2012-2013 VTD NFL season awards

It has clearly been another great NFL season, there have been great team accomplishments, also great individual accomplishments. But let’s also recognize the not so great actions of players and performances that have been accomplished during the season.

Agree or disagree, I give you the VTD NFL awards of 2012.

Offensive Rookie of the Year; Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins. He came into the league with high expectations, as the next big thing along with Andrew Luck. He came and tore up the league for 3200 YDs passing on a precise 66% completion rate, 20 TDs to only 5 ints, and he wasn’t afraid to move the ball downfield, adding along 815 yards (6.8 YPC) and 7 rushing TDs as well. This kid is amazing to watch; hopefully his knee injury doesn’t stifle his growth into one of the best for years to come.

Defensive Rookie of the Year; Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina Panthers. When the 6-3 245 lb linebacker came out of Boston College with the 9^th overall pick, it immediately brought a new look to the defensive side of the Panthers game. Leading the NFL in total tackles on the season with 164, including 103 solo, 8 passes defended, he also snagged 2 picks, and recovered 3 fumbles. He also helped improve the Panthers defensive ppg, dropping it 4 pts. He will be an anchor to this team for a lot of years.

Comeback Player of the Year; Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos. After his 4 neck surgeries, countless folks questioned if he was ever going to be anything close as to what he was in his career. At 36 years old, how would he bounce back from them, and even more, after missing the entire 2011 season. Suddenly rejuvenated, and back on track. Throwing for 4659 YDs, 37 TDs (2^nd most in his career) and leading the Broncos to a 13-3 record, I would say “well done Mr. Manning.”

Most Underrated player of the Year; Vincent Jackson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The wide out who never seemed to pan out as to what he was talented of, 72(career high) catches, 1384 YDs (19.2 YPC, both career highs for a full season of work) and 8 TDs later, and giving the Buccaneers a legit threat receiving the ball, landing them 10th in passing YDs in the league, and improving their scoring by a TD from last season.

Breakthrough player of the Year; Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys 12 TD grabs and 1382 YDs, leading all Cowboys WRs, the 24 year old, was indeed the main man, with incredible hands and athletic skill, he is on the right path, once he gets his route running just right, look out.

Coach of the Year; Leslie Frazier, 10-6, Minnesota Vikings. Taking a team from a 3-13 to a 10-6 record with fundamentally the same team as last year. Keeping them together and making it work, getting the best out of a mediocre team. He has given the Vikes optimism and is bringing a confident feeling of where they are headed.

Biggest disappointment of the Year (player); Matthew Stafford,QB, Detroit Lions. 20 TDs and 17 ints, after throwing 41 TDs last year, completing 63% of his passes, he was ordained for greatness, measured as one of the NFLs elite. He found himself with only 5 games with 2+ TD passes in a game, and 8 games completing less than 60%.

Biggest disappointment of the Year (team); Detroit Lions, 4-12, NFC North. The Lions, on paper, they looked like they were prepared to step it up; they ended last year with a 10-6 record with lofty hopes on the horizon. Instead they produced discreetly at best, on the offensive as well as the defensive side of the ball, equally which worsened this year.

Team of the Year; Seattle Seahawks, 11-5, NFC West. I know there are a number of teams all with better records, I get it. With a pounding running game, young talented WRs, they are by and large only going to get better. With a pint sized rookie QB, who no one thought could in reality make a starting roster, ended up shocking many teams. 10 times they held opponents to less than 20, ending the season as one of the best defenses of all time, as far as stopping opponents from scoring the ball; the Seahawks are the team of the year for me.

Defensive player of the Year; JJ Watt, DE, Houston Texans. 20.5 sacks, 69 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 16 passes defended and 2 fumble recoveries. For a Texans team that without him I think would have been 8-8. With 11 games with a sack, JJ Watt is the young bull on the climb, who changed team’s offensive strategies.  

MVP of the Year; Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings. Coming back so quickly after tearing up his knee, AP came back with his best season ever, scoring 12 TDs, 2097 YDs, and an outrageous 6.0 YPC he left us all in wonder. Peterson was simply amazing in leading his team to an unexpected 10-6 record and giving us a great delight to watch him chase the all time rushing record, falling only 9 yards short. He does things like no other back; he’s smart, strong, elusive and tremendously motivated. Take your pick; I’ll still take “All Day”, any day.