Revenge Of The Birds Midseason Awards: Biggest Surprise Player
by Andrew602 on Nov 12, 2010 6:55 PM MST
in NFL Regular Season
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Update: To give the poll more time, I bumped it up to the top and added Paris Lenon by popular demand. I slipped my mind but his play has been truly surprising, especially after many fans disliked the signing.
In continuation of our ROTB midseason awards, we'll move on to one that may be more competitive, since the Best Rookie award has been a one horse race thus far. I thought about doing a most improved player award, but it's hard to measure the stats halfway through the season. The Biggest Surprise award should go to someone that has significantly improved since last season up until this point, or to one that has truly surprised you by their play. Here are the nominees:
LaRod Stephens-Howling - If you haven't been surprised by LSH's play so far this season, than clearly you had high expectations for him. He's blown past his seventh-round status since last season and has been one of the best kick returners this season. Should he improve his play on offense, he'll become one of the most valuable players on the team.
Kerry Rhodes - Most fans were excited to see Kerry Rhodes in an Arizona Cardinals uniform this season, especially in the fashion in which he joined the team. After Antrel Rolle departed, Rhodes was acquired in a trade days later. Halfway through the season alone, he's made all of us forget about Rolle. He's also been a big play machine while providing great coverage in the secondary.
Daryl Washington - Not only has Washington been the best rookie of the year, but he's been a huge surprise. It wasn't clear what to expect out of Washington after he was drafted in the second round, especially when he started on defense through the first seven games. He's provided solid play at linebacker as well. For the future, he gives fans something to look forward to.
In a season that has been filled with disappointment, it's difficult to be surprised by many players. These three truly stood out to me however. If you feel anyone else should be added, just leave a comment listing who and why and me or someone else will add him to the poll.
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none of the above
Lenon has been the biggest surprise to me by far.
Paris Lenon
All that I heard about him when the Cardinals acquired him was unflattering. Rams fans thought he was a nothing player. He has had some big plays this season and has generally played well. He has exceeded my expectations more than any other player on the roster.
LaRod Stephens-Howling hasn’t surprised me because I did expect great things from him. Kerry Rhodes has also been the player I was expecting him to be. Daryl Washington has been a bigger part of the defense than originally expected due to Hayes’ injury. Of the three people listed in the poll I would lean toward him. The lower expectations for Paris Lenon in comparison to these guys puts him at the top for me.
by hadrarius on Nov 11, 2010 5:50 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
Absolutely.
I voted for Washington but you’re right Lenon has been a very welcome suprise.
by Birdman from Mesa on Nov 12, 2010 1:21 PM MST up reply actions
Agreed, Lenon.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
totally agree with all the Lenon comments
the talk at the time was that he was a journeyman, why didn’t we get Foote, etc….I think he’s filled in nicely.
I voted Larod Stephens-Howling
Because of the way he’s played.
But the other two are as surprising. The experts couldn’t stop talking about how we missed the boat on the whole Antrel Rolle deal, and Kerry Rhodes has been a good replacement.
I never expected Daryll Washington to play the way he has. Being a rookie, he’s really been a good catch.
I voted LSH
But after reading everyone’s comments I think I have to agree with Lenon.
by Jesse Reynolds on Nov 12, 2010 12:02 AM MST reply actions
I chose the rookie
I also had extemely high expectations for LSH and Rhodes so of the choices it was a no brainer. Now had Lenon been on the list it would have been a tough call. I did expect a lot of tackles out of him, but he has also been a force to almost gameplan against.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
I say Lenon as well for the same reasons as Hadrarius said above
so none of the available three got my courtesy vote. Thought if I was to pick one of the three it would be Washington because he held up better than I thought he would being forced into the starting lineup week 1 as a rookie. LSH exceeded all expectations last season and I would say this season he has met expectations which were set at a high level to begin with.
Rhodes knack for big play returns has been a pleasant surprise, but the overall level of play is what I was hoping for.
Unfortunately, DA exceeded expectations the most…for I really didn’t expect him to be that bad.
Section 135, Row 35
I went Rhodes
I love LSH, but I was kind of expecting a good year from him (I admit not what he’s produced)…I love Washington, and I agree with the Lenon comments.
But I picked Rhodes because I think he’s been an upgrade from Rolle and not because of the big plays, but those have been nice! I think when you look at his salary (compared to Rolle), I think he’s been a steal..I know they gave up a pick for him, but I think all the talk about him being a hotdog and not dedicated to football was a bit overblown, and I’ve been very surprised by his contributions….
Unfortunately my vote is for Beanie
231 yards halfway through the season ? Under 40 yards per game ? 2 TDs ? I expected much more this year.
not sure you read the article
“The Biggest Surprise award should go to someone that has significantly improved since last season up until this point, or to one that has truly surprised you by their play. "
I'd say Beanie qualifies as
“one that has truly surprised you by their play”. I didn’t realize his stats were that weak. Even given the injury that is truly disappointing.
I did vote for Rhodes since Lenon wasn't on here.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
It blows my mind how many contributors are springing to mind.
The youth of the players I’m thinking of is especially comforting.
I was in the Metrodome last week and I know that on a handful of occassions #92 Williams commanded double-teams, especially on the stretch plays the Vikes tried to run on him.
Does it make him a surprise?
Nope.
Is it a good thing?
Yup.
Toler, Washington, the Hyphen.
All doing a tremendous job.
This isn’t the ’00’s people. This is a real team dancing on the precipice of 10 wins.
No lie.
No Kool-Aid.
The Howling is leading the votes
I disagree, he is not surprising. He is playing exactly how I expected him to this season.
13- Warner, 23- Sandberg, 40- Tillman, 11- Walter
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