My 2006 NFL awards

COACH OF THE YEAR
Eric Mangini, New York Jets- He took a team that was expected to win five games and turned it into a 10-win playoff team. He goes from being a waterboy for the Cleveland Browns at the age of 23 to the head coach of a playoff team at the age of 35. What a difference 12 years makes. In only his first season as a coach, Mangini has already stamped his name among the best coaches in the NFL. His Bill Belichick-style of coaching and managing a game have transformed the once lifeless Jets a Super Bowl contender (that's right, you heard me). And being the youngest coach in all of the four major professional sports, I think we'll see Mangini around for a long time, and he'll have some hardware to show for it.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers- Tomlinson not only led the NFL in rushing yards this season with 1,815, but he set the NFL record for total touchdowns for a halfback, reaching the end-zone 31 times, 28 on the ground. He also had 56 catches for 508 yards and three touchdowns. Tomlinson carried his team to a 14-2 record and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. What a year for the 27-year old back.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins- A lot of people would have went with San Diego's Shawne Merriman here. Not only did Taylor have a better year, but he did it cleanly. Taylor recorded 60 tackles, 13.5 sacks, and most impressive, nine forced fumbles this season. He also nabbed two interceptions and recovered two fumbles. He has the ability to take over a game, and at 32 years old, he still has plenty of years left in him.

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Chad Pennington, New York Jets- Pennington takes the second award for Gang Green. Chad overcame two shoulder surgeries to carry the Jets to a playoff berth this season, accumulating 3,352 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also completed 64.5% of his passes, further solidifying himself as arguably the most accurate passer in the NFL. Pennington displayed the kind of heart, desire, and leadership that every team dreams of a having in their quarterback. Maybe it will carry over into the post-season.

WIDE RECEIVER OF THE YEAR
Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals- Johnson had another fantastic season. After a slow start, C.J. finished the year leading the league in receiving yards with 1,369. This award could have gone to Marvin Harrison of the Indianapolis Colts, who tallied five more touchdowns than Johnson, but Johnson racked up more yards on eight less receptions and also averaged more yards per catch. Harrison is also not as dominant of a receiver as Johnson, who has found a spot for himself among the top receivers in the NFL.

HALFBACK OF THE YEAR
Tomlinson.

QUARTERBACK OF THE YEAR
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints- Brees had a phenomenal year, taking a team that went 3-13 last season to a division title and first-round bye this season. He totaled 4,418 yards and 26 touchdowns, good for a 96.2 passer rating. Brees' best performance came against the Dallas Cowboys where he threw for 386 yards and five touchdowns. After being the odd man out to Philip Rivers in San Diego, Brees has shown Chargers why they may have made a mistake by letting him walk.

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans- It would be impossible to select someone else, as the 22-year old linebacker tallied 155 tackles and 3.5 sacks this season. Ryans demonstrated his limitless potential this season, developing into one of the best defensive players in the National Football League.

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars- This was the toughest award to pick, as Marques Colston of the New Orleans Saints or Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans could have won as well, but Jones-Drew had the best all-around year. He rushed for 941 yards, 13 touchdowns, and averaged an unheard of 5.7 yards per carry. Maurice also caught 46 passes for 436 yards and two scores. We may have witnessed the future of NFL halfbacks in Jones-Drew this season.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Tiki Barber, New York Giants- I know most people would have chose Tomlinson for this award, but Barber's performance in week 17 against the Washington Redskins made me give it to Tiki. Barber single-handedly put the Giants into the playoffs in the final game of the season, rushing for a franchise-record 234 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. He took over, plain and simple, even though everyone had been saying he had "checked out mentally." Now we'll see if the Giants can rally around Barber and ride him to the Super Bowl.