The annual NFL Serby Says Awards had been finalized with exhaustive work by our crack employees and help from indefatigable NFL Community analyst Brian “Baldy’s Breakdowns” Baldinger.
The envelope, please:
MVP
Lamar Jackson (QB, Ravens)
Over Dak Prescott (Cowboys). Jackson is making the sport look really easy when it issues. The brand new offense agrees with him, even after shedding TE Mark Andrews and integrating rookie Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. This Lamar versus 2019 MVP Lamar?
“His passing sport is completely completely different,” Baldinger mentioned. “The ball goes precisely the place he needs it to go. There’s nothing he can’t do. He can keep within the pocket and carve you up, he can freelance slightly bit like he did final week when he rolled out to his left like he was left-handed after which he switched to his proper hand and threw the ball 75 yards to Zay Flowers.
“I feel he’s probably the most tough participant within the league to defend. 4 years in the past, I feel he was only a tough man to defend from the standpoint he may take off and run. However he doesn’t must go that now. Now he’s a extremely full participant.”
Offensive Participant of the Yr
Christian McCaffrey (RB, 49ers)
Over Tyreek Hill (WR, Dolphins). McCaffrey may have performed in any period. Nonetheless simply 1,297 profession dashing makes an attempt. Most likely two extra elite years left.
“Johnny Unitas may have handed off to him, he may have performed the position of Jimmy Orr or anyone,” Baldinger mentioned. “He could possibly be a Professional Bowl broad receiver if he wished to only play broad receiver. He runs between the tackles, is efficient as anyone outdoors of possibly Nick Chubb if he was wholesome. You are able to do formations, issues that no one else does, and he will get remoted on linebackers, no one has an opportunity. There’s nothing he doesn’t do nice.”
Defensive Participant of the Yr
Micah Parsons (LB, Cowboys)
Over Myles Garrett (DE, Browns) and Maxx Crosby (Edge, Raiders).
“Micah [13 sacks] is simply so completely different than everyone else,” Baldinger mentioned, “simply the way in which he can strain quarterbacks from any place, the place they transfer round. … Even when he’s not getting sacks … he’s simply in all places. I really feel just like the quarterbacks are extra affected by him than anyone else.”
Offensive Rookie of the Yr
C.J. Stroud (QB, Texans)
He has 21 touchdowns, 5 interceptions and resurrected a franchise. Lacking two video games allowed Rams WR Puka Nacua to make it shut.
“His processing is so pressing however with out panicking,” Baldinger mentioned of Stroud. “Pinpoint accuracy, decision-making after which his capacity simply to learn defenses on the transfer.”
Defensive Rookie of the Yr
Jalen Carter (DT, Eagles)
The Eagles will miss Fletcher Cox when he’s gone, however not as a lot as they might have if this Georgia Bulldog (six sacks) hadn’t fallen of their laps following character issues.
“I feel he could possibly be higher than Quinnen Williams. I feel he could possibly be higher than Dexter Lawrence,” Baldinger mentioned. “He has unimaginable stability, and he has unimaginable energy. Now I do know Quinnen does too, and so does Dexter. He’s additional alongside than both a kind of guys of their careers. He has an opportunity for double-digit sacks like Chris Jones and people guys, Aaron Donald, for the subsequent 10 years.”
Coach of the Yr
Kevin Stefanski (Browns)
Believeland is again, and this man did it after shedding RB Nick Chubb (knee) in Week 2 and enjoying with 4 completely different quarterbacks, the latest Joe Flacco. Overtook Dan Campbell (Lions), Mike McDaniel (Dolphins) DeMeco Ryans (Texans) and Shane Steichen (Colts).
Assistant Coach of the Yr
Brian Flores (DC, Vikings)
“Via all of the quarterback adjustments and all of the stuff that they had, the protection stored them in it,” Baldinger mentioned. Over Bobby Slowik (OC, Texans), Todd Monken (OC, Ravens), Dan Quinn (DC, Cowboys), Mike Macdonald (DC, Ravens), Frank Smith (OC, Dolphins), Steve Wilks (DC, 49ers), Ben Johnson (OC, Lions).
Greatest Proprietor
Stan Kroenke (Rams)
“There’s not numerous homeowners that may have mentioned, ‘Simply go commerce my No. 1 picks, I don’t care,’ ” Baldinger mentioned. “He’s let [GM] Les Snead and [coach] Sean McVay do no matter they need, and right here they’re within the playoffs. I feel he’s fairly particular.”
Worst Proprietor
David Tepper (Panthers)
Some individuals apparently get their jollies screaming “You’re fired!” Drinks are usually not on him, they’re on you.
Comeback Participant of the Yr
Joe Flacco (QB, Browns)
A bodily sturdy, 39-year-old alpha male marvel who by no means stopped believing. “He seems to be fairly spry proper now,” Baldinger mentioned. “They’ve obtained an actual likelihood within the playoffs with him.”
Inspirational Participant
Damar Hamlin (S, Payments)
Made simply two tackles, however does anybody care? He made all of it the way in which again from cardiac arrest. God bless him.
Greatest Backup QB
Joe Flacco (Browns)
Nonetheless wacko for Flacco in any case these years. Over Jake Browning (Bengals) and Gardner Minshew (Colts).
Govt of the Yr
Nick Caserio (Texans)
Over Brad Holmes (Lions). Caserio teamed the correct rookie quarterback (Stroud) with the correct rookie head coach (DeMeco Ryans) — and DE Will Anderson and WRs Nico Collins and Tank Dell appear to be residence runs.
Greatest Free-Agent Signing
Jessie Bates III (FS, Falcons)
Savvy playmaker (128 tackles, six INTs, three compelled fumbles, four-year, $64 million contract). “Bates has been all the pieces you’ll need within the again finish of that protection,” Baldinger mentioned. Over DT Javon Hargrave (49ers).
Worst Free-Agent Signing
Allen Lazard (WR, Jets)
The bang (23-for-311, one TD) was nowhere well worth the bucks (4 for $44M). Good man who will undoubtedly be higher with Aaron Rodgers, however because the No. three receiver.
Greatest Cleaning soap Opera
Aaron Rodgers (QB, Jets)
Performed out like an episode of “As Aaron’s World Turns.” A future first-ballot Corridor of Famer’s inspirational battle to be a medical marvel. Jimmy Kimmel has no remark.
Greatest Extra time Stroll-off
Tylan Wallace (Ravens)
A 76-yard punt return in opposition to the Rams by a nostril over Xavier Gipson’s 65-yard punt return to beat the Payments the evening Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles.
The Joe Btfsplk
Kadarius Toney (WR, Chiefs)
Described from the Li’l Abner cartoon as “the world’s worst jinx, instantaneous unhealthy luck befell anybody unlucky sufficient to be in his neighborhood. Joe was all the time proven with a darkish rain cloud over his head.” He’ll line up offsides in the event that they let him.
Most Worthwhile Italian
Tommy DeVito (QB, Giants)
Tommy Cutlets, the hand gesture. Mangia everyone, mangia.
The Wince Lombardi
Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas (Jets)
Profitable isn’t all the pieces. And it isn’t the one factor.
Most Fashionable Swift
Taylor (Crew Kelce)
Over D’Andre (Eagles). Time’s 2023 Individual of the Yr is the tiebreaker.