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The PFF Award Show - Week 6

Apparently Pro Bowl voting starts next week.  So if everyone else is allowed to make ridiculously early statements regarding players then why can’t we?  In fact, we'll go one better than that and get in first.

In another one of those ‘how can we make Pro Football Focus better’ meetings that quickly turn into a discussion about football, Neil, Sam, Ben and I got round to talking about who our stars of the season are.

Thinking we were making some good points, I got the other three to give me their top ten (from one to ten) selections for MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

After that it was all about adding the votes up, writing this nifty little introduction and away we go.  Time to keep an eye on how these award races are developing

(It’s important to note that two races, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, look at things as if all positions were created equal, while the MVP stakes takes into account how valuable a players position makes him. Disclaimer central.)

 

Most Valuable Player

1.  Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

Top on two ballots, and second on the other two.  No real surprise given he has the highest PFF QB rating.  Has been phenomenal so far.

2.  Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

It was only a third place finish on one ballot that prevented Brady sharing the top spot, after finishing top on two.  Has our highest grade of all passers this year, but hasn’t had the same consistency as Rodgers.

3.  Fred Jackson, HB, Buffalo Bills

Where would the Bills be without Jackson? Answering that question helps you understand why he is so valuable.  Most elusive back in the league, forcing 28 missed tackles, and picking up an incredible 4.03 yards after contact every time he carries the football.

4.  Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints

Eight interceptions is a lot, but Brees is carrying the weight of the Saints offense on his shoulders, leading them to a healthy 4-2 record.  Coming off his poorest game of the season may cloud the judgment of some, but he’s been tremendous.

5.  Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets

After being tested by Brandon Marshall, Revis added some stats to go with his incredible season.  Has allowed just nine receptions on the 28 balls thrown his way, breaking up four balls and intercepting three.  He enables the Jets defense to play the way it does.

6.  Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions: Leads league in touchdowns.

7.  Matt Forte, HB, Chicago Bears:  Second highest grade of all running backs.

8.  Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers:  Highest graded defensive player.

9.  Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots:  More receiving yards than any other.

10.  Adrian Peterson, HB, Minnesota Vikings:  Overcoming woeful offensive line.

 

Offensive Player of the Year

1.  Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

No surprise he’s number one in this ranking as well as the MVP stakes.  There aren’t enough superlatives out there to describe how well he is playing.

2.  Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

His week one performance remains the highest grading we’ve ever given a quarterback.  Couple of so-so outings haven’t damaged his reputation in our eyes.

3.  Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots

How can you cover him?  Has the highest single game receiver rating we’ve given out, and already, through six games, has the kind of stats most receivers would kill for come week 16.

4.  Fred Jackson, HB, Buffalo Bills

A true weapon from the half back position.  Great to see him finally getting the praise he deserves for excelling in every way a running back can.

5.  Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

How do you cover him?  Two defensive backs?  Three?  Remains Matthew Stafford’s get out of jail free card.

6.  Matt Forte, HB, Chicago Bears:  When the Bears get the ball in his hands good things happen.

7.  Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots:  A threat catching the ball, and a solid blocker to boot.

8.  Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints:  Always making plays.

9.  Chris Myers, C, Houston Texans:  The league’s best center this year.  Yeah we said it.

10.  Andy Levitre, LG, Buffalo Bills:  Another one of those Buffalo success stories.

 

Defensive Player of the Year

1.  Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets

When teams challenge him he responds. Some think he gets away with too much contact, but that detracts from the facts.  There isn’t another corner in the league like Darrelle Revis.

2.  Justin Smith, DE, San Francisco 49ers

Why don’t more people talk about how great Justin Smith is?  Leads the league in combined sacks, hits and pressures with 36.  Dominant in run defense to.

3.  Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings

Allen has feasted on some bad tackles, but you can only beat what’s in front of you.  Excellent at turning pressure into sacks.

4.  Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers

No safety recognizes run plays and times his attacks quite like Polamalu.  That timing is a large part of the reason why he leads our safety rankings with positives in all facets of the game.

5.  Ray Lewis, MLB, Baltimore Ravens

Has looked nearly as good as ever this year, so we’re waiting to see if our top ranked MLB can keep it up for an entire season this year.

6.  Patrick Willis, ILB, San Francisco 49ers:  Already broken up six passes.

7.  Richard Seymour, DT, Oakland Raiders:  Tops our DT rankings, even with four penalties.

8.  Carlos Rogers, CB, San Francisco 49ers:  The free agent success story of the year.

9.  Haloti Ngata, DT, Baltimore Ravens:  Has proven too much for most guards to handle.

10.  Kamerion Wimbley, OLB, Oakland Raiders:  Plays the run well in base, brings pressure in nickel.

 

 

Follow the team on Twitter: @PFF_Khaled@PFF_Neil@SamMonson … and the main feed: @ProFootbalFocus

 

 

 

 

 

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