2012 NFL Season In Review

I’m baaaaaaaaack! Yes, it has been a while since I’ve written anything. I know what you’re probably thinking: An article by PJ? What’s next is a Tyrannosaurus Rex going to pass me in the left lane? Well I apologize for my extended absence, and my primary New Year’s resolution is to be a more dedicated writer. Enough about me sucking; let’s get to the article. The NFL regular season has come to an end, which means that awards and other recognitions will be handed out soon. The Pro Bowl rosters have already been announced, but 75% of people who actually vote online for the Pro Bowl are in middle school so we don’t care about those. The All-Pro team is the roster of guys who truly deserve recognition. On top of that, the three awards under the most debate right now are MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Offensive Rookie of the Year. In this segment, I’m not predicted who is going to win the award. I’m going to make cases for who should win the awards. Let’s get to it.

MVP - Adrian Peterson

Realistically, this award is between Peterson and Peyton Manning. I’m not going to deny that what Peyton has done this year has been unbelievable. After losing a year due to a neck injury, he returns with a new team and new receivers only to throw for over 4,600 yards and 37 touchdowns. His QBR is 7 points higher than the guy in second place (Tom Brady). Oh yeah, and the Broncos have won 11 games in a row and are the top team in the AFC. But Peyton has a few things going against his case. Aaron Rodgers has thrown for more touchdowns and less interceptions. He’s sixth in the league in passing yards. The Broncos had one of the easiest schedules in the league and were already a playoff team before he arrived.

The same, however, cannot be said for Peterson. He was far and away the best running back in the league this season. He has rushed for almost 500 yards more than the next closest player (Alfred Morris). He rushed for over 1,000 yards…after contact. He averaged 6 yards per carry, even though defenses knew what was coming on every play. Add all of this on top of the fact that he suffered a catastrophic knee injury in the last week of last season, and it makes AP’s season all the more incredible. Besides the numbers though, the Vikings finished last season with the fourth worst record in the league. Now, they are going to the playoffs despite playing in maybe the toughest division in the league. Peterson is the only player in the league who is solely responsible for bringing his team to the playoffs, so for that alone he should be the MVP. Consider the 2,097 yards rushing too and the vote shouldn’t even be close.

Defensive Player of the Year – J.J. Watt

To me, there are four guys worthy of winning this award: Watt, Von Miller, Aldon Smith, and Geno Atkins. However, it’s going to come down to Watt or Miller. Both guys are among the top three in the league in sacks (Watt had 20.5, Miller had 18.5). Miller has the edge in forced fumbles and has scored a touchdown, but this award belongs to Watt. The Texans defense was plagued by injuries and was inconsistent all season, but Watt was a rock at defensive end. On top of leading the league in sacks, Watt defended 16 passes from the end position. Yes, a defensive end finished in the top ten in passes defended. That’s about the same as a center finishing in the top ten in assists in the NBA. Watt was disruptive on almost every play, and is the main reason behind the Texans’ 12-4 record.

Offensive Rookie of the Year – Robert Griffin III

I don’t know what was in the water at the 2012 NFL Draft, but offensive rookies absolutely exploded onto the scene this season. Griffin, Andrew Luck, and Russell Wilson all led their teams into the playoffs. Alfred Morris and Doug Martin both finished in the top five in the league in rushing yards. However, this award will go to a quarterback, and rightfully so. Leading a team into the postseason is difficult enough, but doing so in a rookie year is insanely impressive. Russell Wilson threw for the most touchdowns out of any of the rookie quarterbacks and also ran for about 500 yards, but the Seahawks are a loaded team and Wilson can’t take all of the credit. The same cannot be said about Griffin and Luck, who both play on teams that were absolutely dismal last season. What Luck did this season was both remarkable and inspiring. The Colts were the worst team in the league last season and had their head coach diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of this season. Despite all of this, Luck has the Colts in the playoffs. 4,374 yards passing isn’t too shabby either.

Still, this award belongs to RG3. The Redskins were lost before he came to town and hadn’t had a great quarterback in decades. With RG3, the Redskins ended the season with seven straight wins and stole the NFC East title. Griffin isn’t only the most electrifying rookie in the league; he’s the most electrifying player in the league. He finished in the top three in passer rating and the top twenty in rushing yards. He only threw 5 interceptions…as a rookie! RG3 is the reason behind the Redskins’ turnaround and has already managed to change the league in his first year.

All Pro Team

QB – Peyton Manning – See MVP section.

RB – Adrian Peterson – See MVP section.

RB – Arian Foster – Over 1,400 yards and led the league in touchdowns. The Texans offense goes as he goes.

WR – Calvin Johnson – Shattered the single-season receiving yards record despite being double-covered on almost every play. Maybe the best player in the league.

WR – A.J. Green – Toss-up here, but Green gets the edge. Finished with 1,350 yards and at one point scored a touchdown in 9 straight weeks. Without him, the Bengals aren’t a playoff team.

TE – Jason Witten – Down years for tight ends, but not for Witten. Finished with 110 receptions and over 1,000 yards. Cemented a spot in the Hall of Fame.

OT – Ryan Clady – Protecting Peyton Manning this season might be the most pressure a left tackle has ever been placed under, but Clady excelled.

OT – Trent Williams – Without Williams, neither RG3 nor Alfred Morris have nearly the amount of rushing yards.

OG – Mike Iupati – By far the best guard in the league today. Plows holes for Frank Gore and provides time for Colin Kaepernick.

OG – Jahri Evans – You have to have some time in the pocket to throw for over 5,000 yards and 40 touchdowns, and Drew Brees has Evans to thank for that.

C – Max Unger – Hasn’t allowed a sack and has committed just one penalty all season. Also a huge reason behind the success of Marshawn Lynch running up the middle.

DE – J.J. Watt – See Defensive Player of the Year section.

DE – Julius Peppers – Finished in the top ten in sacks and led the league in fumble recoveries. Also pressured quarterbacks into many interceptions all season long.

DT – Geno Atkins – Probably the most underrated player in the league. Not only did he finish with 12.5 sacks as a defensive tackle, he’s one of the best run stuffers in the game.

DT – Vince Wilfork – Takes up about three offensive linemen per play. His impact doesn’t show on the stat sheets, but he’s a huge reason behind the Patriots’ success.

OLB – Von Miller - See Defensive Player of the Year section.

OLB – Aldon Smith – 19.5 sacks. Enough said.

ILB – Patrick Willis – Level of play hasn’t dropped off one bit. By the end of his career he should be in the same conversation as Dick Butkus and Ray Lewis.

ILB – London Fletcher – It’s crazy that this far into his career he might have just had his best season. Finished in the top ten in both tackles and interceptions.

CB – Charles Tillman – 10 forced fumbles from the cornerback positions is absolutely unheard of. Returning all 3 of his interceptions for touchdowns isn’t too bad either.

CB – Richard Sherman – Led the league in passes defended and finished second in interceptions. Also stuck it to Roger Goodell by winning his appeal.

S – Earl Thomas – Best player on the league’s best secondary. Confuses quarterbacks while he lights up receivers.

S – Ed Reed – You’d think that injuries to Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Lardarius Webb would sink the Ravens. Ed Reed thought otherwise.

K – Blair Walsh – One of the most underappreciated players in the league. As a rookie he led the league in field goals, and went 10-10 from 50 yards and up. 10-10!

P – Andy Lee – He’s the best punter in the league. No further detail necessary.

KR – Jacoby Jones – Fourth in kick return yards, eighth in punt return yards, first in return touchdowns. Also the best touchdown dancer in the league.

Well it was a great NFL season (not really though), and I hope you all enjoyed the article. See you soon.

- PJ Moran