Before the Indianapolis Colts quit fooling around and really got serious about being undefeated, the first half of the NFL season was full of award possibilities.
After beating the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots on the road the last two weeks, the Colts could stake claim to virtually every honor and go about their second-half business.
But before they threaten to ruin everybody else’s fun, here’s a list of front-runners that includes other teams if you read far enough:
MVP
Peyton Manning had some competition for a while. Like New England’s Tom Brady, the Colts’ Manning is taken for granted by everybody except his team. The Colts and Patriots are grateful to employ the two best quarterbacks in the league. The Eagles’ Donovan McNabb and the Bears’ Rex Grossman made early inroads, but the Saints’ Drew Brees is a pretty easy pick for runner-up. Kansas City’s Larry Johnson looks like he’s rolling again, but Manning would have to falter to miss his third MVP in four years. Only Brett Favre (1995-97) has won three.
Offensive player
This is sometimes no more than an extra trophy for the MVP winner, although MVPs are usually quarterbacks while offensive player awards often go to running backs, which means Johnson, the Giants’ Tiki Barber and San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson–within 14 yards of each other at the top of the rushing list–should compete down the stretch. Barber is the early leader in rushing and total yards for a 6-2 team. But what about Colts receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, both among the top five in receiving yards?
Defensive player
No Colt is going to win this, although a glance at the league’s top tacklers according to unofficial press-box totals reveals Colts linebackers Cato June and Gary Brackett rank 1-2. Furthermore, the best Colts defender is Bob Sanders, who has played only three games. His absence is why the Colts are the worst team in the league against the run. Nobody had a bigger impact on his defense than the Bears’ Brian Urlacher, whose spectacular Monday night game in Arizona will be difficult for anyone to top. Julius Peppers also has made his usual spectacular plays and the Panthers have three prime-time games on tap. San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman had a chance until his four-game suspension.
Offensive rookie
Everybody figured the Saints had drafted the offensive rookie of the year when they got Reggie Bush. Nobody knew about Marques Colston, a seventh-round receiver from Hofstra who is this year’s version of Arizona’s Anquan Boldin. Supposedly too slow to be a top pick, all Colston has done is catch 44 passes for 700 yards and seven touchdowns. The Colts have a candidate, however, in running back Joseph Addai, who has shared the load with Dominic Rhodes in quite adequately replacing the departed Edgerrin James. Addai’s 4.7-yard average is better than impressive New England rookie Laurence Maroney’s 4.3.
Defensive rookie
Tamba Hali, Chiefs. This is still open competition and there is no shortage of good rookies on both sides of the ball. Hali is third on the team in tackles and has 3 1/2 sacks while stabilizing the shaky defense on a 5-3 team. Giants nose tackle Barry Cofield and Bears safety Danieal Manning also have stepped in and played well on winning teams. Carolina cornerback Richard Marshall, Detroit linebacker Ernie Sims, Houston end Mario Williams and linebacker DeMeco Ryans, Green Bay linebacker A.J. Hawk and Buffalo safety Donte Whitner all have been productive, but none yet for a winning team. Bears end Mark Anderson has 7 1/2 sacks as a pass rushing specialist.
Comeback player
The Saints’ Brees didn’t tear the labrum in his throwing shoulder until the Chargers’ season finale, so he really never went anywhere. Still, the Dolphins and some other teams were too wary of the shoulder to offer him as much as the Saints, who signed him to a six-year, $60 million deal. He has justified the commitment, leading the 6-2 Saints to twice as many victories already as they had all last season.
Coach
Sean Payton, Saints. Nobody has done a better job than the Colts’ Tony Dungy, who stands with his quarterback on the All-Taken-For-Granted squad. But this award traditionally goes to coaches who quickly and unexpectedly turn around teams. If the Saints didn’t win another game, Payton would still get votes. Other than Dungy, the only coach close to Payton is Herm Edwards, who has the Chiefs at 5-3 with a backup QB in a tough division.
Best play
The Colts’ Harrison and Manning have connected for more scores than any other duo, but how many have the general public seen? If they see only Harrison’s twisting, one-handed, drag-the-feet TD grab against New England last Monday, that will be enough. Harrison is the best receiver in the league–and the quietest. It’s time he gets his due.
Moment to remember
Re-opening of the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Nothing will match the scene of a battered and still-recovering city trying its best to celebrate the return of the Saints. This is a city that routinely turns funerals into parades, but Hurricane Katrina extended resources and patience beyond fair. Despite lingering problems that football teams cannot fix, the Saints can provide three hours of escape every week for people who need diversion. When the team beat Atlanta on that Monday night, Sept. 25, the Saints became America’s new favorites.
Moment to forget
Albert Haynesworth kicking Cowboys guard Andre Gurode. Mistaking football for soccer and Gurode’s helmetless head for a ball, the Titans defensive tackle started playing the wrong sport after Dallas had scored a touchdown. Haynesworth was suspended and voiced immediate remorse that appeared sincere, but his reputation for flying off the handle preceded him and he received little sympathy from peers. His future in Tennessee, and in the NFL, remains in doubt.
Replay of year
The most replayed highlight, or lowlight, of the season is the hit on Kansas City quarterback Trent Green by Cincinnati’s Robert Geathers in the opener. The play is memorable to everybody except Green, who has been out after suffering a concussion that sent him to the hospital. Although the collision was deemed legal, it occurred as Green was sliding just a second too late to stop Geathers. Anybody who complains about referees protecting quarterbacks too much needs to watch.
———-
dpierson@tribune.com
