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Packers QB
Brett Favre
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The editors at Pro Football Weekly were recently huddled around the company crystal
ball and saw some information that was unbelievably interesting.
The visions we saw were of Most Valuable Players. Lots of Most Valuable Players.
Specifically, we saw who will be the offensive MVP and defensive MVP for each NFL team in
the upcoming season.
Anyone can tell you what happened last season. But at PFW, we pride ourselves on
insightful looks ahead. Thus, here are our projected MVPs for the upcoming season.
Buffalo Bills
Offense
QB Drew Bledsoe
Bledsoe brings leadership and stability to a QB situation and an offense that has
lacked those very things over the past few seasons.
Defense
MLB London Fletcher
Filling the shoes of the departed Sam Cowart could prove tough, but Fletcher has the
abilities necessary and the durability Cowart lacked.
Miami Dolphins
Offense
RB Ricky Williams
Williams was brought in as the missing piece to the offense, and if he can stay on the
right path, he might carry Miami over the playoff hurdle that has tripped it up in the
past.
Defense
MLB Zach Thomas
The Dolphins simply are a different team on defense when Thomas is not on the field.
The run defense really suffers without him.
New England Patriots
Offense
QB Tom Brady
Brady led the Patriots to a Super Bowl with the help of a lot of his teammates. Now,
can Brady step up his game and prove last season was no fluke?
Defense
S Lawyer Milloy
With the influx of new faces in recent offseasons on this underrated unit, Milloy has
been a steady leader by words and example.
New York Jets
Offense
RB Curtis Martin
Durability and consistency are the name of the game with Martin, who has averaged more
touches per game than superversatile Rams RB Marshall Faulk.
Defense
DE John Abraham
Abraham registered 13 sacks last season and should have an improved rotation of
linemates to take some attention away from him this season.
Baltimore Ravens
Offense
RB Jamal Lewis
Lewis’ health status coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament is of the utmost
importance for the rebuilding Ravens, who really need him to return to the level he was at
as a rookie.
Defense
LB Ray Lewis
Although he won’t have as much talent around him as he had in the past, don’t
expect the bruising Lewis to miss out on the action as the unquestioned leader of a young
defense.
Cincinnati Bengals
Offense
RB Corey Dillon
Dillon churns out 1,000-yard seasons like it’s a walk in the park and had a
career-high 13 total touchdowns in 2001. He could become even more productive if the
Bengals’ passing game improves.
Defense
LB Takeo Spikes
The fiery leader of a solid Bengals defense has led the team in tackles in three of his
four years in the league and somehow has yet to make a trip to Honolulu.
Cleveland Browns
Offense
QB Tim Couch
Couch has his best stable of receivers, an improved offensive line and what the Browns
believe to be a premier running back in William Green.
Defense
DE Courtney Brown
Possessing speed and power from the edge, Brown can no longer be double- or
triple-teamed all the time with Kenard Lang, Earl Holmes and Jamir Miller around.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Offense
QB Kordell Stewart
With Jerome Bettis down last season, the Steelers won because of Stewart, not in spite
of him. If WRs Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress take another step forward, so will Stewart.
Defense
LB Kendrell Bell
Defensive coordinator Tim Lewis will move Bell, the 2001 Defensive Rookie of the Year,
around to utilize his pass-rush ability.
Houston Texans
Offense
QB David Carr
The Texans’ offense will likely go as far as Carr can take it. He’s been a
very diligent worker in the offseason and is expected to be the starter from Week One on.
Defense
ILB Jamie Sharper
The LB corps could be the strength of this team. Sharper is coming off a big year in
Baltimore, and there is no reason he shouldn’t continue to excel in Dom Capers’
defense.
Indianapolis Colts
Offense
QB Peyton Manning
Manning threw an un-Manning-like 23 interceptions last season. He should rebound this
season, especially if WR Reggie Wayne comes on as expected and RB Edgerrin James comes
back healthy.
Defense
WLB Mike Peterson
This fourth-year pro was looking like the Colts’ best defensive player last season
before he got hurt. Peterson has excellent speed and a nose for the ball.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Offense
WR Jimmy Smith
He may have lost his receiving mate, Keenan McCardell, but Smith is still capable of
having an explosive season. Over the past three years, Smith has averaged 106.3 catches
for 1,407.3 yards and 7.3 touchdowns.
Defense
SS Donovin Darius
The defense took some hard hits, as the club tried to get under the salary cap. Darius
is very strong and aggressive, and he could wind up getting more tackles now that LB Hardy
Nickerson is out of the equation.
Tennessee Titans
Offense
QB Steve McNair
The Titans relied on McNair’s throwing ability more last season, primarily because
Eddie George wasn’t effective. Look for the Titans to continue to allow McNair to be
the focal point of the offense.
Defense
DE Jevon Kearse
Kearse has the talent and athleticism to be the best end in football. While still quite
good, he didn’t live up to expectations last season, so he has something to prove in
2002. If DE Kevin Carter can pick up his game, Kearse could become unstoppable.
Denver Broncos
Offense
WR Rod Smith
Despite facing constant double-teams and being hobbled for much of the year with
sprained ankles, Smith hauled in a team-record 113 passes last season and was a one-man
show for the Broncos’ passing game.
Defense
DL Trevor Pryce
Pryce’s pass-rushing skills have always helped him stand out at the DT position,
but now he gets to move outside and really bring the heat.
Kansas City Chiefs
Offense
RB Priest Holmes
A perfect fit for the Chiefs’ spread offense, Holmes led the league in yards from
scrimmage in his first year in Kansas City.
Defense
SS Greg Wesley
After losing LB Donnie Edwards in a salary-cap-related move, the Chiefs need the
improving Wesley to lead by example with his physical play in the secondary.
Oakland Raiders
Offense
QB Rich Gannon
Few players mean as much to their teams as Gannon does to the Raiders. The savvy
veteran does what he has to do at the helm to keep the Raiders’ balanced offense on
the move.
Defense
CB Charles Woodson
Woodson probably will never lead the league in interceptions, but that’s because
teams are afraid to throw at him. When healthy, Woodson is arguably the best all-around
corner in the game.
San Diego Chargers
Offense
RB LaDainian Tomlinson
As a rookie, Tomlinson rushed for 1,236 yards and caught 59 passes despite a lackluster
offensive line. Personnel upgrades and Marty Schottenheimer’s commitment to the run
could mean even bigger numbers this season.
Defense
SS Rodney Harrison
Harrison’s physical nature in the secondary and leadership on and off the field
make him an invaluable part of a Chargers defense with plenty of qualified candidates for
MVP.
Dallas Cowboys
Offense
OG Larry Allen
Allen is the anchor of the Cowboys’ offensive line. He is the best, most
dominating guard in the NFL, and he is versatile enough to start at left tackle if
something were to happen to Flozell Adams.
Defense
DT La’Roi Glover
Glover can provide the interior pass rush the Cowboys so desperately need. The Cowboys
are hopeful he can be as productive as he was in 2000, when he registered 17 sacks.
New York Giants
Offense
RB Tiki Barber
This versatile player is the Giants’ best running back and one of their best pass
catchers. When he has a big game, the Giants normally win.
Defense
DE Michael Strahan
He’s the best defensive end in the NFL. Heck, he’s the best defensive player
in the NFL. Strahan is entering a contract year, so he will be ultramotivated to produce
so that he can cash in next offseason.
Philadelphia Eagles
Offense
QB Donovan McNabb
McNabb is developing into one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. He may not be
there quite yet as a pure passer, but he has superb running skills, can improvise when he
has to and is becoming more of a leader.
Defense
FS Brian Dawkins
Dawkins is the best safety in the NFL, hands down. He is such a good cover man that he
could probably play cornerback for some teams.
Washington Redskins
Offense
RB Stephen Davis
Davis is the only established skill-position piece of the Redskins’ offense. Even
though the Redskins may be flinging the ol’ pigskin around the field a lot, new head
coach Steve Spurrier won’t ignore a back as talented as Davis.
Defense
LB LaVar Arrington
He’s going to be allowed to flow to the ball more this season. Arrington also has
been lining up as a rush end in practices, which could give him more sack opportunities.
Chicago Bears
Offense
RB Anthony Thomas
The defense got a lot of due credit, but offensively, the Bears rode the A-Train to a
13-3 record. If Thomas can duplicate his 1,183-yard rookie output, next stop is the
postseason again.
Defense
LB Brian Urlacher
Urlacher is always around the ball and is the NFL’s second-best middle linebacker,
behind only Ray Lewis.
Detroit Lions
Offense
RB James Stewart
Stewart averaged almost five yards per carry in limited action last season. He might
not be the perfect fit for the West Coast offense, but he is a solid runner.
Defense
DT Shaun Rogers
Rogers had 97 tackles as a rookie and looked like the best player on a bad Lions
defense.
Green Bay Packers
Offense
QB Brett Favre
It’s scary to think where the Packers would be without him. Finding a better
leader wouldn’t be easy.
Defense
DE Joe Johnson
He’s not Reggie White, but Johnson gives the Packers an excellent every-down
defensive end.
Minnesota Vikings
Offense
QB Daunte Culpepper
Culpepper should be better-protected — by his new offensive line that has added
Bryant McKinnie, by improved play from RB Michael Bennett and by a greater emphasis on
star WR Randy Moss.
Defense
DT Chris Hovan
No longer the lone wolf up front, Hovan’s production could peak alongside DEs
Kenny Mixon and Lorenzo Bromell.
Atlanta Falcons
Offense
QB Michael Vick
The sky’s the limit for a quarterback many consider to be the most gifted pure
athlete ever to play the position in the NFL. Not only does Vick have a cannon for a left
arm, he has the running skills of a top-notch tailback. The only thing he is lacking is
experience.
Defense
ILB Keith Brooking
With his tremendous pursuit ability and nonstop motor, Brooking is expected to be the
centerpiece of the Falcons’ revamped 3-4 defense under new coordinator Wade Phillips.
Carolina Panthers
Offense
WR Muhsin Muhammad
Coming off a subpar 2001 season, Muhammad’s role as the primary receiver has been
heightened due to uncertainty at the No. 2 slot. New head coach John Fox has encouraged
him to take on more of a leadership role.
Defense
MLB Dan Morgan
The Panthers are banking that Morgan, who struggled through an injury-marred rookie
campaign on the weak side, will blossom in the middle with his great hustle and pure
football intelligence.
New Orleans Saints
Offense
QB Aaron Brooks
His rare physical tools and ability to make something out of nothing make Brooks one of
the league’s most dangerous QBs when he’s on his game. With more consistency and
better decision-making, a breakout season could be in the offing.
Defense
DE Darren Howard
A natural rusher with great vision and feel, Howard is being counted on to replace the
departed Joe Johnson as the defensive line’s best weapon.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Offense
WR Keyshawn Johnson
The Bucs dramatically revamped the rest of their WR corps in the hopes of making
Johnson more of a TD threat. With his great size and competitiveness, he can be a
dominating force.
Defense
DT Warren Sapp
After playing much of last season with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, Sapp
says he’s fully recovered. The fact he needs 15 sacks to break the club mark held by
Lee Roy Selmon should offer extra incentive.
Arizona Cardinals
Offense
WR David Boston
After leading the NFL with 1,598 yards on 98 catches in his third season, Boston has
developed into a bona fide star. The Cardinals hope he can maintain those hefty numbers in
the pass-happy NFC West.
Defense
DT Wendell Bryant
The Cardinals’ top draft pick is expected to become a major inside force on a
defensive line that generated little pressure last season. Bryant has an impressive
size-speed ratio and a winning personality.
St. Louis Rams
Offense
QB Kurt Warner
Considering how much of a downgrade Jamie Martin is as his backup, Warner gets the nod
over Marshall Faulk. Warner appears fully recovered from last year’s thumb problems.
Defense
CB Aeneas Williams
While he might be getting a little long in the tooth, Williams did for the Rams’
defense last season what Warner and Faulk did for the offense. He’s a terrific
on-field leader, and his coverage skills remain among the best in the league.
San Francisco 49ers
Offense
QB Jeff Garcia
He isn’t pretty, and he’s getting up there in years. But Garcia has
absolutely mastered the Niners’ offensive scheme and has developed into one of the
league’s more productive QBs.
Defense
CB Ahmed Plummer
A real student of the game with excellent awareness, Plummer came on like gangbusters
last year in his second season and is now considered one of the league’s better
corners.
Seattle Seahawks
Offense
RB Shaun Alexander
Coming off a breakout sophomore campaign, Alexander figures to be even more productive
this season without having to look over his shoulder at Ricky Watters. Alexaner has worked
very hard to improve his receiving skills out of the backfield.
Defense
OLB Anthony Simmons
This five-year pro might just be the most underrated defender in the game. After
performing at a near-Pro Bowl level last season, Simmons could provide a safety net in the
middle if Isaiah Kacyvenski can’t cut the mustard as the new middle linebacker. |
