Sunday, January 11, 2009

The 2008 NFL All-Pro Team and NFL awards


The 2008 NFL All-Pro Team and NFL awards

I thought that I would throw my hat in the ring and give out a few 2008 NFL season awards as well as show everyone who I think should be on the NFL’s All Pro Team.

Top Team

The Super Bowl winner may be the best team in the NFL but I think that the best team in the NFL this season was the Indianapolis Colts. Sure, the Colts started out a little bit rough as some injury issues caused the team some trouble but they finished the season strong and had they been able to get past the Chargers. If this team stays healthy next season, they could be Super Bowl trip in their future.

Most Disappointing Team

No, I am not going to say that the Detroit Lions are the most disappointing team because no one expected them to do well anyway. The Dallas Cowboys, with all of that talent and all of those expectations failed to make the playoffs this season raising some serious questions about their coaching and the talent on the team. There could be some changes in a lot of places during the offseason.

Top Head Coach

Sure, the Dolphin’s turn around was one of the best stories to come out of the NFL in a long time but I think that the top head coach in the NFL this season was the Atlanta Falcon’s Mike Smith. After seeing what he did with the Falcons after what happened to them last season, Smith is a near miracle worker and my clear cut winner for the top coach this season.

Comeback Player of the Year

Chad Pennington was cast off from the Jets after they acquired Brett Favre. He was quickly signed by the Dolphins and led them to the playoffs after a terrible 1-15 season the year before. It’s clear that without him, the Dolphins wouldn’t have gone anywhere.

Here are my All-NFL team awards:

Offense:

Quarterback-Drew Brees-New Orleans-While he may not have the wins that Peyton Manning had this season, no one means more their team than Brees does. And with the kind of numbers that he put up this year it’s hard not to give him this honor.

Running Back-DeAngelo Williams-Carolina-Williams was a monster running the ball this season and was the most reliable back in the NFL in 2008.

Fullback-Le’Ron McClain-Baltimore-If you look at his numbers and what he meant to the Ravens, he’s the best in the league.

Wide Receiver (1)-Andre Johnson-Houston-Johnson sits a little under radar despite the fact he put up some huge numbers on a consistent basis.

Wide Receiver (2)-Roddy White-Atlanta-Matt Ryan’s go to guy had a big season and meant a lot to the Falcons.

Tight End-Tony Gonzalez-Kansas City-Gonzalez was a great player on a very bad team this season. Too bad he plays on such a bad team.

Offensive Tackle (1)-Joe Thomas-Cleveland-Despite the fact his team was horrid, Thomas is playing like seasoned pro.

Offensive Tackle (2)-Jordan Gross-Carolina-Gross helped pave the way for the Panther’s awesome rushing attack and deserves a lot of credit.

Offensive Guard (1)-Travelle Wharton-Carolina-Along with Gross and the rest of the Panther’s line helped to make their running game great.

Offensive Guard (2)-Steve Hutchinson-Minnesota-Hutchinson is a monster and helps lead a monster Vikings running game.

Center-Kevin Mawae-Tennessee-Although he may be nearing the end of his career, Mawae is a force on and off the field.

Defense

Defensive End (1)-Jared Allen-Minnesota-Allen was incredible this season and is, right now, the best defensive end in the NFL.

Defensive End (2)-Julius Peppers-Carolina-After a bad 2007 season, Peppers had a great season this year and showed just how much he means to the Panthers.

Defensive Tackle (1)-Kevin and Pat Williams-I am putting both of these guys on here because of their ability to shut down opponent’s running games.

Defensive Tackle (2)-Albert Haynesworth-Tennessee-Haynesworth is a force to be reckoned with and could be the best at his position right now in the NFL.

Outside Linebacker (1)-DeMarcus Ware-Dallas-You have to admit, this guy is good and is the heart and soul of the Dallas defense.

Outside Linebacker (2)-James Harrison-Pittsburgh-This guy is good and he got what he deserved, the Defensive Player of the Year honor.

Middle Linebacker-Ray Lewis-Baltimore-Perhaps there are other players that might be more deserving of this but he is the heart and soul of one of the best defenses in the NFL this season and is a future hall of famer.

Cornerback (1)-Nnamdi Asomugha-Oakland-One of the few true shut down corners in the NFL.

Cornerback (2)-Asante Samuel-Philadelphia-Moving to Philly didn’t hurt Samuel who has had a great season.

Strong Safety-Troy Polamalu-Pittsburgh-There is no one better at the position than Polamalu.

Free Safety-Ed Reed-Baltimore-Reed is a game changer and a future hall of famer.

Special Teams

Kicker-Robbie Gould-Chicago-No one does it better than Gould when it comes to kicking in harsh weather or winning a game in overtime.

Punter-Brad Maynard-Chicago-Maynard quietly had the best season that any punter had in the NFL.

Kick Returner-Leon Washington-New York Jets-Washington had a great season and deserves a lot of recognition.

Punt Returner-Jonnie Lee Higgins-Oakland-The numbers speak for themselves.

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