First Half Awards

With week 9 now underway, the 2009 NFL season is now half over. This year has been one of the best, with so many teams vying for playoff positions and so many players having good years so far. Here are my award winner for the first half.

• Most Valuable Player

My MVP so far this season has to be Brett Favre. I know your wondering if I'm crazy or something but just hear me out. The Vikings went out and got Favre just to be a compliment for their great running game and tremendous defense, however Favre has been more. He has taken the pressure of the running game and now put it on every team that faces the Vikings. The opposing defenses don't know whether to commit more to the run, or the pass. Of course Adrian Peterson is having another spectacular year, but now with Favre as his QB he can be more productive. Favre is tied for the league lead in touchdowns with 16, while throwing close to 2,000 yards. If that's not enough he has the Vikings atop their division and 2nd in the NFC with a 7-1 record. He's been brilliant in every game except one, and if it wasn't for him the Vikings would probably have 3 losses at this point.

• Defensive Player of the Year

As much as I wanna give it to Troy Polamalu I can't because of the games he missed, so I'm going to say Darren Sharper of the New Orleans Saints, which I don't think is a bad choice. When your hear the Saints all you think of is their potent offense, but this season is so much different because now they have a defense led by Sharper. He's tied for the league lead in interceptions with 7, but leads the NFL with 3 interception returns for touchdowns. With Sharper and this defense, the Saints can definitely make some noise in the second half of the season as well as in the playoffs. But watch out for Vikings DE Jared Alllen, he's definitely a game-changer.

• Rookie of the Year

This a real "head scratcher" because no one has really shined like last years ROY Matt Ryan. However, I have two players who I think may have a chance of winning the award if they continue to play like they are now, Percy Harvin of the Vikings and LeSean McCoy. Harvin first off, has done everything asked of him and more. He isn't a true wide receiver but he still can catch the football, and that is what he has been able to do. If that's not enough, he's been terrific while returning punts and kickoffs. He is tied for the league lead in yards in returning, but leads the league in return touchdowns with two. As for McCoy, I picked him also because he has been a real valuable player to the Eagles. With Brian Westbrook out, they need someone who is explosive in the running game to match their explosiveness in the air, and McCoy has been that so far. He doesn't have to have monster games, but just able to produce when the Eagles need him. This race should get more interesting as the season continues.

Those are my picks for the mid season awards of the NFL. Later this week I'll give you my team awards, and who I think is prime for a Super Bowl match up.