Category: Awards

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:

 

 

2023 season: Vikings Most Valuable Player

After the 2023 season, the staff at Vikings Wire picked who was the Most Valuable Player for the Minnesota Vikings.

The 2023 National Football League season is over for the Minnesota Vikings and now it’s time to reflect on what was and what could have been.

The Vikings had quite the roller coaster ride this season. After starting 1-4, they lost wide receiver Justin Jefferson and went on a five-game winning streak and won six out of their next eight games. They ultimately lost their final four to finish the season 7-10.

As we reflect back on the season that was for the Vikings, we as a staff took a look at it in multiple ways by handing out awards in different categories.

Here are our choices for Vikings offensive player of the year.

Other awards:

Surprise Performace
Rookie of the Year
Defensive Player of the Year
Offensive Player of the Year

2023 season: Vikings offensive player of the year

From Justin Jefferson to T.J. Hockenson, our staff at Vikings Wire makes our picks for Offensive Player of the Year.

The 2023 National Football League season is over for the Minnesota Vikings and now it’s time to reflect on what was and what could have been.

The Vikings had quite the roller coaster ride this season. After starting 1-4, they lost wide receiver Justin Jefferson and went on a five-game winning streak and won six out of their next eight games. They ultimately lost their final four to finish the season 7-10.

As we reflect back on the season that was for the Vikings, we as a staff took a look at it in multiple ways by handing out awards in different categories.

Here are our choices for Vikings offensive player of the year.

Other awards:

Surprise Performace
Rookie of the Year
Defensive Player of the Year

2023 season: Minnesota Vikings defensive player of the year

From Danielle Hunter to Camryn Bynum, these are the Vikings Wire staff’s picks for Minnesota Vikings Defensive Player of the Year.

The 2023 National Football League season is over for the Minnesota Vikings and now it’s time to reflect on what was and what could have been.

The Vikings had quite the roller coaster ride this season. After starting 1-4, they lost wide receiver Justin Jefferson and went on a five-game winning streak and won six out of their next eight games. They ultimately lost their final four to finish the season 7-10.

As we reflect back on the season that was for the Vikings, we as a staff took a look at it in multiple ways by handing out awards in different categories.

Here are our choices for Vikings defensive player of the year.

Other awards:

Surprise Performace
Rookie of the Year

Amon-Ra St. Brown headlines 5 Lions who earned All-Pro status

St. Brown didn’t make the Pro Bowl but earned 1st-team All-Pro status

The Associated Press revealed the 2023 season All-Pro teams on Friday. The Detroit Lions are well-represented on the teams, which are considered the most prestigious of the postseason awards.

Two Lions earned first-team All-Pro status. Right tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown each achieved the elite status. Only one player per position is selected except at positions like wide receiver and cornerback where multiple players are used by default.

The second team features three Lions:

  • TE Sam LaPorta
  • C Frank Ragnow
  • LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin as a special teams ace

It’s the second time Ragnow has earned second-team status, with the first coming in 2020. He is the only Lions player who previously earned All-Pro recognition on the first or second team.

Fanatics Sportsbook Michigan Promo Code: Bet $10, Get $40 for 5 Straight Days!

LS Andrew DePaola makes second-team All-Pro

Minnesota Vikings long snapper Andrew DePaola earned a spot on the Associated Press’ All-Pro second team

After the Minnesota Vikings had three All-Pro selections in 2022, they have just one for the 2023 season. Long snapper Andrew DePaola has made the Associated Press’ All-Pro second team.

DePaola is a model of consistency for the Vikings. He consistently delivers accurate snaps on both punts and field goal opportunities. With special teams needing consistency more than anything, having a player like DePaola is massive for the Vikings.

Of course, you could make arguments for other Vikings to be named to the All-Pro team. Outside linebacker Danielle Hunter and tight end T.J. Hockenson had the resume to be on the All-Pro team but they weren’t selected.

[lawrence-related id=89206,89168,89173,88721,89176,89172,89191,89188,89178]

2023 season: Minnesota Vikings rookie of the year

Who was the Minnesota Vikings rookie of the year? Our staff made their picks

The 2023 National Football League season is over for the Minnesota Vikings and now it’s time to reflect on what was and what could have been.

The Vikings had quite the roller coaster ride this season. After starting 1-4, they lost wide receiver Justin Jefferson and went on a five-game winning streak and won six out of their next eight games. They ultimately lost their final four to finish the season 7-10.

As we reflect back on the season that was for the Vikings, we as a staff took a look at it in multiple ways by handing out awards in different categories.

Here are our choices for Vikings rookie of the year.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin voted 1st-team All-Pro on special teams by the NFLPA

Lions special teams captain Jalen Reeves-Maybin voted 1st-team All-Pro by the NFLPA

The NFL Players Association, or NFLPA, has released the results of the All-Pro balloting from the membership. One Lions player earned first-team honors in the NFLPA voting.

It’s linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who earned one of two spots as a designated core special teams player. Reeves-Maybin was outstanding in the role in his return to Detroit after a year away with the Houston Texans.

Center Frank Ragnow and right tackle Penei Sewell did not win the voting at their respective positions. The NFLPA only recognizes one player at each specific position on the offensive line.

Three former Vikings named to 2024 College Football Hall of Fame class

Randy Moss, Toby Gerhart, and Steve Hutchinson were among the 22 players announced Monday to the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame class.

The National Football Foundation has announced their class for the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame, and the list includes three former Minnesota Vikings among the new enshrinees: Randy Moss, Steve Hutchinson and Toby Gerhart.

Those three will join 19 others to fill out the 2024 class of 24, who will officially be inducted on December 10th in a ceremony in Las Vegas. Moss, Hutchinson, and Gerhart are joined in the class by the likes of Justin Blackmon, Warrick Dunn, Larry Fitzgerald, and many more.

Moss, who started his college career at Florida State before transferring to Marshall, put up over 3500 yards and 54 touchdowns receiving, with another touchdown rushing in his two seasons before being taken in the first round by Minnesota in the 1998 NFL draft.

Toby Gerhart amassed over 3500 yards on the ground and scored 44 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Stanford Cardinal before being taken in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft, and Steve Hutchinson won a National Championship with the Michigan Wolverines before a 6-year stint with the Vikings from 2006-2011.

Kirk Cousins wins 2023 Korey Stringer Media Good Guy Award

Kirk Cousins wins the 2023 Korey Stringer Media Good Guy Award

According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Cousins is the 2023 recipient of the Korey Stringer Good Guy Award, presented by the Minnesota Chapter of Pro Football Writers of America.

The award was named after Korey Stringer, a former right tackle who tragically passed after a Minnesota training camp practice in 2001.

Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling congratulates Cousins on his award stating that his “professionalism and candor, whether in explaining his thought process on a play or his outlook after Achilles surgery, helps us do our jobs better.”

Vikings.com’s Lindsey Young reported that the Stringer family presented the award to Cousins stating the award is for those that “epitomized the legacy that [Stringer] intended to leave. From being a professional, and a reliable and accountable teammate by giving 110 percent on every drive, to acknowledging and respecting every single person within the organization, which makes the Vikings such a great family.”

When Cousins was sidelined with his season-ending injury, he was no longer required to engage with the media. Even still, he continued to engage with the media, keeping them informed of his progress on his road to recovery.

Cousins is the first quarterback to win the award since Daunte Culpepper won it back-to-back in 2003 and 2004.

[lawrence-related id=87205,88538,88537,88535,88520,88521,88524,88518,88512]