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RantSports 2014 Midseason NFL Awards

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By @seankjensen

Handing Out the 2014 Midseason NFL Awards

Tom Brady Cover

It’s Election Day, but my Midseason NFL award choices aren’t democratic at all.

Week 9 just wrapped up last night, and every NFL team has completed half its schedule. Some things aren’t surprising (The New York Jets are at the bottom of the AFC East). Some things are (The Browns are above .500 without Johnny Manziel?). But that is why, in the wise words of Herm Edwards, “You play to win the game."

So let’s hand out some awards:

MVP: Tom Brady

Tom Brady
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

MVP: Tom Brady

Tom Brady
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

I am not a robot, so therefore I am not programmed to give Peyton Manning ANOTHER MVP crown. And because I am not a robot, I cannot un-see his mediocre start in a 43-21 drubbing by the Patriots. Which leads me to my MVP… Tom Brady. After some initial panic, Brady has seemingly gone out of his way to prove a point: “I’m the Man.”
In the last four games, he’s thrown 16 TDs against one INT while his team has averaged just under 40 points per game.

Coach of the Year: Mike Pettine, Part 1

Mike Pettine
Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

Coach of the Year: Mike Pettine, Part 1

Mike Pettine
Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

Yeah, I get it. Bruce Arians has the Arizona Cardinals off to an NFC-best 7-1 record, despite losing some key players to injury. But he’s not my choice. Yeah, I get it. Jim Caldwell has already led the Detroit Lions to six victories, just one less than all of 2013. But he’s not my choice either.
Jason Garrett? Bill Belichick? Chip Kelly? Marvin Lewis? No, no, no and no.
My choice is Mike Pettine.

Coach of the Year: Mike Pettine, Part 2

Mike Pettine 2
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Coach of the Year: Mike Pettine, Part 2

Mike Pettine 2
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns have been a certified mess for a long, long time, on and off the field. But Pettine has led the Browns to a 5-3 record, which must be put into perspective: That matches or tops the win total for every season since 2008. Think about that! I’m not suggesting the Browns will make the playoffs or that Pettine will win this award. I’m just saying at this point of the season, I think he’s the most deserving.

Defensive Stud: J.J. Watt

J.J. Watt
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Stud: J.J. Watt

J.J. Watt
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

I respect the heck out of the analysts at Pro Football Focus. According to PFF, Watt’s rating is 53.8. The next closest 3-4 DE? The Jets' Muhammad Wilkerson with a 23.3.
Watt isn’t leading the league in sacks (he’s got 8 ½), but he does lead players at his position in quarterback hits and hurries. But the reason he’s the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player is his knack for game-changing plays, most notably an 80-yard TD against the Bills.

Offensive Stud: DeMarco Murray

DeMarco Murray
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Stud: DeMarco Murray

DeMarco Murray
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Another no-brainer. DeMarco Murray of the Dallas Cowboys snapped his 100 rushing yards per game streak against the Cardinals, and he fumbles way too much (five lost fumbles). But Murray has 1,133 rushing yards on the season, he’s scored a respectable six touchdowns, he leads the league with 1,383 yards from scrimmage (300 more than the next closest player) and has 62 first downs.
He’s also still on pace to top 2,000 rushing yards.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Sammy Watkins

Sammy Watkins
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Sammy Watkins

Sammy Watkins
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Sammy Watkins has made the Bills look smart for moving up in the NFL Draft to select him fourth overall. He’s clearly been the top offensive rookie and even a respectable 15th in the NFL with 590 receiving yards. The Bills are in the mix for a playoff spot, and Watkins is a huge reason why.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Anthony Barr

Anthony Barr
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Anthony Barr

Anthony Barr
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

My choice is Vikings linebacker Barr, the 9th overall pick back in May. Barr has 58 tackles, but he’s also got four sacks, two of them in consecutive weeks. But what I couldn’t ignore was his remarkable play in overtime against the Bucs. He forced a fumble, recovered it and returned it for the game-winning touchdown. I watched the replay over and over, and I came to the same conclusion: He made it look so easy. It was a J.J. Watt-esque play.

Comeback Player of the Year: Rolando McClain

Rolando McClain
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Comeback Player of the Year: Rolando McClain

Rolando McClain
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Despite losing DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys defense has been more than solid this season, and McClain is a big part of that. He’s been reliable, and he’s flashed his immense athleticism, especially on his game-clinching interception against the Seahawks. McClain, 25, retired and un-retired several times, but he seems to have found a home – and an environment – where he finally feels comfortable.

Breakout Player of the Year: Le'Veon Bell

Le'Veon Bell
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Breakout Player of the Year: Le'Veon Bell

Le'Veon Bell
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Le’Veon Bell scored eight touchdowns last season. But he’s really established himself as an indispensable jack-of-all trades for the Steelers. He’s got 711 rushing yards, 433 receiving yards, and he’s shown enough wiggle and explosion to strike fear in any defense.

Best Free-Agent Signing: Emmanuel Sanders

Emmanuel Sanders
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Best Free-Agent Signing: Emmanuel Sanders

Emmanuel Sanders
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a tough one because Golden Tate has stepped up in Calvin Johnson’s absence for the Lions. But he still doesn't have the numbers of Emmanuel Sanders of the Denver Broncos. Plus, Sanders signed a three-year deal that guaranteed him just million. Sanders is third in the NFL with 57 catches, sixth with 785 receiving yards, and he’s also scored four touchdowns. Steve Smith Sr. should also get a mention given the impact he's had for the Ravens.

Worst Free-Agent Signing: Lamarr Houston

Lamarr Houston
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Worst Free-Agent Signing: Lamarr Houston

Lamarr Houston
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Lamarr Houston is only 27 years old, and he’d been very durable in his first four NFL seasons. But Houston – who signed a five-year, million deal with the Bears – was placed on the IR after notching just one sack and injuring his knee during the celebration. That the Bears were losing badly to the Patriots at the time – and that Brady wasn't even the quarterback – makes it all the more difficult for the Bears to accept.

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