Midseason awards
More NFL midseason report:
Carter's awards | Dean's and Dunce list
AFC midterm grades | NFC midterm grades
With the NFL's regular season at its halfway mark, here are my awards for the first half.
Offensive Most Valuable Player
Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals – 18 touchdowns, 70-percent passing, and eight of nine games with a 100-plus passer rating. Enough said.
Defensive Most Valuable Player
Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis Colts – Watch the tape and you'll see how he makes every defensive lineman on his team better.
Coach of the First Half
Tom Coughlin, New York Giants – He surrounded Eli Manning with enough talent to protect him, but also pushed his young quarterback into a leadership role at the same time.
Offensive Rookie of the First Half
Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins – He's not even being used exclusively, and he's still on pace for almost 1,500 total yards and six touchdowns.
Defensive Rookie of the First Half
Odell Thurman, Cincinnati Bengals – Four interceptions, 54 tackles and a little bit of nastiness in the middle of the Bengals' defense.
Best Offseason Addition
Santana Moss, Washington Redskins – He practically beat Dallas all by himself on Monday Night Football, and he's on pace for almost 1,700 receiving yards.
Worst Offseason Addition
Fred Smoot, Minnesota Vikings – Forget the Love Boat. His play has been felonious.
Most Surprising Player
Eli Manning, New York Giants – He's to the offense what Michael Strahan is to the defense, and his game-winning drive against Denver was one of the league's best moments this season.
Most Disappointing Team
Baltimore Ravens – This has to be one of the biggest offensive choke-jobs in the last 10 years.
