Midseason NFL Awards

The 2006 NFL season, like most every other season, has had its share of surprises - and its share of certainties. Having said that, here are my NFL midseason awards.

Offensive MVP: Peyton Manning
The Indianapolis Colts quarterback has been absolutely amazing, and I mean more so than his normal eye-popping self. If you missed Manning's performance against the Denver Broncos, particularly in the fourth quarter, you missed one of the best quarterbacking performances of all-time. Simply put, if Manning weren't leading the Colts offense so masterfully, Indy would probably be a middle-of-the-road team, as atrocious as their defense is, especially against the run.

Defensive MVP: Julius Peppers
If the Panthers perennial All-Pro defensive end keeps this up, he'll undoubtedly end up in Canton. His eight sacks and 20 quarterback hurries have helped the mediocre Panthers, who are ranked only 19th in points allowed stay in the playoff hunt with a 4-4 record.

Coach of the Year: Lovie Smith
I could have easily selected the Patriots Bill Belichick who has been as masterful as always, but I felt that Smith has actually done a better job of handling his young, talented Chicago team.
Smith made the right call by sticking with Rex Grossman at quarterback despite an awful preseason and has pushed all the right buttons so far this year - and could find himself facing Belichick in this year's Super Bowl.

Offensive Rookie: Marques Colston
I'd really like to know how this kid lasted until the seventh round. I know he's benefiting from playing with a Pro Bowl quarterback in Drew Brees, but this young receiver looks like he is going to be a Pro Bowler himself for at least the next decade. His 33 catches for 577 yards and six touchdowns have him ranked with the elite wide receivers in the NFL - and to be blunt about it - I expect him to stay there throughout the rest of this season and beyond.

Defensive Rookie: Mark Anderson
I had to think long and hard about this "award" but I decided to go with Anderson after careful consideration. I know he's playing alongside some great defensive players and that he has benefited from that immensely, but this young player has made several outstanding plays on his own and appears to have quite a future ahead of him.

Biggest surprise: New Orleans Saints
I guess the Saints would qualify for this award, but in actuality, I thought they would be very good offensively - and they have been - which is what has fueled their success. I don't want to come off like a know-it-all (which I've certainly been accused of at times) but when the Saints added Reggie Bush to go along with Deuce McCallister and Drew Brees, not to mention their incredible rookie wide receiver, (Colston) what did you think was going to happen?

Biggest disappointment: Miami Dolphins
As a lifelong Dolphins fan, it pains me to see them floundering (no pun intended) so badly. Their six-game winning streak to close out the 2005 season looks like an aberration now and Nick Saban's selection of Daunte Culpepper over Drew Brees, looks idiotic, not to mention the fact that last year's number two, overall selection, Ronnie Brown, looks like a backup running back at best. Laugh if you want, but the 'Fins are missing running back Ricky Williams in the worst way - and desperately need to find some competent offensive linemen.

So there you have it, my midseason awards. Of course, things are subject to change during the course of the second half of the season, and probably will, but for now, this is how I see things, no matter what anyone else says - so there!