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  • Backyard Banter Podcast
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 54: Kyle Crabbs - Build my own chair at the table
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 53: James Koh - Divorce the information from emotion
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 52: Will Brinson - That's how it'll have to be
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 51: Charles McDonald - Not an escape from reality
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 50: What you've learned - For you, by you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 49: Jourdan Rodrigue - Let's see what you think then
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 48: Justin Twell - Long process to come back
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 47: Justin Lonero - It's time to relearn life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 46: Scott Bischoff - Life presented the greatest challenge possible
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 45: Al Zeidenfeld - Little steps along the way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 44: Jason Romano - Just a different dream
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 43: Matt Harmon - But here we are (Season 1 finale)
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 42: Gregg Rosenthal - I have to make it work or else
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 41: Jon Moore - Determiner of what I want
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 40: Uncle Chaps - Just have fun with it
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 39: Bob Harris - The best addiction I've ever had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 38: Scott Fish - Everybody working together to make this big
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 37: Jene Bramel - Ask the questions you want answered
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 36: Mike Tagliere - Never going to leave this candy store
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 35: Ben Cummins - Starting at ground zero
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 34: Field Yates - It's the nature of what we do
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 33: Chris Heil - I gave it everything I had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 32: Sal Stefanile - Just make them notice you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 31: Adam Levitan - Accept an alternate lifestyle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 30: Matthew Freedman - It's not built for everyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 29: George Kritikos - If your heart's not in it people notice
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 28: Marcas Grant - Certainly never expected this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 27: Steve Palazzolo - I understand the questions that come
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 26: Matt Miller - To build bridges not burn them
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 25: Graham Barfield - A human game played by humans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 24: Pat Daugherty - I just said yes to everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 23: Eric Galko - There's always work to be done
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 22: TJ Hernandez - In some roundabout way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 21: Alex Gelhar - Homework for the rest of your life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 20: The Fantasy Footballers - Because we were fans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 19: Jessica Kleinschmidt - The scariest person you deal with is yourself
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 18: Evan Silva - A willingness to work hard
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 17: Jeff Risdon - It's hard to be in the middle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 16: Cecil Lammey - Because I didn't ask for anything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 15: Patrick Claybon - If you shine people will see you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 14: Denny Carter - People want to know you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 13: Adam Rank - Honestly just don't go away
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 12: Adam Pfeifer - Being happy is doing this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 11: Mark Schofield - You get one drive in this life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 10: Liz Loza - Ride the horse in the direction it's going
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 9: Matthew Berry - I've done it without being negative to anyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 8: Matt Franciscovich - Persistence is a huge deal
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 7: Matt Williamson - I got lucky, but I made my own luck
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 6: Eric Stoner - Passions are best left as hobbies
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 5: Josh Norris - You don't have to have an opinion on everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 4: Rumford Johnny - Elevate somebody or get out of their way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 3: JJ Zachariason - No one cares because you're not established
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 2: Matt Waldman - Popular doesn't necessarily make it good
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 1 - Sigmund Bloom
  • Fantasy Hipsters
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 28: We''l see you in a bit.
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 27: "Ehhh how about you people relax with that one"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 26: Mail Satchel - Davante Adams debate & "friends of the show"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 25: NFL Network's Top 100 Players This or That
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 24: Mail Satchel - Surviving without Charlie and Tight Ends to Watch
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 23: Jeremy Maclin reaction, news recap and did Harmon pull off that hat?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 22: Mail satchel - WE ARE THE PODCAST OF THE PEOPLE
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 21: Reception Perception review of sleepers, breakouts and surprises
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 20: Evan Silva destroys our MFL10 hopes and dreams
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 19: Mail satchel - Will Brandon Marshall thrive with the Giants in 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 18: We Are Pretty Mad
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 17: Mail satchel - Rompers, clean eating and the 2007 NFL Draft class
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 16: NFL depth chart breakdowns and being sick of bad Eddie Lacy jokes
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 15: Mail satchel - Drafting too many rookies, breakouts and bell-cow RBs
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 14: French press vs. pour over coffee & mock draft review with James Koh
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 13: Mail satchel - Los Angeles Chargers the hipster's team of 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 12: NFL Draft rookie fits and a cast iron running back with Matt Waldman
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 11: NFL Draft preview and drumset vomit with Josh Norris of Rotoworld
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 10: Mail satchel - Dynasty debate, bad impressions and hipster bands
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 9: Perfect Prospect Parings — identifying NFL fits for draft prospects
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 8: Corey Davis, DeVante Parker and what to drink at your draft
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 7: Carlos Hyde, Laquon Treadwell and NFL Draft rookie big board part 3
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 6: Valuing Jordan Howard for 2017 and NFL Draft rookie big board part 2
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 5: NFL Draft rookie top-12 big board and in-depth beer interview
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 4: Kaepernick saga, Harmon shaves his beard and Franchise gets roasted
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 3: Eddie Lacy, Free Agency, music & beer and picking best QB roommate
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 2: Early Free Agency Fallout, Combine Standouts & Mailbag
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 1: NFL Scouting Combine preview and washed vets
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast: Teaser episode introduction
  • Reception Perception: 2017
    • Reception Perception: Investigating any correlation between the results and draft prospect age
  • The 2016 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception: 11 flags planted for the 2016 season
    • Reception Perception: Nelson Agholor can bounce-back in Doug Pederson's offense
    • Reception Perception: Improved technician Donte Moncrief is set to explode in 2016
    • Reception Perception: Only one concern can hold Sammy Watkins back from his ceiling
    • Reception Perception: Bruce Ellington has a chance to flash this season with the 49ers
    • Reception Perception: Albert Wilson and the Diary of a Truther
    • Reception Perception: Willie Snead built an impressive resume we must not ignore
    • Reception Perception: Welcome the ascending Tyler Lockett to rarified status
    • Reception Perception: Kamar Aiken is the answer to the Ravens receiver riddle
    • Reception Perception: DeSean Jackson and Josh Doctson make the Washington wide receivers a strength
    • Reception Perception: Browns make a refreshing first pick in Corey Coleman
    • Reception Perception: The fruitless search for fatal flaws with Laquon Treadwell
    • Reception Perception: Why there will never be a cumulative or overall grade
    • Reception Perception: The changing variables for Torrey Smith point to a rebound
    • Reception Perception: 2016 media appearances
    • Reception Perception: Rashard Higgins - never tell me the odds
    • Reception Perception: Keyarris Garrett is a unicorn in this draft class
    • Reception Perception: Malcolm Mitchell is a top-10 receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft
    • Reception Perception: 2016 NFL draft prospects results
    • Reception Perception: Golden Tate won't be able to replace Calvin Johnson
    • Reception Perception: Jeff Janis, trump cards and sorting through the noise
    • Reception Perception: Top-four college receiver primer
  • The 2015 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception Based Media Appearances
    • Reception Perception: Steve Johnson is the Surest Sleeper Around
    • Reception Perception: Target and Contested Catch Data for Sophomore WRs
    • Reception Perception: Success Rate vs. Coverage Scores for the Sophomore Wide Receivers
    • Reception Perception: Why we Must Consider the Entire Range of Outcomes for Sammy Watkins
    • Reception Perception: Data Results from Year 1
    • Reception Perception: Scanning Through the Dolphins Receiving Corps for Fantasy Answers
    • Reception Perception: Allen Robinson is Quietly on the Precipice of a Massive Breakout
    • Reception Perception: Michael Crabtree is Exactly What the Raiders’ Passing Game Needs
    • Reception Perception: Justin Hunter and Wisely Shopping the Clearance Bins
    • Reception Perception: How Kevin White Began His Ascension to the Top
    • Reception Perception: Sammie Coates Falls Along a Dangerous Archetype
    • Reception Perception: A Video Rundown of the Data
    • Reception Perception: New Browns Receiver Dwayne Bowe Bring Value to a Depleted Pass Game
    • Reception Perception: Expectations and an Odd Coupling Doomed Mike Wallace in Miami
    • Reception Perception: Andre Johnson Still has Plenty Left to Offer the Colts
    • Reception Perception: Randall Cobb Made the Right Call Sticking With the Packers
    • Reception Perception: Where Do We Go From Here, Percy Harvin?
    • Reception Perception: Devin Smith and The Value of a Trump Card (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: The Siren Song of Dorial Green-Beckham (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Impending Free Agent Michael Crabtree
    • Reception Perception: Amari Cooper Under the Microscope (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Sammy Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson
  • Matt Harmon's in-season film review blog
  • Bio Page
  • Harmon's Fantasy Football Tiered Rankings
  • The Backyard Banter Quarterback Typology
  • Analyzing the Landing Spots for the First Round Wide Recievers
  • Reception Perception
    • Reception Perception: Cordarrelle Patterson and a Developing Story
    • Reception Perception: Jordy Nelson and Mastering the Little Things
  • Ramblings
    • Rebuilding a broken house: losing weight, changing my lifestyle and never looking back
    • Fighting through negativity bias and a wide receiver's drops
    • Saying Goodbye to Dixie
    • The #FreeAustinTice Campaign
    • My Reaction to Adrian Peterson and The Cycle of Abuse
    • Steve Smith: A Lesson in the Dangers of Emotional Football
    • The Arizona Cardinals Will Make the Playoffs
    • The Redskins Better Not Blow This Thing Up
    • The Commodification of NFL Players
    • Digging Deeper: Why Josh Freeman Failed with the Buccaneers
    • The Fall of Aaron Hernandez and the Patriot Way
    • Washington Redskins Injury Concerns
    • Carolina Panther's Draft Bungles
    • Stubbornness the Silent Coaching Killer
  • The Fantasy Gameplan Podcast
  • Draft Class Jersey Number Grades
  • The Eye in the Sky
    • The Eye in the Sky: The St. Louis Rams Should Commit to Sam Bradford for 2014
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why the Cardinals Struggle Against Tight Ends
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Mike Brown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Brandon Bostick
    • The Eye in the Sky: E.J. Manuel's Improvement All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why Defending the Colts Offense is too Easy All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Picking Apart the Jets Defense All-22 Breakdown
    • Eye in the Sky: Texans vs. Chiefs (Week Seven) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Redskins vs. Cowboys (Week Six) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Panthers vs. Cardinals (Week Five) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Colts vs. Seahawks (Week Five)
  • 2014 Free Agent Profiles
    • Josh McCown Free Agent Profile
    • Jason Hatcher Free Agent Profile
    • Jarius Byrd Free Agent Profile
    • T.J. Ward Free Agent Profile
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  • BYOB Forums (Bring Your Own Banter)
  • 2014 NFL Free Agency Position Breakdowns
    • 2014 Quarterback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Running Back Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Fullback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Wide Receiver Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Tight End Free Agent Rankings
    • 2014 Offensive Tackle Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Offensive Guard Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Offensive Center Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Interior Defensive Lineman Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Edge Player Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Linebacker Free Agent Breakdown
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    • 2014 Specialist Free Agent Breakdown
  • 2014 NFL Draft Content
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 75)
    • 2014 Tiered Colored Position Board
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 32)
    • 2014 NFL Draft Top 10 Quarterback Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Draft Running Back Top 10 Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Post Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Pre Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Top 10 Ranking
  • Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
    • April 27th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 13th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 6th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • March 30th Sunday Morning Coming Down
  • 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Seventeen 2013 Power Rankings
    • Week Sixteen 2013 NFL Power Rankings
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    • 2013 Season Preview Edition/Week One
  • 2013 Weekly NFL Previews
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    • Playoffs- Conference Championship Round NFL Preview
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    • Week Sixteen NFL Preview
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  • Week in Review 2013
    • Playoffs- Wildcard Round in Review
    • Week Seventeen in Review
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  • 2013 Team Record Predictions
    • AFC Record Predictions
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  • Rapid Reactions
    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Eleven
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  • The 2013 All-Surprise Teams
    • AFC 2013 All-Surprise Team
    • NFC 2013 All-Surprise Team
  • NFL Player Rankings (2013)
    • Top 10 NFL Quarterback Rankings
    • Top 10 NFL Running Back Rankings
    • Top 10 NFL Wide Receiver Rankings
    • Top 10 NFL Tight End Rankings
    • Top 10 Offensive Linemen Rankings
    • Top 10 NFL Defensive Lineman Rankings
  • 2013 Season Archives
    • How to Fix 'em (2013 Offseason) >
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  • 2012 Season Archives
    • The Backyard Banter 2012 Season Awards
    • Fantasy Football Corner >
      • Week Twelve Fantasy Football Tips
      • Week Eleven Fantasy Football Tips
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      • Week Nine Fantasy Football Rankings and Tips
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    • Untitled
    • NFL Power Rankings (2012) >
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      • Week 17
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    • My Weekly NFL Picks (2012) >
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      • Week 17
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Backyard Banter 2012 Season Awards

By: Matt Harmon

MVP: Adrian Peterson RB, Minnesota Vikings

            This was very tough for me between Adrian Peterson and Peyton Manning. I even had Manning in this spot for a long time and didn’t plan on wavering. However, Peterson just completed one of the best individual seasons by a player we have ever seen. He came up just nine yard short of the single season rushing record, but he still carried a team with a suspect quarterback. I mean come on this guy tore his knee up just over a year ago and he came back to have his, and of the best seasons ever. He deserves this award because he is the most valuable player to his team. Where would this team be without AP? Sitting at home next week and wondering what player they would be picking in the top-10, that’s where.

Offensive Player of the Year: Peyton Manning QB, Denver Broncos

            Peyton edges Tom Brady just slightly for this award. Manning came to a totally new team after spending his entire career with the Colts and has completely revolutionized this team’s culture. He coached up a bunch of young inexperienced players that were stuck playing in the Tim Tebow wacky system and have them running his timing and precision based offense to perfection. His mere presence also made this a professional team that expects to be more than just in the playoffs. He has transformed this team completely and oh by the way, he also had a ridiculous year on the field after being out of the game last year.

Defensive Player of the Year: Von Miller LB, Denver Broncos

            If JJ Watt had come away with the sack record I may have picked him, and Aldon Smith disappears too much for my liking. Miller is the best and most well rounded defensive player out of the three. Miller can do it all, cover, play the run, and rush the passer relentlessly. During the long win streak for Denver, Von Miller had several games where he singlehandedly destroyed the offenses’ rhythm and game plans. After watching Miller blowup several plays and humiliated a ton of offensive blockers on a much-improved Denver defense, he is my defensive player of the year.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Russell Wilson QB, Seattle Seahawks

            Russell Wilson has defied all odds this year. They said he was too short, the Seahawks had Matt Flynn, he isn’t RG3 or Luck, and he couldn’t beat tough defenses in the NFC West. None of it mattered for Wilson. I thought he could win the award when he was named the starter but after his somewhat slow start I did have my doubts. But after the Chicago game when he drove his team to win, I have been beating the drum louder than anyone. It is a tough race between the top-3 quarterbacks (RG3, Luck, and Wilson) and it is very, very close, but I believe Wilson has earned the award the most. He didn’t come to this team thinking he would be the starter, he had to earn everything that he got and he surely did. The last four weeks of the season Wilson and the Seahawks outscored their opponents 170 to 43. That’s just does not happen in the NFL. He certainly plays with the best defense of the rookie quarterbacks, and he has Marshawn Lynch, but I would take the weapons in Indianapolis and Washington over the guys in Seattle. When the coaches opened up the playbook for Wilson no one could stop him. Pete Carroll deserves a ton of respect for going with Wilson (more on that to come). This can be argued, but in one of the best OROY races we have seen in a long time, Russell Wilson should be the offensive rookie of the year.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Luke Keuchly MLB, Carolina Panthers

            The Panthers had a disappointing season, but their top draft pick was one of the bright spots. Keuchly led the league in tackles for most of the year and had a tremendous impact on a defense that actually performed pretty well at times. Keuchly has Brian Urlacher type potential and showed that he can be a leader on a team that sorely needs them. Look for him to remain in the middle even when/if former stud Jon Beason returns from another injury. He is the new quarterback of this defense. Great start to what will be a great career for this young man.

Comeback Player of the Year: Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson

            This is not a cop out. They have split the MVP award before so why can’t we split this award? We have seen two of the all time great comebacks by two elite, future hall of fame level players. These guys both deserve this award and far be it from me to not give it to either one of them. What is more impressive, coming back from four neck surgeries that cost a player a whole year, or coming back from a torn ACL and MCL in the final weeks of the previous season? Please, it’s picking between apples and oranges. They are both damn impressive and lets properly honor both of these incredible players.

  • Honorable Mention: Thomas Davis OLB, Carolina Panthers. This guy won’t win the award over the two big names, but his comeback is equally impressive. Davis has torn an ACL in three consecutive years (2009-2011) but the Panthers never gave up on a guy who was an elite player when he played. Davis has come back very strong for an improved Panthers defense and deserves serious recognition for it. 

Coach of the Year: Bruce Arians/Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts

            This is a unique way to give the award, but this is a very unique situation. Everyone knows the Pagano story. Diagnosed with Leukemia early in season, the first year head coach had to step away from the team for much of the year. During his absence offensive coordinator Bruce Arians took over a team that was the worst in the NFL in 2011. They won nine games after that and finished as a playoff team. Many teams, especially a young one such as this, would have folded under these circumstances. The inspirational leadership these two men provided a team that is undermanned and young is deserving of serious recognition. This video alone probably sealed the deal for me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I9UsfDZLyQ) #CHUCKSTRONG
  • Honorable Mention:  Mike Shanahan, Washington Redskins. Shanny has long been one of the best offensive minds of our era, but his schemes and play calling this year has been particularly outstanding. He has been able to manufacture offense despite some injuries on that side of the ball. He has transformed Pierre Garcon into a legit top receiver and Alfred Morris is his latest running back success story. If it wasn’t for the Colts story, Shanahan may have won this award in a landslide in my opinion. The coach of the year doesn’t just have to be the coach of a team that was supposed to suck and then ended up doing well. It can be a guy who actually did a great coaching job.

Biggest Disappointment: Philadelphia Eagles

            The Eagles were billed by many to be an incredibly talented and loaded team that would rebound from a disappointing 8-8 season in 2011. Instead the ship began sinking quickly after a 3-1 start. Mike Vick was terrible (long before being injured again), the defense was a complete disgrace, and Andy Reid looks finished in Philly. With a house cleaning likely coming it could be a very long time before we see the great-sustained success from the Eagles that we saw in the Reid years. To top it all off, Vick and the Eagles stunk it up big time in the season finale against the Giants. Despite Nick Foles showing that he belongs in the NFL at least in some capacity, this team personifies disappointment.

  • Honorable Mention: Detroit Lions. These guys were supposed to be an upstart young team. Instead they came crashing down right back to where the Lions are used to being. Their undisciplined nature should lead to coaching questions.

Biggest Surprise: Minnesota Vikings

            Its tough not to have the Colts here, but I am personally more surprised by the Vikings. I had them as one of the four or five worst teams headed into the season and to see them in the playoffs is just unbelievable. I thought we would see Peterson at 100% around midseason, maybe, but he is the MVP and had a totally legendary season. Leslie Frazier had a great year as a head coach and despite average, at best, quarterback play this team has a shot to upset their rival Packers for a second straight week.

Most Improved Offensive Player: Michael Crabtree WR, San Francisco 49ers

            Crabtree came into the league being touted as the nest Larry Fitzgerald. His early career was mired with contract disputes, personal problems, and spotty play. He was just another clown in the Mike Singletary circus. In his second year under Jim Harbaugh Crabtree has been reborn and has been a total animal, to paraphrase his new quarterback Colin Kaepernick. When the move to CK was made Crabtree completely took off. He began to use what I always thought was his best attribute. He can take a short pass and break a ton of tackles. He is just bigger and more physical than most defensive backs and it showed when guys were covering and attempting to tackle him. He now has a legit argument to be a top-10 player at his position. Not a soul would say that about him before the season.

Most Improved Defensive Player: Greg Hardy DE, Carolina Panthers

The book on Hardy was that he ha a world of talent, but was lazy and injury prone. Well, Hardy put it all together this year by piling up 11 sacks in 15 games rushing in a tandem with stud Charles Johnson for an improved Panthers defense. Hardy can do it all, speed rush, bull rush, and can even rush from the inside of the defensive line. One can only hope that this player continues to give maximum effort every year going forward. He is a freak of nature and is handful for offense to block. Charles Johnson and Hardy give the Panthers two dangerous ends that set up Carolina to be a good pass rushing team for several years to come.

Thug4lifer of the Year: Tommy Kelly DT, Oakland Raiders

            Tommy Kelly started off the year with a bang when in the season opener he was caught laughed after prolonging a San Diego drive with a pair of offside penalties. Kelly was a classic Al Davis era overpaid bum. Kelly has a world of talent, and has played well at times in the past, but he is unbelievably sluggish this year in particular and has been abused on the field. His quotes about wanting to “take out” Cam Newton in the wake f the bounty scandal really summed up how much of a thug he is. Expect him to be cut very soon after the end of the season.

Backyard Banter Man of the Year: Jamal Charles RB, Kansas City Chiefs

            First of all, Charles has a tremendous season. However, the adverse circumstances this player has been under this season are nothing short of astounding. Many forget that Charles is also coming off of a torn ACL injury from the 2011 season. While playing on a Chiefs team that has been the bottom dweller all year he has been used strangely and inconsistently by a clueless coaching staff, and is basically the only threat teams must key on in the Chiefs’ offense. And finally, Jamaal Charles, whose wife is a cousin of the late Kasandra Perkins, was one of the Chiefs hit particularly hard by the tragedy involving late teammate Jovan Belcher. All of this said, Charles cannot be given offensive player of the year or MVP, but I feel he needs to be honored for his unreal performance this year under excruciatingly difficult circumstances, so he is the Backyard Banter Man of the Year.

Biggest Balls Award: Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks

            So many coaches play it safe and go with what they know. Many coaches have lost their jobs because they were too afraid to take a risk and roll with the unknown. Seattle head coach has been the opposite of normal since he came to the NFL for a second run. He and General Manager, John Schneider, have massive corners over 6’3 feet tall, d-lineman who “wouldn’t fit in others schemes”, and castoff players on offense, and they have all worked to perfection. This year Carroll took the biggest gamble when he put the exciting, but unknown, rookie Russell Wilson in as the starting quarterback over high-priced free agent Matt Flynn. Wilson was casted as too short and not ready. It would have been easy for Carroll to go with the safe guy in Flynn and maybe they still would have been successful. However, no way are they this dynamic with Flynn under center. By making the risky choice, Pete Carroll has set his team up for not only a playoff run, but is set up to be a force in the NFC for years to come.

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