First half of the year awards = lots of tough calls

by biggie22 on Nov 4, 2011 11:11 AM EDT

I've seen some people putting out awards for the first half of the NFL season and it got me to thinking we would have some tough choices if we did this internally for the Bengals. Here's the categories and the players I was thinking could qualify, please feel free to add any you think I missed. I always have trouble trying to put up poles, therefore I just wrote them out along with my opinion so they can be debated, if anyone else wants to put up a pole, please be my guest.

Defensive lineman of the year so far

Candidates - Calos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, Michael Johnson, Frostee Rucker - My pick is Carlos Dunlap (he's just been flat out dominant)

Linebacker of the year so far

Candidates - Rey Maualuga, Thomas Howard, Manny Lawson - My pick is Thomas Howard (consistently great against both run and pass)

Defensive back of the year so far

Candidates - Reggie Neslon, Leon Hall, Nate Clemens, Chris Crocker - My pick is Nate Clemens (not the best but he's been the most consistent and has done well filling in for JJoe, while everyone else has seemed to be more inconsistent)

Offensive lineman of the year so far

Candidates - Andrew Whitworth, Andre Smith, Kyke Cook - My pick is Andrew Whitworth (He's just a stud)

Wide Receiver of the year so far

Candidates - AJ Green, Jermain Gresham, Jerome Simpson - My pick is AJ Green (Rookie phenom)

Running back of the year so far

Candidates - Ced Benson, Benard Scott, Brian Leonard - My pick is Brian Leonard (no one else has really stood out and he's just a first down machine)

Coach of the year so far

Candidates - Jay Gruden, Mike Zimmer, Marvin Lewis - My pick is Jay Gruden (another tough choice but he's working magic with 2 rookies)

Rookie of the year far so far

Candidates - Andy Dalton, AJ Green - My pick is Andy Dalton (exceeding all expectations at the hardest and most important position on the field)

Best Aquisition of the year so far

Candidates - Manny Lawson, Thomas Howard, Nate Clemens, Donald Lee - My pick is Thomas Howard (he's been awesome when he's been healthy)

Most improved player

Candidates - Nate Livings, Rey Maualuga, Frostee Rucker, Andre Smith - My pick is Nate Livings (really wanted to pick one of the other guys but Nate went from really bad to pretty descent)

Special teams player of the year so far

Candidates - Mike Nugent, Kevin Huber, Brandon Tate, Andrew Hawkins, Ced Peerman - My pick is Ced Peerman (All these guys have been great and I really couldn't decide, therefore I went with the guy who made the best hit of the year:)

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.

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Comments

My linebacker of the year would go to

Keith Rivers. He’s like Peyton Manning in that him not being there changes the team. In this case in a good way, it has given others opportunity to shine.

by Ochocinco on Nov 4, 2011 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

Agree on most... here are my differences

DB – Reggie Nelson – Clements has done fairly well replacing Joseph, but I think Nelson has had the bigger impact.

Most Improved – This one is a tough one between Livings, Maualuga and Smith. As you mentioned Livings went from terrible to decent, but Maualuga has really stepped up in the MLB slot and leading the defense and Smith has finally started playing like a 1st round pick OT. I can’t really make a choice here.

And a side note… it’s Carlos Dunlap not Dunlop :)

by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 4, 2011 12:11 PM EDT reply actions

Fixed it:), Thanks!

I agree Reggie is definitely more impactful and actually a better overall player but he has also made some bone headed plays, therefore I gave Nate the nod because of his consistency and the shoes he had to fill. I felt the toughest calls were most improved player and the coach of the year so far.

by biggie22 on Nov 4, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I like the pick of Peerman

If you watch them on every kick coverage he is one of the first guys down there, and if he doesn’t make the tackle he slows the returner down. The guy has so much heart, you wish he were a better option for running back.

by JerseyBengal on Nov 4, 2011 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

Dunlap has been a wrecking ball.....

although his sack total may not show it, the guy has caused all kinds of disruption in the backfield and constantly pressured the QB. That being said, the whole D Line has contributed so much as a group, it’s really tough to single out one guy.

by The Van Buren Boys on Nov 4, 2011 2:56 PM EDT reply actions