Every NFL season sees its changes from the previous one, but this year took that change to new extremes. Longtime cellar-dwellers such as Kansas City, Tampa Bay, and Oakland finally began the process of climbing out of the abyss into relevance, while Super Bowl favorites such as Dallas and Minnestoa suffered catostrophic collapses.
(literally with Minnesota)
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Just as surprising was some of the individual performances by the players. Guys who were thought to have nothing left in the tank showed they still had something left to show and no namers suddenly exploded onto the scene. One player overcame all of the odds to find ultimate redemption, while a player who had been well revered suddenly hit rock bottom. It was a season full of personal drama. Here are my top 10 surprise players of this season, with a couple of honorable mentions.
10. Devin McCourty, CB, New England Patriots
When the Patriots drafted Devin McCourty with the 27th pick in April, they hoped they had acquired an adequate starting CB who could improve what many people believed was the weakest position on the team. In the end, the Rutgers product gave them more than they bargained for, faster than they bargained for. As of Week 16, he was tied for second in the league in interceptions with 6, and was the 3rd leading tackler for the Patriots. Expect McCourty to be in constant competition with Darrelle Revis for the title of best CB in the AFC for years to come
9. Terrell Owens, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Going into this season, most people had believed (and in many cases prayed) that the super diva Terrell Owens was washed up and ready to retire. The Bills let him walk away last offseason after spending only one lackluster year there, in which he caught only 55 passes and 5 TDs. He was signed by Cincinnati late in July, and was expected to play a limited role in their offense. Instead, he became their most explosive weapon for the 1st half of the season, proving that he was still a dangerous threat. He went over 100 receiving yards in weeks 4, 5, and 9. He finished the season with 72 catches for 983 yards and 9 TDs, his best statistical performance since 2007.
8. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, New England Patriots
Although the Patriots have arguably been the most dominant team in the NFL for the past decade, they have always lacked a truly potent rushing attack during that time frame. That finally changed this season with " The Law Firm", BenJarvus Green-Ellis. The third year running back, who played a minimal role in the Patriots offense for his first two years, became a touchdown machine this season, rushing for 12 TDs as of week 15. He has also rushed for 824 yards and has a real chance to top 1000 yards by the end of the season.
7. Charles Godfrey, SS, Carolina Panthers
Charles Godfrey is one of the very few bright spots for the Carolina Panthers this season, a year when they have the worst record in the NFL. The third year player has 62 tackles so far this season, almost doubling his 34 from last year. He is also tied for 3rd in league in total interceptions, with 5. It is an impressive individual performance that has unfortunately gone to waste on a 2-12 team.
6. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Dwayne Bowe showed a lot of promise in his first two NFL seasons, recording 70 and then 86 receptions. He suffered a major drop off in production last year, thanks in part to a 4 game suspension and falling out of favor with new head coach Todd Haley. Bowe has responded this season by becoming one of the most prominent redzone threats in the league. As of week 15, he has recorded 14 receiving TDs, a league best. He also has five multiple- TD games. He still has a tendency to disappear in games, but if he can produce on a consistent basis there is no reason he can't be one of the game's top WR. He seems to be well on his way to that title.
5. Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Unlike the rest of the players on this list, Brett Favre has made the list for being an inept surprise. After the ageless wonder put together the best statistical season of his career last season (at age 40!), he has followed it up with the worst season of his career. As of Week 15, he had thrown for only 11 TDs and 19 INTs, and the Vikings were a dismal 5-9. As if his statistical woes weren't enough, he has suffered an array of injuries that forced him to end his consecutive games started streak at 297. He also suffered a potentially season ending (and career ending) concussion in a week 15 game against the Bears. Also factor in the sexual harassment accusations against him, the mockery directed at his constant retire/un-retire game, and his failure to lead the Vikings to a Super Bowl, and you have a once legendary and revered QB who has suffered a substantial fall from grace.
4. Jason Babin, DE, Tennessee Titans
Babin, a journeyman defensive end who has never really stood out for any reason, suddenly became a sack machine in the 2010 season. As of week 15, he was third in the league in total sacks, with 12. His previous season high total: 5 in 2006 with the Houston Texans. Aside from Arian Foster, he is the player who has made the greatest impact after lurking in obscurity for the rest of his career.
3. Mike Williams, WR, Seattle Seahawks
At first glance, Mike Williams numbers for this season aren't that impressive: 60 catches, 720 yards, and only 1 TD. However, when you take into account his back story, it is shocking that has been able to be a productive WR at all. Williams was drafted 10th overall by the Detroit Lions in 2005. He was considered to be a colossal bust, making only 44 catches in 3 seasons before leaving football for two years. Against all odds, he was able to not only return to the league by catching the attention of his former college coach Pete Carroll ( now head coach of the Seahawks), but he also won a starting position in training camp. So far this season, has registered 3 double-digit reception games, and has finally become a productive NFL starter.
2. Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
Undrafted practice squad player to league leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. That is the story of Arian Foster's transition from last season to this season. His remarkable success story began on the Texans' first game of the 2010 season, in which he ran the ball 33 times for 231 yards and 3 TDs. He has rushed over 100 yards 7 different times this season, and has recorded multiple TDs in 6 games. He is currently in a close race for the rushing title, but has had a magnificent season regardless if he wins it or not.
1. Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Throughout the years, there have been many examples of redemption and beating the odds in the NFL and sports as a whole. However, it can be argued that the sporting world has never witnessed a redemption story that has the magnitude, excitement, and controversy of the one surrounding Michael Vick. After spending 2 years in prison for running and participating in a dogfighting operation known as Bad Newz Kennels, Vick was re-instated into the league in 2009, and was surprisingly signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. He became the team's starting QB towards the beginning of this season, and has once again become the most electrifying and talented players in the league. In fact, his level of play as a QB has vastly improved from the years he spent with the Atlanta Falcons. So far this season, he has thrown for 20 TDs and only 5 INTs, while rushing for 613 yards and 8 TDs. He is the early favorite to earn the league's MVP award, and will surely be one of the league's most successful and controversial players for years to come.
*** Honorable Mentions***
Donovan McNabb, QB, Washington Redskins
His signing was supposed to make the Redskins relevant again, but instead he had the worst season of his career and ended up getting benched towards the end of the season. Look for him to be playing elsewhere in 2011
LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, New York Jets
One of the league's all time dominant backs experienced a minor Renaissance this year after suffering from a steadily decreasing level of play the last few seasons. As of week 15 he had rushed for 886 yards and 5 TDs. He has provided the Jets with a stable, if not explosive, rushing attack this season.
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