Most Valuable Player (MVP): Peyton Manning (QB, Indianapolis Colts). Yes, he is sure to be remembered as perhaps the greatest quarterback to ever grace the National Football League but this season has been revelatory. No longer can Manning rely on Marvin Harrison, or the injured Antonio Gonzalez, instead he has been forced to spread the ball between Reggie Wayne and several inexperienced rookies such as Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. 2,545 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and the Colts' unblemished 9-0 start is testament to the excellence of the man that epitomises the 'on-field general' mould of quarterbacks.
Honourable Mentions: Drew Brees (QB, New Orleans Saints), Ben Roethlisberger (QB, Pittsburgh Steelers), Darren Sharper (S, New Orleans Saints).
Best Rookie: Percy Harvin (WR, Minnesota Vikings). In Harvin, quarterback Brett Favre has found a weapon with which he has reestablished himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the league once again. Harvin's versatility has been crucial to the Vikings' success so far, perhaps even more so than the rushing yards of Adrian Peterson or the sacks accounted for by Jared Allen. Blessed with impossible speed and balance, Harvin has proven himself as a valuable kick-returner as well. The future is surely bright for the rookie from the University of Florida.
Honourable Mentions: Brian Cushing (LB, Houston Texans), Michael Oher (OL, Baltimore Ravens), Rey Maualuga (LB, Cincinnati Bengals)
Most Improved Player: Cedric Benson (RB, Cincinnati Bengals). What a difference a year makes. The running back cast aside by the Chicago Bears has found new-life with Marvin Lewis' Bengals. Benson has been the bane of defenses throughout the 2009 season including the fabled run-stoppers in Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The improved production can be credited to a newly acquired awareness and intelligence that has seen him gather an impressive 4.2 yards per carry as well as finding the endzone on six occassions.
Honourable Mentions: Kyle Orton (QB, Denver Broncos), Brett Favre (QB, Minnesota Vikings)
Best Coach: Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints). Payton has coupled consistency with the spectacular in the 2009 New Orleans Saints. The defensive woes that hampered an explosive, yet erratic offense in previous seasons have been rectified. Darren Sharper leads the league in interceptions, Charles Grant and Will Smith have been the source of vast amounts of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, while the linebackers led up by Jonathan Vilma and Scott Fujita have been able to stop the run. The Saints' running game itself has been exceptional. The rotation between Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Reggie Bush has brought unrivaled depth to the New Orleans' backfield. The Saints have been cited as potential Super Bowl contenders. The fact that they are even competing is a triumph of coaching.
Honourable Mentions: Josh McDaniels (Denver Broncos), Brad Childress (Minnesota Vikings)
Most Surprising Team: Cincinatti Bengals. At the outset of the 2009 season no-one could have predicted the start the Bengals have experienced to date. Following a dire 2008 season, which finished with a 4-11-1, Cincinnati has responded by going 6-2 - leading the AFC North at this point. The reasons for their resurgence are plentiful. Antwan Odom led the league in sacks until a season ending injury has led to his placement on the Injured Reserve. Enigmatic and outspoken wide-receiver Chad Ochocinco has been prolific. Former USC quarterback Carson Palmer has recovered from a 2008 season plagued with injury to post Pro-Bowl worthy numbers and has led the team to a 4-0 record within the AFC North. The Bengals look set to continue their run of form - they face the Raiders, the Browns, the Lions and the Chiefs in the second half of the season.
Honourable Mention: Denver Broncos
Most Disappointing Team: Tennessee Titans. Predicted by many to contest the Super Bowl in Miami this coming February, the Titans floundered to a 0-6 start. Having begun the 2008 season by going 10-0, the winless streak of Jeff Fisher's team shocked the NFL. Defeats to the Texans, the Jets, the Jaguars and a 54-0 defeat in New England have, frankly, embarrassed the Titans franchise. Since going 0-6 the Titans have benched QB Kerry Collins in favour of Vince Young. They have recovered to 2-6, mostly thanks to the express running of Chris Johnson.
Honourable Mentions: Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins
On the topic of the NFL, interesting report here.
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Navy play Notre Dame in Croke Park, Dublin in 2012. The GAA intend to lobby for an NFL game in the future. With Dan Rooney acting as US Ambassador to Ireland, what are the chances that regular season NFL football comes to Ireland?