Annual NFL Player Awards - 2009

QB of the Year

Aaron Rodgers (GB) - This was a tough one. I went with Rodgers here because he's put up the most points in standard ESPN scoring leagues, led the Packers to a respectable record, and offers something none of the other QBs do - rushing (283 yards, 3 TDs YTD). He also only has 7 INTs thus far this year and has taken an absolute pounding (David Carr style) and hasn't missed a game all year.

Runner Up: Peyton Manning. Did the most with the least, making Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie fantasy relevant. Also currently undefeated.

RB of the Year

Chris Johnson (TEN) - This was an easy one. Leads all players in ESPN scoring, has over 1600 yards rushing, 11 TDs, and is very valuable in PPR leagues (42 receptions, 391 yards, and 2 receiving TDs). He has been particularly good seeing as how there are really no other offensive threats on the Titans. How good would his numbers be if VY were starting all year? With the Alcoholic at the helm, he only had 2 TDs and 2 100+ rushing efforts through 6 games. With VY? 9 TDs and 8 100+ yard efforts through 8 games. Unreal.

Runner Up: Ray Rice. Narrowly edges AP given his aptitude for catching passes (and thus, superior value in PPR leagues) as he's racked up 68 receptions YTD compared to AP's 36.

WR of the Year

Andre Johnson (HOU) - He has put up astounding numbers thus far this season. He's 5th in receptions (81), 1st in yards (1237) and tied for 7th in TDs (8). He also leads everyone in standard ESPN leagues in points by 10. He also wakes up every day thanking God he's not on the Lions (Charles Rogers is somewhere shooting up right now).

Runner Up: Miles Austin. I'm taking him here over DeSean Jackson since Jackson was drafted and Austin was not. He's clearly this year's winner for "guy who ruined fantasy leagues".

TE of the Year

Vernon Davis (SF) - He needs to send Alex Smith something really nice for Christmas. I mean, really nice. Like a $5,000 hooker and a brand new Bugatti. He leads all TEs in TDs (11) and is second in yards (815). The kid is finally starting to live up to his potential.

Runner Up: Dallas Clark. He demanded a pretty high draft pick before the season started and has delivered. In PPR leagues, he's the clear #1, but since you had to take him so much higher than Davis, he's second in my book.

DE of the Year

Jared Allen (MIN) - 46 tackles (38 solo), 4 FF, 1 INT, 13.5 sacks. What can I say other than he's one of the major reasons the Vikings have the record they do? He gets bonus points for being a former alcoholic who loves to kill shit.

Runner Up: Elvis Dumervil. 46 tackles (39 solo), 3 FF, 0 INT, 15.0 sacks. At first blush his numbers look better than Jared Allen's. Hoewver, I disagree. Tackles are basically a wash and the 1.5 extra sacks don't make up for Allen's 1 more FF and 1 INT. Also, you're probably not taking Denver's D over Minny's D.

LB of the Year

Patrick Willis (SF) - 138 tackles (103 solo), 3 FF, 2 INTs, 4 sacks. He does it all and is an absolute beast. Arguably the best LB to come out of college since LT. He is that good and his numbers every year back him up.

Runner Up: Jon Beason. 121 tackles (96 solo), 0 FF, 3 INTs, 2 sacks. Numbers are pretty close to Willis, but not quite as good. Still a great season from him.

DB of the Year

Charles Woodson (GB) - 70 tackles (62 solo), 4 FF, 8 INTs, 2 sacks, 2 TDs. Monster year from this guy. It's tough to say how many extra wins he's added to the Packers this year, but I'm sure it is at least two. Bonus points for going to Michigan.

Runner Up: Brian Dawkins. 100 tackles (82 solo), 1 FF, 2 INTs, 0 sacks. He's been a beast this year but his INTs are simply too low. I am also 99.9% certain he's taking some sort of steroid. He's like 40 and still gets up like a 25 year old who just decapitated his opponent after every tackle. Make your own conclusions...

Offensive Comeback Player of the Year

Ricky Williams, RB (MIA) - I'd like to put Brett Favre here, but I just have a feeling that he's going to continue to tank the rest of this season away (quick, someone get him some Vicodin, stat!). Ricky wins because after Ronnie Brown went down he was an absolute beast (100+ yards rushing in 4 of 6 games and 5 TDs). He also gets high.

Defensive Comeback Player of the Year

Bernard Pollard, DB (HOU) - OK so his year in 2008 wasn't that bad. But then you start to think about the fact that the Chiefs cut this guy. And how did he respond? By putting up 89 tackles (70 solo), 0.5 sacks, 1 FF, 2 INTs, and 1 TD... in 11 games! In 16 games with the Chiefs last year he didn't match his pass deflection total (4), TDs, sacks, or INTs. Unreal year from him. Of course you have to ask yourself - does Pioli know what he's doing in KC? Or is Bellichick the only thing good in NE?

I'd also like to note that my Breakout Players of the Year were Miles Austin and Elvis Dumervil. I already spoke of them, so I figured another couple of paragraphs was overkill.

Also, Tom Cable - you are my coach of the year.