A group of writers around the Fansided Network, myself included, submitted ballots for 2011 NFL postseason awards. The votes have been tallied and the results are in. What NFL players came out on top in the categories of Defensive Rookie of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and the coveted NFL MVP.
Yesterday, we announced the recipient of the Fansided NFL 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year. Today, we handed out the FanSided NFL 2011 Defensive Player of the Year and now we move to the offensive side of the ball.
The Offensive Player of the Year award was separated by only two first place votes. In the most contested category, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees narrowly edged out Green Bay Packers signal-caller Aaron Rodgers.
This season, Brees had one of the best year’s out of any quarterback in NFL history. He broke a total of 6 NFL records, most impressively was Dan Marino’s long-standing record of most passing yards in a season. Brees finished the season with 5,476 yards.
Brees was also the first quarterback in NFL history to break 4,000 yards in the first 12 games of the season. Brees finished the season averaging 342 yards passing per game, which is also a new NFL record. The previous record holder was Dan Fouts, who set the record back in 1982. There was no doubt about it. Brees has become one of the league’s all-time greats.
The runners-up in the Offensive Player of the Year were both quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers was already mentioned and third-place in voting belonged to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. This truly was the “Year of the Quarterback” as all three quarterbacks threw for over 4,500 yards and 35 touchdowns. Like Brees, Brady joined the 5,000 yard club.
Tomorrow will be the final announcement for the FanSided NFL postseason awards. Who will be named the NFL MVP? Stay tuned to find out.
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