The 2012: Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards – (“There’s That Man Again Award”) – Nominees

Instead of Putting together an “All” Team like a lot people are, I decided to put together my own awards list.  Not necessarily awarding the best statistically in any given position, but awards that matter to me, and maybe to some of you. 

Today I review the nominees for the ”There’s That Man Again Award”.  On Super Bowl Eve I will announce the winners of all the categories.  So here is the review for the NOMINEES for the “Theres That Man Again Award” in first annual 2012 Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards. 

The “There’s that Man Again” Award:  Goes to the player who you never heard of, that’s suddenly all over the field making plays, and you wonder why he’s not on your team.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Connor Barwin, LB – Houston Texans:  Connor Barwin is in his third season with the Houston Texans.  His first season he had 3.5 sacks, his second season was cut short due to an ankle injury.  But suddenly in this his third season he came out of no where and explodes for 11.5 sacks, and helped give the Houston Texans one of the best defenses in the NFL.  I had never heard of Barwin, but then he went and had a four sack game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and I had to ask who is this guy and why isn’t he on my team?   

• Victor Cruz, WR – New York Giants:  Not to slight the other two nominees, but I think it’s obvious who’s going to win this award.  I’m still trying to find out who Victor Cruz is?  How is it that an impact player like this goes undrafted?  82 receptions, 1,536 yards, 9 TD’s, and a salsa dance later and now everybody knows about Victor Cruz.  Every other team in the league missed out on this guy.   Every time you turn around Victor Cruz was making plays, and every time he did you have to ask yourself, why isn’t he on my team?

• Jordy Nelson, WR – Green Bay Packers:  Jordy Nelson wasn’t exactly unknown coming out of college like Victor Cruz.  He was a second round pick out of Kansas State.  But like Connor Barwin he didn’t do much his first two seasons.  Then all of sudden he’s all over the field making plays.  Some times it takes a player a few seasons to fully develop into the player they are meant to become, and boy has Nelson developed.  1,263 yards receiving and 15 TD receptions.  I wish this guy played for the Redskins.

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       Here are the  NOMINEES for the other awards. 

The “Don’t You know Who I am? – Diva” of the Year:  No, this award does not go to the top women’s wrestler, it goes to the most petulant, tempestuous, out of control player of the year.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are: 

• Albert Haynesworth, DT – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• DeSean Jackson, WR – Philadelphia Eagles
• Ndamukong Suh, DT – Detroit Lions

“Highlight Hero” of the year:  Goes to the top offensive player who provided to best highlight reel footage of the year.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Calvin Johnson, WR – Detroit Lions
• Julio Jones, WR – Atlanta Falcons
• Cam Newton, QB – Carolina Panthers
• Tim Tebow, QB – Denver broncos

 “Enforcer” of the year:  Goes to the defender, that strikes the most fear into NFL Offenses.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• James Harrison, LB – Pittsburgh Steelers
• Terrell Suggs, LB – Baltimore Ravens
• DeMarcus Ware, LB – Dallas Cowboys

The “Lazarus” Award:  Goes to the player whose career seemed to be dead in the water, but now is rejuvenated after a successful season.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Reggie Bush, RB – Miami Dolphins
• Matt Moore, QB – Miami Dolphins
• Alex Smith, QB – San Francisco 49ers

The “Talk the Talk / Walk the Walk” Award:  Goes to the player, who not only talks a good game, but also walks it, and lived up to his hype.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Arian Foster, RB – Houston Texans
• Maurice Jones-Drew, RB – Jacksonville Jaguars
• Terrell Suggs, LB – Baltimore Ravens

The “Don’t Believe the Hype” Award:  Goes to the player who came into the season with a lot of hype, but didn’t quite live up to it.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Chris Johnson, RB – Tennessee Titans
• Chad Ochocinco, WR – New England Patriots
• Kyle Orton, QB – Kansas City Chiefs

The “They WEREN’T What We Thought They Were” Award: Goes to the team who failed to live up their hype the most.   And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Dallas Cowboys
• Philadelphia Eagles
• New York Jets

The “I - in TEAM” Award:  Goes to the player who had the best Individual season on a bad team.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Jared Allen, DE – Minnesota Vikings
• Maurice Jones Drew, RB – Jacksonville Jaguars
• Cam Newton, QB – Carolina Panthers

The “REAL” Coach of the year Award:  Typically this award goes to the coach who over achieved the most, or the coach whose team dominated the league.  But this a ward goes to the Coach who actually did the best coaching job this season.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• John Fox - Denver Broncos
• Jim Harbaugh - San Francisco 49ers
• Tom Coughlin - New York Giants

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The “FAN ON FIRE” Football Player of the Year:  Goes to the player who had the hottest performance throughout the season.   And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Tom Brady, QB - New England Patriots
• Drew Brees, QB – New Orleans Saints
• Aaron Rodgers, QB – Green Bay Packers

AND THE MOST COVETED AWARD OF ALL:

The “Fans on Fire” - Fanbase of the Year Award:  Goes to the most dedicated and ”FIRED” up Fan Base in the NFL.

• Broncos Nation – Denver Broncos
• Saints Nation – New Orleans Saints
• Redskins Nation – Washington Redskins