The Good – The San Francisco 49ers
Being a homer, you can’t expect me to not start this piece without mentioning my 49ers. I haven’t written anything about them this season, as I was hesitant to start drinking the Kool-Aid on them, but after the 49ers victory over the Lions and “the handshake heard round the world,” I’m all-in on the 49ers. I love what head coach Jim Harbaugh is doing to this team and the stamp he is imprinting on it. From the handshake to the gadget plays, you can tell there is definitely a culture change amongst the players and coaches. The 49ers have no business being 6-1 right now, but they are; and it’s great to see.
The Bad – High-priced Free Agents
Nnamdi Asomugha, DeAngelo Williams, Chris Johnson (See below), Santonio Holmes, Sidney Rice. These are just some of the high-priced free agents that signed big contracts this offseason and have produced little on the field. For Nnamdi’s sake, I will give him a small pass, as I think he is being poorly used within the Eagles defensive system, but the rest of the players on this list are definitely not living up to their contract. DeAngelo Williams is a non-factor with only 75 rushing attempts for 363 yards and 1 TD, Chris Johnson is not even a shell of himself (See The Ugly), Santonio Holmes only has 22 receptions and 3 TD’s, and Sidney Rice has been hurt for most of the season.
The Ugly – Chris Johnson, RB Tennessee Titans
CJ2K is looking more like CJ5hundo. If he rushes for more than 500 rushing yards this season, I would be surprise. After holding out all of training camp and the pre-season in order to sign the richest contract for an NFL Running Back, CJ5hundo looks slow, sluggest, and scared. He has no burst, not hitting the holes with the same intensity as other RB’s, and when about to be hit by a defender, he shows no fight. A scared football player is a bad football player, and that is what CJ5hundo is right now.
The Good – Cam Newton, QB Carolina Panthers
Last April when the NFL Draft took place, no one in there right mind would have ever though that Cam Newton would have the impact on the league that he’s having right now. Not only is Cam Newton the overwhelming Rookie of the Year in the NFL this season, you can make the argument that he is the MVP of the season. Some were calling him the next JaMarcus Russell, Ryan Leaf, or whatever QB bust came to your head at the time, but Cam is proving his doubters wrong (my hand is raised). Cam Newton is the real deal folks, and I suggest that we get on the bandwagon now. We all know what a great running QB he is, but he is also completing 61% of his passes and is second in the league in passing yards. He completes 56% of his passes on 3rd down, and 67% when the play direction is on the right side of the field, and 64% when the play direction is on the left side. I state this because it shows that he is able to use both sides of the field, something rookie QB’s have a tough time doing their first season. A lot of people, including myself, owe Cam Newton a huge apology.
The Bad – SI’s Peter King Super Bowl Prediction
I know there is going out on a limb, and then there is the branch breaking and falling off the cliff tumbling down the mountain. Prior to the season starting, Mr. King had predicted that the Atlanta Falcons would defeat the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XLVI (46), 24-20. If the season were to end today, both teams would not even make the playoffs. Currently as it stands, both the Atlanta Falcons and San Diego Chargers are 4-3, fighting for playoff spots. The Falcons have won the three of their last four games and are showing signs of life, but the San Diego Chargers are struggling and are trending downward in a tough division.
The Ugly – Nevin Sharpio’s Yacht Club
This is just not my year for Fantasy Football. In most of my leagues, I am strapping by, living and dying by inconsistent players and having to really work the waiver wire and trade phones. But in the one league that I take the most pride in, Nevin Sharpio’s Yacht Club is officially DFL (Dead Freaking Last). It was bad from the get-go, losing the first game of the season by .6 of a point. Then having your #1 RB go down to a season-ending injury right after you trade your low-end #2 RB for a QB, my season was over after week 3. I won’t stoop to that level, but there just isn’t any more fight left from me for that league.
The Good –The NFL Channel and NFL Redzone Channel
This is my first year having them both, and now I know what I’ve been missing out on. It is unbelievable I went this long without them. They are incredible. First, the NFL Channel is amazing with their coverage and breakdown of games. Plus, I love the fact that they re-air games from the past weekend with no commercials or stoppage time in the game. You get to watch the full game in less than 2 hours. And the Redzone Channel…don’t even get me started. Not since the portrait of Mona Lisa has something been more picture perfect. The entire concept of the Redzone Channel is just brilliant to me. E doesn’t equal MC2, E=NFL Redzone Channel.
The Bad – NFL Officiating
I have never been a fan of the officials and them taking over the game. Football is already a over-legislated sport. Let the players determine the outcome of the game. I know football is a fast-paced game where most of the rules are judgment calls, but the officiating in the NFL this season is terrible, mainly with Pass Interference and Unnecessary Roughness calls involving the QB.
The Ugly – The Indianapolis Colts losing to the New Orleans Saints 62 – 7
The Indianapolis Colts are again proving why Peyton Manning is the MVP of the NFL. After watching the Colts play that awful game against the New Orleans Saints, I am convinced that without Peyton, (and there is no way they will bring him back from injury at this point in the season) the Indianapolis Colts are going to finish the season at 0-16. When I did my pre-season predictions, I gave the Colts two separate record predictions: 9-7 with Peyton and 2-14 without Peyton. Even if Peyton were healthy this season, I’m not sure the Colts would be that great of a team; maybe finishing at a clip of 8-8. Their defense and running game are terrible and as great as Peyton is, he can only do so much. I think I overshot on both predictions.
Mr. Armchair's Mid-Season Awards
MVP - Aaron Rodgers, QB Green Bay Packers
This isn't even worth me explaining. 20 TD's, 3 INT's, and a perfect 7-0 record.
Offensive Player of the Year - Adrian Peterson, RB Minnesota Vikings
798 rushing yards, 6 rushes over 20+ yards, and 9 TD's all while constantly facing 8 defenders in the box? Dude is beastly!!
Defensive Player of the Year - Darrelle Revis, CB New York Jets; Jared Allen, DE Minnesota Vikings; DeMarcus Ware, OLB Dallas Cowboys
Pick any three of these guys and you won't get any complaints. Revis Island has 4 INT's and completely locks up WRs, Allen has 12 1/2 sacks and 3 Forced Fumbles, and Ware is second in sacks with 12 sacks and 2 Forced Fumbles.
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Cam Newton, QB Carolina Panthers
All I have to say is that he is on pace to throw for more than 4,000 passing yards. Cam Newton if you need him, folks!!
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Aldon Smith, OLB San Francisco 49ers
He might not play enough downs to qualify, but Aldon Smith is definitely making his presence felt. He has 6 1/2 sacks already this season, leading all rookies, and a critical safety in the Detroit Lions victory.
Coach of the Year - Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers
He has the 49ers at 6-1 through the mid point and turned Alex Smith into a decent looking QB. Many didn't think the 49ers would win 6 games all season, and many didn't think Smith would last this long as the 49ers' starting QB.
Mr. Armchair Speaks
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