Handing out awards as regular season ramps up
The 2016 NFL season is here. Time for some fearless predictions. I’m already on record as picking the Pittsburgh Steelers to beat the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl. Now, let’s get into individual honors and other projections for the year.
MVP
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh. He’ll put up huge numbers in an offense that, by design and necessity, will revolve around his throwing arm. And that should go a long way toward carrying the Steelers to a seventh Lombardi Trophy.
Roethlisberger is going to have frequent opportunities to connect with Antonio Brown, arguably the most dangerous receiver in the NFL, especially during the first three games of the season while standout running back Le’Veon Bell is serving a suspension. Look for Roethlisberger to surpass his career high of 32 TD passes.
Honorable mentions: Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle; Cam Newton, QB, Carolina; Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota; Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles.
Offensive Player of the Year
Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota. After losing Teddy Bridgewater for the season, the Vikings will lean more heavily on Peterson than ever. And he continues to have the freakish physical qualities to handle the load. The Vikings’ offensive line also is prepared to put the brunt of the offense on its collective shoulder pads by clearing the way for AP.
As offensive guard Alex Boone told SiriusXM NFL Radio, “You’ve got to be tough about it. It’s one of those things where everybody’s just got to bow up.”
Honorable mentions: Roethlisberger, Newton, Gurley; Brown, WR, Pittsburgh; Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England.
Defensive Player of the Year
Khalil Mack, DE. Oakland. Normally, you just insert J.J. Watt’s name here and move on. But Mack has turned into something incredible and darn near unstoppable. He has left blocker after blocker exasperated by his ability to use power to counter efforts to stop his speed and speed to counter efforts to stop his power.
Based on the accounts of many current and former NFL players, coaches, and player-personnel types, Mack is on track to join the likes of Lawrence Taylor, Bruce Smith and Reggie White on the short list of greatest of the greats.
Honorable mentions: Von Miller, OLB, Denver; J.J. Watt, DE, Houston; Fletcher Cox, DT, Philadelphia; Tyrann Mathieu, DB, Arizona.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas. The Cowboys took some justified criticism for using the fourth overall choice on a running back, but how good must they feel about that pick now?
After losing Tony Romo for at least six games with a broken bone in his back, they will put much of their offense into Elliott’s hands. He has a stunning mix of speed, power, and vision. He blocks well and is a fierce competitor. In their history, the Cowboys have drafted eight running backs in the first round. Two, Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith, are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Honorable mentions: Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas; Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Tampa Bay. There are lots of considerations, including a couple -- such as Oakland safety Karl Joseph and Jacksonville linebacker Myles Jack -- who are beginning the season as backups. What makes Hargreaves the choice is his ability to play outside or inside, his exceptional instincts and ball-hawking skills that he demonstrated with two preseason interceptions.
Honorable mentions: Noah Spence, DE, Tampa Bay; Joseph, S, Oakland; Jack, LB, Jacksonville; Jalen Ramsey, CB, Jacksonville.
Comeback Player of the Year
Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay. His season-long absence last year to a knee injury was a blow that took plenty away from quarterback Aaron Rodgers in particular and the offense in general. Nelson not only should give Rodgers the reliability he was missing from his receiving corps, but also help draw coverage away from the Packers’ other pass-catchers.
Honorable mention: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina; Mathieu, DB, Arizona; Terrell Suggs, OLB, Baltimore; Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis.
Coach of the Year
Bill Belichick, New England. If he does the expected and leads the Patriots to yet another AFC East crown, and especially if he fulfills the predictions of many by guiding them on yet another Super Bowl run with Tom Brady missing the first four games, he is a pretty easy choice here. Even the numerous critics who like to say Belichick would be nothing without Brady would have to concede that overcoming the suspension of his best player is worthy of this honor.
Honorable mentions: Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh; Mike Zimmer, Minnesota; Jack Del Rio, Oakland; Andy Reid, Kansas City.
Most Surprising Team
Jacksonville. I’m aboard the hype train. Although the Jaguars have gone 3-20 in September-October games played in the past three seasons, they have the offensive firepower and have made enough defensive upgrades to make a significant improvement. They have what it takes to win the weak AFC South. Honorable mentions: Kansas City, Buffalo, Atlanta.
Most Surprising Player
David Johnson, RB, Arizona. This guy was only getting started when he went on a tear as a runner and a receiver late last season. With his power, speed, and smarts, he should end up being a much larger factor in the Cardinals’ offense and put up monster numbers as a rusher and receiver.
Honorable mentions: Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City; Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas; Ziggy Ansah, DE, Detroit.
Most Disappointing Team
Miami. The Dolphins brought in Adam Gase to fix Ryan Tannehill, but that looks like a hopeless project. The contract extension the team gave Tannehill gives them an out they are likely to exercise after the season. The defense isn’t likely to receive a boost from Mario Williams.
Honorable mentions: Indianapolis, NY Giants.
Most Disappointing Player
Olivier Vernon, DE, NY Giants. His $84-million contract, following a 7.5-sack season in 2015, sets him up for massive failure. He’s good, but he’s being paid to be great, with production matching that of the Von Millers, J.J. Watts and Kahlil Macks. Vernon is not great. Not by a long shot.
Honorable mentions: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans; Tavon Austin, WR, Rams. (Buffalo News/TNS)