Could probably wait and do this next week since only 10 teams have played eight games.
But what the hell, gives us something to discuss.
MVP - Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
…If the Chargers had a few more wins Rivers would get it. Brady is also in the hunt.
Defensive Player of the Year - Clay Matthews, Green Bay
…Umenyiora has seven forced fumbles to go along with eight sacks so you certainly could consider him.
NFL Coach of the Year - Rahim Morris, Tampa Bay
…Haley from Kansas City would be an option but clearly the coordinators he brought in have been a big help.
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year - Sam Bradford, St. Louis
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year - Ndamukong Suh, Detroit
NFL Comeback Player of the Year - LaDainian Tomlinson, N.Y. Jets
…This is open to some debate. Tomlinson scored 12 touchdowns last year so it wasn’t a total collapse, but he still only finished with 730 yards and a 3.3 yards per carry average. This year he has a 5.0 average and already has 544 yards in seven games.
…Brandon Lloyd from Denver is worth noting. Last year Lloyd only had 8 receptions for 117 yards. This year he already has 42 receptions for 878 yards. The only problem with him is he was never that good to begin with so is he really coming back or is he breaking out, which isn’t really the same.
AFC
QB Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
QB Tom Brady, New England
QB Philip Rivers, San Diego
RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee
RB Darren McFadden, Oakland
RB Arian Foster, Houston
…There are some other good candidates like Tomlinson, Mendenhall, Charles but the three above really seem to be the most productive.
FB Lousaka Polite, Miami
…Not sure about fullback. Hillis is a running back so can’t pick him. McClain hasn’t been used as much this year.
WR Brandon Lloyd, Denver
WR Andre Johnson, Houston
WR Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
WR Terrell Owens, Cincinnati
…In terms of value, I’m tempted to pick Anquan Boldin. He doesn’t quite have the stats but his presence on that team is noteworthy.
TE Antonio Gates, San Diego
TE Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville
…Also could consider Zach Miller. Dallas Clark would’ve been the likely No. 2 tight end before he got hurt.
OT Jake Long, Miami
OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson, N.Y. Jets
OT Joe Thomas, Cleveland
…I think Thomas might be a tad overrated but who else is there? Possibly Michael Roos from Tennessee since that’s a strong running team but can’t say I’ve watched him that closely.
OG Brian Waters, Kansas City
OG Kris Dielman, San Diego
OG Robert Gallery, Oakland
C Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis
C Nick Mangold, N.Y. Jets
…
ouncey has been impressive as a rookie but I don’t see him beating out these two.
DE Robert Mathis, Indianapolis
DE Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis
DE Jason Babin, Tennessee
…Titans defensive line has been outstanding, so I threw one of them on. Tough to pass up Mario Williams.
DT Haloti Ngata, Baltimore
DT Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh
DT Tommy Kelly, Oakland
…Vince Wilfork just misses.
OLB Shaun Phillips, San Diego
OLB James Harrison, Pittsburgh
OLB Cameron Wake, Miami
…The biggest snub here might be Tamba Hali from Kansas City, who is starting to emerge.
ILB Jerod Mayo, New England
ILB Ray Lewis, Baltimore
…Lawrence Timmons might be slightly more deserving than Lewis but I needed another Ravens player to be fair.
CB Antonio Cromartie, N.Y. Jets
CB Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland
CB Brandon Flowers, Kansas City
…Revis’ injury keeps him off for now. Leon Hall could also be considered but I have a hard time taking a lot of Bengals.
FS Michael Griffin, Tennessee
SS Eric Berry, Kansas City
S Patrick Chung, New England
…Good competition here. Polamalu started strong but he has been quiet lately. Donte Whitner is a good player, forced to make a lot of tackles, just happens to be on the worst team.
P Shane Lechler, Oakland
K Josh Scobee, Jacksonville
KR Brandon Tate, New England
------------------------------------------
NFC
QB Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants
QB Drew Brees, New Orleans
QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
…Rodgers edges out Matt Ryan. He’s faced more adversity with the injuries.
RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
RB Ahmad Bradshaw, N.Y. Giants
RB Steven Jackson, St. Louis
FB Mike Karney, St. Louis
WR Roddy White, Atlanta
WR Hakeem Nicks, N.Y. Giants
WR Calvin Johnson, Detroit
WR Miles Austin, Dallas
TE Vernon Davis, San Francisco
TE Jason Witten, Dallas
…
ettigrew is a possibility.
OT David Diehl, N.Y. Giants
OT Jason Peters, Philadelphia
OT Chad Clifton, Green Bay
OG Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota
OG Chris Snee, N.Y. Giants
OG Davin Joseph, Tampa Bay
C Shaun O’Hara, N.Y. Giants
C Jonathan Goodwin, New Orleans
DE Osi Umenyiora, N.Y. Giants
DE Trent Cole, Philadelphia
DE James Hall, St. Louis
…Kyle Vanden Bosch, John Abraham and Chris Clemons are a few others.
DT Ndamukong Suh, Detroit
DT Barry Cofield, N.Y. Giants
DT BJ Raji, Green Bay
OLB Clay Matthews, Green Bay
OLB DeMarcus Ware, Dallas
OLB Brian Orakpo, Washington
ILB Patrick Willis, San Francisco
ILB London Fletcher, Washington
CB DeAngelo Hall, Washington
CB Charles Woodson, Green Bay
CB Aqib Talib, Tampa Bay
FS Earl Thomas, Seattle
SS LaRon Landry, Washington
S Nate Allen, Philadelphia
P Andy Lee, San Francisco
K Jason Hanson, Detroit
KR Leon Washington, Seattle
Could probably wait and do this next week since only 10 teams have played eight games.
MVP: Roddy White (Falcons). No one has really stuck out.
Earl Thomas is having a nice little year with 35 tackles, 5 pass deflections, and 4 ints
I don't know who the O-lineman is, but he's a rookie and plays for Washingon. Guy is a beast, deserves to a pro bowl invite.
Alex Mack is Peter King's 1st team center in the AFC FWIW.