msufan420
04-14-2005, 11:10 PM
Here are my picks for the end of the season awards and sleeper studs....very premature I know, but even in the offseason my dreams are filled with smash hits and touchdown dances. I'll give you my pick for each award and then a sleeper or a darkhorse that could quite possibly steal the award.
MVP: Peyton Manning-was at times unstoppable last year and seems to be getting better. There is no reason to believe he cannot reproduce or come close to the numbers last year.
Sleeper MVP: Daunte Culpepper-his monsterous season was overlooked by many since Manning was racking up numbers. Culpepper even managed superior games when Moss went down to injury. If Daunte can manage to do the same this year, and keep his team in playoff contention without Randy...he could definately steal some votes.
OPOY: Shaun Alexander-What can I say...he's an absolute stat sheet monster. Came 1 yard short of leading the league in rushing yards. He is also second to only Priest Holmes in TD's scored the past 3 years. Fantasy geeks....here is your franchise player.
Sleeper OPOY: Willis McGahee-Came on strong mid-season and was the main reason Buffalo managed some success down the road. He shut up all the doubters that overlooked drafting him in the first round. Should be able to walk into the Pro Bowl this year.
DPOY: Ray Lewis-No surprise here...he is consistantly in the running for this award as well as MVP (in some voter's minds). He is the heart and sole of the Ravens and the foundation for what they accomplish on the defensive side of the ball.
Sleeper DPOY: Patrick Kerny-The main reason why Atlanta's 3-4 scheme is effective. He is a ball hawk who always delivers when called upon. If Atlanta's defense holds up like last year (no reason why it shouldn't)...he could definately steal some votes.
OROY: This is a tough choice considering we don't know who is going to get drafted by whom. So taking what I know....receivers usually don't make as big of an impact their first year and both of the top QB's will probably go to some weak ass teams like San Fran or Cleveland...I'll pick a RB, as it is one of the easiest positions to be successful at the pro level....so I'll take Ronnie Brown from Auburn. Easily the most talented of the big three. Has terrific speed, strength, great hands out of the backfield, and is not just a "north-south" runner like Carnell Williams and Benson seem to be.
Sleeper OROY: Cedrick Benson- That's right another RB. Sorry, this class has some damn good ones. He is a Ricky Williams clone who is a strong and punishing runner. While he is not deceptively fast like his other draft mates...he has the strength to bull you over for the extra yards. Could easily put up 1,000 to 1,500 yards this year behind the right offensive line.
DROY: Derrick Johnson-Could easily be labeled as the most all-around talented player in the draft this year. He has great speed and is a terrific tackler who always seems to be where the ball carrier is at. His only weakness is that he tends to let himself get held up at the line on occasion. Johnson will be an immediate impact player for any teams defense.
Sleeper DROY: Shawn Marriman-This guy is an absolute beast. With many teams switching to the 3-4 scheme, he is the perfect fit. Shawn has the ability and athleticism to switch back and forth between the DE and OLB positions with ease. Could have a very productive year in a quality team that already has some good veterans surrounding him, like Dallas.
Comeback/Most Improved Player: Here are my "homer" picks....sorry had to have 'em. Joey Harrington-Was an overall #3 pick in his draft class. While he has shown some signs of brilliance in the pocket, he has been plagued with inconsistancy, confidence problems, and just flat out not being able to win. With a franchise RB in Kevin Jones, stud receiver in Roy Williams, and a finally healthy Charles Rogers, Harrington could enjoy a breakout season similar to Drew Brees....on paper this offense looks like St. Louis Light (the Kurt Warner years)
Sleeper Comback: Charles Rogers-enjoyed a brief, but exciting 5 weeks in his rookie season before breaking his collarbone. Then after not having surgery to correct his problem, spent all last season on the IR with the same injury. Now he's back and healthy (supposedly) and with Jones in the backfield and Roy Williams on the other side....WHO YA GONNA COVER!!! Could blow up this year and remind everyone why the Lions nabbed him with their #2 overall pick.
MVP: Peyton Manning-was at times unstoppable last year and seems to be getting better. There is no reason to believe he cannot reproduce or come close to the numbers last year.
Sleeper MVP: Daunte Culpepper-his monsterous season was overlooked by many since Manning was racking up numbers. Culpepper even managed superior games when Moss went down to injury. If Daunte can manage to do the same this year, and keep his team in playoff contention without Randy...he could definately steal some votes.
OPOY: Shaun Alexander-What can I say...he's an absolute stat sheet monster. Came 1 yard short of leading the league in rushing yards. He is also second to only Priest Holmes in TD's scored the past 3 years. Fantasy geeks....here is your franchise player.
Sleeper OPOY: Willis McGahee-Came on strong mid-season and was the main reason Buffalo managed some success down the road. He shut up all the doubters that overlooked drafting him in the first round. Should be able to walk into the Pro Bowl this year.
DPOY: Ray Lewis-No surprise here...he is consistantly in the running for this award as well as MVP (in some voter's minds). He is the heart and sole of the Ravens and the foundation for what they accomplish on the defensive side of the ball.
Sleeper DPOY: Patrick Kerny-The main reason why Atlanta's 3-4 scheme is effective. He is a ball hawk who always delivers when called upon. If Atlanta's defense holds up like last year (no reason why it shouldn't)...he could definately steal some votes.
OROY: This is a tough choice considering we don't know who is going to get drafted by whom. So taking what I know....receivers usually don't make as big of an impact their first year and both of the top QB's will probably go to some weak ass teams like San Fran or Cleveland...I'll pick a RB, as it is one of the easiest positions to be successful at the pro level....so I'll take Ronnie Brown from Auburn. Easily the most talented of the big three. Has terrific speed, strength, great hands out of the backfield, and is not just a "north-south" runner like Carnell Williams and Benson seem to be.
Sleeper OROY: Cedrick Benson- That's right another RB. Sorry, this class has some damn good ones. He is a Ricky Williams clone who is a strong and punishing runner. While he is not deceptively fast like his other draft mates...he has the strength to bull you over for the extra yards. Could easily put up 1,000 to 1,500 yards this year behind the right offensive line.
DROY: Derrick Johnson-Could easily be labeled as the most all-around talented player in the draft this year. He has great speed and is a terrific tackler who always seems to be where the ball carrier is at. His only weakness is that he tends to let himself get held up at the line on occasion. Johnson will be an immediate impact player for any teams defense.
Sleeper DROY: Shawn Marriman-This guy is an absolute beast. With many teams switching to the 3-4 scheme, he is the perfect fit. Shawn has the ability and athleticism to switch back and forth between the DE and OLB positions with ease. Could have a very productive year in a quality team that already has some good veterans surrounding him, like Dallas.
Comeback/Most Improved Player: Here are my "homer" picks....sorry had to have 'em. Joey Harrington-Was an overall #3 pick in his draft class. While he has shown some signs of brilliance in the pocket, he has been plagued with inconsistancy, confidence problems, and just flat out not being able to win. With a franchise RB in Kevin Jones, stud receiver in Roy Williams, and a finally healthy Charles Rogers, Harrington could enjoy a breakout season similar to Drew Brees....on paper this offense looks like St. Louis Light (the Kurt Warner years)
Sleeper Comback: Charles Rogers-enjoyed a brief, but exciting 5 weeks in his rookie season before breaking his collarbone. Then after not having surgery to correct his problem, spent all last season on the IR with the same injury. Now he's back and healthy (supposedly) and with Jones in the backfield and Roy Williams on the other side....WHO YA GONNA COVER!!! Could blow up this year and remind everyone why the Lions nabbed him with their #2 overall pick.