NFL Superlatives

Offensive MVP:

• Will: Drew Brees (NO) -  Brees was robbed for the award last season when the media dinosaurs gave the award to Peyton Manning because of the lack of an established name at the top of the stat sheets. We’ve stated before that no other player could have guided last year’s Saints to an 8-8 record. The team is healthier and Brees could rewrite the record books in 2009. Honorable Mention: Philip Rivers (SD)
• Jamey: Adrian Peterson (Min) - "All Day" had 1,760 rushing yards last season and that was while playing with Tavaris Jackson. Now that the Minnesota Vikings have Brett Favre at quarterback, there is a chance that Peterson will approach a 2,000 yard season. The Vikings will have one of the best offenses in the NFL and Peterson should double the 125 receiving yards he had last season. It helps Peterson that the Vikings will be one of the best teams in the NFC as some voters love voting for the best player on the best team. Honorable Mention: Philip Rivers (SD)

• Defensive MVP:
• Will: DeMarcus Ware (Dal) - Ware will have 20+ sacks again this year. He won’t get passed over again as teams will look to double team James Harrison more often on passing downs. Honorable Mention: Jared Allen (Min)
• Jamey: Mario Williams (Hou) – I am drinking the Houston Texans’ Kool-Aid and Williams is the main reason that the Texans will be improved. The former first overall pick had 12 sacks last season and this year he will have at least 18 sacks. Rookie Brian Cushing and star linebacker DeMeco Ryans both will take pressure off of Williams. Honorable Mention: Patrick Willis (SF)

• Offensive ROY:
• Will: Knowshon Moreno (Den) - It comes down to opportunities. Moreno will see the rock more often than fellow rookies Shonn Greene, LaSean McCoy, and Glenn Coffee. Don’t be surprised if Percy Harvin steps up and makes some noise in this category. Honorable mention: Glen Coffee, San Francisco.
• Jamey: Donald Brown (Ind) – I like Will’s pick of Moreno, but I think Brown will end up with better numbers. Joseph Addai will be the starter as the season starts, but Brown will end up starting more games. Brown has great breakaway speed and will also get plenty of catches now that he is playing with Peyton Manning. Honorable Mention: Mark Sanchez (NYJ)

• Defensive ROY:
• Will: Everett Brown (Car) - Brown won’t see a double team all season with Julius Peppers on the other side. He’s quick enough to eat RT’s alive on third down. Honorable Mention: Patrick Chung, New England
• Jamey: Aaron Curry (Sea) – The former Wake Forest linebacker is a freak of an athlete that will have plenty of tackles in his first season. Expect Curry to eventually develop into a turnover machine. Honorable Mention: B.J. Raji (GB)

• Coach of the Year:
• Will: Norv Turner (SD) - Roll of the dice here. There’s just too much talent and the division’s too weak for the Bolts not to be highly successful. Honorable mention: Mike Singletary, San Francisco. 
• Jamey: Greg Kubiak – This coach could easily get fired, but everything points to the Houston Texans having a great season. If the Texans make the playoffs, the award has to go to Kubiak. Honorable Mention: Sean Payton (NO)

• Breakout Player:
• Will: Marion Barber (Dal) - If Jason Garrett values his job he’ll turn the Cowboys into a run first, second, and third offense. The OL is dominating and there are enough backs to keep Barber fresh in the fourth quarter.
• Jamey: Ray Rice (Bal) - The Baltimore Ravens running back will make the Pro Bowl in his second season and will have one of the best seasons in the AFC. Even though Rice shares the backfield with Willis McGahee and Le’Ron McClain, he will still prove that he is the new dominant running back in the AFC.