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Arizona Cardinals Offseason Awards: Offensive Player Of The Year

This offseason, the Revenge of the Birds community has nominated and awarded several Arizona Cardinals players for their achievements and play on the field in 2009. So far we've covered four awards(seen below). Last week Adrian Wilson led the pack, earning the Cardinals Defensive Player of the Year award.


Special Teams Player of the Year - LaRod Stephens-Howling
Most Improved Player - Calais Campbell
Rookie of the Year - Beanie Wells
Defensive Player of the Year - Adrian Wilson

The offensive player of the year should go to a player that exhibits leadership skills on and off the field. They need to emotionally challenge each player on offense to play their best on any given down. At the same time, the best offensive player must be clutch, and must make the big plays that the others on offense could not throughout the season.

In 2009, the Cardinals were led by the same supporting cast that went to the Super Bowl the year before, but the plays were called by head coach Ken Whisenhunt. Although they didn't feature the prolific offense they had the year before, Whisenhunt incorporated a run-friendly offense that was still able to score a lot, but did so in a balanced manner. Here are the nominees for offensive player of the year.

Kurt Warner - 3753 yards, 26 TD, 14 INT, 93.2 QB rating

Warner's final year in the league wound up being a successful year - even at the age of 38. Throughout most of the season, Warner was spot-on and continued to be the leader of the offense. For the duration of the season, Warner broke countless records while solidifying himself as a Hall of Fame quarterback if he hadn't already. He threw two - five touchdown games throughout the year - once against the Bears and an amazing performance in the wild card round of the playoffs against the Packers. He directed the Cardinals to a 10 win season and a playoff birth, only to fall short to the eventual champion New Orleans Saints. Although he couldn't get the Cardinals to another Super Bowl appearance, Cardinals fans will be forever in his debt.

Star-divide

Beanie Wells- 793 yards, 7 TD, 4.5 YPC

It may sound odd that both running backs are up for OPOY, but considering the Cardinals offense became more run-based in 2009, it's justified. Perhaps the biggest offseason adjustment last season was when the Cardinals drafted running back Beanie Wells with the 31st overall pick in the draft. Wells immediately became a fan-favorite - with his off field character, and the carnage he would leave on the field. Although Wells didn't eclipse 1,000 rushing yards this past season, he showed glimpses of what his true potential could be. Wells was always a threat to break away a big run, with his dynamic speed, strength, and awareness. It's completely subjective to think that the Cardinals offense wouldn't have been successful without Wells in 2009.

Tim Hightower- 598 yards, 8 TD, 4.2 YPC

The other running back that saw a significant amount of carries in 2009 was Tim Hightower. Tim was entering just his second season as a pro and displayed the mannerisms of a 8-year veteran. It's evident that Edgerrin James did more then sit on the sideline in 2008. He took Hightower under his wing and taught him every piece of his skill set. His new-found skills were showcased in 2009, when there was a noticeable pop in Hightower's step, while his blocking and receiving was elevated to a whole other level. With Hightower running along side Beanie, the Cardinals are set a running back for the near future.

Larry Fitzgerald - 97 rec, 1,092 yards, 13 TD

As long as Larry Fitzgerald is a member of the Arizona Cardinals, he may be mentioned as a candidate for offensive player of the year - every year. He's a leader on the field, and a role model off the field. The Cardinals can depend on him to suit up for every game, and he'll rarely become a distraction. In 2009, Fitzgerald didn't see the success he had the year before, but that's not to say he didn't have a great year. Fitzgerald caught a new career high of 13 touchdowns, made it to the pro bowl, and was the Cardinals leading receiver. His relentless effort game in and game out was something the Cardinals depended heavily on in 2009.

There are you candidates for the Arizona Cardinals offensive player of the year. Who did you vote for and why?

Poll
Who is the Arizona Cardinals offensive player of the year?
Kurt Warner
306 votes
Beanie Wells
19 votes
Tim Hightower
4 votes
Larry Fitzgerald
23 votes

352 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 13 comments |

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Comments

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Going with Warner.

Also, Edgerrin’s name was spelled wrong.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

I can't stand band-wagoner fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Feb 21, 2010 2:40 PM MST reply actions  

And I just noticed Beanie is in the poll twice.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

I can't stand band-wagoner fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Feb 21, 2010 2:49 PM MST up reply actions  

Which one?

Judging from the poll thus far it doesn’t really matter much.

by Birdman from Mesa on Feb 21, 2010 5:00 PM MST reply actions  

No question

It has to be Kurt he will go down as one of the greatest player to ever wear the Cardinals colors. His time with the Cardinals was short but what he helped build on and off the field will never be forgotten. I love Fitz and The soon to be greatest running back duo in the league but their will never be another Kurt Warner.

Remember no matter where you go in life...there you are!

by McCards010 on Feb 21, 2010 5:55 PM MST reply actions  

Oh and judging by

The way the column is set up id say Fitz is the last selection. And don’t give Andrew to much crap about it he puts quality articles out damn near everyday a few mistakes can be forgiven. Keep up the polls and the great articles it gets me through the day.

Remember no matter where you go in life...there you are!

by McCards010 on Feb 21, 2010 5:58 PM MST reply actions  

I don't mind the mistake

Just pointing it out in case he didn’t notice it.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

I can't stand band-wagoner fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Feb 21, 2010 9:04 PM MST up reply actions  

Wah wah wah

Thanks for noticing the mistakes guys. I was pressed for time yesterday when I wrote the story and wanted to get it up ASAP. Yes the last option on the poll is Fitzgerald. Being at work, my computer is too old to let me edit a poll(it freezes), but somebody else should be fixing that mistake soon.

On a side note, didn’t expect Warner to blow everyone away, but he’s deserving.

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 Feb 22, 2010 7:17 AM MST reply actions  

Thanks Hawk

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 Feb 22, 2010 8:15 AM MST up reply actions  

Completion Percentage Record

Warner takes it hands down due to that record. He had a number of games with stellar ratings / performance. Having his game jersey sent to the HOF for that record puts him beyond touch of the others.

by hadrarius on Feb 22, 2010 9:35 AM MST reply actions  

Poor guy

I’m sure he appreciates it.

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 Feb 22, 2010 3:45 PM MST up reply actions  

Haha

Well, the choice has some merit. He made it clear he belongs in the league this year. That 70-yarder against the Saints was a thing of beauty.

Warner was fantastic as usual, but seeing as our passing offense dipped a bit I figured I’d go elsewhere.

by tw3kr on Feb 22, 2010 5:36 PM MST up reply actions  

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