Category: Awards

Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs finish top 4 in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting

Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs finish top 4 in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting

Neither Sam LaPorta nor Jahmyr Gibbs won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year at the annual NFL Honors extravaganza. But the Lions duo finished in the top four in the voting.

LaPorta captured 40 of the 48 third-place votes to finish in third. Gibbs earned three third-place votes to come in fourth.

The Lions finished well behind winner C.J Stroud of the Houston Texans and also second-place finisher Puka Nacua of the Rams. The top two captured all the first and second-place votes.

It’s an impressive showing for LaPorta and Gibbs, who were integral parts of the Lions 2023 draft class. LaPorta broke the rookie productivity record for tight ends, while Gibbs finished with over 1,200 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns.

Two Lions added to the Pro Bowl roster

Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and RB Jahmyr Gibbs are now Pro Bowlers

The NFL finally corrected an egregious slight. On Tuesday, the league announced that Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was one of two Detroit players added to the 2024 Pro Bowl.

St, Brown and rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs are among the additions to the all-star extravaganza, which has changed formats to a games style of event rather than an actual football game. St. Brown is replacing injured Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, while Gibbs takes the spot of 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.

St. Brown was a first-team All-Pro but somehow failed to make the cut for the initial Pro Bowl roster. He finished second in the league in receptions and third in receiving yards.

These would have been the MVP winners if you could only receive the award once

There are many NBA players with multiple MVP awards, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who won six such accolades in his career, the most of any player ever. His lead there should be pretty safe, too, especially as LeBron James’ career continues to …

There are many NBA players with multiple MVP awards, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who won six such accolades in his career, the most of any player ever. His lead there should be pretty safe, too, especially as LeBron James’ career continues to wind down. James has four in his own right.

But what if NBA players could only win the award once in their careers, as is the case with, for example, writers and the Literature Nobel prize.

We went back in time and looked up the MVP vote through the years to find out.

Check out the results below.

Harrison Phillips named finalist for Alan Page Community Award by NFLPA

The NFLPA announced Thursday evening that Minnesota Vikings DT Harrison Phillips was named as a finalist for the Alan Page Community Award.

The NFLPA announced Thursday evening that Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips has been named as one of the five finalists for the Alan Page Community Award. The award — formerly known as the NFLPA Community Award — is awarded yearly to players for their exemplary contributions within their community.

Phillips, nominated for his work through is foundation “Harrison’s Playmakers”, joins Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, Washington Commanders offensive tackle Charles Leno, and Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell as nominees. This is Phillips’ second nomination for the award, previously being nominated in 2020 while with the Buffalo Bills.

Phillips faces some stiff competition for the award. Hamlin won the award last year after his annual toy drive raised millions following his on-field cardiac arrest event. Calais Campbell was the Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award winner in 2019 for his impact in the community, and Charles Leno was a finalist last year for his “Leno Claus” initiative.

The award, now named in honor of former Minnesota Vikings defensive end and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page, has previously gone to a Viking twice, with Cris Carter winning in 1999 and Chad Greenway getting the award in 2015. This year’s winner will be announced on February 7th.

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WR Jordan Addison snubbed from being Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist

Minnesota Vikings WR Jordan Addison was snubbed from being a finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year

On Thursday morning, the National Football League announced the finalists for all of the major awards. Five players for awards like Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year and Head Coach of the Year.

When it came to Offensive Rookie of the year, the award had five finalists just like every other award, but it had one glaring omission.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison.

Yes, the Vikings first first-round pick at 23rd overall was not a finalist for the award, despite being a force for the Vikings all season, winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month in October and catching 70 passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Sure the Vikings’ offense wasn’t as potent as it could have been over the last half of the year because of the torn Achilles tendon suffered by quarterback Kirk Cousins. That doesn’t mean Addison’s rookie year wasn’t any less impressive. Heck, you could argue it was even more impressive due to the circumstances.

He might have been snubbed, but we all know that Addison should be at the NFL Honors ceremony as a finalist for the award.

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Brad Holmes wins Executive of the Year from PFWA

Holmes is the first Lions exec to ever win the PFWA award

The latest set of awards for the 2023 NFL season from the Pro Football Writers of America are now out, and the Lions brought a big one home. Detroit GM Brad Holmes won the PFWA voting for NFL Executive of the Year.

Holmes earned the award for guiding the Lions to the team’s first NFC North title and the most road victories in a season, as well as the most wins by 10 or more points in any season in Detroit history. He is the first Lions exec to win the honor since its creation in 1993.

Head coach Dan Campbell was a prime candidate to win the Coach of the Year honor, but that instead went to Texans rookie head coach Demeco Ryans. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson lost out on the Assistant Coach of the Year to Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.

Jordan Addison and Ivan Pace recognized for sensational rookie seasons

Jordan Addison and Ivan Pace were recognized for their outstanding rookie seasons by the PFWA Writers.

As we get farther into the offseason, the Minnesota Vikings continue to see accolades for the 2023 NFL season.

The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling reports that wide receiver Jordan Addison and linebacker Ivan Pace have been selected to the PFWA Writer’s All-Rookie teams.

Addison made the team alongside the Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua and Pace alongside the Detroit Lions’ Jack Campbell and Rams’ Byron Young.

Addison’s 10 receiving touchdowns rank tied for the 10th-most all-time by a rookie receiver and are the most since Ja’Marr Chase in 2021. When Jefferson went down in week five, Addison was called upon to be the go-to receiver in the offense. Between weeks six and twelve, when Jefferson was out, Addison’s four touchdowns tied for eighth-most by any receiver in the NFL.

Ivan Pace’s 102 combined tackles and 63 solo tackles led all rookie linebackers. It also ranks as the fourth-most tackles in NFL history by an undrafted rookie in their first season, the most since the Atlanta Falcons’ Paul Worrilow in 2013.

Congratulations to both Addison and Pace on their remarkable seasons!

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Aidan Hutchinson headlines 4 Lions who made the All-NFC team

Aidan Hutchinson headlines 4 Lions who made the All-NFC team from PFWA

The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) announced the 2023 All-NFC team. The Detroit Lions, one of two remaining NFC teams in the playoffs, were well-represented on the list.

Four Lions earned All-NFC nods, led by DE Aidan Hutchinson. No. 97 joined San Francisco’s Nick Bosa on the all-conference team at end.

Two Detroit offensive players made the cut, too. Wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell also earned All-NFC honors. Sewell was the only Lions player to earn All-NFL status.

Special teams ace Jalen Reeves-Maybin earned his All-NFC nod for his work on the punt and kick units. The full team, from the PFWA press release:

In the spirit of disclosure, I am a PFWA voter and voted for all four Lions who earned All-NFC, as well as TE Sam LaPorta and P Jack Fox.

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More postseason accolades roll in for Vikings EDGE Danielle Hunter

In addition to being named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams, Vikings EDGE Danielle Hunter has now been named to the All-NFC team by PFWA.

Earlier this month, Minnesota Vikings star edge rusher Danielle Hunter was named to his fourth Pro Bowl team. Now, another postseason accolade has rolled in for the outside linebacker who had arguably the best season of his career in 2023. This honor comes from the Pro Football Writers of America, as Hunter was named to their All-NFC team.

Hunter was the catalyst for a much-improved Vikings defense this season, and set new career highs with 83 tackles and 16.5 sacks. Hunter also set not only a personal high, but a new Vikings’ team record with 23 tackles for loss. He also wrecked games in a big way with four fumbles forced on the season.

Hunter was a dynamic pass rusher all season for the Vikings, and has surely earned himself a massive deal — whether that’s with the Vikings or with a new team — when the NFL’s free agency period starts in March. Hunter is joined at outside linebacker on the All-NFC team by Cowboys stud pass rusher Micah Parsons.

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Penei Sewell voted the All-NFL right tackle by the PFWA

It’s the first All-NFL nod for Sewell, who also made All-Pro in 2023

Congratulations to Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell. The third-year standout was voted as the All-NFL right tackle by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).

It’s the first All-NFL nod for Sewell. The PFWA only has one player at each individual position on the offensive line honored as All-NFL. Sewell is the only Lions player to make the All-NFL list in 2023. He and 49ers left tackle Trent Williams are the honored offensive tackles. Sewell was also named an All-Pro in 2023.

As a disclaimer, I am a PFWA voter and cast my ballot for Sewell. I also voted for Frank Ragnow at center, Amon-Ra St. Brown as one of the two wide receivers, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin as the special teams core player.

The full All-NFL team, from the PFWA press release: