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ReadAndReact Mid-Season NFL Awards

By ArtieFufkin

Yep, it’s that time of year again! Time for bloggers and sportswriters across the land to create meaningless mid-season NFL awards lists!

And who are we to buck the system? If nothing else, this exercise allows us to take a step back to examine the first 9 weeks of action, and heap accolades on those whose performances have set them apart from the pack thus far (in either a good or not-so-good way).

So without further adieu, here they are, the inaugural ReadAndReact Mid-Season NFL Awards:

Why yes, the crow does taste fine. Thanks for asking (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

MVP: Brett Favre, MIN - As much as we hate to admit it, the old man has been the difference maker in Minnesota, and is the main reason they’re sitting atop the NFC central.  So far. It’s mainly about the attitude he brings, and the belief the rest of his teammates now have in their chances. But so far, Favre has put up excellent numbers (16TDs vs 3 INTs), and shows no signs of slowing down.  But then, we were saying the same thing about Favre and the Jets at this point last year.  We’ll see how the arm holds up come week 16.

Coach of the Year: Josh McDaniels/Mike Nolan, DEN – in a total shocker to everyone in the league, McDaniels has come into Denver and changed the team culture in record time, leading the team out to a fast 6-0 start.  And Nolan’s defense – currently 3rd in the NFL in Total Yds/Gm, and 1st in defensive touchdowns (8 so far) – has been the main reason for their success.

Still pointing at us (Photo: C. Schneider/AP)

Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees, NO – I’m taking Brees over Peyton Manning here, mainly because we’ve come to expect this sort of ruthless efficiency from Peyton, but Brees seems to have entered a new stratosphere in 2009.  He’s playing about as well as you can at the position (106 QB Rating), and has the Saints leading the NFL in total offense.

Defensive Player of the Year: Darren Sharper, NO – With a league-leading 7 interceptions (3 of them returned for TDs!), Sharper has changed the attitude of the Saints defense, and helped turn them into a force. Is it scary that a Saint is getting the award for both offense and defense?  Yes, and it’s why I like the Saints to go all the way this year.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Percy Harvin, MIN – One of the most exciting offensive playmakers to come along in a while, Harvin is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.  With 5 TDs in 8 games – 3 via reception and 2 via KO return – Harvin has challenged the Vikings coaching staff to develop more ways to get the ball into his hands.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jairus Byrd, BUF - The first-year DB has been a ball-hawking machine, with multiple interceptions in 3 consecutive games!  With 7 interceptions so far, Byrd is tied for the NFL lead, and is on pace for 14 this season, which would tie an NFL record.

Continue reading after the jump for more RnR Mid-Season Awards

Cedric Benson is running like his old Texas self (Photo: ESPN.com)

Comeback player of the Year: Cedric Benson, CIN – This one isn’t really even close.  Benson – a former 1st-round pick – was run out of Chicago after the 2007 season with a rep for being lazy and lacking passion.  With a new lease on life in Cincinnati, Benson is averaging over 100-yds/game this season, and is 2nd in the NFL in rushing.

Surprise Player of the Year: (tie) Steve Smith, NYG and Miles Austin, DAL - These two young Wide Receivers in the NFC East have come seemingly from nowhere this season to lead their respective teams in receiving yards.  In the process, they have made people forget about 2 huge names (Burress and Owens) few thought could be replaced.  Smith is 4th in the NFL in receiving yards, while Austin is tied for the league lead with 7 TDs.

Worst Offensive Player of the Year: JaMarcus Russell, OAK - In the immortal words of Dean Wormer, “Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son.”

Haynesworth has looked better (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Worst Defensive Player of the Year: Albert Haynesworth, WAS - The latest in a long line of Dan Snyder big-ticket FA failures, Haynesworth has demonstrated just how far a player can fall after a contract year, and how bad one can make an owner look.  After cashing the big check in Washington, Haynesworth has 25 tackles and 3 sacks in 2009. And despite Haynesworth’s reputation as a run-stopper, the Redskins rank 25th in the NFL in run defense.

Next Coach to lose their job: Tom Cable, OAK – The writing is on the wall in Oakland, with the National Organization for Women clamoring for Cable’s job, and the league looking into sending Cable to therapy for his  temper & “issues” with both coaches and ladies.  And you just know Al Davis is dusting off the ol’ Rolodex, getting ready to make George Blanda the next Raiders coach.

So there you have it.  Feel free to choose your own winners in the comments section, and recommend any categories we may have left out.