NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

With the regular season almost two weeks behind the Seattle Seahawks, it's time to start handing out some hardware.

Here at Seahawks Gab, Editor Devon Heinen offers his finalists for team awards you, the 12th Man, will have the opportunity to vote for.

Team MVP
Leon Washington: After having his 2009 season ended early due to a broken leg, Washington tied his career best of three kickoffs returned for a touchdown in a single season in addition to setting the Seattle franchise record for longest kickoff return of 101 yards.

Earl Thomas: The rookie safety out of Texas finished fifth on the team in total tackles and had five interceptions and a forced fumble.

Mike Williams: After two years away from the game, Mike Williams came back strong.  He not only led the team in targets, but receptions, yards, catches of 20-yards or more, yards after the catch and first down receptions.

David Hawthorne: For a second straight season, the linebacker led the team in tackles while also recording an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Comeback of the Year


Leon Washington

Mike Williams

Best Newcomer
Leon Washington

Mike Williams

Marshawn Lynch: After being traded for by Seattle following Week Four, the running back picked up 6 touchdowns and 573 rushing yards – both good enough to lead the team in the respective category – on 165 carries.

Best Off-field Hire Head coach Pete Carroll General manager John Schneider

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The Panthers have landed their replacement for John Fox, as a person familiar with the situation says the team and Ron Rivera have reached an agreement in principle that will make the San Diego defensive coordinator the second Latino head coach in NFL history.

Rivera and the Panthers were working out contract details on Tuesday, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not publicly announced the hiring. Rivera is set to replace Fox, who was let go after Carolina went an NFL-worst 2-14 in his ninth season.

The 49-year-old Rivera, who is of Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage, has run the Chargers' defense since midway through the 2008 season. The former Bears linebacker also was defensive coordinator in Chicago from 2004-06. The other Latino head coach in the NFL was ex-Raiders boss Tom Flores.

Senior writer jclombardi: Eagles scouting report & Packers improved running game.

Eagles scouting report: Rushing Offense–Coordinator Mularkey calls plays for an offense that ranked No. 16 in total yards, No. 10 in rushing and No. 5 in points. It's a balanced attack with a pass-to-run ratio of 54.7-to-45.3 in the regular season. Halfback Turner is a key piece in the offense and ranked No. 3 in the NFL in rushing (1,371 yards). He helps the Falcons control the ball and the clock. The offensive line isn't overly talented, but the whole is greater than the sum of the parts and is well schooled. The right side of the line sets the tough tone and is especially nasty with guard Harvey Dahl (6-5, 305) and tackle Tyson Clabo (6-6, 331). Ovie Mughelli is a Pro Bowl fullback. Passing Offense–Though Matt Ryan's statistics are only OK, he's become a premier quarterback in only his third NFL season. His most impressive number is his record at the Georgia Dome, where he's 20-2 as a starter. His passer rating this season was 91.0 points, which is OK but fails to reflect his standing in the league as a deserving Pro Bowler.  They shorten games with ball control but put up points when they get the chance. He has two excellent weapons in the passing game, receiver White and tight end Gonzalez, Pro Bowlers both. Rushing Defense–Just like on offense, coach Mike Smith's defense is as tough and sound as they come, though it lacks the top playmakers on the other side of the ball. Also like on offense, the Falcons ranked No. 16 in yards allowed but No. 5 in points allowed, which reflects the toughness and smarts to avoid back-breaking mistakes. Passing Defense–Defensive end John Abraham (6-4, 263) still is a force as an outside rusher and is going to his fourth Pro Bowl. His 13 sacks were fifth-most in the league and increase his total to 102½ in his 11-year NFL career. The next-leading sacker is Babineaux with four for a defense that ranks only No. 25 in sacks percentage. The Falcons' secondary is average and the most vulnerable part of the team. But like the rest of the team, the defensive backs are smart and tough enough to compensate for any physical shortcomings, and the Falcons' 22 interceptions were fourth-most in the league this season. Special Teams–Eric Weems is the NFC's Pro Bowl return man. He ranked No. 3 in the league in average per kickoff return. Punter Koenen is a directional, fair-catch punter who had bad numbers, but had only 28 of 74 punts returned. He's stronger legged on kickoffs and tied for No. 3 in touchbacks. Kicker Bryant is having his best season.

Packers bring stronger running game vs Falcons: Six weeks ago, coach McCarthy went to Atlanta armed with a game plan so heavy on pass plays that the Packers' running backs carried the ball just 11 times. McCarthy's mantra was to spread out the Falcons and let his QB Rodgers distribute the ball to his receivers and tight ends. The game marked the return of the Big Five–five-receiver set and a heavy dose of three and four-receiver sets. Rodgers had his second-most productive game of the season with 344 yards while completing all but nine of his 36 passes. He spread the ball around to nine different pass catchers, seven of which had two or more receptions. But the lack of a running game, Rodgers was the leading rusher with 51 yards on 12 attempts, made the Packers easier to defend when it came time to put the ball in the end zone. They converted just half of their four red-zone drives and came away 20-17 losers. Less than two months later, the Packers will return to Atlanta for Saturday night's NFC divisional playoff game against the top-seeded Falcons with a more well-rounded offense. McCarthy attacked the Falcons the way he did the last time around because he correctly saw a weakness in their pass defense, which finished the regular season ranked 22nd in yards allowed. What's strikingly different is the Packers' running back. He's rookie James Starks. He's coming off the best playoff performance by a rookie running back in team history. He rushed for 123 yards on 23 carries in Sunday's wild-card playoff victory at Philadelphia. "He'll run the ball against Atlanta, if that's what you're asking me," McCarthy said. "He's earned that." The Packers might have beaten the Falcons the first time around had they had a running game like the one Starks provided against the Eagles. McCarthy and his coaching staff no doubt took all of that into account when they spent most of Monday game planning for the Falcons. Likewise, Falcons coach Mike Smith and his staff will have the luxury of studying Starks' performance and how the Packers used him before they decide how to attack Rodgers and the offense.

I'm sure this list will fluctuate based on what happens with a C.B.A., but for this exercise I'm going to use footballsfuture as my primary source of information.

I will get much deeper into this as the offseason goes along, but for right now here is a list of players that are going to be available this off-season.

Quarterbacks:

Nothing for the Giants.

Running Backs

DeAngelo Williams

Arian Foster

Bradshaw

Benson

Ronnie Brown

Ricky Williams

Leon Washington-Be perfect. Could boost the return game and give the Giants a reliable receiver out of the backfield and wouldn't be greatly expensive. (though it seems like the Seahawks would have given him an extension upon the trade for him)

Joseph Addai-under and misused with the Colts could thrive with the Giants and a real running game. Can run and catch the ball out  of the backfield.

Derrick Ward

Danny Ware (just mention because he's on the G-men)

Cedric Benson

Take:

The Running back position is of need for the NY Giants in my opinion, and this might be a great time to attack the free agency market on this one. The players that interest me the most are Joseph Addai, who I think is vastly underrated and Leon Washington because Washington can help in the return game and also as a receiver out of the backfield.

Of course if you can get DeAngelo Williams that makes a ton of sense too because he is very, very good.

Linebacker

Chad Greenway

LeMarr Woodley

Tamba Hali

David Harris

Paul Posluzny

Rocky McIntosh

Barrett Rudd

Thomas Davis

Pisa Tinoisoma

Clint Session

Justin Durant'

Kirk Morrison

Danny Clark

Kameron Wimbley

Stewart Bradley

Ernie Sims

James Anderson Carolina

Full List here:

http://footballsfuture.com/2011/fa/lb.html

My Take

This is a position that should be addressed in free agency so that the Giants don't feel obligated to reach in the draft.

There are some VERY nice players here in free agency tha the Giants could use as potential long-term Giants not just stop gaps like Keith Bulluck is, or Danny clark was (F.A. Too), or Mitchell (they should have kept him)

James Anderson from carolina is not a well known name but he had 130 total tackles with 3.5 sacks.

Carolina is devoid of talent so I can't imagine they would actually let a productive player like that go, but if they did the Giants should snatch him up.

Kameron Wimbley

Was a dissapointment with the Browns, but with the Raiders (who run a 4-3) this year had 9 sacks this season so he really stepped up his game, but he might not be what the Giants need at OLB in their system.

Paul Posluzny is one of the few middle linebackers I would consider pursuing in Free agency despite Goff's development.

On a terrible Bills defense, Posluzny was one of the few bright spots, this year he racked up 151 tackles, 103 solo. He is young talented and blue collar.  Posluzny does all of this with the Bills while fighting through more blocks than he should have to fight through. His biggest problem is that he gets knicked up a lot, which would mean on the Giants he'd be hurt for entire seasons because that's how their injuries go.

Grenway is the prize in this market and would instantly upgrade the Giants defense. He played much better this year then he had in the past racking up 144 tackles for the Vikings (109 solo)

Rocky Mcintosh is a nice player  and would play well with the Giants, I think.

LaMarr Woodley is a very, very good player, but I don't know if he can play in a 4-3, and #2 he's not going to make it onto the market.

Barret Rudd-is a solid linebacker, who could do well in Fewells scheme.  The question with these middle linebackers is, can they or Goff play outside in Fewell's scheme?

If the Giants think Goff (or Kiwanuk or Sintim) can play outside then the Giants open up the possibilities of getting a good linebacker in free agency whether that be inside or outside, which in my opinion is the way to go.

Cornerbacks

Nnamdi Asmougha

Champ Bailey

Brent Grimes

Jonathan Joseph

Antonio Cromartie

Josh Wilson Baltimore

Brandon Carr Kansas City

My Take

If your position of needs are RB, CB, and Linebacker as the Giants are, you could be in great position to make a killing in this free agency market.

There are franchise players at each position.

Asmougha is the one for the cornerbacks, Champ Bailey as well.

Some Safeties for depth:

Bernard Pollard would excel at Deon Grant's role, but played well this year and will probably get a more sizeable contract then the Giants are willing to give him.

George Wilson, Buffalo. Another player who would fill Grants role if he leaves, Plus Wilson is EXCELLENT on Special Teams as a tackler and leader.

Lawyer Milloy is old, but still serviceable and could be the next Deon Grant as well.

OL

List here http://footballsfuture.com/2011/fa/ol.html

I don't  think the Giants will pursue a linemen in Free  Agency, at least not a really good one.

Oh, also I did look at the punters, but they'r enot great.

Sam Koch

Adam Podelesh.

However, there was a report recently that the Raiders were annoyed with Shane Lechler and Al Davis is crazy so if that happens that'd be a nice addition.

All right guys, your thoughts.

Did I miss anyone the Giants might consider?

WIll The Giants consider any of these?

I think they will pursue Greenway if he hits the free agent market, but James Anderson would be very nice too he's only 27 and made stops in the run game, got sacks, had 5 passes defensed, had a defensive touchdown.

I think they should pursue Asmougha, I just don't think they will.

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VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER finalists are evaluated based on their regular season performances and statistics and the role they played in the success of their teams. These factors are then measured against their base salaries to come up with the following finalists:

• Brandon Lloyd– Wide Receiver, Denver

A 2003 fourth-round draft pick out of Illinois, Lloyd had his breakout year many were waiting for in 2010 earning his first Pro Bowl selection. The 6'0" 195-pound receiver led the league with 1,448 yards receiving, had a career high 11 receiving touchdowns and pulled in 23 balls for 20 or more yards. Lloyd earned $755,000 in 2010, making him an outstanding candidate for the 2010 TOP VALUE PERFORMER award.

• Peyton Hillis– Running Back, Cleveland

Drafted in the seventh round by Denver in 2008, Hillis spent two seasons under the radar prior to arriving in Cleveland in a 2010 off-season trade. Hillis rewarded Cleveland by putting up career-high numbers across the board running for 1,177 yards and  11 rushing touchdowns—all while earning a mere $470,000 in 2010.

• Steve Johnson – Wide Receiver, Buffalo

Johnson, a third-year receiver out of Kentucky, racked up only 12 receptions for 112 yards and two touchdowns during his first two seasons in Buffalo. In 2010, earning just $470,000, Johnson hauled in 82 balls for 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns, making him one of the most underpaid receivers to reach 1,000 yards receiving this season.

• Ahmad Bradshaw – Running Back, New York

Bradshaw, a 2007 seventh-round draft pick out of Marshall, registered approximately 1,300 total yards rushing during his first three seasons. In 2010, earning just $1,001,000, he racked up the ninth-most rushing yards in the league with 1,235 while scoring nine TDs.

• LaMarr Woodley, Outside Linebacker, Pittsburgh

The only defensive player among the five finalists, Woodley, recorded 50 tackles, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and returned one of his two interceptions in for a touchdown. At 6'2" 225 pounds, the Pittsburgh outside linebacker earned just $550,000 in an outstanding 2010 season.

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