Some Tightends figure quite high on the receiving rankings this year but I will be reviewing that position tomorrow so they won't be considered for this particular award.
Quite often a receiver will also be used for rushing yardage and vice versa, in fact Ray Rice who was awarded 3rd place in the Running Back category yesterday is actually ranked 50th with 683 receiving yards, but this award is for receptions only.
So lets discuss a few WR's that didn't make the top 5 and the reasons why. It is unlikely that Pittsburgh will make the play offs although they do have a slim chance and having won the lot last year they will view 2009/2010 season as a poor effort. Their 2 main receivers, Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes share a lot of the work and it would be difficult to say exactly who Big Ben prefers. I think he tends to use Ward for the shorter work especially around the red zone and Holmes for the bigger plays. Ward the veteran has broke the 1000 yard barrier for the 6th time, his best year being back in 2002. Whereas this is Homes' first time reaching 1000 in his 3 seasons to date and he may well offer a lot of future promise, but overall his performances have not enthralled us here at Nutty Towers and he hasn't squeezed in either.
Others who have missed the cut but had good seasons include Steve Smith of New York. The Giants were in desperate need of a replacement for Plaxico and Smith has stepped up well, he has made 1,163 yards with an average of 12.0 and he has found the end zone 7 times. Rookie, Hakeem Nicks has supported Smith well putting up 795 yards at an average of 17.3 scoring 6 touchdowns. The future looks very bright for Nicks.
Perhaps the toughest call was leaving out Sidney Rice. After 2 very average seasons in the NFL Rice has finally found his feet. He has been instrumental in The Vikings progress this term and although Favre tends to favour his tightend in the red zone his go to man is Sidney Rice. Rice has made 1,200 yards averaging 15.6 for 6 touchdowns and must consider himself very unfortunate not to have made the top 5, so I will award him the unofficial 6th place.
So on to the top 5 and they are, Desean Jackson (Philadelphia), Andre Johnson (Houston), Miles Austin (Dallas) Randy Moss (New England) and Vincent Jackson (San Diego).
No top 5 would be complete without Randy Moss. No other receiver has notched as many touchdowns as Moss who has 13. His attitude is often questioned but his performances speak for themselves. Moss finishes in 5th spot making 1,189 yards at an average of 15.2.
Dallas have fought back after a slowish start to the season and that in part is due to the form of Miles Austin. Tony Romo needed a receiver and Austin stepped up with 1,230 yards averaging 16.6 with 11 touchdowns. He is a worthy 4th place finisher.
3rd place is awarded to Andre Johnson. Considered by many to be the best WR in the football league Johnson has put up more yards than anyone else. Houston really need to make the post season so his talent can be seen in the big games. Johnson averaged 15.8 yards and has 9 touchdowns to his name. Another very solid season that hopefully will not end this weekend.
San Diego have won 10 games in a row and really look like they will go close this year. They have a very solid outfit and Vincent Jackson has contributed handsomely. Our 2nd placed receiver has 1,167 yards at a very long average of 17.2 adding 9 touchdowns to the chargers cause. Watch out for Jackson in weeks to come as San Diego could well be in Miami in February.
That means our winner is Desean Jackson. Philadelphia have had a strong year, they face the Cowboys on Sunday to fight it out for the division but they have secured a play off spot already. They have a young side and in only his 2nd season Jackson has caught the eye.
Jackson has made 1,120 yards averaging 18.7 yards per reception. No WR has a higher average and his 9 touchdowns has played a huge part in the success of the Eagles this year.
This might be a surprise selection, but nonetheless a deserved one. Watch out for Desean Jackson the winner of the WR Nuttie in the weeks to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment