Category: NFL Awards

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley wins AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley wins AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award

Saquon Barkley is one win away from being a Super Bowl champion and now the AP Offensive Player of the Year award winner.

The Associated Press has named Barkley a finalist for the MVP and the league’s Offensive Player of the Year awards.

Barkley led the league with a franchise record of 2,005 rushing yards, making him the ninth player in NFL history to post 2,000+ rushing yards in a season.  Overall, Barkley logged the 8th-most rushing yards in league history, trailing only Eric Dickerson in 1984 (2,105), Adrian Peterson in 2012 (2,097), Jamal Lewis in 2003 (2,066), Barry Sanders in 1997 (2,053), Derrick Henry in 2020 (2,027), Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,008) and Chris Johnson in 2009 (2,006). Note: O.J. Simpson, in 1973 (2,003), was the other member of the 2,000+ yard club. Including playoffs, Barkley’s 2,329 rushing yards (119 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff vs. Green Bay) are the 3rd-most in NFL single-season history, behind Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,476) and 1997 (2,331). He is just 148 rushing yards shy of breaking Davis’ record.

Former NFL QB Jim Miller slights Lamar Jackson in MVP vote (again)

Every NFL MVP voter except one placed the Baltimore Ravens signal caller first or second.

Unlike what happens when we all go to the polls in November, the NFL MVP award is not a secret ballot. The Associated Press posted a table displaying how all 50 voters voted for the league’s Most Valuable Player honor.

There is a distinct anomaly in Lamar Jackson. Every voter except one placed the Baltimore Ravens signal caller first or second. That specific voter didn’t even put the 2023 NFL MVP in third place.

Jim Miller, yes, Jim Miller, the former Michigan State and Chicago Bears QB, voted Jackson fourth.

It could be that he’s just doing this as a straight-up troll job to get attention for his show on SiriusXM radio. If so, here is that attention that you so strongly ordered.

It could also be that Miller does not respect Jackson’s game as much as other pundits do because this has happened before.

According to Athlon, Miller has a history of odd voting patterns. In 2019, for example, Miller was one of three voters who did not include Jackson on the All-Pro team.

Lamar won the MVP award unanimously that season.

Quinyon Mitchell finishes 2nd, Cooper DeJean 4th in AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting

Eagles Quinyon Mitchell finished second and Cooper DeJean Finished fourth in AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting

The Eagles added cornerbacks with their first two draft picks in last April’s selection process, and it was a significant reason for the dramatic turnaround on defense.

The Associated Press revealed their 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winner, and Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell finished in the top four.  Jared Verse had 37 first-place votes to Mitchell’s nine.  DeJean finished fourth.

DeJean was among the highest-rated players in the slot, holding opponents to 50 receptions. He had five pass breakups, and quarterbacks had an 82.2 passer rating against him.

Mitchell ranked 3rd among NFL CBs with 16 forced incompletions, trailing only Zyon McCollum (17) and Denzel Ward (17). He was 3rd among CBs in yards allowed per coverage snap (0.8) behind Pat Surtain (0.6) and Derek Stingley (0.7) (min. 600 coverage snaps).

Rams defensive tackle Braden Fiske led the team, and all rookies had 8 1/2 sacks. He had 51 pressures, two forced fumbles and recoveries, 10 tackles for loss, and 10 quarterback hits.

Dolphins edge Chop Robinson had six sacks, 20 pressures, and eight tackles for loss.

Rams edge Jared Verse had 4 1/2 sacks but led all rookies in quarterback hits (18), pressures (77) and hurries (56). He also had 11 tackles for loss.

WATCH: Snoop Dogg shouts out A.J. Brown while reconnecting with his ‘Inner Excellence’

Snoop Dogg shouts out Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown while reconnecting with his ‘Inner Excellence’ during NFL Honors

A.J. Brown is one of the NFL’s top wide receivers, and as a perennial All-Pro, the Eagles pass catcher made national headlines when he was spotted on the sidelines reading the book, ‘Inner Excellence’ by Jim Murphy.

During Thursday night’s NFL Honors, rap legend and host Snoop Dogg shouted out Brown while reading the book during one of his monologues.

Brown explained his reasoning for reading the book to the media, explaining that it brings the wide receiver “peace” and mental jewels.

In the book, Murphy helps some of the world’s top athletes discover the mental training system that has empowered athletes to become world #1 and, most importantly, transform their lives.

Brown had one catch for ten yards on three targets in the game, but Philadelphia won 22-10 and eventually advanced to the Super Bowl LIX.

Eagles record heartfelt video for Saquon Barkley after he wins Offensive Player of the Year award

Eagles players record a video for Saquon Barkley after he wins Offensive Player of the Year award

The Eagles offensive line paved the way for Saquon Barkley’s 2,000-yard season and a nomination for MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards.

The Associated Press has named Barkley the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year.

Afterward, the Eagles players released this video praising their star running back.

Barkley led the league with a franchise record of 2,005 rushing yards, making him the ninth player in NFL history to post 2,000+ rushing yards in a season.  Overall, Barkley logged the 8th-most rushing yards in league history, trailing only Eric Dickerson in 1984 (2,105), Adrian Peterson in 2012 (2,097), Jamal Lewis in 2003 (2,066), Barry Sanders in 1997 (2,053), Derrick Henry in 2020 (2,027), Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,008) and Chris Johnson in 2009 (2,006).

Note: O.J. Simpson, in 1973 (2,003), was the other member of the 2,000+ yard club. Including playoffs, Barkley’s 2,329 rushing yards (119 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff vs. Green Bay) are the 3rd-most in NFL single-season history, behind Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,476) and 1997 (2,331). He is just 148 rushing yards shy of breaking Davis’ record.

Saquon Barkley thanked Eagles fans after winning AP Offensive Player of the Year award

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley gives a speech after winning AP Offensive Player of the Year award

Saquon Barkley is one win away from being a Super Bowl champion; he’s also the AP Offensive Player of the Year award winner, garnering more votes than Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.

The Associated Press named Barkley a finalist for the MVP award as well.

Barkley is preparing for Super Bowl LIX and released this message while at the hotel with his team.

“It’s an honor and privilege to be selected the Player of the Year,” Barkley said in a pre-recorded statement, electing to focus on preparing for Super Bowl LIX instead of attending the event in person. “I’d like to give thanks to God first. Without Him, none of this would be possible.

“I’d like to give thanks to my family, my fiancee, my children, my mom and dad, my brothers and sisters, thank you guys so much for (your) love and support throughout this journey. I’d like to thank the fans of Philadelphia for showing so much love to me and my family, especially being the newcomers.

Barkley led the league with a franchise record of 2,005 rushing yards, making him the ninth player in NFL history to post 2,000+ rushing yards in a season.  Overall, Barkley logged the 8th-most rushing yards in league history, trailing only Eric Dickerson in 1984 (2,105), Adrian Peterson in 2012 (2,097), Jamal Lewis in 2003 (2,066), Barry Sanders in 1997 (2,053), Derrick Henry in 2020 (2,027), Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,008) and Chris Johnson in 2009 (2,006).

Note: O.J. Simpson, in 1973 (2,003), was the other member of the 2,000+ yard club. Including playoffs, Barkley’s 2,329 rushing yards (119 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff vs. Green Bay) are the 3rd-most in NFL single-season history, behind Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,476) and 1997 (2,331). He is just 148 rushing yards shy of breaking Davis’ record.

Lamar Jackson finishes 2nd in voting for Offensive Player of the Year; Derrick Henry 4th

Lamar Jackson finishes 2nd in voting for Offensive Player of the Year; Derrick Henry finishes 4th

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was a finalist for the Associated Press NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards.

Derrick Henry was also a finalist for the Offensive Player of the Year award, and the results were announced on Thursday night.

Jackson finished second to the Eagles Saquon Barkley, while Henry was fourth.

Leading Baltimore to its second straight AFC North title, Jackson was first-team All-Pro and set career highs for passing yards (4,172), touchdown passes (41), and quarterback rating (119.6).

Henry, the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year, had 1,921 yards rushing and 16 TDs in his first season with the Ravens.

Jackson led the NFL in rushing yards by a quarterback (915) and became the first player in league history with at least 4,000 passing yards and 800 rushing yards. He also became the league’s all-time rushing leader at quarterback with 6,173 yards, surpassing the previous record held by Michael Vick (6,109).

Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton finished 9th in voting for the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton finished 9th in voting for the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

The Ravens finished the 2024 season with one of the NFL’s top defensive units, and it showed in the Defensive Player of the Year award voting.

All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton finished ninth in voting for the award.

Hamilton has the second-highest Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of any safety in the league, trailing only Lions safety Kerby Joseph and his league-leading nine interceptions. Hamilton is the NFL’s only defensive back to post at least 100 tackles, an interception, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Eagles’ Zack Baun finishes 5th in voting for NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award

Eagles’ linebacker Zack Baun finishes 5th in voting for NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award

Zack Baun has a true rags-to-riches story, signing a one-year deal with Philadelphia last offseason under the guise that he’d have a chance to earn snaps as a pass rusher and potential special teams dynamo.

Fast-forward almost a full calendar year, and Baun earned the Eagles’ starting inside linebacker job. He propelled that opportunity into a Pro Bowl nod and All-Pro honors. Now, a star linebacker set to enter free agency, Baun can add Defensive Player of the Year finalist to his resume.

In a voting that can only be described as disappointing, Philadelphia’s star linebacker finished fifth in the voting that went to the Broncos Patrick Surtain.

Baun was outstanding in his first year, recording 150 tackles, 11 for loss, 3.5 sacks, 5 QB hits, 14 QB pressures, five forced fumbles, an interception, and a fumble recovery while playing 95 percent of the snaps before resting in Week 18.

In the Eagles’ NFC Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers on January 12, Baun logged eight tackles, one interception, and one pass deflection. Baun had six tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended in the divisional-round win over the Rams.

Spotrac’s market value for Baun is currently a 2-year, $19.4 million contract. After rolling over $10 million, the Eagles will have about $30 million in salary cap space. 

Baun could land a deal comparable to Matt Milano, but Howie Roseman not signing the linebacker to an extension by now could give fans and experts some pause on what could transpire.

Philadelphia doesn’t like to draft linebackers high, let alone spend significantly at the position.

Ravens OC Todd Monken finishes 8th in voting for AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year

Ravens OC Todd Monken finishes 8th in voting for AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year

Todd Monken has gotten the best out of Lamar Jackson. After getting passed over for several high-profile head coaching jobs, the veteran offensive play-caller finalized a deal to remain with the Ravens.

Monken was a finalist for the AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award and finished 8th in voting.

Monken spent three years in Athens as offensive coordinator, leading the Georgia Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.

In his first season with the Ravens, Jackson had one of his best seasons, leading the team to an AFC-best 13-4 record.

Every offense Monken has commanded since 2021 has finished in the top 10 in total offense, with his title-winning team in 2022 and his first-year Lamar Jackson ranking in the top five.

Lamar Jackson could win another MVP this season after accounting for 45 touchdowns and the NFL’s No. 1 ranked offense.