2005 NFL Awards

COACH OF THE YEAR

Lovie Smith

Chicago Bears

The sentimental choice would be Tony Dungy here after all he has been through. However, the right choice is one of his former assistants Lovie Smith. When the Bears lost QB Rex Grossman in the preseason they were written off. However, led by a strong defense they won their division and got the 2nd seed in the NFC Playoffs, and with the return of Rex Grossman can go far.

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Lofa Tatupu

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks 2nd Round pick Lofa Tatupu revitalized the Seahawks defense and helped guide the Seahawks to a NFC best 13-3 record. Tatupu playing Middle Linebacker was a terror on Quarterbacks with 4 sacks and 3 interceptions one of which was returned for a TD, as he led the Seahawks with 105 tackles.

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Cadillac Williams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Picked 5th over Carnell “Cadillac” Williams immediately became the focal point of the Buccaneers offense, with over 100 yards in each of his first 3 games, when injuries put him in park for a few weeks the Bucs struggled, but when he returned to full strength so did the Buccaneers as they won the NFC South with Williams leading the team with 1,178 yards rushing.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Brian Urlacher

Chicago Bears

Brian Urlacher is the monster in the middle for the “Monster of the Midway.” With a team high 122 tackles Urlacher was everywhere as he became a player that offenses has to know where he is as the Bears defense was the best in the league allowing just 202 points. Uralcher is more then just the best player on the best defense he is a rising star and could win this award a few more times.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Shaun Alexander

Seattle Seahawks

Besides setting a NFL single record with 28 Touchdowns, Shaun Alexander won his first career rushing title with 1,880 yards as the Seahawks had a franchise best 13-3 record to win home field advantage through out the playoffs, making Alexander a top contender for the MVP as well and a no-brainer choice for the Offensive Player of the Year.

NFL MVP

Peyton Manning

Indianapolis Colts

His numbers may not have been as spectacular as last season when he set a record with 49 Touchdown Passes, but Peyton Manning may have been even better this year as the Colts ran off to a 13-0 start. Though the Colts did not achieve immortality they are the clear favorites heading into the playoffs as their 14-2 record has given them home field, and Manning his 3rd straight MVP.