You read it here, in this space one week ago: Patriots vs. Giants, Super Bowl XLII.
In a matchup that seemed impossible at the beginning of the season, the Giants will get a chance to make history by knocking off the unbeaten Patriots next week. But rather than dissect the Super Bowl itself (there’s still a week left to do that, anyway), I’m handing out awards to both the top performers and biggest disappointments in the league this season for the second straight year. Top to bottom, here’s what happened in the NFL in 2007.
MVP: In any other year, this could have gone to a number of players – Brett Favre, Tony Romo (pre-playoff flameout) or Randy Moss chief among them. But as the face (and arm) of the Patriots, Tom Brady has to earn the nod. It’s not just his numbers that sealed the deal (although 50 TDs, 4,800 yards and only 8 interceptions certainly don’t hurt) – he also embodies the spirit of a winner, reaching 100 victories faster than any other quarterback in history. And did I mention his team has gone 18-0 and is in the running for “best-team-ever” distinction? Brady is the NFL’s clear MVP.
LVP: In a split Least Valuable Player vote, running backs Shawn Alexander and Reggie Bush share the title this year. Alexander, fresh off signing a nearly $66 million contract, was nowhere to be seen for most of the season, posting his lowest rushing average in years and looking, for all reasonable purposes, done as an impact NFL running back. Bush, the second pick in last season’s draft, was unable to carry the load for the New Orleans Saints this year (more about them below), a disappointing performance for one of the biggest enigmas in the game. There’s no doubt Bush has the talent to be an impact player – but will he ever show the consistency needed to earn that chance?
Coach of the Year: With apologies to the Giants’ Tom Coughlin, it’s Bill Belichick. Even though Coughlin was able to get his team to pull together through the course of the year and get behind Eli Manning, Belichick has steered the Patriots to a perfect record, while keeping them motivated and ready each week. And even with the videotaping scandal early this season, Belichick has to be celebrated for his ability to prepare his team for each opponents’ “A” game every week. He’s the closest thing to a modern-day Vince Lombardi we have.
Goat of the Year: Once again, the field of nominees is crowded – but I think the clear winner (loser?) is former Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino, who pledged his loyalty to Atlanta after joining the Falcons earlier this year from Louisville University, only to bail on the team midway through this awful season. Granted, he couldn’t have seen the Michael Vick situation coming when he signed on as Atlanta coach, but the way he left town was deplorable – rather than address his players personally, he handled his departure in a letter to his players, before showing up to raucous applause at the University of Arkansas. Even in the coaching ranks, where a lack of loyalty is often rewarded with huge contracts, that’s low. Here’s hoping the Razorbacks know they have a rat on their hands.
Most Improved Team: Even though the Giants did make the playoffs last season, their work in the offseason so far has cemented them as the most improved team in the league. In the preseason, few experts picked the Giants to finish any better than .500, and most thought they’d be significantly worse. But behind Eli Manning, whose steady maturation over the last few months has been key to the team’s success, the Giants ran off a six-game winning streak midway through the season and have been the most physical team in the playoffs. For a Super Bowl trip that no one saw coming, they are the most improved.
Most Disappointing Team: Hands-down, that would be the New Orleans Saints. I suppose you could make an argument for the Chicago Bears, Super Bowl finalists a year ago who collapsed to 7-9 this season, but their defense kept them competitive for the most part, and no one trusted quarterback Rex Grossman much anyway. The Saints, though, were supposed to be THE team in the NFC. A powerful offense, an improving defense and a smart young head coach were supposed to add up to the Super Bowl contenders. So what happened? Quarterback Drew Brees started the year slow, running back Deuce McCallister got hurt, Reggie Bush never proved himself and the defense could barely stop anyone. It’s a formula that doomed the Saints to 7-9, and an offseason full of questions. Runner-up? The Dolphins, who could have clinched it by finishing 0-16 but instead managed to win a pedestrian one game.
Last week’s record: 2-0. Overall: 130-48.