’07-’08 NFL Season Preview: Awards and Playoffs

You’ve got our division previews, and to recap those we like: New England, Baltimore, San Diego, Indianapolis, Denver (card) and Cincinnati (card) in the AFC and: Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, New Orleans, Philadelphia (card), and Washington (card) in the NFC. We’ll give you our Conference and Super Bowl Champions along with our picks for the awards in the National Football League this season.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: LaRon Landry. As a stand out defensive stud in college, he produced multiple school records. And now, after four solid years at LSU, Landry joins the big boys in the league as the starting SS for the Washington Redskins. His soft hands and nose for the ball will make him an interception machine for an already steady D.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Marshawn Lynch. I found this to be a much tougher category to pick than I had thought. First instinct told me take to take the "sexy" choice in Calvin Johnson. With the speed and athleticism that he has, it’s hard not to take him. But then I remembered that John Kitna is throwing the football on that team. Running back then became my position of choice. So it came down to Adrian Peterson and Lynch. I feel as though Lynch will be the go-to-guy in this Bills offense, while Peterson will be splitting carries with Chester Taylor in Minny. I love the way Lynch runs: with power and heart. If anything he’s a good sleeper pick.

Defensive Player of the Year: Shawn Merriman (pictured above). The man truly was "lights out" in ’06. Merriman posted a ridiculous 17 sacks last season while playing in only 12 games due to suspension for a drug violation. But leading the league in any category, after playing in just 12 games is unheard of. He thrives in San Diego’s 3-4 system as a dominant outside linebacker. Look for him to have another stand out year playing in every game this season.

Offensive Player of the Year: LaDanian Tomlinson. He’s the best, most explosive player in the league right now, who happens to play on a very good football team. This season though, the Chargers will fall to the mightier Patriots. And that’s why…

Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady. This year, father Tom will lead a receiving core that might have gone from the slowest in the league to the fastest. Never before has Brady had the luxury of throwing to such nice targets. With Laurence Maroney blooming into a game changer in New England, the play action will again become a solid weapon. Brady is a proven leader with more experience than one needs in a lifetime. I see him throwing for 3,500 yards and 30 scores this year while leading this team very far…

Coach of the Year:
Bill Belichick. The brightest mind in the business is now coaching the best team in the NFL. You just can’t beat that.

AFC Champs: Patriots. (see above)

NFC Champs: Saints. They might just have the best offense in football.

Super Bowl Champs: Patriots. Like you didn’t see that coming.