subject: Nfl Tickets - Awards Predictions [print this page] Here are my predictions for the National Football League's 2010 awards:
Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts: Some might consider this to be a bit of a boring pick, but there's really nothing boring about what Peyton Manning does.
Manning turns mediocre receivers into stars and carries his team on his back like no other player in the league. The Colts are a good bet to secure the best record in the league in 2010, which will help Manning's case, and it's hard to argue that any player does more for their team. Manning is like a player-coach at this point and has more input into game plans and more freedom within an offense than any player in history. It might be more fun to pick a guy like Aaron Rodgers, but Manning is genuinely the most valuable player to his team in the NFL year in and year out, even the years he doesn't win the award.
Offensive Player of the Year: Ray Rice, Running Back, Baltimore Ravens: While Joe Flacco received much of the attention in Baltimore this preseason with expectations of a much-improved passing game, people are forgetting about Rice a bit. Rice could haul in 80 passes this season and should improve as a runner in 2010. He's one of the most electric players in the league and is the focal point of the Ravens offense, contrary to what the hype machine would have you believe. 2010 will be the year of Ray Rice, as I expect him to outdo guys like Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson.
Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Willis, Middle Linebacker, San Francisco 49ers: Willis hit the ground running when he entered the NFL and has not looked back. He's a sideline-to-sideline backer in the old school mold and has only benefited from the presence of head coach Mike Singletary. Playing in a unit that should be one of the best defenses in the league, Willis will shine this season as the NFL's best tackler.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jahvid Best, Running Back, Detroit Lions: While Ryan Mathews is the more popular and safer pick, I've just got a good feeling about Jahvid Best. Equally as dangerous in the passing game as he is in the running game, Best should provide young quarterback Matthew Stafford will a great check-down option this season. He might not see as big of a workload as Mathews, but he's a more dynamic playmaker.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Eric Berry, Safety, Kansas City Chiefs: Safeties often take some time to adjust to the NFL game, but if Berry is given enough freedom to roam we could see why people have compared him to Ed Reed. I think the Chiefs will be an improved team defensively and Berry will be a big part of that. The Chiefs could be a team on the rise this season, one to get NFL tickets to see hit the field.
Head Coach of the Year: Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers: If the preseason is any indication, the Packers could roll over a lot of teams in 2010. With a dominant offense and a defense that oozes potential, the Packers have a real shot at climbing to the top of the NFC North standings and securing a first-round bye this season.
