All this week, we’ll be bringing you our awards for the 2005 NFL season:
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Offensive Player of the Year
Defensive Player of the Year
Coach of the Year
MVP
Disappointment of the Year
Here are our picks for Offensive Player of the Year. Offensive Player of the Year:
Ryan McGowan: Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle Seahawks
With all due respect to Tiki Barber, Carson Palmer, and Peyton Manning, Alexander was unstoppable this year. This award should probably be renamed “Fantasy Player of the Year,” or the “Priest Holmes Trophy.” Alexander was simply a force, racking up touchdowns like 50 Cent racks up drug convictions.
Teri Berg: Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts
It might be my contrarian streak, but I can’t give the Offensive POY award to the same player who earns the MVP honor. It just doesn’t make sense to have two awards for basically the same thing. Besides, Offensive POY strikes me as the sort of recognition one earns with less than stellar individual stats — that is, the OPOY strikes me as the consummate team player. And that means Manning. No show-offy TD records this season, no out-of-balance cumulative passing yards and fewer pass attempts than 10 of the NFL’s most pass-wacky QBs. At the same time, no QB has done as much for his team this season in terms of game management and overall leadership. After starting the season quietly, letting the Colts offense run through Edgerrin James, Manning failed only once (vs. SD) to step up when his team needed him (though in Indy’s first loss of the season, Manning threw for 336 yards, one TD and led a 3rd-quarter comeback that struck fear into the Chargers). Overall, Manning’s got the best passer rating in the league (104.3 through 15 games), trails only Carson Palmer in completion percentage (67.4 to CP’s 67.9), and is once again among the league leaders in fewest interceptions (with 10). Peyton Manning is the quintessential team player, and the Colts’ undefeated run this season is a testament to his value.
Vin Diec: Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Unlike Teri, I have no problems giving my Offensive Player of the Year award to my MVP pick. If there was someone who had a dominant offensive year without carrying the team to a great record and potential playoff success, then perhaps that person gets one award without the other. But Shaun Alexander has done everything asked of him in being the highlighted weapon for the Seahawks and taking the team to a #1 seed. Alexander has been the best consistent back in the league for years now but is always overshadowed by Edge, Tomlinson or Priest Holmes. A workhorse that someone managers to avoid injury, Alexander is finally getting the recognition he deserves.
