SB Nation's NFL Mid-Season Studs and Duds for 2008

by MaPatsFan on Nov 5, 2008 10:09 PM EST

Clinton Portis is playing like an MVP right now.

The Studs

NFL Mid-Season MVP: Clinton Portis, Redskins

Comment from David the Falconer at The Falcoholic:

The homer in me wants to say Michael Turner, but he's done the majority of his damage against the league's weakest defenses. Portis has put the Redskins on his back and carried them 100 yards or more down the field most games, and for that he deserves my vote.

Best Player on Offense: Clinton Portis, Redskins

Comment from Skins Patrol at Hogs Haven:

He also has 150 yards receiving and has had his role increase with the injury to Ladell Betts Not everyone knows this, but Portis is the best pass protecting RB blocker in the league and is a big reason why Jason Campbell is playing well this season.

Best Players on Defense: Joey Porter, Dolphins

Comment from BigBlueShoe at Stampede Blue:

I thought this guy was DEAD. How the hell does he have 11.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles? I mean Jeezus, it is only Week Nine and he has 11.5 friggin' sacks! The hell are they feeding them down there in Miami?

Best Rookie: Chris Johnson, Titans

Comment from cgolden at Revenge of the Birds:

No explanation needed. Just watch this kid play and it's obvious why he's truly special. Were we really questioning his status as a first round pick six months ago?

Best Coach: Jim Zorn, Redskins

Comment from WCG at Windy City Gridiron:

I hate doing this, but in that division the Redskins should have easily been the worst team.

Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio has seen better days.

The Duds

Mid-Season Worst Player: JaMarcus Russell, Raiders

Comment from Dave the Falconer at The Falcoholic:

Consider that this guy was the first overall pick in the draft. Then consider that he can't throw a pass without collapsing into a heap.

Mid-Season Worst Rookie: Vernon Gholston, Jets

Comment from cgolden at Revenge of the Birds:

He's learning a new position so this probably isn't fair but seven tackles in eight games for a top six pick is simply unacceptable. You'd think he could at least be a situational pass rusher.

Mid-Season Worst Coach: Jack Del Rio, Jaguars

Comment from Chris at Big Cat Country:

Can I vote for Del Rio and the Jaguars for every possible spot?

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Comments

Jim Zorn

has impressed me this season. He has his team in the heart of the NFC East race and before this season, he had never been a coordinator/play caller, much less a head coach. He has been a QB coach until now. He has a pretty good, young starting QB that anyone watching can tell that he has the utmost respect for Zorn.

As far as Portis, he’s always been a beast. No surprise there for me.

"Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory...lasts forever."-Shane Falco, "The Replacements"

by Ironman63 on Nov 6, 2008 1:43 AM EST reply actions

a lot of talk is about Kurt Warner in the MVP hunt so far

but i’d still have to go with Clinton Portis.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 6, 2008 8:31 AM EST reply actions

My favorite line ever about Warner

He’s kind of like a mythic hero with one clear and fatal weakness (he fumbles at the drop of the hat). Maybe his mom held him by the thumb when she dipped him into the river Styx.

Shonn Greene for Heisman
140 yards per game
6.3 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Nov 6, 2008 12:04 PM EST up reply actions

He still blames the Patriots for derailing his career in 2001 and ruining the entire Rams franchise.

As Warner paints it:
"And then to see the course of my career from that point forward — there was some dramatic changes. Had I won two Super Bowls, some of the things may not have happened through the course of my career. Now, obviously, I put my faith and trust in a much higher source than any cheating that is going on, and believe that God has a distinct purpose in what goes on. But I’m just one example of how our situation in St. Louis deteriorated after the loss of that Super Bowl.

“After we lost the Super Bowl, the organization went into a little bit of a downward spiral, as you see with a lot of teams that lose the Super Bowl. You see how career situations were altered after losing that game. You look at Mike Martz. If he is a Super Bowl winner, that is a whole different thing. Or just maybe guys, that was their only chance to be in a Super Bowl. And to go away losing it instead of winning it, that is a huge deal.”

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 6, 2008 1:06 PM EST up reply actions