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by Alex Marvez
Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He's covered the NFL for 13 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
Updated: May 15, 2008, 11:42 AM EST
Before voting begins for the NFL's 2008 postseason awards, The Associated Press should heed the lyrics that open L.L. Cool J's rap classic "Mama Said Knock You Out."
Don't call it a comeback. Not until better defining the criteria for Comeback Player of the Year.
For last season's honor, there were far more nominees receiving ballots (12) from the AP's 50 voters than in any of the six other individual award categories.
The winner — Dallas outside linebacker Greg Ellis — and four finalists had rebounded from serious injuries or ailments. But as one fellow voter joked, five others were "coming back from themselves" after sub-par 2006 production. That includes my selection — Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre tied for fourth with five votes.
The confusion doesn't end there. Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson and Houston defensive end Mario Williams scored votes even though they don't fall under either of the aforementioned categories. Anderson had only started three games the previous year after not playing in his first two NFL seasons; Williams was a rookie in 2006.
What exactly were they coming back from?
Anderson, Williams and Favre were much better candidates for a Most Improved Player award. But that honor doesn't exist despite annual Comeback POY voting results strongly indicating it should.
Even if "improved" players were eliminated from consideration, there already is a strong field of big-name veterans trying to bounce back from medical setbacks in 2008. Here are 10 of them (in alphabetical order):
Miami RB Ronnie Brown: One of the few bright spots on a 1-15 team, Brown was on pace for a 1,376-yard rushing campaign before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the seventh game. As the 2005 draft's No. 2 overall pick, Brown was a disappointment in his first two NFL seasons. But he responded well to the tough-love approach of head coach Cam Cameron and running backs coach Bobby Jackson. While both of those coaches are now gone, Brown should expect more of the same treatment from respective replacements Tony Sparano and James Saxon.
St. Louis QB Marc Bulger: Bulger signed a six-year, $65 million contract extension at the start of training camp. Little did Bulger know, that would be the season's only highlight. He was battered behind an injury-riddled offensive line and sidelined for four games because of head and rib ailments. The expected return of left tackle Orlando Pace (another Comeback POY possibility) from a torn rotator cuff and hiring of offensive coordinator Al Saunders should help Bulger regain his status as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks.
Carolina QB Jake Delhomme: Fellow quarterbacks Rob Johnson and Craig Erickson were never able to fully recover from Tommy John surgery. Delhomme, though, looked sharp in a recent minicamp when throwing publicly for the first time since having his right elbow ligament replaced last October. Delhomme had thrown eight touchdowns and one interception before being sidelined three games into the 2007 season. The Panthers have enough faith Delhomme can return to form that the franchise passed on drafting a quarterback or signing a veteran free agent.
Denver QB Jay Cutler: Broncos trainers initially couldn't pinpoint why Cutler dropped 30 pounds during the 2007 season. Cutler was ultimately diagnosed with diabetes, which is a much tougher obstacle that any defense he will ever face. Cutler can draw inspiration from Pittsburgh right guard Kendall Simmons, who has remained a solid starter for five years since being diagnosed with the disease in the 2003 off-season.
New Orleans DE Charles Grant: Running back Deuce McAllister (knee) may seem like a stronger candidate from the Saints roster. But as indicated by the team's recent interest in free agent Shaun Alexander, there are no guarantees McAllister will be playing with New Orleans in 2008. Grant's 2.5 sacks last season tied a career low, but he also was playing with torn ankle ligaments. Grant was then stabbed in the neck during a February nightclub melee that left a pregnant woman dead. If healthy, Grant should justify the seven-year, $63 million contract extension he received last off-season.
Houston RB Ahman Green: Because of his lengthy injury history, the Texans raised eyebrows in 2007 when signing Green to a free-agent contract that included $12.5 million in the first two seasons. Green promptly injured his knee in the season opener and played in just five more contests. The Texans are still banking on the 31-year-old Green to rebound and wrestle a starting spot away from Darius Walker and free-agent pickup Chris Brown.
Tennessee DE Jevon Kearse: Knee and foot injuries over the past four seasons contributed to Kearse becoming one of the biggest free-agent busts in NFL history. Kearse never lived up to the eight-year, $66 million contract he signed with Philadelphia in 2004. Kearse, 31, is now trying to kick-start his career with Tennessee, which is where "The Freak" emerged as one of the league's top pass-rushers in his first five NFL seasons.
Pittsburgh RB Willie Parker: Parker was leading the NFL in rushing (1,316 yards) before breaking his leg last December against St. Louis. With the Steelers making Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall a first-round draft choice, Parker will probably receive fewer carries than in the past two seasons. Parker, though, could be even more dangerous under that scenario. He flourished in 2005 when splitting snaps with Jerome Bettis.
New York Giants TE Jeremy Shockey: The Giants don't want to see Shockey winning this award with another team, which is one of the reasons why draft-day trade offers were rebuffed. Shockey, who suffered a broken leg last December, is arguably the NFL's best all-around tight end when healthy. There is the public perception that New York's Super Bowl run was helped by Shockey not being around to browbeat quarterback Eli Manning or complain to coaches about wanting more catches. That could give Shockey motivation, provided he doesn't try forcing his way out by staging a contract holdout or demanding a trade.
Dallas LB Zach Thomas: I'm on record as saying Thomas — one of the NFL's true class acts — should retire rather than risk another concussion. Thomas, though, insists he's medically cleared and looks forward to proving me wrong. Thomas played in a career-low five games for Miami in 2007 because of head trauma, but still finished eighth on the team in tackles with 52. Released by the Dolphins early in the off-season, the 34-year-old Thomas can again average double-digit stops while surrounded by better talent in Dallas.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8137898/Who's-going-to-be-NFL's-biggest-comeback?
Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He's covered the NFL for 13 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
Updated: May 15, 2008, 11:42 AM EST
Before voting begins for the NFL's 2008 postseason awards, The Associated Press should heed the lyrics that open L.L. Cool J's rap classic "Mama Said Knock You Out."
Don't call it a comeback. Not until better defining the criteria for Comeback Player of the Year.
For last season's honor, there were far more nominees receiving ballots (12) from the AP's 50 voters than in any of the six other individual award categories.
The winner — Dallas outside linebacker Greg Ellis — and four finalists had rebounded from serious injuries or ailments. But as one fellow voter joked, five others were "coming back from themselves" after sub-par 2006 production. That includes my selection — Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre tied for fourth with five votes.
The confusion doesn't end there. Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson and Houston defensive end Mario Williams scored votes even though they don't fall under either of the aforementioned categories. Anderson had only started three games the previous year after not playing in his first two NFL seasons; Williams was a rookie in 2006.
What exactly were they coming back from?
Anderson, Williams and Favre were much better candidates for a Most Improved Player award. But that honor doesn't exist despite annual Comeback POY voting results strongly indicating it should.
Even if "improved" players were eliminated from consideration, there already is a strong field of big-name veterans trying to bounce back from medical setbacks in 2008. Here are 10 of them (in alphabetical order):
Miami RB Ronnie Brown: One of the few bright spots on a 1-15 team, Brown was on pace for a 1,376-yard rushing campaign before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the seventh game. As the 2005 draft's No. 2 overall pick, Brown was a disappointment in his first two NFL seasons. But he responded well to the tough-love approach of head coach Cam Cameron and running backs coach Bobby Jackson. While both of those coaches are now gone, Brown should expect more of the same treatment from respective replacements Tony Sparano and James Saxon.
St. Louis QB Marc Bulger: Bulger signed a six-year, $65 million contract extension at the start of training camp. Little did Bulger know, that would be the season's only highlight. He was battered behind an injury-riddled offensive line and sidelined for four games because of head and rib ailments. The expected return of left tackle Orlando Pace (another Comeback POY possibility) from a torn rotator cuff and hiring of offensive coordinator Al Saunders should help Bulger regain his status as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks.
Carolina QB Jake Delhomme: Fellow quarterbacks Rob Johnson and Craig Erickson were never able to fully recover from Tommy John surgery. Delhomme, though, looked sharp in a recent minicamp when throwing publicly for the first time since having his right elbow ligament replaced last October. Delhomme had thrown eight touchdowns and one interception before being sidelined three games into the 2007 season. The Panthers have enough faith Delhomme can return to form that the franchise passed on drafting a quarterback or signing a veteran free agent.
Denver QB Jay Cutler: Broncos trainers initially couldn't pinpoint why Cutler dropped 30 pounds during the 2007 season. Cutler was ultimately diagnosed with diabetes, which is a much tougher obstacle that any defense he will ever face. Cutler can draw inspiration from Pittsburgh right guard Kendall Simmons, who has remained a solid starter for five years since being diagnosed with the disease in the 2003 off-season.
New Orleans DE Charles Grant: Running back Deuce McAllister (knee) may seem like a stronger candidate from the Saints roster. But as indicated by the team's recent interest in free agent Shaun Alexander, there are no guarantees McAllister will be playing with New Orleans in 2008. Grant's 2.5 sacks last season tied a career low, but he also was playing with torn ankle ligaments. Grant was then stabbed in the neck during a February nightclub melee that left a pregnant woman dead. If healthy, Grant should justify the seven-year, $63 million contract extension he received last off-season.
Houston RB Ahman Green: Because of his lengthy injury history, the Texans raised eyebrows in 2007 when signing Green to a free-agent contract that included $12.5 million in the first two seasons. Green promptly injured his knee in the season opener and played in just five more contests. The Texans are still banking on the 31-year-old Green to rebound and wrestle a starting spot away from Darius Walker and free-agent pickup Chris Brown.
Tennessee DE Jevon Kearse: Knee and foot injuries over the past four seasons contributed to Kearse becoming one of the biggest free-agent busts in NFL history. Kearse never lived up to the eight-year, $66 million contract he signed with Philadelphia in 2004. Kearse, 31, is now trying to kick-start his career with Tennessee, which is where "The Freak" emerged as one of the league's top pass-rushers in his first five NFL seasons.
Pittsburgh RB Willie Parker: Parker was leading the NFL in rushing (1,316 yards) before breaking his leg last December against St. Louis. With the Steelers making Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall a first-round draft choice, Parker will probably receive fewer carries than in the past two seasons. Parker, though, could be even more dangerous under that scenario. He flourished in 2005 when splitting snaps with Jerome Bettis.
New York Giants TE Jeremy Shockey: The Giants don't want to see Shockey winning this award with another team, which is one of the reasons why draft-day trade offers were rebuffed. Shockey, who suffered a broken leg last December, is arguably the NFL's best all-around tight end when healthy. There is the public perception that New York's Super Bowl run was helped by Shockey not being around to browbeat quarterback Eli Manning or complain to coaches about wanting more catches. That could give Shockey motivation, provided he doesn't try forcing his way out by staging a contract holdout or demanding a trade.
Dallas LB Zach Thomas: I'm on record as saying Thomas — one of the NFL's true class acts — should retire rather than risk another concussion. Thomas, though, insists he's medically cleared and looks forward to proving me wrong. Thomas played in a career-low five games for Miami in 2007 because of head trauma, but still finished eighth on the team in tackles with 52. Released by the Dolphins early in the off-season, the 34-year-old Thomas can again average double-digit stops while surrounded by better talent in Dallas.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8137898/Who's-going-to-be-NFL's-biggest-comeback?
