November 4, 200520 yr http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9021070 Brandt's midseason awards Click here to find out more! Gil Brandt By Gil Brandt NFL.com Senior Analyst (Nov. 3, 2005) -- Picking the best of the best in the NFL is like going to a custom-apparel store and trying to decide which of the great outfits will look the best on you. Now, more than ever, the league is full of so many great players who do so much and work so hard to make the NFL special. But faced with the challenge of naming the top players and coaches so far this season, we had to narrow the list of greats to a list of exemplaries, and narrow that list of exemplaries to a select few who have achieved greatness. And to think we're only halfway through. If the season were to end now, here are my picks for top honors. NFL half-year MVP: Dwight Freeney, DE, Indianapolis The Colts are 7-0 and have allowed 77 points this season. Freeney has six sacks and the team has a league-leading 26. Without him, this team would not be nearly as good on defense. He makes the players around him better. Received consideration: Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati He has completed 186 of 267 passes (69.7 percent) for 2,037 yards and 16 touchdowns against five interceptions. His passer rating is 104.1. AFC coach of the half-year: Tony Dungy, Indianapolis The Colts are the lone remaining unbeaten team. They have played great defense. Last season, they were 4-3 at this point and wound up giving up 351 points in the regular season and 44 in two postseason games. Received consideration: Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati The Bengals are 6-2 in 2005. They were 3-5 at this point in 2004. NFC coach of the half-year: Tom Coughlin, N.Y. Giants The Giants finished 6-10 last year. So far this season, they are 5-2 and are scoring almost 30 points per game with a young quarterback. Their offense has made a big improvement over 2004. Received consideration: Bill Parcells, Dallas The Cowboys are 5-3 after starting 3-5 in 2004. They are starting two rookies on each side of the ball. Best job by an offensive coordinator: Bob Bratkowski, Cincinnati The Bengals offense ranked 18th overall in 2004 and scored 23 points per game. Cincinnati is ranked No. 4 this season and Carson Palmer has been great. He has 16 touchdown passes after eight games after having 18 for the entire 2004 season. Received consideration: Gil Haskell, Seattle The Seahawks have the No. 1 offense in the league despite not having injured wide receiver Darrell Jackson. Best job by a defensive coordinator: Ron Rivera, Chicago; Monte Kiffin, Tampa Bay I couldn't make up my mind between these two great defensive developers. Last season, the Bears were ranked 21st in total defense, the Bucs were 19th against the run, and both teams gave up over 300 points. In 2005, Tampa Bay is No. 1 and Chicago is No. 3 overall on defense. Also, both teams are on a pace to give up fewer than 200 points this season (184 for the Bears; 198 for the Bucs). Offensive rookie of the half-year: Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami A close call between two Auburn running backs, but Brown gets the nod over Tampa Bay's Carnell Williams. In seven games, Brown has rushed for 544 yards and three touchdowns, and also has caught 17 passes. Defensive rookie of the half-year: DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Dallas; Darrent Williams, CB, Denver Both players have played beyond expectations -- Ware as a pass rusher and Williams as a kick returner and cornerback. Both players have made numerous big plays for their teams, and should continue to do so for years to come. Surprise offensive player of the year: Drew Bledsoe, QB, Dallas Bledsoe has the highest passer rating in the NFC (97.4). He has completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 2,019 yards and 13 touchdowns. Without him, the Cowboys would not be thinking about the playoffs and a run at the NFC East title. Surprise defensive player of the year: Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE, Tennessee He edges out Indianapolis' Robert Mathis in a close call. Both players have eight sacks this season. Vanden Bosch had none last season playing for Arizona. He has an outstanding work ethic. Received consideration: Derrick Burgess, Oakland Burgess, in his first season in Oakland after four years with Philadelphia, has seven sacks, and he has gotten all of them at home. Brandt's all half-year team Defense Offense DE: Dwight Freeney, Colts WR: Steve Smith, Panthers DT: Richard Seymour, Patriots WR: Chad Johnson, Bengals DT: Marcus Stroud, Jaguars TE: Antonio Gates, Chargers DE: Bryant Young, 49ers OT: Walter Jones, Seahawks OLB: Cato June, Colts OG: Steve Hutchinson, Seahawks MLB: Brian Urlacher, Bears C: Olin Kreutz, Bears OLB: D.J. Williams, Broncos OG: Alan Faneca, Steelers CB: Sheldon Brown, Eagles OT: Jon Jansen, Redskins CB: Tory James, Bengals QB: Peyton Manning, Colts Nickelback: R.W. McQuarters, Lions RB: Shaun Alexander, Seahawks FS: Brian Dawkins, Eagles RB: LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers SS: Troy Polamalu, Steelers FB: Mack Strong, Seahawks Special teams Special teams player: Josh Stamer, Bills P: Shane Lechler, Raiders PK: Neil Rackers, Cardinals PR: Bobby Wade, Bears KR: Terrence McGee, Bills Half-year tidbits If the season ended today, the Eagles -- the NFC representative in the Super Bowl last season -- would not make the playoffs. They would be joined by two 2004 division winners on the golf course, too. Of the 12 teams that made the 2004 playoffs, three are below .500, and six that didn't make the 2004 playoffs would make the 2005 playoffs now. If you're feeling bad about your fantasy team, you can look to the NFL and realize that success is always right around the corner. Of the 18 NFL teams at .500 or above, nine of them did not make the 2004 playoffs, and seven had sub-.500 seasons. No respect for Zach who only leads the NFL in tackles and is having an amazing year in a completely new system.
November 4, 200520 yr No respect for any Redskins who have given that team a new face and a level of respect not had for years.
November 4, 200520 yr No respect for any Redskins who have given that team a new face and a level of respect not had for years. You guys are 4-3. :plain
November 4, 200520 yr As much as I don't like him, Mike Shanahan deserves consideration for coach of the year.
November 4, 200520 yr No respect for any Redskins who have given that team a new face and a level of respect not had for years. You guys are 4-3. :plain You always make me lose my erection!!!!
November 4, 200520 yr No respect for any Redskins who have given that team a new face and a level of respect not had for years. You guys are 4-3. :plain You always make me lose my erection!!!! If it is any consolation, I think you guys will down Philly Sunday.
November 4, 200520 yr I think we have the best chance we've had in years, and not just 'cause T.O. and Chunky Soup Fairy f*** are hurting. Thanks man
November 4, 200520 yr Author Nige gto see sometone gibing by theare specftr he seservea yeah what he said! Err I think.
November 4, 200520 yr A couple things: Surprise offensive player of the year: Drew Bledsoe, QB, Dallas SS: Troy Polamalu, Steelers Nickelback: R.W. McQuarters, Lions :lol :lol :lol ..and also a plug for Chris Harris as defensive rookie of the year. What a steal this kid was.
November 5, 200520 yr ..and also a plug for Chris Harris as defensive rookie of the year. What a steal this kid was. Odell Thurman laughs in your direction.
November 5, 200520 yr Gruden should be mid-season coach of the year. Yes I am homer. You guys lost to the Jets and 49ers.
November 5, 200520 yr Gruden should be mid-season coach of the year. Yes I am homer. You guys lost to the Jets and 49ers. And we are 5-2 and in 1st place.
November 5, 200520 yr Gruden should be mid-season coach of the year. Yes I am homer. You guys lost to the Jets and 49ers. And we are 5-2 and in 1st place. I think the point he was making was that good coaches and teams don't lose games they're supposed to win. You can't afford to do that even if you are in first place.
November 5, 200520 yr Gruden should be mid-season coach of the year. Yes I am homer. You guys lost to the Jets and 49ers. And we are 5-2 and in 1st place. I think the point he was making was that good coaches and teams don't lose games they're supposed to win. You can't afford to do that even if you are in first place. *Rings the bell*
November 5, 200520 yr ..and also a plug for Chris Harris as defensive rookie of the year. What a steal this kid was. Odell Thurman laughs in your direction. Not sure what that means but Thurman is good. I was impressed by him. Doesn't change that I like Harris. Very explosive and hits HARD. Not too bad to get our starting FS for years with a 6th round pick.
November 5, 200520 yr Gruden should be mid-season coach of the year. Yes I am homer. You guys lost to the Jets and 49ers. And we are 5-2 and in 1st place. any coach who's team loses to the sh*tty ass niners should get no consideration, period
November 5, 200520 yr ..and also a plug for Chris Harris as defensive rookie of the year. What a steal this kid was. Odell Thurman laughs in your direction. Not sure what that means but Thurman is good. I was impressed by him. Doesn't change that I like Harris. Very explosive and hits HARD. Not too bad to get our starting FS for years with a 6th round pick. I don't really know what my wording meant either, I was just being dumb. I would say Thurman is the front runner for the award at the midway point, unless they give it to Ware because he plays in Dallas.
November 5, 200520 yr A couple things: Surprise offensive player of the year: Drew Bledsoe, QB, Dallas SS: Troy Polamalu, Steelers Nickelback: R.W. McQuarters, Lions :lol :lol :lol ..and also a plug for Chris Harris as defensive rookie of the year. What a steal this kid was. I vote we give every award to a Bears player/coach.
November 5, 200520 yr I vote that you respond to every post I make with a sarcastic remark. You are so good at them. And Thomas Jones for surprise offensive player of the year and Mike Brown for best SS is easily justified. and Bobby Wade shouldn't be on there as the punt returner. He's atrocious back there.
November 5, 200520 yr Oh, they forgot an award: Biggest Bitch: The frontrunner has to be TO, however, I'm not willing to discount FORMER players either. Romanowski is a close second for this season and definite first All-Time Biggest Bitch..
November 5, 200520 yr I vote that you respond to every post I make with a sarcastic remark. You are so good at them. And Thomas Jones for surprise offensive player of the year and Mike Brown for best SS is easily justified. and Bobby Wade shouldn't be on there as the punt returner. He's atrocious back there. Sarcastic? I am really voting for every award to go to a bears player or coach. You've persuaded me it is justified. BTW, for as "atrocious" as Wade has been returning punts, he is leading the NFL in average this year.
November 5, 200520 yr Yes, because I'm basing it off yardage and not his terrible decision making. I would think the word "atrocious" wouldn't be correctly placed on the man who is actually leading the league in average. I did not know you could do that and still be "atrocious".
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