The annual NFL Servy Says Awards are the result of exhaustive work by our elite staff and assistance from indefatigable NFL Network analyst Brian “Baldy’s Breakdown” Baldinger.
An envelope please:
MVP
Lamar Jackson (QB, Ravens)
More than Dak Prescott (Cowboys). Jackson makes the game look so easy when it counts. Even after losing tight end Mark Andrews and integrating rookies Zai Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr., the new offense agrees with him. Who is this Lamar and 2019 MVP Lamar?
“His passing game is completely different,” Baldinger said. “The ball goes exactly where he wants it. There's nothing he can't do. He can stay in the pocket and cut you open, or he can roll to the left like a lefty like he did last week and He can then freelance a bit, as he did when he switched to his right hand and threw the ball 75 yards.
“I think he's the hardest player to defend in the league. I think four years ago he was just a tough player to defend from a standpoint of being able to take off and run. But now he doesn't have to do that. . He's a really complete player now.”
Offensive Player of the Year
Christian McCaffrey (RB, 49ers)
Passed by Tyreek Hill (WR, Dolphins). McCaffrey could have played at any time. He still has only 1,297 career rushing attempts. He probably has two more years left in his elite days.
“Johnny Unitas could have given it to him, Jimmy Orr or anyone could have played a good role,” Baldinger said. “If he just wants to play wide receiver, he could be a Pro Bowl wide receiver. He runs between the tackles and when healthy he's probably more effective than anyone other than Nick Chubb. He can do things that no one else does, but he's isolated at linebacker and no one has a chance. There's nothing he won't do that's great.”
Defensive Player of the Year
Micah Parsons (LB, Cowboys)
He surpassed Myles Garrett (Germany, Browns) and Maxx Crosby (Edge, Raiders).
“Mika [13 sacks] “He's totally different than other guys, just the way he pressures the quarterback from whatever position he's moving around,” Baldinger said. …Even when he’s not fired…he’s everywhere. I think quarterbacks are influenced by him more than anyone else. ”
Offensive Rookie of the Year
CJ Stroud (QB, Texans)
He led the franchise back to life with 21 touchdowns and five interceptions. Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is close to missing two games.
“His processing was very urgent, but there was no panic,” Baldinger said of Stroud. “Accuracy, decision-making and his ability to just read the defense on the move.”
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Jalen Carter (DT, Eagles)
The Eagles will miss Fletcher Cox, but not as much as they would have if the Georgia Bulldog (six sacks) hadn't fallen into their lap due to character concerns.
“I think he could be better than Quinnen Williams. I think he could be better than Dexter Lawrence,” Baldinger said. “He's got incredible balance, he's got incredible power. We found that with Quinnen, and we found that with Dexter. He's got more balance than either of those players in his career. He has a chance to reach double-digit sack numbers like Chris Jones and Aaron Donald for the next 10 years.”
Coach of the Year
Kevin Stefanski (Browns)
Billy Brand is back. This guy did it after losing running back Nick Chubb (knee) in Week 2 and playing with four different quarterbacks (most recently Joe Flacco). He passed Dan Campbell (Lions), Mike McDaniel (Dolphins), DeMeco Ryans (Texans) and Shane Steichen (Colts).
Assistant Coach of the Year
Brian Flores (DC, Vikings)
“Through the quarterback changes and all the personnel they had, the defense protected them,” Baldinger said. Bobby Slowik (OC, Texans), Todd Monken (OC, Ravens), Dan Quinn (DC, Cowboys), Mike McDonald (DC, Ravens), Frank Smith (OC, Dolphins), Steve Wilkes ( DC, 49ers), Ben Johnson (OC, Lions).
best owner
Stan Kroenke (Rams)
“I don't think many owners would say, 'Trade me my No. 1 pick and I don't care,'” Baldinger said. “He lets it be [GM] with Les Sneed [coach] Sean McVay is doing whatever he wants and is here in the playoffs. I think he's a pretty special person. ”
worst owner
David Tepper (Panthers)
Apparently some people are overjoyed and say, “I'm fired!” The drink is yours, not his.
Comeback Player of the Year
Joe Flacco (QB, Browns)
A 39 year old alpha male wonder who was physically strong and never stopped believing. “He seems very active right now,” Baldinger said. “They have a real chance to make the playoffs with him.”
an inspirational player
Damar Hamlin (S, Bills)
He only had two tackles, but who cares? He survived cardiac arrest. God bless him.
Best backup QB
Joe Flacco (Browns)
All these years later, Flacco is still quirky. He is ahead of Jake Browning (Bengals) and Gardner Minshew (Colts).
Executive of the Year
Nick Caserio (Texans)
Better than Brad Holmes (Lions). Caserio pairs a rookie quarterback (Stroud) on the right with a rookie head coach (DeMeco Ryans) on the right. DE Will Anderson and WRs Nico Collins and Tank Dell look like home runs.
Best free agent signing
Jesse Bates III (FS, Falcons)
Savvy playmaker (128 tackles, 6 INTs, 3 forced fumbles, 4-year, $64 million contract). “Bates was everything you want on the back end of a defense,” Baldinger said. He is ahead of DT Javon Hargrave (49ers).
worst free agent contract
Allen Lazard (WR, Jets)
This bang (23 of 311, 1 TD) was not worth the money at all ($44 million for 4). He's definitely a better player than Aaron Rodgers as a No. 3 receiver.
best soap opera
Aaron Rodgers (QB, Jets)
It played out like an episode of “As Aaron's World Turns.” An emotional battle between future first-ballot Hall of Famers and medical wonders. Jimmy Kimmel had no comment.
Best overtime walk-off
Tyran Wallace (Ravens)
On the night Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon, he beat the Bills with a 76-yard punt return, beating Xavier Gipson's 65-yard punt return by a nose against the Rams.
Joe Btfsplk
Kadarius Toney (WR, Chiefs)
Described in a Li'l Abner comic as “the world's worst jinx,” it brings instant bad luck to those unlucky enough to be nearby. Joe was always depicted with a dark rain cloud over his head. ” If they let him, he’ll line up offside.
most valuable italian
Tommy DeVito (QB, Giants)
Tommy cutlets, hand gesture. Everyone, mangia, mangia.
wince lombardi
Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas (Jets)
It's not all about winning. And that's not all.
most popular swift
Taylor (Team Kelce)
More than D'Andre (Eagles). Time Magazine's 2023 Person of the Year will be the tiebreaker.
