To be honest, this has been Belicheck's best year of coaching, for all the reasons cited over and over. That merits including him in the discussion without question. However, he has had several years in the leageu, an established franchise of success and more than a little talent and experience.
Sporano (sp?) cracked the whip and brought toughness and discipline to the Dolphins. Yet he has Parcells behind him as the real architecht.
Mike Smith in Atlanta, though.... he has no head coaching experience in the NFL, a brand new GM, a beyond pitiful state of affairs with the team (on and off the field). Yet he has guided and helped craft a bonified playoff team. He seems to have good instincts, what with naming Ryan the started so early and having it work out so beautifully. Not sure if he was reponsible for signing Turner. But all of that is why I think he gets Coach of the year.
Rookie of the year.... it's Matt Ryan for sure but Matt Forte from the bears gets some consideration here, too.
MVP ..... it's a close call with Peyton Manning over Adrien Peterson, but considering where the Colts were at the beginning of the season, how badly injured Manning's knee was... I have to vote for him. His stats are waaaay down compared to normal for him, but his courage and leadership are way up. With precious little runnign game, Harrison slippign to a #3 receiver.... Manning is the reason the Colts are still in this.
