2008 NFL Awards
by Paul Eide
Fantasy Football Director/Senior Writer
12/31/08

NFL MVP: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina
Am I the only one that is thoroughly impressed with DeAngelo Williams? Over the last nine games of 2008 with Carolina locked in a battle for a division title, Williams averaged 122 yards per game and scored 16 touchdowns, securing the first playoff appearance since 2005 and saving John Fox’s job. Williams single handedly took over games in crunch time and dominated opposing defenses when his team needed it the most. If those numbers and how important he was to his team’s success aren’t criteria for an MVP, then what is?
 
Offensive MVP: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina
The way Williams exploded from week five on makes him the most valuable offensive player in the league as no one was as hot for as long as Williams. In the first four weeks of the season Williams had neither a TD nor a 100 yard game. Just when the Fantasy Vultures had begun to circle overhead, Williams responded with 20 total TD over the next 12 games and led the league in that category.

Defensive MVP: Ed Reed, S, Baltimore
It isn’t necessarily what Reed will do to opposing offenses, but what he could do which is enough to wreck any offenses game plan. Reed is like the Queen on a chess board; Capable of making any move in any direction, the laws that apply to other pieces/players just don’t apply to him and he can strike from anywhere at any time. Reed’s nine interceptions led the league and tied his own career high (2004). But more importantly is that he helped the Ravens get back to their ball hawking, defensive scoring ways after a horrible 2007. The Ravens defense scored points in eight games in 2008 and came out with an 8-0 record in those games. How important is a defensive TD in the NFL? In 2008 when a defensive unit scored a TD, that team won that game 76% of the time.

Offensive Rookie of Year: Matt Forte, RB, Chicago
As if Cedric Benson needed to look any worse in the eyes of Bears fans, Forte exploded onto the scene immediately and produced accounting for almost 40% of the Bears total offensive yards. No offensive rookie in the NFL is as important to his team as Forte is to the Bears.

Defensive Rookie of Year: Jerod Mayo, LB, New England
As much as I wanted to diverge from the national sports media on this one, Mayo was the best choice, with Chris Horton of the Redskins and Curtis Lofton as the Falcons also worthy of consideration. Mayo was the first LB Bill Belichick has ever taken on the first day of the draft and he responded with 128 tackles by the NFL’s count, 139 if Patriots coaches calculations are to be believed. He was an impact player from day one and was essentially the glue that held the Patriots LB’s together with Adalius Thomas being placed on IR and the limited impact made by aging studs Mike Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi. Led the Pats in tackles in seven games.

Comeback Player of the Year: Thomas Jones, RB, New York Jets
After a year in which he scored two total TD and was considered by some to be on the downside of a solid career, Jones responded with a career high 15 total TD and the highest total yardage he’s ever had in one season (1,519).

Breakthrough Player of the Year: Matt Cassel, QB, New England
After not starting a game since his senior year of high school Cassel suddenly finds himself as possibly the best QB slated to hit the free agent market. Cassel filled in so well for Tom Brady that an emerging rumor is that the Patriots may place the Franchise Tag on Cassel as Brady’s rehab has not progressed as well as initially planned. Cassel led the team to an impressive 11-5 record, had five games with 3+ passing TD and improved tremendously during the course of the season.

Best Coach: Jeff Fisher
I’m not just jumping on the Fisher bandwagon now, I’ve be firmly planted since the end of January when I wrote this article about what a genius he is and asked ESPN’s Marcellus Wiley why he is so underrated here. Fisher consistently gets players you’ve never heard of to play great, year in and year out. Outside of Albert Haynesworth, what stud does this team have or has had in the last 5 years? Kerry Collins mentioned in the MVP conversation? The audacity to draft Chris Johnson in the first round when the team had apparent needs at multiple “more important” positions? Fisher is the obvious choice. 

Best Assistant Coach/Coordinator/Future Head Coach: Kevin Gilbride, New York Giants
An argument can be made for Giants defensive coordinator and current hot commodity Steve Spagnuolo but Gilbride wins out because of his experience and the varied types of success he has had as a coordinator. Way before guiding the 2008 Giants to the #1 ranked rushing offense and only team to average five yards per carry in the league, Gilbride was the Houston Oilers offensive coordinator and finished in the top five in passing offense in each of his five seasons (90-94) meaning that he is a disciple of neither run or pass first doctrine, but one who can adjust to the surrounding personnel and be successful. Looking at Gilbride’s body of work he is as qualified as any candidate on the market and has done the most with what he had at his disposal. The Giants winning the Super Bowl rather unexpectedly a year ago enters into the equation but even more than is the success of the offense in 2008 regardless of circumstance (Jacobs knee injury, Plaxico’s sweat pants) with supposedly less talent at his disposal. Gilbride’s first and only stint as an NFL head coach wasn’t great but neither was Bill Belichick’s. It has been 10 years since then and he deserves another shot.

Best 2008 NFL Draft Impact: Jake Long, OT, Miami
Playing the most high profile of all offensive line positions for a team that was 1-15 in the previous season has to be somewhat daunting and overwhelming at certain points. But in watching Jake Long during his rookie season, he never looked overmatched, giving up only 2 ½ sacks all season and committing just five penalties all year. The Dolphins won the AFC East, Chad Pennington became the first Dolphins QB other than Dan Marino to throw for 3,500+ yards and the total offense ranking improved from 28th last year to 10th overall in 2008. Long was billed as the most pro ready prospect in last year’s draft and played like it all season. 

Best Fantasy Football Sleeper: Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego
Career year, anyone? Rivers didn’t get his due after he was snubbed by the Pro Bowl in favor of Brett Favre but fantasy football players are much more respectful because data is king. Rivers led the NFL in passing TD (34) and enjoyed his first season ever of 4,000+ passing yards. Rivers is the obvious choice after being drafted in the 10th round and beyond in most fantasy drafts and for playing his most productive football from weeks 14-17 when fantasy owners needed it the most.