Let The Predictions Begin
At the end of the season, everyone rounds up the usual suspects and gives them awards.
As in MVP. Pick one from among Brett Favre, Steve Young, Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Jerry Rice, etc.
As in the offensive line for the All-Pro team or Pro Bowl. Go back to last year’s team and pick the same guys, barring injury.
As this season starts, however, you can find a few new suspects and project.
So, let’s project for the 1996 season.
Winners
AFC Champion: Buffalo. A fine wine (Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, Kent Hull), leavened with some newcomers (Bryce Paup, Chris Spielman) and some younger ingredients (Henry Jones, John Fina, Ruben Brown.)
NFC Champion: Green Bay. Peaking as Dallas and San Francisco fall prey to age and the salary cap.
Super Bowl: Buffalo 27, Green Bay 24. One day, the AFC will win a Super Bowl. It’s been an even dozen seasons now, and if someone has to win, it should be the Bills.
Awards
MVP: Jim Kelly, Buffalo. He’s got bad knees, bad ankles and he’s 35. He’s won and won and won, but all the honors go to the Montanas, Elways, Marinos, Youngs and Aikmans. One for the old man.
Offensive Player: Deion S … just kidding. It’s an era of receivers and this year’s best just might be Herman Moore, Detroit.
Defensive Player: Junior Seau, San Diego. No reason. Just a guess.
Offensive Rookie: Eddie George, RB, Houston. If he gets enough carries, he’ll be the guy. Few who can play football in college can play it in the NFL, even when they win the Heisman. Emmitt Smith slipped lower than George after a great college career and George may be the next Emmitt.
Darkhorse: Amani Toomer, WR, New York Giants, but he plays in a running offense.
Defensive Rookie: John Mobley, LB, Denver. OK, Denver’s linebacking wasn’t much good, but it’s quite an achievement to become a starter the minute you walk into camp, particularly when you played at Kutztown State. He may even return kicks.
Darkhorse: Zach Thomas, LB, Miami. Jimmy Johnson loves rookies and has this guy playing in the middle. OK, he’s a fifth-round draft choice and weighs about 220, but he can still play.
Coach of the Year: Marv Levy, Buffalo. The oldest coach in the league (any league) at 71 and arguably the best for a protracted period over the last decade.