ROTB Mid-Season Awards
by Andrew602 on Nov 11, 2009 9:29 AM MST
in 2009 Season
13 comments
We're now eight weeks into the season and it's about that time to dish out the ROTB mid-season awards. The Cardinals have had an up and down season and have had their problems with consistency, but regardless of all that they're first in the NFC West with a 5-3 record. The offense has failed to live up to last year's expectations, but after last weeks crushing defeat over the Chicago bears, there's new hope for this unit. The defense on the other had, has more then exceeded expectations and they are rolling with Bill Davis at defensive coordinator. The Cardinals are an ever-improving team with playoffs in their sights, but for now let's see who wins ROTB mid-season awards.
Best Offensive Player: Larry Fitzgerald
Should this really be a surprise? Fitzgerald may be having a disappointing year to some after the bar was set a mile high in the playoffs last year, but Larry has remained composed and professional through it all. After a slow start to the season, Fitzgerald has quietly climbed back into the ranks of the top 5 receiving stats, and continues to perform week in and week out. Another hurdle that Larry has made is beating the so-called "Madden Curse". Most players that have appeared on the cover of the popular game in the last few years have received a significant injury. Perhaps that could go to Troy Polamalu, who also appeared on the cover with Fitzgerald, and who was injured in week 1.
2009 Stats - 56 Receptions, 632 Yards, 11.3 Average, 7 Touchdowns
Best Defensive Player: Darnell Dockett
Darnell Dockett is one of the leaders on defense, and his constant disruption of the opponents offensive line won't always show on the records, but the effort that Nine O puts forth on every play makes a significant difference on defense. Dockett can play the run and get in the backfield like the best of them, and hasn't had a problem making himself a household name. When he hasn't been on the field, it's obvious that opposing teams can move the ball much easier. Dockett is one of the most important keys on the defense.
2009 Stats - 26 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 7 Tackles for a loss
Most Improved Player: Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower has followed up a fairly average rookie season with an improved sophomore year. At times, Hightower doesn't even look like he's in his second year, and often appears to be an 8 year veteran. His pass blocking has greatly improved, but more importantly are his receiving skills. Hightower is currently second on the team with 40 receptions and has been dependable if Warner is unable find an open receiver. It's obvious that Hightower was able to learn more from Edgerrin James then we thought, and it's showed so far this year.
2009 Stats - 283 Rushing yards, 5 Touchdowns, 40 Catches, 307 Yards
Biggest Surprise: Calais Campbell
I don't want to say it's a surprise, but nobody knew what Campbell would do this season. After Antonio Smith left via free agency, second year man Calais Campbell was left to fill his roster spot. He's greatly surpassed what was expected, and has been a force at defensive end so far this year. He's already second on the team with three sacks, and currently has two blocked field goals. Campell's relentless and athletic football skills are something that Cardinals fans will look forward to for a long time.
2009 Stats - 28 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 4 Passes defended, 2 Blocked kicks
Biggest Disappointment: Anquan Boldin
After coming off a pro bowl year and entering his 7th season as a Cardinal, Boldin stated himself that he would turn it on and have his best season yet. Anything but that has happened as he's statistically projected to have his worst season since he's been in Arizona. He's also been dealing with injuries, which have caused him to be at less then 100% the majority of the season. Perhaps the biggest disappointment has been when Anquan lashed out on coach Whisenhunt this past week, saying he wasn't "man enough" to tell him he'd been deactivated. I hope I'm wrong and he proves otherwise, but right now 2009 has been a disappointment for Boldin.
2009 Stats - 35 Receptions, 404 Yards, 11.5 Average, 1 Touchdown
Best Rookie: Beanie Wells
With Cody Brown lost for the year, the only other significant rookies this year have been Greg Toler and LaRod Stephens-Howling, who primarily play on special teams. Wells finally came on three weeks ago against the New York Giants when he scored his first touchdown. He brings explosive play to the offense, and his down-field running compliments the Cardinals pass attack perfectly. Wells hasn't started a game yet, but may take over duties by the end of the season.
2009 Stats - 310 Rushing yards, 4.4 Average, 1 TD
That's it for the mid-season awards. Naming an MVP right now was too difficult for me, so I'll open the poll to see who the ROTB community wants. I think it may be easier once the season is over to see where this team is headed, but who knows. One thing I can say is that it's much easier to hand out awards when the Cardinals are 5-3 and currently in 1st place in the division. Who are you award winners and why?
0 recs |
13 comments
| Add comment
|
Email
Print
Comments
Campbell might just be the Defensive MVP
He’s been freakin’ amazing!
Mike Gandy might be the most disappointing too. He’s never been great but this seems like his worst year in a Cards’ uniform.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
by Bezekira on Nov 11, 2009 10:10 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I thought about either of them but did we really expect a lot anyway?
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Nov 11, 2009 10:19 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't expect Gandy to regress
Maybe he’s just faced better pass rushers than last season but he’s seemed just as bad as Brown this year and that’s disappointing.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
by Bezekira on Nov 11, 2009 10:24 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point though
Campbell’s stats look better but defensive tackles don’t always get big stats for what they do.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Nov 11, 2009 10:20 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
dockett plays the exact same position as CC
His listing as a DT is purely cosmetic.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
by Bezekira on Nov 11, 2009 10:23 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Dockett is a true DT though
He could never really line up as a DE and be dominant.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Nov 11, 2009 10:27 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
regardless of what he "truly" is
Dockett and Campbell are both 3-4 DE’s right now and for that reason, their stats are comparable.
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
by Bezekira on Nov 11, 2009 11:11 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I picked Warner
Beanie looks like he will be a huge asset to the team. Seeing how he can carry people an extra 5 yards after being tackled before he goes down is something the Cardinals haven’t had in a long time.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.
by JoeCB1991 on Nov 11, 2009 2:32 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I picked Warner too
If you take him out of the offense I don’t think our record would be the same.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Nov 11, 2009 3:27 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
For once, I'm not entirely convinced about that
But I’m mostly thinking of the implosion against the Panthers. Even though it was team-wide, our D wouldn’t have looked as bad without 6 offensive turnovers, and if I remember we somehow still had a vague, distant chance late in the game. Maybe that was one of the earlier losses, though, I dunno off-hand.
You guys are probably right, I’m too tired to really think back any farther than that right now. Am interested to see some more on this, though.
Not sure who my vote goes to yet. The big guns have all been up-and-down. Dockett has probably been the steadiest presence, so I think I’m leaning towards him right now. Seems like even when the day has gone to absolute shit I’ll still see him chasing the QB out of the pocket. I didn’t use to care for him too much, but this year his attitude and play have started to win me over.
by tw3kr on Nov 12, 2009 3:10 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Hightower a fairly average rookie season?
Andrew with all due respect, he had a fantastic rookie season. 10 TDs in the reg. season, a 100-yard rushing game (for a team that couldn’t run the ball well). But I think where his value was really underappreciated was how many times in 3rd and 4th and short he was relied upon and came through in the clutch. Time and time again he made huge plays for us. That to me is not average.
http://undrafteds.com/
by Undrafteds on Nov 12, 2009 4:10 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
While he did have 10 touchdowns
The bulk of them came on 1-2 yard goal line situations, not 20+ yard runs. The only 100 yard game came against a terrible Rams team. His YPC average was not acceptable, and he was eventually beat out by a 30 year old Edgerrin James later in the season. He made some nice plays and was a steal for a 5th round pick, but in no way was he a rookie of the year candidate.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Nov 13, 2009 9:46 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Agree that his YPC was atrocious
But 10 TDs, whether they’re goal-line or not, shouldn’t be brushed aside — look at the teams who struggle to convert those short-yardage situations. We are lucky to have someone to effective in them.
by tw3kr on Nov 13, 2009 12:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Join the community and dive in!
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
