Interesting Midway AWards

[Rock Chalk]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6144532

MVP — Peyton Manning, Colts

Peyton Manning has been in complete control thus far. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press)

When you are converting half of your 3rd-and-10-or-mores, you are simply playing a different sport than everybody else. Freed from his obligation to keep Edge James involved, Manning has returned to the dominant force he was in 2004 when he threw 49 touchdown passes.

Manning has a 106 QB rating, has even run for two scores and, most importantly, has led Indy to an 8-0 record despite games against likely playoff teams New England, Denver, the Giants and Jacksonville.

He knows he'll never stop hearing "he can't win the big one" until he wins the big one, which is fair, but in the meantime is far and away the league's most valuable player through eight games.


Defensive MVP — (tie) Al Wilson and Champ Bailey, Broncos
There are two glamorous defensive stats: sacks and interceptions. Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson doesn't have any of either. But he has been a sideline-to-sideline force a la Ray Lewis circa 2000. It seems every time a Denver opponent is about to lunge for a first down, Wilson smacks him in the mouth, drives him backward, and forces a punt.

Bailey, on the other hand, gets the ball for the Denver offense in a more succinct way: he simply takes it. Bailey has five interceptions at the midway point, which is nuts for a corner that every team is terrified of. Champ so shut down Marvin Harrison two weeks ago (five catches, 38 yards) that Peyton Manning went almost exclusively to Reggie Wayne in the second half.


Biggest Disappointment — Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
While his teammates celebrated their Super Bowl XL title, Roethlisberger was more than a little embarrassed about his 22.6 QB rating in the big game and determined to make sure the Steelers won because of him, not in spite of him in 2006.

Then came the motorcycle accident. Then came the appendectomy. Then came the concussion against the Falcons in Week 7. Then came the seven interceptions in losses to the Raiders and Broncos.

For the season Big Ben has thrown seven touchdowns and 14 picks. Pittsburgh is 2-6, Charlie Batch has a 136.8 QB rating and it may be time to give Roethlisberger some time off to get completely healthy.


Defensive Bust — Dwight Freeney, Colts
What the heck happened? Freeney has been an unstoppable whirling dervish off the edge for the first four years of his career, but so far in 2006 he has yet to be credited with a solo sack, cobbling together a mere two half-sacks in the first half. After yearly totals of 13, 11, 16 and 11, Freeney would need several games against Robert Gallery to keep his double-digit streak alive.


Coach of the First Half - Sean Payton, Saints

Sean Payton has a lot to smile about in New Orleans. (Doug Benc / Getty Images)

In order to be a head coach in the NFL you have to have the ego to believe — deep down — that your brilliance can turn around even the most dire situation. If rookie head coach Sean Payton believed he could turn the Saints around in one season, he was alone in that belief.

Payton's miracle working in leading New Orleans to a 6-2 record — already doubling last year's win total — has not only been the finest coaching of the first half, it's been the best performance by an NFL head coach since Bill Belichick led the 2001 Patriots to the Super Bowl title.


Worst Coach of the First Half — Dennis Green, Cardinals
The Cardinals have talent on both sides of the ball, but Green has utterly failed to get the most — or much of anything — out of it. Demoting assistant coaches and holding bizarre press conferences cannot hide the fact that Green's tenure in Arizona has been a disaster.


Dishonorable Mention — Andy Reid, Eagles
Move over Mike Martz, there's a new sheriff of clock mismanagement in town. Reid's performance in squandering a three-score, fourth-quarter lead against the Giants was a classic. Three times in the first half of the season Reid's Eagles lost on the last play of the game.


Rookie of the Year — Marques Colston, Saints
The seventh-rounder out of Hofstra has gone from making the roster to cracking the lineup to being a star in two months. He is tied for the league lead with seven touchdown catches, fourth in receiving yards, and No. 2 overall in total fantasy points. Move over Tennessee, Hofstra is the new Wide Receiver U.


Fantasy Supersleeper
See above, Marques Colston.


Fantasy Bust — Chad Johnson, Bengals

Chad Johnson hasn't had much to take about this season. (Greg Fiume / Getty Images)

Shaun Alexander's injury has annihilated fantasy owners, but that's different from being a bust. Chad Johnson, the first receiver taken in many drafts, has been all but invisible on many Sundays in the first half, ranking 30th among wide receivers in fantasy points. Ochenta y cinco has a mere dos touchdowns.


Worst Call of the First Half
Mike Carey's roughing the passer call on Justin Smith not only cost the Bengals their game against the Buccaneers, it established a new absurd gold standard for protecting the quarterback. Let's just go ahead and put flags on the QB's hips. It'll remove the guesswork and coddle the league's poster boys.


Bad Call — Dishonorable Mention
When Randy Moss got flagged for flipping the ball to Nate Kaeding in Week 1, I thought it was a bad call made entirely on reputation. But when Troy Brown got flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on Sunday night after flipping the ball over his shoulder and in the general direction of the side judge, I just about fainted. This may have been a horrible call even if it had been made against one of the league's thugs, but to call it on a solid citizen like Troy Brown is inexcusable and embarrassing for the official.


Underachievers of the First Half — Philadelphia Eagles
Sure, the Dolphins had been a complete flop before Sunday, but no team has done less with more in the first half than the Eagles. To find themselves two games behind the Giants at the halfway point is a remarkable testament to the absence of clutchosity on the team. They've won four games by an average of 16 points and lost four by an average of 4.5 points.


Overachievers of the First Half — Baltimore Ravens
I really liked the Ravens coming into the season, so you wouldn't think I'd be surprised to see them 6-2. But there's something not quite right about this team and they seemed to get every bounce in the first half. A four-game stretch of the Falcons and Steelers at home followed by the Bengals and Chiefs on the road should prove if the Ravens are for real or not.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by Alec

MVP — Peyton Manning, Colts

Peyton Manning has been in complete control thus far. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press)

When you are converting half of your 3rd-and-10-or-mores, you are simply playing a different sport than everybody else. Freed from his obligation to keep Edge James involved, Manning has returned to the dominant force he was in 2004 when he threw 49 touchdown passes.

Manning has a 106 QB rating, has even run for two scores and, most importantly, has led Indy to an 8-0 record despite games against likely playoff teams New England, Denver, the Giants and Jacksonville.

He knows he'll never stop hearing "he can't win the big one" until he wins the big one, which is fair, but in the meantime is far and away the league's most valuable player through eight games.

Classic take. I wonder if this guy watched the playoff game against Pittsburgh last year. Indy was dead in water until they started getting Edge involved in the game.

[Rock Chalk]

Truth be told, I skipped the Manning part.

In fact, I tend to skip over anything talking about that twit.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by Alec

Worst Call of the First Half
Mike Carey's roughing the passer call on Justin Smith not only cost the Bengals their game against the Buccaneers, it established a new absurd gold standard for protecting the quarterback. Let's just go ahead and put flags on the QB's hips. It'll remove the guesswork and coddle the league's poster boys.

With Dick Hantak now blowing calls up in the replay booth, Mike Carey has descended to the bottom of NFL referee rankings. Utterly incompetent. Bad work by his crew directly impacts more football games than any other.

[dnvrbrncos]

Originally Posted by Alec

Truth be told, I skipped the Manning part.

In fact, I tend to skip over anything talking about that twit.

As your skipping, do you spastically move your feet about as Manning does when passing?

[B-Love]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

Classic take. I wonder if this guy watched the playoff game against Pittsburgh last year. Indy was dead in water until they started getting Edge involved in the game.

Your complete disdain of Manning is reaching absurd levels Slap. The comeback from 21-3 to 21-18 had nothing to do with Edge. He did score the 2nd TD from 3 yards out but I don't recall him doing anything else. It was all passing generated.

Why are you completely devoid of any compliments of the guy?? You're usually such a voice of good OBJECTIVE football judgement. But you have topics that are just steadfastly irrational about.

Peyton Manning is great. I know about the playoffs blah blah, ...... but it will come. I know about pressuring him up the middle, etc........... And I know he's not Elway; he never will be for me.

But, I have been watching football for 35 years and I have never seen a QB capable of commanding loud road stadiums like this guy can.

Peyton Manning is one of the all time greats, I can't understand trying to deny it at this point.

[crush17]

I am so freaking SICK of hearing about Manning and the Colts.

PUKE!

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by B-Love

Your complete disdain of Manning is reaching absurd levels Slap. The comeback from 21-3 to 21-18 had nothing to do with Edge. He did score the 2nd TD from 3 yards out but I don't recall him doing anything else. It was all passing generated.

Why are you completely devoid of any compliments of the guy?? You're usually such a voice of good OBJECTIVE football judgement. But you have topics that are just steadfastly irrational about.

Peyton Manning is great. I know about the playoffs blah blah, ...... but it will come. I know about pressuring him up the middle, etc........... And I know he's not Elway; he never will be for me.

But, I have been watching football for 35 years and I have never seen a QB capable of commanding loud road stadiums like this guy can.

Peyton Manning is one of the all time greats, I can't understand trying to deny it at this point.

First off, go watch that game again, because you're full of crap. Manning wasn't doing jack****. That first touchdown drive was all Edgerrin James. Only a brainwashed fool would argue otherwise.

Try and defend this statement without looking ridiculous: "Freed from his obligation to keep Edge James involved, Manning has returned to the dominant force he was in 2004".

If the naked stupidity of that statement isn't readily appearent to you, I guess I've underestimated ESPN's powers. Maybe we should check your basement for pods.

Let me fill you in on something you might have missed in your 35 years of watching football: having an All Pro running back behind your quarterback is a good thing. Your quarterback and your offense do not improve by the subtraction of players of that caliber. Only an idiot would contend otherwise.

Ask anybody who can dislodge their tongue from Peyton's ass and they'll tell you the same thing.

[B-Love]

Originally Posted by crush17

I am so freaking SICK of hearing about Manning and the Colts.

PUKE!

Truth be told, I think most non Colts fans who hold the guy in high places, are sick of hearing about him too.

But, even though I am sick of the guy and his "overexposure" too, I won't let it cloud my judgement as to his incredible command of his Offense and amazing passing skills. I have not seen command like that in a long time, and I hold my breath when I see him fade back to pass against Denver.

I haven't done that since Fouts in the late 70's/early 80's.

[Arkie]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

Stevie Wonder needs to keep his night job.

[B-Love]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

Try and defend this statement without looking ridiculous: "Freed from his obligation to keep Edge James involved, Manning has returned to the dominant force he was in 2004".

My point has nothing to do with that quote. I didn't write it nor was I reacting to it. That statement is meaningless to me.

I'm reacting to your complete disdain for a bonafide Superstar. As if you see things that millions of fans or countless GM's/Scouts do not.

Anyway I found the gamebook. Here is the "fall short comeback". The two Colts drives anyway:

Indianapolis Colts at 1:26, (1st play from scrimmage 1:19)
1-10-IND 28 (1:19) 18-P.Manning pass incomplete to 81-B.Fletcher.
2-10-IND 28 (1:14) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass incomplete to 87-R.Wayne (43-T.Polamalu).
3-10-IND 28 (1:08) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 32-E.James to IND 36 for 8 yards (28-C.Hope, 53-C.Haggans).
4-2-IND 36 (:06) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 83-B.Stokley to IND 49 for 13 yards (26-D.Townsend, 28-C.Hope). P9

End quarter

1-10-IND 49 (15:00) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 87-R.Wayne to 50 for 1 yard (50-L.Foote).
2-9-50 (14:22) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 44-D.Clark for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. P10
13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
PIT 21 IND 10, 6 plays, 72 yards, 2:17 drive, 0:51 elapsed

Indianapolis Colts at 6:03
1-10-IND 20 (6:03) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 87-R.Wayne to IND 44 for 24 yards (20-B.McFadden). P11
1-10-IND 44 (5:33) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 81-B.Fletcher INTERCEPTED by 43-T.Polamalu at 50. 43-T.Polamalu to 50 for no gain. FUMBLES, touched at PIT 48, and recovers at PIT 48. 43-T.Polamalu to PIT 48 for no gain (63-J.Saturday). Play Challenged by IND and REVERSED. (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass incomplete to 81-B.Fletcher (43-T.Polamalu).
2-10-IND 44 (5:26) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 44-D.Clark to PIT 47 for 9 yards (24-I.Taylor).
3-1-PIT 47 (5:02) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison to PIT 27 for 20 yards (23-T.Carter). P12
1-10-PIT 27 (4:35) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 87-R.Wayne ran ob at PIT 3 for 24 yards (23-T.Carter). P13
1-3-PIT 3 (4:29) 32-E.James up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. R14
(Pass formation) PENALTY on IND-71-R.Diem, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at PIT 2 - No Play.
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 18-P.Manning pass to 87-R.Wayne is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
PIT 21 IND 18, 6 plays, 80 yards, 1:39 drive, 10:36 elapsed

[B-Love]

Edge on the two drives.

1 catch for 8 yards

1 run for a 3 yard TD

[crush17]

pwn3d

[Derger_Louis]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

First off, go watch that game again, because you're full of crap. Manning wasn't doing jack****. That first touchdown drive was all Edgerrin James. Only a brainwashed fool would argue otherwise.

Try and defend this statement without looking ridiculous:"Freed from his obligation to keep Edge James involved, Manning has returned to the dominant force he was in 2004".

If the naked stupidity of that statement isn't readily appearent to you, I guess I've underestimated ESPN's powers. Maybe we should check your basement for pods.

Let me fill you in on something you might have missed in your 35 years of watching football: having an All Pro running back behind your quarterback is a good thing. Your quarterback and your offense do not improve by the subtraction of players of that caliber. Only an idiot would contend otherwise.

Ask anybody who can dislodge their tongue from Peyton's ass and they'll tell you the same thing.

Just curious why you insist on insulting everybody who disagrees with you?? You know it is ok when people have different opinions - are you a little insecure?

[ludo21]

Champ and Al getting props!! WOW!!

They deserve it tho, no matter how poor they played vs the Colts, they are still leading the leagues best D onto the field each week.

Champ shutting down 1/2 the field is insane! Al is doing a great job filling the holes (but shhhh....dont tell the media he has missed some ackles )

[Dendave]

my 2 cents on Manning, I think he is a good quarterback, but not great, if he had to follow the rules every other QB has to follow he would not be as good. The example I often use when explaining this is that, can you imagine any other QB walking around the backfield calling or changing plays, he gets away with it because he is Manning. His lineman false start on everyplay, they don't call that because "that's what he does" read the rule book. Show me where Indy's OL follows the basic rule
No interior lineman may move abruptly after taking or simulating a three-point stance.
His lineman do this all the time, when another team does it it's a fasle start...he get special privliages, that's why I can't stand him...again my 2 cents...

[B-Love]

Originally Posted by Dendave

my 2 cents on Manning, I think he is a good quarterback, but not great, if he had to follow the rules every other QB has to follow he would not be as good. The example I often use when explaining this is that, can you imagine any other QB walking around the backfield calling or changing plays, he gets away with it because he is Manning. His lineman false start on everyplay, they don't call that because "that's what he does" read the rule book. Show me where Indy's OL follows the basic rule
No interior lineman may move abruptly after taking or simulating a three-point stance.
His lineman do this all the time, when another team does it it's a fasle start...he get special privliages, that's why I can't stand him...again my 2 cents...

In the history of the NFL there has been no more persistent complaint about an NFL Quarterback's pre snap movement than John Elway's Headbob.

His exaggerated "Hut hut" count combined with head and neck movement drew the ire of every opponent for a decade and a half.

You're exaggerating what Manning's linemen do as well. There is no way the league would let them so blatantly get away with stuff. I've seen it too, but not close to the degree you describe.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by B-Love

My point has nothing to do with that quote. I didn't write it nor was I reacting to it. That statement is meaningless to me.

I'm reacting to your complete disdain for a bonafide Superstar. As if you see things that millions of fans or countless GM's/Scouts do not.

My reaction was to that quote and my comment was related to that quote. I didn't think the Peyton media love affair could get any more absurd, but now I find out Peyton was carrying Edge all these years and the team is better off without him. Give me a ****ing break.

Look, I don't care if some people want to cringe like whipped dogs when Manning plays the Broncos. If that works for you, cool, more power to you.

I've never said he wasn't a great quarterback, but I'm not going to deify the guy when he hasn't won a goddamn thing in ten years in the League.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by Alec

Defensive Bust — Dwight Freeney, Colts
What the heck happened? Freeney has been an unstoppable whirling dervish off the edge for the first four years of his career, but so far in 2006 he has yet to be credited with a solo sack, cobbling together a mere two half-sacks in the first half. After yearly totals of 13, 11, 16 and 11, Freeney would need several games against Robert Gallery to keep his double-digit streak alive.

Meaningless. Freeney's struggles this year only make Peyton Manning a more dangerous quarterback.