Highlighted by the undefeated 16-0 Patriots, it was a fantastic season on the gridiron in 2007. We were introduced to phenom Adrian Peterson, we saw Dallas and Jacksonville move into the elite class, the tragic passing of Sean Taylor and the injury bug take Larry Johnson and Marvin Harrison’s season prematurely.
As if his legendary image could be improved any further, MVP Tom Brady shattered the record books leading the league in yardage (4806), QB rating (117.2) and snapping Peyton Manning’s touchdown record with an impressive total of 50. Randy Moss was also revitalized with the Pats, looking like the Moss of old. He broke Jerry Rice's record with 23 TD grabs.
New England will have three more difficult tasks ahead of them before they eclipse the ’72 Dolphins as the Best Team of All-Time. In this edition of Chutes ‘n’ Ladders, we’ll give out of awards for the season and include a highlight reel for each player.
Most Valuable Player
First place – QB Tom Brady, NE
Second place – WR Randy Moss, NE
Third place – RB Brian Westbrook, PHI
Everybody knows about the record-breaking campaign by Moss and Brady (I think Andrea Kramer has a little crush in that link) in New England, but did you know that Westbrook was the only player in the league that totalled over 2,000 yards. He came through with career-bests of 1333 yards rushing, seven rushing TDs, 12 total TDs, 90 receptions and 771 yards receiving. His most memorable run will probably be when he downed the ball at the one-yard line to seal the Eagles victory.
Best Game of the Season
First place – RB Adrian Peterson, MIN
vs SD: 30 rushes, 296 yards rushing, 9.9 avg., 3 TD, rec, 19 yards, FL
Second place – QB Tom Brady, NE
@ MIA: 21-for-25, 354 yards, 6 TD, 0 INT – five TD passes by halftime
Third place – WR Terrell Owens, DAL
vs WAS: eight receptions, 173 yards, four TD - three 2nd half TDs
Click on the links on each players names to see highlights of each contest. Peterson broke Jamal Lewis' NFL record for a single-game rushing performance. He scored two of his three touchdowns and rambled for 253 yards after halftime - it was his second 200-yard game of his season. “I set my bar high, because I know anything is possible when you continue to work hard,” Peterson said.
Rookie of the Year
First place – RB Adrian Peterson, MIN
Second place – RB Marshawn Lynch, BUF
Third place – WR Dwayne Bowe, KC
If it wasn't for All Day's record-breaking season, Bills RB Lynch would have been the league's top RB. He rambled for an impressive 1115 yards and seven touchdowns in just 13 games, ranking first overall in the NFL in rushes/game (21.5).
Top Breakout Player (not drafted in your league)
First place – QB Derek Anderson, CLE
Second place – QB David Garrard, JAC
Third place – WR Roddy White, ATL
The Browns are reportedly entertaining offers for Anderson after he led Cleveland to a 10-6 season, throwing for 3787 yards and 29 TDs. With first-round draft selection Brady Quinn waiting in the wings, the Browns are planning on making Quinn their starting field general next year. DA also helped propel TE Kellen Winslow and WR Braylon Edwards into the elite class with his amazing campaign ... Many people were left shaking their heads after Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio decided to cut Byron Leftwich just after training camp, but boy did that move pay off. Garrard posted a stellar 102.2 quarterback rating and had an amazing 18-3 TD-INT ratio. His 32-yard scamper on 4th and two with under 2:00 left in last week's wildcard game vs Pittsburgh was the highlight of his breakout campaign.
Welcome To the Elite Class
First place – QB Tony Romo, DAL
Second place – WR Wes Welker, NE
Third place – WR Brandon Marshall, DEN
Welcome to the Big Time fellas! There was some doubt if Romo would be able to rebound from last season's botched snap, but he definitely silenced all his critics. He racked up 4211 yards in the air with 36 touchdowns and a 97.4 quarterback rating. Only Brady had more fantasy points at the quarterback position in most leagues, and the Romo-to-Terrell Owens combination has proven deadly ... Welker tied T.J. Houshmandzadeh with a league-best 112 receptions to go along with 1175 yards and eight trips to the end zone. He also had at least nine catches in six games and four contests with 100+ yards, propelling him into the upper echelon of receivers.
Biggest Bust of the Year
First place – WR Marvin Harrison, IND
Second place – QB Marc Bulger, STL
Third place – RB Rudi Johnson, CIN
Chiefs RB Larry Johnson just missed making this list, but Rudi's 497-yard disappointing season earned him the final spot. Harrison will probably bounce back strong - even as soon as this weekend against San Diego, but Johnson's days as a primary back could be done. He's making $3.2 million next year, while backup Kenny Watson is only earning $770,000. That means Rudi could be on the chopping block. If Bulger can stay healthy over the course of the whole season, he'll likely return to his former dominant self as well. With St. Louis' high-powered offense, don't be surprised if he throws for 4,000 yards again next season.
Comeback Player of the Year
First place – QB Brett Favre, GB
Second place – QB Kurt Warner, ARI
Third place – RB Clinton Portis, WAS
Portis' season was cut short last year because of a dislocated shoulder, snapping his streak of five straight 1,000-yard seasons. He finished with just 523 yards on the ground, but bounced back strongly with a monster 1314 yards in '07 - including a career-best 47 catches ... It looked as if Favre was going to call it quits a couple seasons ago. He threw 49 interceptions the past two seasons and was finally showing his age. However, at age 38, the future Hall of Famer threw for 4155 yards and 28 touchdowns - it was his fifth 4,000-yard campaign of his illustrious career. Now it looks like he could play until he's about 50.
Top out-of-nowhere player
First place – RB Ryan Grant, GB
Second place – RB Earnest Graham, TB
Third place – RB Justin Fargas, OAK
Each of these players entered the season ranked No. 3 or 4 in the depth chart at running back. The Packers needed injuries to Brandon Jackson, Vernand Morency and DeShawn Wynn to give Grant a shot. He responded with 956 yards rushing despite only starting eight games, including four 100-yard efforts ... Graham needed injuries to Mike Alstott, Cadillac Williams and Michael Pittman to get his shot, and he responded with 898 yards on the ground. He also scored an impressive 10 TDs and looks like the early favorite to start 2008 in Tampa's backfield ... The Raiders were expected to use a LaMont Jordan/Dominic Rhodes 1-2 combo in the backfield, but Fargas had different ideas. He erupted for 179 yards in Week 4 vs Miami despite not starting the game. He then produced another three more 100-yard performances en route to his first 1,000-yard season. Before sitting out the final two games, Fargas was just seven yards shy of matching his career rushing totals over the previous four seasons combined.