”

  1. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    I agree with Pennington, but Winslow is the No. 1 fantasy TE so far, he def. deserves some consideration there….As for my preseason comeback pick, Daunte Culpepper – Joey Harrington is already warming up.

    McNair has been good late in games, I’ll give him that, but he has been thoroughly unimpressive for the most part.

  2. Derek Avatar
    Derek

    Not sure who misses whom more, Randy or Daunte…either way, both look seriously done….it’s not just Daunte’s lack of mobility, he has no pocket awarness whatsoever…Randy might be the most disintered player in all of sports.

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