2015 Season Award Nominations and Player Spotlights

Each season we get the chance to nominate our key contributors. No repeats in any category.  Please post asap.

     

Spotlight Candidates	Offensive PotY		Defensive PotY		Rookie otY		FA Signing otY
Bears	RB Matt Forte		CB Kyle Fuller		WR Kevin White		OLB Pernell McPhee
Browns	WR Josh Gordon		OLB Barkevious Mingo		DT Danny Shelton		TE Ben Hartsock
Buccaneers
Chargers	QB Philip Rivers		CB Brandon Flowers		RB Melvin Gordon		WR Jeff Janis
Colts
Dolphins	WR Jarvis Landry		DT Ndamukong Suh		WR Devante Parker		OLB Keith Rivers
Eagles
Falcons
49ers	RB Carlos Hyde		FS Eric Reid		RB Jarryd Hayne		QB Matt Flynn
Giants
Lions
Raiders
Rams
Ravens
Redskins	WR DeSean Jackson		OLB Ryan Kerrigan		WR Jamison Crowder		CB Chris Culliver
Saints
Seahawks	QB Russell Wilson		FS Earl Thomas		WR Tyler Lockett		WR Robert Meachem
Steelers	RB Le'Veon Bell		DE Cameron Heyward		OLB Bud Dupree		OLB James Harrison
Texans	RB Arian Foster		DE J.J. Watt		WR Jaelen Strong		QB David Fales
Titans	RB Bishop Sankey		OLB Avery Williamson		WR Dorial Green-Beckham		CB Alfonzo Dennard
Vikings

OPotY- Wr Djax
Not many weapons on this offense this yr
DPotY-LB R.Kerrigan 
Probably best player on team
RotY-Wr J.Crowder
Not many rookies to choose from but Crowder could have big role in the slot
FAotY-Cb C.Culliver
Top cb on team, ready to make presence felt

OPotY: RB Carlos Hyde
Major offensive playmaker on this run heavy team.
DPotY: FS Eruc Reid
Expecting to continue to play at a high level and break personal season high in interceptions and DTD
RotY: Jarryd Hayne
Rugby standout looking to have an impact on offense and the go to kick and punt returner
FAotY: QB Matt Flynn
Taking over the qb job from Kap and looks to return to the form he had in Green Bay as Rodgers backup

Offensive poty:
WR Josh Gordon
With Manziel under center Flash gordon is very important to help his development.

Defensive poty:
OLB Barkevius Mingo
Mingo looked amazing in preseason practice and head to head games, expecting big things from him!

Roty:
NT Danny Shelton
Shelton helped anchor Coach Nike in to running a 3-4 over a 4-3, Coach Nike is very excited to see this!

FAoty:
TE Ben Hartsock
With Jordan Cameron departing for Miami there is a huge gap at TE with Hartsock expecting to split first team snaps with Rookie former USC TE Randall Telfer and Gary Barnidge.

Offensive Poty: Russel Wilson
With the addition of Jimmy Graham and having one of the leagues premiere backs in "Beast Mode" Wilson is poised to armed with weapons to help him succeed.

Defensive Poty: Earl Thomas
Already established as an elite safety in the league and being surrounded by a stacked defensive core Earl Thomas is setup to have an amazing season.

Rookie Poty: Tyler Lockett
Not much of an offensive role has been set for this young receiver but as far as his Kick and Punt return abilities are concerned I say best keep it out of #16's hands

Free Agent Oty: Robert Meachem
This veteran will add to an already good offense and be a good target for deep yardage

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Offensive PotY: RB Le'Veon Bell

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Yes, this is a passing league and success in this year's game seems to be heavily dependent on how well your QB plays and the Steelers have one of the better ones behind center.  The Steelers offense also features one of the best playmakers at WR, however, in a Steel Rooney run team success starts and ends with the ability to run the ball.  Le'Veon Bell can tote the rock 25-30 times if needed, he can catch it out of the backfield, he can grind out yards or break away for the big play.  Look for the third year back to have a big year.

Defensive PotY: DE Cameron Heyward

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The Steelers secondary is suspect at best.  The LB core, outside of Lawrence Timmons, is either over the hill, young and inexperienced or a place holder for the first round draft pick.  With that said, the strength in the trenches and the Steelers will call upon their DL to shutdown the run as well as get pressure on the QB to help the back end.  Heyward is the best of that bunch.

Rookie of the Year: OLB Bud Dupree

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Don't look for many rookies to see quality game time reps from the Steelers.  If there is one who might find his way on the field for quality reps it will be First Round draft pick OLB Bud Dupree.  The Steelers need Dupree to display the athleticism and explosiveness that made him a first round pick if they want to put the kind of pressure on teh QB they will need to mask a suspect secondary.  Arthor Moats is a serviceable option but he is just holding the fort until Dupree gets up to speed which needs to happen sooner rather than later.

Free Agent Signing of the Year: None (if forced to pick - OLB James Harrison)

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The Steelers did not make any significant signings this offseason in terms of signing players from other teams.  Their biggest acquisition was CB Brandon Boykin via trade.  If forced to make a pick, the only relevant free agent signing was really the re-signing of one of our own in OLB James Harrison who is temporarily holding down the starting job until Coach Tomlin is comfortable enough to hand over the reigns to former first round draft pick OLB Jarvis Jones (or until Owner Steel Rooney intervenes and "suggests" making the switch).

Offensive POTY: WR Jarvis Landry
- Jarvis will likely be the steady hands & go-to-guy in the slot for the Dolphin offense. Jarvis is eager to prove he's the next young LSU WR that should be considered as talented as his buddy Odell Beckham 

Defensive POTY: DT Ndamakong Suh
- Suh's lofty contract brings lofty expectations. Suh needs to continue to be a dominant force vs the run & bring added value as a dependable pass rusher. And hopefully no more dirty antics such as unnecessary roughing the passer, stomping people's calves, stomping people's testicles, kicking Alfred Morris' helmet off his head, etc. etc. etc. 

Rookie Of the Year: WR Devante Parker
- Parker has already flashed signs of brilliance in the early going for Miami showing he was worthy of a mid-1st round pick. Parker & Landry could become quite the talented duo for Ryan Tannehill. 

FA Of The Year: OLB Keith Rivers
- Miami brings in veteran OLB Rivers to add some juice & depth to their LB ranks.

Fan Of The Year: QB Wife Lauren Tannehill 
- I mean, come on, it wasnt gonna be Yennifer Lopez.
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Offensive PotY: RB Bishop Sankey Gets the lions share of the carries on  a young offense.

Defensive PotY: OLB Avery Williamson Moving from the Middle to the Outside, he leads the team in tackles and TFL

Rookie otY: WR Dorial Green-Beckham 6'5" WRs dont grow on trees, speed and hands, this could be a special pass catcher.

FA Signing otY: CB Alfonzo Dennard Slots in nicely as a nickel corner with room to grow, and the Bears didnt get him.