So we're rolling out our 2012 Season Predictions on NFL.com this week. They let the Around the League writers sit at the big kid's table, so we are included among the 16 analysts that have already picked NFL MVP, and five other awards.
The Offensive Rookie of the Year Award results really stuck out. I strongly considered Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson and Trent Richardson before rolling with Andrew Luck. It was a popular pick.
Thirteen of the 16 responders chose Luck. Dave Dameshek picked RG3, Ian Rapoport insanely picked Justin Blackmon, and our man Marc Sessler made a nice choice with Wilson.
Brooks: Scouting rookie QBs
What can we expect from Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill and Brandon Weeden? Bucky Brooks examines. **More ...**
It's hard to find fault with choosing Luck, but the disparity seems a little crazy. We're probably basing too much on his excellent preseason performance. Griffin has a better chance to lead a winning team, which often scores big with the voters.
Let's dive into the other award predictions so far:
NFL MVP:Aaron Rodgers (7 votes), Drew Brees (3), Tom Brady (2), Michael Vick (1), Arian Foster (1), Tony Romo (1) and Jay Cutler (1).
Hard to argue with Rodgers. He's the best player on the one of the best teams, squarely in his prime. I went off the map with Arian Foster getting rewarded for a monster season. Dan Hanzus went further off the map by choosing Romo.
Defensive Player of the Year:Jason Pierre-Paul (8), DeMarcus Ware (3), Patrick Willis (2), Darrelle Revis (2), Mario Williams (1).
JPP was my pick last year for DROY, but he fell just short. Both of Revis' votes came from Around the League writers, but neither of those votes came from Hanzus, our resident New York Jets homer.
Lombardi: Best of the best
Michael Lombardi identifies blue-chip and red-chip players at every offensive position entering the 2012 campaign. **More ...**
Offensive Player of the Year: I refuse to recap this award because it's so stupid. Let's abolish it.
Defensive Rookie of the Year:Luke Kuechly (6), Melvin Ingram (2), Dont'a Hightower (2), Alex Barron (1), Morris Claiborne (1), Chandler Jones (1), Quinton Coples (1), Stephon Gilmore (1) and Shea McClellin (1).
Kuechly is a logical pick. Guys that rack up tackles almost always win this award. That's why I choose Hightower. It's good to see all the disagreement here. McClellin is the biggest long shot.
Coach of the Year: These picks were truly all over the map. Romeo Crennel and Bill Belichick were the only coaches to get two votes. Both Harbaughs, Gary Kubiak, Andy Reid, Ron Rivera, Jeff Fisher, Lovie Smith, Chuck Pagano and Mike Munchak also got one vote each.
Kudos to Sessler for choosing the controversial Aaron Kromer/Joe VittSaints combo platter. We applaud his creativity.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
