NFL FanHouse Midseason Midtacular: because handing out awards at the halfway point in the season seemed like the right thing to do.
(Note: the award "OMG I Get to Talk About Brett Favre" was previously known as "Best Old Face in New Place," but Peter King insisted it be renamed in honor of his Excellency.)
Listen, we'd all love to avoid the huge, green, aging, immobile, accident-prone elephant in the room.
It would be better for all of us than making like Tony Kornheiser and IRRELEVANTLY REMINDING EVERYONE ABOUT HIMEVERY FIVE MINUTES DURING A RANDOM MONDAY NIGHT GAME.
But I don't think we can look past Brett Favre when talking about "old faces," especially when those "old faces" also happen to be in "new places" this year.
I mean, we can try, but it would all be a lie.
Sports
And the nominees are ...
Chad Pennington, QB, Miami Dolphins
Noodle-arm jokes aside, Pennington's been a steady presence in the Dolphins' huddle, and he's a big reason why they are in the playoff chase. So far, Pennington's hit over two-thirds of his throws and has only four interceptions.
J.T. O'Sullivan, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Just kidding.
Bernard Berrian, WR, Minnesota Vikings
So far, Berrian's done pretty well to justify the big money the Vikings spent on him. He's averaging 20 yards per catch, and he's been the deep threat the Vikings offense so sorely lacked a year ago. And he has better hands than Troy Williamson. Then again, that's like saying that someone is better looking than John Clayton.
Brett Favre, QB, N.Y. Jets
Favre's had his moments of ineffectiveness and has shown he is still capable of that mind-boggling interception every now and then. He's also made some huge plays for the Jets because of his arm and his fearlessness. Even though Pennington is playing well in Miami, there's no question Favre was a serious upgrade at the position for the Jets.
Javon Walker, WR, Oakland Raiders
Sorry. Grabbed the wrong list.
Zach Thomas, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Emphasis on "old", I guess. Thomas has been a nice find for Dallas, leading the team in tackles through nine games and making his presence felt. He's not doing it with his speed or quickness or unbelieveable strength. Instead, Thomas understands the game, rarely makes mistakes, and is a great leader. In other words, he hasn't changed a bit.
How about a winner?
It has to be Favre. That was the biggest move of the NFL off-season, and it was likely the most significant in-preseason trade you will ever see.
He's made a Favrian impact on the Jets, thanks to a big-play style that works both for and against them. Favre has the Jets in position to make the playoffs, and that's after it took him forever to learn the playbook - in part because he spent too much time trying to teach Green Bay's playbook to the Lions.*
(* - allegedly)
NFL FanHouse Midseason Midtacular: OMG I Get to Talk About Brett Favre! originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
