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Manning leads in Act 1

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 8, 2009

TAMPA - As the NFL reaches the halfway mark, it has been a memorable start in New Orleans and Indianapolis and a forgettable eight weeks across several outposts, including Tampa.

As the chase for postseason berths heats up, here's a look back at the standout performers of Act 1.

MVP: With all due respect to Drew Brees, Peyton Manning gets the nod for carrying the Colts to a 7-0 record, including the league's only 4-0 mark on the road. Manning leads the league with a 71.1 percent completion rate and he is rarely sacked (five) or picked off (four). Even Tony Dungy says he has never seen Manning look sharper.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Speaking of sharper, Saints S Darren Sharper has transformed a sorry secondary into a ball-hawking unit. He has taken three of his seven interceptions to the end zone, and the savvy veteran has already defended 17 passes, inspiring teammates and setting an aggressive tone for a traditionally passive group.

HEAD COACH: Yes, Josh McDaniels is off to a terrific start in Denver, but Sean Payton's work in New Orleans has been exemplary. What other coach in the league could average 39 points per game, despite losing Pro Bowl LT Jammal Brown all season with a sports hernia and a hip injury? The Saints have hung 48 points on both the Eagles and Giants, and Payton is the best play caller in the business.

ASSISTANT COACH: Under new coordinator Mike Nolan, the Broncos lead the NFL in total defense and are yielding only 13.7 points per game. Veteran S Brian Dawkins has added toughness, but Nolan has everyone buying into his system, and the early results have been spectacular.

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE: Some pro scouts scoffed at Percy Harvin's potential impact in the NFL, but Minnesota took a chance. The former Gators standout has given the Vikings a dangerous weapon at receiver with 28 catches for 369 yards and three TDs. Harvin is also averaging 30.7 yards on kickoff returns, scoring twice and he has inflicted all this damage without losing a fumble.

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE: Bills FS Jairus Byrd, a second-round pick out of Oregon, just pulled off a feat the NFL hadn't seen in almost 50 years. Byrd is tied with Sharper for the league lead with seven interceptions, and he just became the first player since San Francisco's Dave Baker in 1960 to reel off three multi-pick games in a row.

MOST IMPROVED: An undrafted backup with the Cowboys, WR Miles Austin has dazzled teammates and fans alike with a string of outstanding starts in the past month. After catching only 18 passes during his first three pro seasons, Austin's initial three NFL starts have generated 21 receptions for 482 yards and five TDs, energizing a moribund attack.

COMEBACK PLAYER: An injured right elbow limited QB Carson Palmer to four starts in 2008, and he chose rest and rehab over Tommy John surgery. That decision appears to be wise, because Cincinnati's catalyst has regained his form with 13 TD passes and an 89.2 passer rating during a 5-2 getaway that has the Bengals tied with Pittsburgh atop the AFC North.

BEST OFFSEASON ADDITION: Another Brett Favre soap opera this summer threatened to derail Minnesota, but the Vikings eventually landed their man and Favre hasn't disappointed. If Favre stays healthy, the 7-1 Vikings are probably the team to beat in the NFC.

SURPRISE TEAM: San Diego was a prohibitive favorite to win the weak AFC West, but Denver has already knocked off the Cowboys, Patriots and Chargers to open up a two-game advantage. Monday night, we'll see how the Broncos rebound from their first setback.

SURPRISE PLAYER: When the Bears selected Cedric Benson with the fourth pick of the 2005 draft, right before the Bucs tabbed Cadillac Williams, Chicago fans expected a bruising, productive running back. After three nondescript seasons, Chicago dumped Benson and he is now averaging 103 rushing yards per game for the Bengals, finally fulfilling the promise he flashed at Texas.

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