// BEGIN editorial data
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spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards.sPubDate = "11/5/2008 5:51:19 AM GMT";
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spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards.appHeader = "Tom Curran's midseason NFL awards";
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spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Rookie of the year","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Offensive","Pictured: Matt Ryan","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%27s%20midseason%20awards/081103_Ryan.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Dave Martin", "AP", "341", "278", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i-1].body = "Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
He’s won games. He’s managed games. And he hasn’t been singlehandedly responsible for any losses. Aside from Atlanta’s 5-3 record, the most impressive numbers for Ryan are five picks and 12 sacks. Staying away from the negative plays will keep you cashing checks for a long time.
Also considered: Chris Johnson, RB, Titans. Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens. Donnie Avery, WR, Rams DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles.";
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Defensive","Pictured: Jerod Mayo ","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%27s%20midseason%20awards/081103_mayo.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Robert E Klein", "AP", "348", "278", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i-1].body = "Jerod Mayo, ILB, New England Patriots
He’s on the field more than anyone else for the Patriots defense and his 59 tackles lead the 5-3 Pats. ";
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Player of the year","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "left", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Offensive","Pictured: Drew Brees ","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%27s%20midseason%20awards/081103_Brees.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Matt Dunham", "AP", "358", "273", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i-1].body = "Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
He’s putting up some eye-widening numbers for the Saints. With 2,563 passing yards in eight games, he’s on pace to knock off Dan Marino’s record of 5,084 set in 1984. He also has 15 TD passes and just seven picks. Personally, I hate passing stats as a measure of excellence, but tracking down that longstanding record merits recognition.
Also considered: Jason Campbell, QB, Redskins. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins. ";
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Defensive","Pictured: Justin Tuck","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%27s%20midseason%20awards/081103_Tuck.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Bill Kostroun", "AP", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i-1].body = "Justin Tuck, DE, New York Giants
How can Mad Albert be the MVP and not the best defensive player? Because I’m stressing the “valuable” portion of MVP. Defensive Player of the half-year has to consider statistics and Tuck’s are superior (36 tackles to 29, 8.5 sacks to 6).
Also considered: Joey Porter, OLB, Dolphins. Haynesworth, DT, Titans). ";
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Comeback","Pictured: Joey Porter ","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%27s%20midseason%20awards/081103_Porter.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Robert E Klein", "AP", "348", "278", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i-1].body = "Joey Porter, OLB, Dolphins
A year ago, he looked like he was in decline. He still could haul people down but he wasn’t getting to the quarterback. This year? He’s got a career-high in sacks (11.5) at the midway point and has forced three fumbles for the irritating Dolphins.
Also considered: Kris Jenkins, DT, NY Jets.";
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Other awards","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "left", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Pleasant surprises","Pictured Kyle Orton","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%27s%20midseason%20awards/081103_Orton.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Paul Sancya", "AP", "358", "260", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i-1].body = "Kyle Orton, QB, Chicago Bears
He justified the faith placed in him by the Bears, leading Chicago to a 4-3 start. With his ankle damaged Sunday by Detroit and Rex Grossman stepping back in, Bears fans are about to get a refresher on why Orton’s been outstanding.
Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons
The main man for Matt Ryan, White – who blossomed with 83 catches last season, has taken the next step and is on pace for a 96-catch, 1,466 yard season for the Dirty Birds.
Arizona Cardinals
They still don’t travel very well but they’re 5-3 and in command of the heinous NFC West. Looks like their first playoff appearance and first winning season since 1998 are imminent (kiss of death…).
Miami Dolphins
We’ve quickly forgotten just how bad they were last year when they threatened to become the first team to go winless for a 16-game schedule (they beat Baltimore in their 14th game to avoid the humiliation). Now they’re 4-and a tough out for everyone. ";
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Disappointments","Pictured: Terrell Owens","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%27s%20midseason%20awards/081103_Owens.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Tony Gutierrez", "AP", "358", "267", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i-1].body = "Dallas Cowboys
A 3-1 start followed by a 2-4 record since. Tony Romo’s hurt, Pacman got himself in trouble again, T.O.’s ready to pop, the defense is disinterested, Wade Phillips is befuddled. It’s so bad, mocking them is almost losing its appeal. Almost
Denver Broncos
They’re 4-4 and are a shell of what they appeared to be when they started the season 3-0. Jay Cutler’s gone from potent to punchless and the Denver defense offers little resistance
Jacksonville Jaguars
They got back to 3-3 with a win at Denver and their schedule was set up for them to make a run into the playoffs. Now they’ve lost to the winless Bengals and the Browns in consecutive weeks. This week’s opponent, Detroit, is licking its lips.
San Diego Chargers
A cruel schedule’s been handed them but 3-5 is still beneath their ability level even without Shawne Merriman. Remember, this is a defense that allowed New England’s record-setting offense just 21 points in the AFC Championship last year. Now they’re so bad Ted Cottrell gets thrown overboard on the way back from England? Yikes. ";
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Best coach","Pictured: Jeff Fisher","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%27s%20midseason%20awards/081103_Fisher.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Ed Zurga", "AP", "358", "261", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i-1].body = "Jeff Fisher, Titans
Steady. Reasonable. Keeps it in perspective for his team. Gets maximum effort. Isn't that what you're looking for?
Also considered: Bill Belichick, Patriots. Tom Coughlin, Giants. Jim Zorn, Washington. Mike Tomlin, Steelers.
";
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Worst motivational ploy","Pictured: Mike Singletary ","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%27s%20midseason%20awards/081103_Sigeltary.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Paul Sakuma", "AP", "358", "258", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i-1].body = "Mike Singletary, 49ers
Bummed out by his team’s first half performance in a loss to the Seahawks, dropped his pants and displayed his buttocks to the team to illustrate, well, to illustrate that he’s not ready to be a head coach, I guess.";
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Miscellaneous","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "left", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Super Bowl predictions II","Pictured: Donovan McNabb","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%27s%20midseason%20awards/081103_McNabb.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Mel Evans", "AP", "358", "221", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i-1].body = "My first was the Eagles over the Chargers. Now it’s Eagles over the Titans. So I’m stubborn. ";
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Bad moments in travel","Pictured: Philip Rivers","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%27s%20midseason%20awards/081103_rivers.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "David Duprey", "AP", "290", "278", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i-1].body = "San Diego had to go more than 11,000 miles round trip in it’s two week excursion through Buffalo and then on to London. They lost both games which was a negative for them. ";
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Best game","Pictured: Jason Elam ","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%27s%20midseason%20awards/081103_Elam.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "John Bazemore", "AP", "358", "267", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i-1].body = "It is a tie. Falcons 22, Bears 20 on October 12; Cardinals 30, Cowboys 24.
The Bears scored with 11 seconds left to go ahead then watched stunned as Matt Ryan and Jason Elam combined to crush their little Bear hopes and dreams.
The Cardinals survived a 10-point Cowboys comeback in the final two minutes and blocked a punt in overtime sending Dallas into the tailspin they’re still in. ";
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i++] = new Array("","Worst ideas","Pictured: Brett Favre ","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Curran%27s%20midseason%20awards/081103_favre.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "David Duprey", "AP", "358", "258", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NFLcurransmidseasonawards[i-1].body = "1. Brett Favre taking that call from Matt Millen.
2. Trading for Pacman.
3. Mike Singletary loosening his belt.
";
// END editorial data