With Tuesday being election day, YAHOO! Sports decided to hand out some NFL midseason awards, but with a political twist.
Field Delegate (MVP)
Robinson: Nobody cares about running backs anymore, right? Well, Clinton Portis has been as consistent as gravity this season, averaging 110.6 yards per game and blowing people up blocking, too. Part of the reason quarterback Jason Campbell has just one interception is because defenses are creeping up to stop Portis rather than sitting back in passing lanes. Remove Portis from the equation and the Redskins aren’t winning all these close games (six wins all by eight points or less).Absentee performer (Most disappointing team/unit)
Silver: Last January, the Jacksonville Jaguars looked like the league’s up-and-coming power. Led by their cool and efficient quarterback, David Garrard, and a roster of underappreciated hard workers, the Jags went up to Pittsburgh and pulled out a tight playoff victory, then gamely battled the undefeated Patriots before losing in the Foxborough chill. This season, head coach Jack Del Rio has many of the same players, but the formula isn’t working. It’s not like Jacksonville (3-5) is getting blown out – all eight of its games have been decided by a touchdown or less – but after Sunday’s 21-19 loss to the previously winless Bengals, another trip to the postseason is highly unlikely.
First-time voter (Rookie of the Year)
Cole: It isn’t simply that Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan’s first pass went for a touchdown or even that he’s kept the previously hapless Falcons in contention through half the season. It’s that Ryan stepped into a pressurized situation and is thriving. Ryan indirectly followed the talented Michael Vick, thrived in the racially divisive situation Vick’s case created in Atlanta and has had to live up to the richest rookie contract ever. So far, so good.
Chris Johnson of the Titans has been extraordinary and really has been Tennessee’s offensive MVP to this point. But Matt Ryan has been so good that he makes you forget that he’s still a rookie. I watch the Falcons on Sunday expecting Ryan to make plays and assume that he’s going to keep Atlanta in ballgames. It’s absolutely amazing what he’s been able to accomplish in his first year.
And my vote is definitely for the Jags as most disappointing team. They were supposed to compete with the Pats, Colts and Chargers in the AFC for the right to go to the Super Bowl and instead they’re losing to the Browns and Bengals in consecutive weeks.
