Tag: PFWA

Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo wins PFWA’s 2024 Paul ‘Dr. Z’ Zimmerman Award

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo won the PFWA’s 2024 Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award. | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been honored by the Pro Football Writers of America, becoming the 25th assistant coach to win their Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman.

The Dr. Z Award is given for lifetime achievement as an NFL assistant coach. Spagnuolo shares the award with Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Bill Callahan.

Here’s a look at what the PFWA had to say about Spagnuolo and his career in their press release:

Spagnuolo completed his fifth season as the Chiefs defensive coordinator and 24th in the NFL in 2023. He has coordinated four Super Bowl champion teams, and he is the only coordinator in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises (N.Y. Giants 2007; Kansas City 2019, 2022, 2023). His 2023 defensive unit ranked second in both points and yards allowed and held San Francisco’s offense down late in the Chiefs’ OT victory in Super Bowl LVIII. He was the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants (2015-17) and the Giants’ interim head coach for the final four weeks of the 2017 season. Spagnuolo began his NFL career with Philadelphia (1999-2006), followed by stints with the Giants (2007-08), St. Louis Rams (2009-11), New Orleans (2012) and Baltimore (2013-14) before returning to the Giants.

The Chiefs defense has emerged as one of the best units in the league since Spagnuolo was hired in 2019. He hopes to accomplish another milestone in 2024 as the Chiefs seek to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.

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.

Broncos CB Pat Surtain, KR Marvin Mims recognized by PFWA

Broncos CB Pat Surtain (All-AFC) and KR Marvin Mims (All-AFC, All-Rookie) were recognized by the PFWA following the 2023 season.

The Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) has announced its all-pro designations from the 2023 NFL season and two Denver Broncos players were recognized.

Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain made the All-AFC Team alongside New York Jets defensive back Sauce Gardner. Denver wide receiver Marvin Mims also made the All-AFC squad as the conference’s kick returner. Additionally, Mims made the All-Rookie Team as a returner.

Surtain (cornerback) and Mims (returner) were also named starters for the 2024 Pro Bowl after being elected by coaches, players and fans. Broncos safety Justin Simmons will also start for the AFC at the Pro Bowl.

Simmons and Mims were previously named to the Associated Press All-Pro squad as second-team players. Surtain was snubbed by AP All-Pro voters, but he did make the NFLPA’s All-Pro Team that was voted on by his peers.

Elsewhere, Denver fullback Michael Burton made the Pro Football Focus All-Pro Team and long snapper Mitchell Fraboni received second-team recognition from PFF.

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Cowboys have league-best 7 players named to PFWA’s All-NFL, All-NFC Teams

From @ToddBrock24f7: Five Cowboys made the Professional Football Writers of America’s All-NFL Team; two others were named to the All-NFC squad for 2023.

The Professional Football Writers of America have unveiled their 2023 All-NFL Team, and the Cowboys have more players on it than any other club.

The organization, in its 60th season and made up of hundreds of accredited writers who cover the league and its 32 teams, has selected an All-NFL team since 1966 and All-AFC and All-NFC teams since 1992.

This year’s edition of the All-NFL Team features a league-best five Cowboys players, followed by the San Francisco 49ers’ four members.

Two other Cowboys stars made the All-NFC Team; Dallas was the only club with seven total players named.

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2 Seahawks defensive backs named to 2023 PFWA All-Rookie team

The brightest treasure in the chest is rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon

Whoever takes over as the next Seattle Seahawks head coach, they’ll be inheriting an exceptionally-talented secondary. Seattle will likely have to make some cuts at safety, but the young core of the back end of their defense is as promising as it gets in the NFL.

The brightest treasure in the chest is rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who’s been earning accolades all year – even now that Seattle’s season is over. Witherspoon has already been named PFF’s Defensive Rookie of the Year. Now he’s also being included in PFWA’s All-Rookie Team for the 2023 season.

Witherspoon was the No. 5 overall pick in last year’s draft for a reason, and quickly put any doubts about his abilities to rest. DB play is up and down by nature, but there were times this year when Spoon looked like the best cornerback in the sport – making a significant impact in coverage, against the run and rushing the quarterback. Witherspoon looks to be a foundational piece to build around defensively and it doesn’t take much imagination to see All-Pros in his future.

Also making the cut for the Seahawks was rookie safety Jerrick Reed II, who made it on special teams. Reed had his season cut short by injury, but he shined in his 10 games on the field, making 11 special teams tackles.

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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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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:

 

 

Seahawks QB Geno Smith wins Comeback Player of the Year, Most Improved

Congrats!

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith started out the 2022 season playing at an MVP level – or at least good enough to be in the conversation. Smith’s game dropped off a bit after Week 5 due to issues with turnovers and he fell out of that race. However, he still performed well enough overall to win himself a couple of prestigious awards.

The team just announced that Smith has won the Comeback Player of the Year award. He also won the Most Improved Player award from the Pro Football Writers of America.

The other finalists for the Comeback Player of the Year award were  Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley, who were both deserving in their own ways, but Smith made a much bigger impact.

Smith ended the season with a career best 30 touchdown passes to go with a new Seahawks franchise record 4,282 passing yards and he led the league in completion rate at 69.8%.

Congrats!

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The 2022 PFWA NFL All-Rookie team

These were the best rookies at every position in the NFL in 2022.

The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) is comprised of writers who cover the NFL and the 32 franchises all over the country. At the conclusion of the season, they vote on on-field awards and recognitions, including an All-NFL team, all-conference teams and all-rookie teams.

Who were the best rookies in 2022?

Below is the complete roster of the 2022 PFWA All-rookie team.

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