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Brady The Best In League This Year

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 30, 2007

Updated: 12/29/2007 11:44 pm

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - It's time to roll out the red carpet and dispense awards for the 2007 NFL season, even if Joan Rivers is sitting this one out.

The Patriots dominate the discussion - surprise, surprise - so pull up a chair, hide the camcorders and salute the best pro football had to offer this fall.

MVP: Tom Brady, QB, Patriots. Brett Favre looked like he was making a move on Brady a month ago, but there's no denying the man his hardware in '07. He has simply willed New England to several victories and Brady reigns unchallenged as the most prolific winner of his era.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Brady. This was the easiest pick on the board. Brady came out firing in Week 1 and never stopped, assaulting the NFL record book and shredding secondaries with disdain. Yes, he has weapons, but he sure knows how to keep everyone happy.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Bob Sanders, S, Colts. No defender means more to his club than the diminutive Sanders. Indy always plays bigger with him on the field, whether Sanders is leveling a runner or shadowing a WR downfield. No wonder the Colts are giving him the big bucks.

COACH: Bill Belichick, Patriots. People are looking for reasons not to vote for Belichick, who was fined by the league for the unsavory Spygate episode against the Jets. You may not like his style, but Belichick has ruthlessly crafted one of the most predatory clubs in NFL history, offering no apologies or excuses along the way.

ASSISTANT COACH: Rob Chudzinski, offensive coordinator, Browns: Cleveland added some pillars along the OL in rookie T Joe Thomas and veteran G Eric Steinbach, but it was Chudzinski who made all the pieces fit and developed QB Derek Anderson into one of the year's biggest surprises.

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE: Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings: Although he slowed down considerably in December, Peterson was the talk of the league in midseason, generating comparisons to O.J. Simpson with his effortless stride. He carried Minnesota's offense for long stretches until young QB Tarvaris Jackson started making plays.

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE: Patrick Willis, LB, 49ers. Although every pro scout liked this kid coming out of Mississippi, Willis surpassed all expectations, excelling on a bad team and giving San Francisco fans reason to believe. Every time you looked, Willis was around the football.

COMEBACK PLAYER: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers. Big Ben rebounded from a nightmarish 2006 to direct Pittsburgh to a division title. By returning to his '05 form, Roethlisberger solidified his place among the NFL's elite passers. Most importantly, he's been particularly effective on third down.

OFFSEASON ADDITION: Randy Moss, WR, Patriots. A year ago, Moss had reinforced his reputation as a selfish player. Since arriving in Foxborough, he's been transformed into a model Patriot, always stressing the team concept while taking Brady's heaves to the house.

IRA KAUFMAN'S NFL PICKS

After two weeks in the stratosphere, the K-man fell back to Earth a bit with a 10-6 slate as Minnesota and New Orleans were surprisingly trampled at home. We're taking a 155-85 mark into the final weekend, seeking momentum for '08.

Falcons over Seahawks, 20-17. Interim coach Emmitt Thomas gets one before he's replaced.

Bears over Saints, 24-10. Turnovers doom New Orleans to a losing season.

Browns over 49ers, 35-14. Playoffs or bust, Cleveland finishes the regular season in style.

Packers over Lions, 22-10. Green Bay responds to last week's wake-up call.

Texans over Jaguars, 21-14. Houston finishes at .500 behind a 6-2 home mark.

Dolphins over Bengals, 30-24. Miami players aim to please the new boss, Mr. Bill.

Eagles over Bills, 16-6. Philly closes with a rush.

Cardinals over Rams, 41-17. Arizona's offense usually blooms in the desert.

Steelers over Ravens, 15-0. Will this be Brian Billick's final game?

Broncos over Vikings, 16-14. Jason Elam wins it at the final gun.

Jets over Chiefs, 21-7. KC closes with nine consecutive losses.

Chargers over Raiders, 24-14. Oakland packed it in weeks ago.

Titans over Colts, 20-17. Tennessee earns its way into the postseason.

IRA KAUFMAN'S 2007 ALL-TRIBUNE TEAM

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

LIFE OF BRIAN

With 2,005 scrimmage yards, Philadelphia RB Brian Westbrook remains one of the NFL's most versatile players. He is on course to top his team in rushing yards and receptions for the third consecutive year, joining select company.

SOLID IN THE TRENCHES

The Vikings can become the first club since the 2001 Steelers to lead the NFL in both rushing offense and rushing defense in the same season. Here are the four teams that have led in both categories since 1990.

The Bucs lead the league in fewest first downs allowed by penalty (six) heading into the final weekend of the regular season. Here are the 10 defenses that have been yielded the most first downs through an official's flag.

Club First Downs

Packers...43

Lions ...26

Redskins ...26

49ers ...25

Panthers ...25

Ravens ...25

Browns ...23

Cardinals ...23

Falcons ...23

Chargers ...22

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