The 2013: Fan on Fire – Pro football Awards – The Don’t Believe the Hype Award (Nominees)

Michael Vick had visions of a dynasty entering the 2012 season, but it didn’t end up that way.  Others came into 2012 with a lot of hype as well but didn’t quite live up to it. 

Here are the Nominees for the 2013 Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards: The “Don’t Believe the Hype” Award

Instead of Putting together an “All” Team like a lot people do every year, last year 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.

The Awards Nominees have been announced.  I now review the nominees in each category throughout the playoffs, and then on Super Bowl Eve I will announce the winners.  Last year it was all based on my opinion, but since I got such a good response I will include a poll on each review, and see who the “fans” think should win.  The poll results won’t be revealed until the winner is announced.

So here are the NOMINEES for the second annual 2013 Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards The “Don’t Believe the Hype” Award.

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:

• Trent Richardson, RB - Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson was a top five draft pick and came into the his rookie season with a lot of hype for the Cleveland Browns.  And while Richardson had a decent season, he was out performed by rookies who were drafted after him, like Alfred Morris and Doug Martin

• Michael Vick, QB - Philadelphia Eagles:  During training camp Michael Vick stated that he thought the Philadelphia Eagles could be a dynasty based on what they had on paper.  But looking back on how the season transpired for the Eagles, they were far from a dynasty.  Coach Andy Reid Was fired, and Vick was injured most of the season.  So the much hyped dynasty never materialized.

• Mario Williams, DE - Buffalo Bills:  The Buffalo Bills signed Mario Williams to a $100 million contract, the biggest ever for a defensive player in NFL history.  And although Williams had a good season with 10.5 sacks for the Bills, his performance was far over shadowed by the likes of J.J. Watt and Aldon Smith, and didn’t reach the hype that a $100 million contract demands.

Last Years winner:  Chad Johnson, WR

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The other Award Category Nominees

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:

• Rashard Mendenhall, RB – Pittsburgh Steelers
• Chad Johnson, WR – Miami Dolphins
• Ndamukong Suh, DT – Detroit Lions

Last Years winner:  Albert Haynesworth

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“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:

• Dez Bryant, WR – Dallas Cowboys
• A.J. Green, WR – Cincinnati Bengals
• Robert Griffin III, QB – Washington Redskins
• Adrian Peterson, RB – Minnesota Vikings

Last Years winner:  Calvin Johnson, WR – Detroit Lions

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

• Von Miller, LB – Denver Broncos
• Aldon Smith, LB – San Francisco 49ers
• J.J. Watt, DE – Houston Texans

Last Years winner:  Terrell Suggs, LB – Baltimore Ravens

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

• Peyton Manning, QB – Denver Broncos
• Chuck Pagano, HC – Indianapolis Colts
• Adrian Peterson, RB – Minnesota Vikings

Last Years winner:  Alex Smith, QB – San Francisco 49ers

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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:

• Richard Sherman, CB – Seattle Seahawks
• Wes Welker, WR – New England Patriots
• Roddy White, WR – Atlanta Falcons

Last Years winner:  Arian Foster, RB – Houston Texans

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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:

• Detroit Lions
• New York Giants
• Pittsburgh Steelers

Last Years winner:  Philadelphia Eagles

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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:

• Stevie Brown, S – New York Giants
• Alfred Morris, RB – Washington Redskins
• Russell Wilson, QB – Seattle Seahawks

Last Years winner:  Victor Cruz, WR – New York Giants

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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:

• Jamaal Charles, RB – Kansas City Chiefs
• Calvin Johnson, WR – Detroit Lions
• Patrick Peterson, CB – Arizona Cardinals

Last Years winner:  Jared Allen, DE – Minnesota Vikings

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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 award goes to the Coach who actually did the best coaching job this season.  And the Nominees in alphabetical order are:

• Bruce Arians – Indianapolis Colts
• Pete Carroll – Seattle Seahawks
• Chuck Pagano – Indianapolis Colts

Last Years winner:  Jim Harbaugh - San Francisco 49ers

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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:

• Peyton Manning, QB – Denver Broncos
• Adrian Peterson, RB – Minnesota Vikings
• Matt Ryan, QB – Atlanta Falcons
• J.J. Watt, DE – Houston Texans

Last Years winner:  Aaron Rodgers, QB – Green Bay Packers

AND THE MOST COVETED AWARD OF ALL:

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

• Colts Nation – Indianapolis Colts
• Cowboys Nation – Dallas Cowboys
• Seahawks Nation – Seattle Seahawks

Last Years winner:  Broncos Nation – Denver Broncos

Related Articles

• The 2013: Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards – (Nominees) (fanonfiresportswire.com)
• The 2013: Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards – “Diva of the Year” (Nominees) (fanonfiresportswire.com)
• The 2013: Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards – “Highlight Hero” of the Year (Nominees) (fanonfiresportswire.com)
• The 2013: Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards – Enforcer of the Year (Nominees) (fanonfiresportswire.com)
• The 2013: Fan on Fire – Pro Football Awards – The Lazarus Award (Nominees) (fanonfiresportswire.com)

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