The NFL is going to announce the winners for their year-end awards next week after the Super Bowl, but I figured I would beat them of it by unveiling my picks for the year-end awards now. Feel free to comment and/or discuss my picks, I value any input.
MVP: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings.
I don't think this pick could be any more obvious. Peterson was an absolute monster this season coming back from a torn ACL at the end of the 2011 to carry an otherwise weak Vikings to the playoffs and finish just shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record. Peterson overcame adversity and defined most valuable player to a T this season.
Honorable Mentions: Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos), Tom Brady (New England Patriots), Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons)
Offensive Player of the Year: Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
What Peyton Manning did for the Broncos in 2012 was absolutely amazing. Manning completely revitalized the Broncos offense and made them one of the most effective in the league as well as leading them on a 9-game win streak to close out the regular season. Manning's season was even more impressive given that he was coming off a neck injury that sidelined him for the entire 2011 season. Leave it to an all-time great like Manning to have one of the best seasons of his career at age 36 on a new team coming off a major injury.
Honorable Mentions: Tom Brady (New England Patriots), Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions)
Defensive Player of the Year: J.J Watt, Houston Texans
There was a lot of dominant defensive performers this year, but no one wreaked as much as havoc as Texans defensive end J.J Watt. In only his second year in the league, Watt led the league in sacks with 20.5 as well as deflecting 16 passes at the line of scrimmage. Watt's scary pass-rushing ability off the edge and his completeness as a player gives him the edge over guys like Aldon Smith and Von Miller in my book.
Honorable Mentions: Aldon Smith (San Fransisco 49ers), Von Miller (Denver Broncos), Justin Smith (San Fransisco 49ers)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Robert Griffin III,Washington Redskins
2012 had a plethora of rookies that made an instant impact on the offensive side of the ball, but Robert Griffin III gets the slight edge over the rest of the heap. RG3 stormed onto the scene with explosive playmaking ability in the rushing and passing game. He didn't make many mistakes either with only 5 INT's on the season and he gave a previously lifeless Redskins offense the boost they needed to contend in the league. RG3 was the standout in a rookie class that was loaded to the brim with standouts.
Honorable Mentions: Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts), Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks), Alfred Morris (Washington Redskins), Doug Martin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
Unlike the offensive Rookie of the Year award which is hotly contested, the Defensive Rookie of the Year winner is a pretty clear choice. Luke Kuechly was a monster all year for the Panthers. He led the league in tackles and his presence alone vastly improved the Panthers defense. Kuechly got overshadowed by his offensive counterparts, but that doesn't make Kuechly's rookie season any less impressive.
Honorable Mentions: Chandler Jones (New England Patriots), Melvin Ingram (San Diego Chargers), Vontaze Burfict (Cincinnati Bengals)
Coach of the Year: Chuck Pagano/Bruce Arians, Indianapolis Colts
No team faced more adversity this season than the Colts, but their excellent coaching got them through it. With an inexperienced roster and the loss of first-year head coach Chuck Pagano for most of the season after being diagnosed with leukemia, the Colts made an improbable run to the playoffs. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians stepped in gracefully and led the Colts to a 9-3 record in Pagano's absence. The brilliant coaching from both them helped this young team deify the odds and make a remarkable turnaround from 2-14 in 2011 to 11-5 in 2012.
Honorable Mentions: Mike Shanahan (Washington Redskins), Pete Carroll (Seattle Seahawks), John Fox (Denver Broncos)
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