Most players in the NFL probably didn't have to worry about doing terribly well on their midterms during their journeys through the collegiate world. Well, here at Tufts, midterms are for everyone, even our star athletes, and in the spirit of fairness (and probably bitterness) "Inside the NFL" is giving its midseason report. It's clich?©, but it has to be done.
MVPs: In the NFC, it's got to be Tiki Barber of the New York Giants. The numbers are astounding. Through nine weeks, Barber has rushed for 820 yards and eight touchdowns. He leads the team in receiving as well, with 31 receptions for 411 yards and a score. His 1,231 yards from scrimmage easily lead the league, but what's most astounding is what he's meant for the Giants.
Despite let downs, anyone who said that the Giants would be 5-3 at this point in the season, and in place for a possible playoff run, would be tossed in the loony bin. Barber's performance, highlighted by a conspicuous lack of fumbles, has been the key to the team's success.
Of course Minnesotans might have something to say about Daunte Culpepper and the freakish numbers he's been putting up for the Minnesota Vikings. Still, last week's loss to the Giants showed how vulnerable the Vikes are without Randy Moss. Culpepper's great, but he hasn't done what Barber has. Terrell Owens has been amazing for the Philadelphia Eagles and deserves a nod, but he has Donovan McNabb throwing him the ball. Barber's got no help on the Giants' offense.
As for the AFC, you might want to sit down before you read this. Drew Brees. Yes, Drew Brees is not only still alive but actually still in the employment of an NFL franchise. And not only that, but Brees has led the San Diego Chargers to a 6-3 record. After the Chargers drafted Phillip Rivers with their de facto first pick of the draft, Brees was probably getting ready for some intense Canadian Football action, eh.
But something happened: Brees started the season when Rivers held out, and lo and behold, given a great running game and franchise tight end Antonio Gates, Brees has turned into a stud. Brees is now on pace for 3,300 yards, 32 touchdowns and just five picks. Talk about a resurrection.
Manning and Brady get their usual mentions in this category, as does New York Jets revival project Curtis Martin, who now seems a shoo in for his tenth-straight 1,000 yard season. But none of these guys have done what Brees has for their teams or themselves.
Coach of the Year: Bill Cowher of the Pittsburgh Steelers. No one can nay-say anymore. After shellacking the New England Patriots in Week 8, the new steel curtain smothered the next undefeated team in its path, dominating the Eagles on Sunday in every facet of the game.
When Cowher spoke about bringing hard-nosed, run-it-up the gut football back to Pittsburgh at the beginning of the year, it was tough to believe him. The combination of Deuce Staley and Tommy Maddox wasn't exactly fear-inspiring.
Enter rookie Ben Rothlisberger and it seems that Cowher has made all the right moves with this team, molding what now appears to be a Super Bowl favorite. Extra recognition should be paid to the Steelers' front office, who passed on top two drafted quarterbacks Rivers and Eli Manning.
Rookie of the Year: Rothlisberger, hands down. Since starting in Week 3, Rothlisberger's been 6-0 with a quarterback rating of 105.2. Not since Dan Marino has a rookie quarterback shown such incredible poise, pocket presence and playmaking ability. One sign of Rothlisberger's maturity may be that for all of his success, its easy to envision a media frenzy over the guy, but he's kept very grounded throughout his young career.
Roy Williams has been a stud for the Detroit Lions, but his injuries take him out of the running. It's pretty clear, though, that Williams will be the star of the Lions' offense for years to come.
Most Improved Golf Game: err ... not the most traditional award, but nonetheless the one that Miami Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt has in the bag. As unusual as it may be, there's a distinct possibility that Wannstedt could be fired in the middle of this season, giving him plenty of time to work on the old nine iron hack. It really is a pretty raw deal for the Miami coach, who had built a team around Ricky Williams only to have his stud running back quit football to get high.
College students everywhere give a half-smile and a knowing sigh of approval for Ricky, but that probably won't give Wannstedt any consolation when he's checking the want ads in a few weeks.
