Saturday, January 9, 2010
Sports Central’s 2009 NFL All-Pro Team
With the 2009 regular season over, it's time to honor this season's most outstanding players. This column exists to explain the reasons I chose certain players, or didn't take others, and to give recognition to those who just missed the list. If all you care about is who made the team, you'll find a list at the end.
This year, we have 12 players on offense and 13 on defense. Fullbacks have been gradually phased out of the base offense, with most teams preferring to use a third wide receiver or second tight end. Therefore, we named three WRs and two TEs, but no fullback. There's simply no one at that position who's deserving of all-pro recognition this season. Because of this trend on offense, though, all teams need a good nickel back, and our all-pro team has three cornerbacks. Finally, some teams use one DT and two ILBs, while others use two DTs and one ILB. We have two players at both positions.
Our choices are listed in order, so you'll know which receiver is third, which tight end is second, and so on. Also, don't miss our NFL All-Decade Team.
Quarterback: Drew Brees (NO)
Last Year: Philip Rivers (SD)
Three candidates stood head-and-shoulders above the rest: Brees, Rivers, and Peyton Manning (IND). All three of them sat in Week 17, and I think Aaron Rodgers (GB), Tony Romo (DAL), and Matt Schaub (HOU) have statistics just as good. Manning is probably the smartest player in the game. He's in total control of his offense, and he demands perfection from both himself and his teammates. Manning consistently leads the NFL in fewest sacks taken, and he hasn't lost a fumble in two years. This season, he ranked 2nd in passing yards and tied for 2nd in passing TDs.
Rivers creates plays. There are good quarterbacks who can hit open receivers, and there are great ones who can hit a guy even when he's covered. Rivers is one of the latter. His decision-making, leadership, toughness, and accuracy are all top-notch, and he has evolved into a really exceptional player. Rivers led the NFL this season with 42.8% of his passes going for first downs, and 64 completions of 20 yards of more. Many fans don't realize that Rivers actually runs a different offense than most of the league. He and Rodgers both play in the old Don Coryell system that calls for downfield throws, rather than the Bill Walsh "West Coast" Offense that stretches the field horizontally. The Coryell system usually results in lower completion percentage and more interceptions, with the benefit of more yards and TDs. Rivers led the NFL in yds/att and yds/comp, kept his INTs in single digits, and only took 25 sacks. That's remarkable.
Manning is my favorite player to watch. When he's at the top of his game, he makes plays no one else is capable of. Rivers was even better this season than he was last year, when I named him league MVP as well as my all-pro QB. So why Brees? I think he did the most with the least. Manning has Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. Rivers has Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson. Marques Colston is a nice player, but he ain't Reggie Wayne. Throwing to a motley crew of decent-but-not-outstanding receivers, Brees posted the best passer rating in the league and led his team to the best record in the NFC. When Brees came to New Orleans, the Saints immediately turned from laughingstock to contender, and I don't think any player means more to his team.
Running Back: Chris Johnson (TEN)
Last Year: DeAngelo Williams (CAR)
The 10 greatest RB seasons in NFL history:
1) Jim Brown, CLE, 1958
2) O.J. Simpson, BUF, 1975
3) O.J. Simpson, BUF, 1973
4) Jim Brown, CLE, 1963
5) Walter Payton, CHI, 1977
6) LaDainian Tomlinson, SD, 2006
7) Chris Johnson, TEN, 2009
8) Steve Van Buren, PHI, 1945
9) Barry Sanders, DET, 1997
10) Jim Brown, CLE, 1965
No one disputes that Johnson is the fastest RB in the league, maybe the fastest at any position. No running back since Tony Dorsett, maybe no running back ever, has been able to outrun defenders the way Johnson does. He's also very good at reading blocks, and his cutting ability is exceptional. He is quite simply the most dangerous player in the league right now.
Fullback: N/A
Last Year: Mike Sellers (WAS)
This just isn't an important position for most teams any more. It's a part-time job, in for a handful of plays, like special teams ace. I don't name one of those, either. If you really want an all-pro fullback, Lousaka Polite (MIA) and Brad Hoover (CAR) are my favorites.
Wide Receiver: Andre Johnson (HOU), Reggie Wayne (IND), Wes Welker (NE)
Last Year: Andre Johnson (HOU), Steve Smith (CAR), Roddy White (ATL)
Johnson is a singular force. He is the second receiver in history with back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons (Marvin Harrison, 2001-02). This season, he led the league by over 200 yards. How many wide receivers can make plays like this? Wayne looks like Harrison did in his prime. He's the best route runner in the NFL and always seem to know where he is on the field. No one is better at the toe-tap on the sideline, and no one makes more jaw-dropping catches. Wayne led the NFL in first down receptions this season (73), followed by Welker (71). Johnson tied with Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) for 3rd (69). I love Fitzgerald, but he just didn't have the same kind of production as the three I chose.
Welker was a close call over his teammate Randy Moss (NE). Moss is the one who scares defenses, the one you have to double-cover. But Welker this year tied the 2nd-highest single-season reception total in history. He had more catches, more yards, more first downs, fewer fumbles. He led all wide receivers in yards after catch, by a huge margin of 166. I think the Welker/Moss tandem is comparable in some ways to the old Art Monk/Gary Clark combo in Washington. Clark was the deep threat, the guy who terrified defenses. Monk mostly stayed underneath, breaking reception records and moving the chains. They were both great. This year, Welker is the pick.
Tight End: Antonio Gates (SD), Vernon Davis (SF)
Last Year: Tony Gonzalez (KC), Jason Witten (DAL)
Gates is the hardest to defend. He led all tight ends in receiving yards (1,157) and first downs (61). He also led in catches of 20 yards or more (18) and ranked second in yards per reception (14.6), which aren't normally important categories, but they demonstrate the explosiveness that sets Gates apart from other tight ends. He's not just a check-down option, he's a deep threat. No one at the position makes more big plays.
Davis actually finished 5th among TEs in yardage and receptions, but he led everyone in touchdowns. The tight ends with more yardage than Davis all had 1,000-yard teammates to draw attention away from them, but Davis was the only serious weapon on San Francisco's struggling offense. He's the one who drew double-teams, the guy defenses game-planned against. They couldn't shut him down. Dallas Clark (IND) probably had the best pure receiving statistics, but he plays in a system that facilitates big numbers, and he's seldom asked to block.
Center: Nick Mangold (NYJ)
Last Year: Nick Mangold (NYJ)
Kind of a down year for centers, with lots of players who were good but none really great. Mangold is a textbook run blocker, very quick, and he gets far less double-team help than most centers. Jeff Saturday (IND) remains the anchor of the Indianapolis line, a smart and instinctive blocker who seldom gets beaten. It's sometimes difficult to evaluate linemen who are surrounded by great teammates, but Jonathan Goodwin (NO) had a nice season and is worth keeping an eye on.
Guard: Logan Mankins (NE), Jahri Evans (NO)
Last Year: Chris Snee (NYG), Kris Dielman (SD)
Maybe this is just bad timing. Steve Hutchinson (MIN) was the best guard of the decade, and I only chose him for an all-pro team once. I was all set to pick him again this season, but Hutchinson slumped at the end of the season. Maybe if Hutch had gotten off to a slow start and come on late, I'd still pick him, but his recent play is hard to ignore right now, and I can't rate him higher than third. Mankins is the dominant player on the league's second-ranked offense. Evans is one of several standouts on the first-ranked. I actually think Carl Nicks (NO) is just as good, but Mankins and Evans gives me one left guard and one right guard.
Offensive Tackle: Michael Roos (TEN), Max Starks (PIT)
Last Year: Michael Roos (TEN), Ryan Clady (DEN)
Roos was an easy choice as the best tackle in the league. There's no one I'm crazy about in the second spot. Starks made some mistakes, but not a lot of them, and he dealt with a shifting cast next to him at left guard. Pittsburgh's offensive line gets a lot of unmerited criticism because Ben Roethlisberger gets sacked a ton. That's more because of Big Ben's style of play than because of inadequate blocking. Watch their Week 17 win against Miami: Ben had forever to throw, but he still got pulled down three times, because he counts on that kind of protection and rarely throws the ball away. You could even "blame" the coaches. The Steelers throw downfield, and long pass plays take a while to develop. This offense ranked 7th in the NFL in 2009, and that doesn't happen without good play on the line. Am I absolutely convinced that Starks was the 2nd-best tackle in the league this year? Truthfully, I'm not, but he's definitely top-10. Jake Long (MIA) is still learning, but he played well most of the time. If you want a right tackle, consider quietly consistent Ryan Diem (IND).
Defensive Tackle: Darnell Dockett (ARI), Jay Ratliff (DAL)
Last Year: Kevin Williams (MIN), Haloti Ngata (BAL)
Arizona's defense features several budding stars, but it begins with Dockett. He moves around on the line, sometimes at end, other times over the nose. Dockett is quicker than most linemen, strangely elusive, and never gives up on a play. He also rarely subs out. Dockett is probably the hardest-working defensive lineman in the league. Ratliff is the heart of the Dallas defense, a disruptive player who occupies blockers and forces his way into the backfield. He recorded 6 sacks this season — a terrific number for a nose tackle — and forced 2 fumbles, with a league-leading 4 fumble recoveries.
Williams was very good again, but he faces double-teams less often than other elite DTs, and he became ineffective late in the season (7 tackles and no sacks after Week 10). Several other good candidates dropped out of contention due to injuries. Kris Jenkins (NYJ) missed half the season, Domata Peko (CIN) hasn't played in a month, and Vince Wilfork (NE) missed the last three games. Brett Keisel (PIT) is very underrated.
Defensive End: Jared Allen (MIN), Julius Peppers (CAR)
Last Year: John Abraham (ATL), Aaron Smith (PIT)
No one really ran away from the crowd at this position, and I think there were at least eight strong candidates. I would have liked steadier play from Allen, who had half an all-pro season, with 10 sacks through the first eight weeks and just 4.5 sacks in the last eight. Even without great second-half production, Allen still stood out as a playmaker, with 42 solo tackles, 14.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 4 passes deflected, an interception, a safety, and a touchdown. Allen is one of the few premier pass rushers who makes a real effort to stay solid against the run.
The other spot was harder to choose, with Peppers narrowly edging Will Smith (NO), Andre Carter (WAS), Trent Cole (PHI), Aaron Schobel (BUF), Robert Mathis (IND), and Dwight Freeney (IND). Peppers managed double-digit sacks despite playing on one of only six teams to face fewer than 500 pass attempts this season. Yeah, Freeney had more sacks, because the Colts got passed on 91 more times. Peppers tied Allen, Mathis, and Justin Tuck (NYG) to lead all defensive linemen in fumbles forced (5). He also recovered a fumble, knocked down 5 passes, and intercepted another 2, running one of them back for a touchdown.
Smith picked up 13 sacks, Carter and Cole tied to lead all defensive linemen in solo tackles (48), Schobel picked up twice as many sacks (10) as any of his teammates, Mathis forced 5 fumbles, and Freeney recorded 13.5 sacks. Freeney and Mathis both created problems for opponents, but they sub out a lot and played very little at the end of the season. Neither is a good run defender, and they both benefit from often knowing that the opponent has to pass.
The best 3-4 defensive ends are Johnny Jolly (GB, 10 pass deflections), Randy Starks (MIA, 7 sacks), and Shaun Ellis (NYJ, 6.5 sacks). Baltimore's whole line is very good, but I don't think any of them were all-pro caliber this year.
Outside Linebacker: Brian Cushing (HOU), Elvis Dumervil (DEN)
Last Year: James Harrison (PIT), DeMarcus Ware (DAL)
Lots of good pass-rushing candidates this year, but Dumervil trumped them all, easily leading the league in sacks. I would have liked to see more consistency from him, and he was not particularly sound against the run, but it's hard to argue with 17 sacks. I'm much happier about selecting Cushing, whose phenomenal rookie season included 5 sacks, 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, double-digit pass deflections, a safety, and leading his team in tackles. This guy did everything.
Cushing stood alone as a 4-3 OLB, but several other pass rushers had very good seasons, notably a pair of Steelers — LaMarr Woodley (PIT) and Harrison — plus a pair of rookies — Brian Orakpo (WAS), who actually does play in a 4-3, but is basically a pass rusher, and Clay Matthews III (GB) — and an old standby, DeMarcus Ware (DAL). Woodley and Ware are my favorites from that group, and I wouldn't argue with one of them over Dumervil.
Inside Linebacker: Patrick Willis (SF), Jon Beason (CAR)
Last Year: James Farrior (PIT), Jon Beason (CAR)
Willis, working behind an improved defensive line, had his best season as a pro. Middle linebackers need speed, and Willis has it. He's also improving in pass coverage, this year intercepting 3 passes and returning one for a touchdown. Beason is cut from the same cloth. He's all over the field as a tackler, very sound in pass coverage, and he makes big plays: 3 sacks, 3 INTs, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble.
I also like a trio of 3-4 ILBs: David Harris (NYJ), a master of the inside blitz; Keith Brooking (DAL), all over the field at age 34; and Nick Barnett (GB), who has quietly evolved into one of the best interior linebackers in the NFL.
Cornerback: Darrelle Revis (NYJ), Charles Woodson (GB), Sheldon Brown (PHI)
Last Year: Charles Woodson (GB), Will Allen (MIA), Nnamdi Asomugha (OAK)
Revis and Woodson probably were the best defensive players in the league this season. Revis has become absolutely the premier shut-down corner in the league. He contained the best receivers he faced like no other CB all decade: Andre Johnson, 4 catches for 35 yards. Randy Moss, 4 for 24 and 5 for 34. Carolina's Steve Smith, 1 for 5 yards. Roddy White, 4 for 33. Reggie Wayne, 3 for 33. Incredible stuff. Woodson's stats are the stuff of offensive coordinator nightmares: 9 INT, 3 return TDs, 18 passes defensed, 2 sacks, 4 forced fumbles. That kind of play-making wins games.
Brown was a tough call in the final spot, just edging Leon Hall (CIN), Johnathan Joseph (CIN), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ARI), and his own teammate Asante Samuel (PHI). Samuel is a gambler who knows what he's doing. He intercepted 9 passes, tied for the league lead. I would actually argue, though, that Samuel wasn't even the best CB on his own team. Brown knocked down more passes, gained more yardage on INT returns, scored two touchdowns, and is good at playing the run. Samuel would be my dime back, followed by the Cincinnati tandem.
Free Safety: Darren Sharper (NO)
Last Year: Ed Reed (BAL)
Sharper intercepted 9 passes and broke the single-season record for INT return yards (376), scoring 3 touchdowns. Nick Collins (GB) and Jairus Byrd (BUF) had great seasons, but not that great.
Strong Safety: Adrian Wilson (ARI)
Last Year: Chris Hope (TEN)
Other than a healthy Troy Polamalu, no strong safety is better at pass defense than Wilson. He's also sound against the run and has a gift for big plays. Every year, this guy is at or near the top of the leaderboards for his position. This season: 5 INTs, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. Arizona's defense does not rank well statistically, and reminds me of Minnesota's. Both units are loaded with stars, but neither ranks as a top-5 defense. The Cardinals have Dockett, Wilson, Rodgers-Cromartie, Karlos Dansby, Calais Campbell ... how is this not a top-10 unit? Am I giving these guys too much credit? I don't think so, but I also can't explain the numbers.
Kicker: Sebastian Janikowski (OAK)
Last Year: Ryan Longwell (MIN)
Janikowski made all the kicks you're supposed to, but he also went 6-for-8 from 50 yards and beyond, including a 61-yarder, the fourth-longest field goal in history. He didn't have any kicks blocked and did a good job on kickoffs. Nate Kaeding (SD), who led the league in scoring, would be my second choice.
Punter: Ben Graham (ARI)
Last Year: Jeff Feagles (NYG)
I put more time and effort into selecting a punter than any other position. Yes, I know it's stupid. There were six strong candidates this year: Graham, Mike Scifres (SD), Dustin Colquitt (KC), Brad Maynard (CHI), Mat McBriar (DAL), and Sav Rocca (PHI). I like Colquitt a little better than the other cold-weather kickers, Maynard and Rocca. He had a much better net average and he tied for second in the league in fair catches.
The other three make for an interesting comparison. They all play for good teams, all in warm weather. McBriar has always had the leg, but this year he really punted strategically. He avoided touchbacks, he got air under the ball, and he still booted it deep. Scifres is the best punter in the game, and there's nothing he doesn't do well. I could pick him every year and it would never be a bad choice. This year, he only booted 2 touchbacks and worked hard to limit return opportunities, but he also gave up some long returns, including the first regular-season TD return of his career. Graham had the deepest kicks and was a master at pinning opponents deep. You could make a case for the other five, but this year, Graham is the pick.
I looked at Shane Lechler (OAK), the leader in both net and gross average. He kicks really far. He never pins opponent deep, though. Lechler had 8 punts downed inside the 10-yard line, compared to 12 touchbacks. Graham had 16 punts inside the 10 and 3 touchbacks. That's twice as many deep kicks for Graham, but four times as many touchbacks for Lechler. Graham was eight times better at pinning opponents deep. Lechler played with a terrible offense and usually had the whole field to work with. Graham played on a great offense and frequently had to shorten his punts to stay out of the end zone. Lechler got no hang time, and 78% of his punts were returned or touchbacks. This is Graham's weakest area, too, and his rate was 58%. Lechler is a good punter, probably in the top 10. He's not the best, and it's irresponsible to claim that he is if you haven't studied the issue.
Kick Returner: Joshua Cribbs (CLE)
Last Year: Clifton Smith (TB)
Pleasantly easy choice this year. Cribbs led the NFL in return TDs (3 KR, 1 PR). He was also top-five in KR yards, KR avg, PR yards, and PR average. Something else I like about Cribbs is that he doesn't protect his punt return average. He had 38 returns and just 3 fair catches this season, the best ratio in the league.
Special Teamer: N/A
Last Year: N/A
I don't name a special teams specialist, but let's throw out an honor roll — not necessarily all-inclusive — of the best guys I've seen this season: Joshua Cribbs (CLE), Kassim Osgood (SD), LaRod Stephens-Howling (ARI), Tracy White (PHI). I am a big fan of good special teams play. In fact, other than Joe Buck, nothing in football frustrates me more than bone-headed special teams plays.
Five players repeat from my 2008 all-pro team: Andre Johnson, Nick Mangold, Michael Roos, Jon Beason, and Charles Woodson.
Offensive Player of the Year: Chris Johnson (TEN)
Last Year: Andre Johnson (HOU)
The top quarterbacks all had great seasons, but Johnson had a historic one. No other player stood out so clearly at his position.
Defensive Player of the Year: Darrelle Revis (NYJ)
Last Year: James Harrison (PIT)
Charles Woodson (GB) and Darren Sharper (NO) had great seasons, made a ton of plays for their teams. No one was more dominant than Revis. For him to consistently shut down top-flight receivers the way he did was phenomenal, a rare achievement.
Most Valuable Player: Drew Brees (NO)
Last Year: Philip Rivers (SD)
It's sometimes frustrating not to have a record of the close calls here, so I'm taking a page from MLB and naming a top 10:
1) Drew Brees, QB, NO
2) Peyton Manning, QB, IND
3) Philip Rivers, QB, SD
4) Chris Johnson, RB, TEN
5) Darrelle Revis, DB, NYJ
6) Tony Romo, QB, DAL
7) Aaron Rodgers, QB, GB
8) Charles Woodson, DB, GB
9) Antonio Gates, TE, SD
10) Adrian Peterson, RB, MIN
There are some great players who have an argument to make this list. The problem is that I interpret "most valuable" as the guy who means the most to his team, that they couldn't succeed without him. Houston teammates Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson are a good example. How can you really be "most valuable" if one of your teammates is also on the list? Is it a little unfair that players can drop on account of their teammates? Maybe so, but that's what MVP means to me.
I've already explained what I like about most of these players, and I have nothing bad to say about them. Chris Johnson was the most outstanding player in the league this season, but was he really as valuable to his team as Brees, Manning, or Rivers? I don't believe so. You can succeed without a premier running back, but you can't win with a crappy QB. Unless you're the Jets, I guess. Maybe Revis should be higher.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Percy Harvin (MIN)
Last Year: Matt Ryan (ATL)
I think I'm spoiled. We've had unusually strong rookie performances the last few years, and now I expect every year to produce a Matt Ryan or Adrian Peterson. There's no one near that caliber this season, but Harvin was a solid performer at wide receiver (925 yards from scrimmage, 6 TD) and a standout on special teams (1,156 KR yds, 27.5 avg, 2 TD). Johnny Knox (CHI) was a poor man's Harvin: 527 receiving yards, 29.0 KR avg, 6 total TDs. I don't know if any offensive rookie was more exciting than Mike Wallace (PIT), who averaged 19.4 yards per reception and scored 6 TDs. Michael Oher (BAL) and Phil Loadholt (MIN) showed promise on the offensive line.
Several rookie special teamers merit recognition. Kickoff specialist David Buehler (DAL) led the NFL in touchbacks. Ryan Succop (KC), this year's Mr. Irrelevant, only missed one kick from under 50 yards, and none under 40. LaRod Stephens-Howling (ARI) returned a kickoff for a touchdown and was a wizard in kick coverage.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Brian Cushing (HOU)
Last Year: Jerod Mayo (NE)
One of the greatest classes in history for rookie defenders, the best since at least 2005. Cushing was a superstar, the best OLB in the league this season. Brian Orakpo (WAS) and Clay Matthews III (GB) both had double-digit sacks. Jairus Byrd (BUF) tied for the league lead with 9 interceptions. James Laurinaitis (STL) quietly played well for an awful team. Rey Maualuga (CIN) started 15 games for the fourth-ranked defense in the league.
Coach of the Year: Norv Turner (SD)
Last Year: Tony Sparano (MIA)
The Chargers overcame injury problems and a slow start to finish tied for the 2nd-best record in the NFL, entering the playoffs with an 11-game winning streak. Turner, long renowned as an offensive guru, oversees one of the best units in the league, and has helped Philip Rivers develop into an elite quarterback. Turner's promotion last season of Ron Rivera to defensive coordinator has helped steady that unit through injuries to some of its best players.
Maybe it's unfair to punish Jim Caldwell (IND) for a decision that seems to have come from the general manager's office, but I just can't disagree more with not attempting to win the last two games of the regular season. Sean Payton (NO) managed to hold the ship together for most of the season, even as injuries piled up. Marvin Lewis (CIN) led his team to a division title, against all expectations and through a pair of deaths that affected the team.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Dom Capers (GB)
Last Year: Mike Mularkey (ATL)
As usual, there were several strong candidates. Capers installed the 3-4 defensive scheme in Green Bay this year, and the team improved from 20th to second in yards allowed and 22nd to seventh in points allowed. That kind of transition seldom produces positive effects quickly, and the front office definitely shares credit for bringing in the right players, but Capers did an admirable job.
Mike Zimmer (CIN) was a very close second, turning an average defense into an elite one in his first year on the job. Larry Coyer (IND), in his first year with Indianapolis, did some good things as well, but I really like the old stand-bys, offensive coordinator Tom Moore (IND) and offensive line guru Howard Mudd (IND). Marvin Harrison retires, Anthony Gonzalez gets hurt, and the offense doesn't miss a beat. Mike Heimerdinger (TEN) and Dan Henning (MIA) did a nice job coordinating offenses with limited weapons, as did Bill Callahan (NYJ) and Brian Schottenheimer (NYJ). Finally, Steve Crosby (SD) consistently oversees great special teams play.
2009 All-Pro Team
QB Drew Brees, NO
RB Chris Johnson, TEN
WR Andre Johnson, HOU
WR Reggie Wayne, IND
WR Wes Welker, NE
TE Antonio Gates, SD
TE Vernon Davis, SF
C Nick Mangold, NYJ
G Logan Mankins, NE
G Jahri Evans, NO
OT Michael Roos, TEN
OT Max Starks, PIT
DT Darnell Dockett, ARI
DT Jay Ratliff, DAL
DE Jared Allen, MIN
DE Julius Peppers, CAR
OLB Brian Cushing, HOU
OLB Elvis Dumervil, DEN
ILB Patrick Willis, SF
ILB Jon Beason, CAR
CB Darrelle Revis, NYJ
CB Charles Woodson, GB
CB Sheldon Brown, PHI
FS Darren Sharper, NO
SS Adrian Wilson, ARI
K Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
P Ben Graham, ARI
KR Josh Cribbs, CLE
Off POY — Chris Johnson, TEN
Def POY — Darrelle Revis, NYJ
MVP — Drew Brees, NO
Off Rookie — Percy Harvin, MIN
Def Rookie — Brian Cushing, HOU
Coach — Norv Turner, SD
Assistant — Dom Capers, GB
When it comes to beating the NFL point spreads, nobody does a better job than the handicappers at BetFirms.com.