Welcome to the 1st Annual MFN Season Awards of the 2023 Season!
Now before I begin, I am open and certain of any criticism that will be brought upon the player awards. There were certain positions that were very difficult to determine who the best player was and I just determined the winning candidate in all of the positions based upon a point stat logic similar to MrFakeNames's logic on another thread. If there are any players you think that should have won their respective position award instead of the original winner, let me know.
Without further a due, here we go!
2023 Quarterback of the Year: Buffalo QB Francisco Vinson: Vinson, The starting 7 year QB for Buffalo out of Ohio State, lead Buffalo to a winning 12-4 record and a playoff birth as he threw 3,798 Yards for a 63.9 percent completion rating and 27 Touchdowns. Against him were only 6 interceptions and he was only sacked 18 times. His QB Rating was an astounding 106.6, the best QB Rating out of all starting QB's in the 2023 season and is a big part why he is Quarterback of the Year. Runner-up's were San Francisco QB Jerry Sloan in 2nd, and Carolina QB Kevin Gebhard in 3rd.
2023 Running back of the Year: New England RB Victor James: Victor James had his best rushing season to date rushing for 2070 yards on 306 carries, breaking for an astonishing 6.76 Average, one of the highest in the league. his aggressive running style made him get the 3rd most in yardage this season, and the South Carolina St. Back also factored into the passing game, getting 18 receptions for 221 yards for an average of 12 yards and 1 touchdown. Until James retires, New England will have a dominant Rushing attack. Runner-ups include 2nd place Oakland RB Robert Valez, and 3rd Buffalo RB Javier Lewis.
Fullback of the year: San Francisco FB William McCulloch: FB McCulloch is one of the more experienced Veterans in the league with 11 years under his belt, but that doesn't mean he doesn't factor into Francisco's Offense. McCulloch rushed for 441 yards on 131 carries for an average of 3.37 yards. Not bad at all for a Fullback, especially considering his 45 receptions for 404 yards receiving for an 8.98 yard average. One catch McCulloch made went for 80 yards to the house as he racked up 4 touchdowns on the season. McCulloch's ability to rush, receive, and block consistently makes him the Fullback of the 2023 season. Runner-up was Philadelphia's FB Donald Gonzales.
Wide Receiver of the Year: Seattle WR Larry Mull: Not enough can be said about this Brute of a receiver. 3 consecutive seasons of 2,000+ yard seasons receiving including a 2,419 yard receiving season during the 2023 year. Mull has a 20.5 yard average on 118 receptions along with 17 touchdowns, proving not only that the Kansas State player is Seattle's #1 receiver, but one of the most feared receivers in the game, leading to him winning the 2023 Receiver of the Year award. Runner-ups were Arizona Receiver Leon Foster, and 3rd place St. Louis Receiver Anthony Barrett.
Tight End of the Year: St. Louis TE Son Kemp: Although Kemp did not gain the most yards at his position, his yards per reception and outcome of his catches makes him the Tight End of the 2023 Season. Kemp caught the ball only 48 times for 498 yards with a decent 12.45 average, but he is a red zone threat capturing 9 touchdowns in the season. Kemp also is one of, if not, the best blocking Tight End in the league giving up zero sacks. Kemp, entering his 6th season, shows no signs of slowing his pace, and opposing defenses will have to face this huge target in the 2024 season. Runner-ups are 2nd place Miami TE John Riley, and 3rd place Washington TE Robert McCoy.
Left Tackle of the Year: Indianapolis LT Thomas Carlson: Carlson played through all 16 games and didn't give up a single sack. Picked up by Indianapolis in 2023 FA, Carlson showed great pass blocking, and did his job protecting the Quarterback. Only getting 1 penalty for 10 yards, Carlson displayed great discipline, and his team play earned him the Left Tackle of the year award. Runner-ups include San Diego LT John Delima and Carolina LT Ronald Prescott.
Left Guard of the Year: Tennessee LG Larry Benny: The Tennessee college graduate, now in his 3rd year, started 15 games and played in all 16 while not giving up a single sack. Now 24, Benny has showed Tennessee that a product from Tennessee college can become successful in the big leagues. All Benny needs to do is become more disciplined to give Tennessee more of a chance to convert on downs. Runner-ups are 2nd place Pittsburgh LG William Brock and 3rd place Buffalo LG Scott Umberger.
Center of the Year: Oakland C Lavern Reed: Reed, the MidAmerican Nazarene 12 year veteran, started 15 games and showcased his experience by giving up zero sacks on the season. His versatility and quickness to block after the sack helped give room to Oakland RB Robert Valez, who ran for the most yardage. Reed will continue to block against some of the greatest defenses in the league while giving up very little, leading him to be the Center of the Year. Runner-up for Center was Tennessee C Thomas Fuller.
Right Guard of the Year: Buffalo RG Charles Larson: The 5 year pro from Miami College had a very consistent year, starting and playing in all 16 games, causing only 1 penalty and giving up only 1 sack. Larson's ability to react to the pass rush is outstanding and that's why he is the RG of the year. Runner-up for RG of the year was Detroit's Paris Borden.
Right Tackle of the Year: New England RT Timothy Phelps: Phelps, out of Maine Maritime, played through 15 games and starting 4. He showed great awareness and control against defensive lineman, and only gave up 1 sack. His great run blocking helped Victor James rush for 2000 yards, thus earning him the Right tackle of the Year. Runner-up for RT of the year was Dallas RT Troy Johnson and Cleveland RT James Turner.
Left Defensive End of the year: Houston LDE Edwin Erickson: The 8 year veteran from Notre Dame came away with a stellar performance in the 2023 season. Erickson racked up 59 tackles and 17 sacks, showing very great speed off of the snap. Erickson also played downfield getting 2 pass knockdowns and even caught an interception for a touchdown, showing great awareness, both against the pass and run, giving Erickson the honors of Left Defensive End of the 2023 season. Runner-ups are 2nd place New England LDE Darrell Osborn and 3rd place Indianapolis LDE Fred Elder.
Defensive Tackle of the Year: New York DT Ignacio Morrow: Morrow proved that being a veteran works to your advantage as the Arizona State DT came away with 11 sack, 20 tackles and a pass defended. Morrow's Awareness helped New York get deep into the playoffs, and will likely do the same this season. Morrow also came away with a interception returned 43 yards for a touchdown. Morrow's ability to find the ball carrier is one of the reasons why Morrow is the DT of the Year. Runner-ups include Houston DT Paul Spencer and Carolina DT Bobby Jordan.
Right Defensive End of the Year: Green Bay RDE Oliver Stallcup: The 24 year old Defensive End from Boise State had a breakout year, where he made a career and league high 27 sacks. On top of Stallcup's performance sits 25 tackles and 3 pass knockdowns. Stallcup's agility and quick reaction has been outstanding, and opposing o-linemen are having a really difficult time keeping this DE out of the backfield. He continues to impress week in and week out, and this defensive end deserves the Right Defensive End of the 2023 year award. Runner-ups include 2nd place Minnesota RDE Mark Pelham and 3rd place Dallas RDE Micheal Adams.
Strong Linebacker of the Year: Tampa Bay SLB John Walther: Alcorn State's SLB had a strong year for the Bucs as Walther racked up 74 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 knockdown pass's and 3 interceptions. Walther, now in his 10th season, shows great awareness and pressure, and has proven that he is one of the more fierce Strong Linebackers in the league. Expect Walthers to be a defensive nightmare in the 2024 season as he has earned the right to be called SLB of the year. Runner-ups are 2nd place Chicago SLB Thomas Jones and 3rd place Buffalo SLB Aaron Jackson.
Middle Linebacker of the Year: Carolina MLB Anthony Alldredge: The 5 year Pro from Nebraska- Omaha was a fierce pass defender in the 2023 season. He showcased mid air strength multiple times with a career high 20 knockdown passes and 4 interceptions including one returned for a touchdown. Alldredge helped bring Carolina to consecutive Conference championships and has the potential to lead Carolina to another championship game. Runner-ups include Tennessee MLB Lee Boatwright and 3rd place Seattle MLB Don Baldwin.
Weak Linebacker of the Year: New Orleans WLB Richard Singh: Singh is a big impact player out of Central (la.) that proves that a veteran can still move around like a rookie. The 11 year pro came away with 78 tackles, 14 sacks, 10 pass knockdowns and 2 interceptions. Singh's ability to be in the right position on the field gives him the opportunity to make big plays for a team that is steadily improving in youth. Singh can teach his fellow rookie's how to be in position and how to have technique on the field. Runner-ups include 2nd place Washington WLB Micheal Montes and 3rd place WLB Henry Vaughn.
Cornerback of the Year: Atlanta CB Jacob Miles: The 9 year veteran from Lehigh had a breakout year in 2023 making a position high 126 tackles. Miles became the lead tackler for the Falcons while also getting a sack and 18 pass knockdowns. But what made Miles extra special in 2023 was his turnovers; 13 interceptions and 2 of those 13 were a pick 6. Although a 5'10 cornerback, Miles has outstanding reach and soft hand to pick off even the best quarterbacks. Jacob Miles has outperformed all other cornerbacks in 2023, both physically and mentally, and that why Miles deserves the Cornerback of the Year. Runner-ups are 2nd place Carolina CB William Blankenship and 3rd place New Jersey CB Maximo Foreman.
Strong Safety of the Year: Jacksonville SS Brent Hernandez: Brent Hernandez was the definition of Strong Safety in 2023 with many clutch plays made by the Southern California 7 year pro. Hernandez made 129 tackles, the most of any player in the 2023 season. Hernandez all made 11 pass knockdowns and 3 interceptions. The 1st round pick from 2018 has been a physically, punishing defensive back and after his performance in the 2023 season, deserves to be named SS of the year. Runner-ups include 2nd place New Orleans SS Orlando Cochran and 3rd place Indianapolis SS Lonnie Stafford.
Free Safety of the Year: Baltimore FS Valentine Ball: The 4 year Pro from Baylor performed very fluently and consistently in the 2023 season, racking up 106 tackles, 10 pass knockdowns and 3 interceptions. Ball, now entering his 4th year, showed a physical gameplay in Baltimore, shaping up his opponent and making clean tackles. His positioning and technique is very good and his dominating performance is why he is Free Safety of the Year. Runner-ups include 2nd place Tampa Bay FS George Adams and 3rd place Dallas FS John Thrash.
Kicker of the Year: Chicago K Robert Blair: Blair has been a very powerful kicker in 2023, making all 38 field goals including 18/18 on 40+ field goals and 11/11 on 50+ field goals. Longest field Goal made was a 56 yarder and his kickoff average is an astounding 73.7. Blair's leg strength is tremendous and his consistency on making all field goals earned him the Kicker of the year. Runner-up is New York Kicker Greg Hutton.
Punter of the Year: Cleveland P Kevin Richmond: The now retired California Punter had a great season to end off his 12 year career as he had 4,879 yards on 110 punts, making for an 44.35 yard average including 25 punts inside the 20. Richmond made opposing defenses suffer by starting inside their own 20 making him the Punter of the 2023 season. Runner-up is Atlanta P Bill Roach.
Return Specialist of the Year: Philadelphia WR Jeremy Schulte: Jeremy Schulte, the 9 year pro from Tennessee State made a career high 11 punt return Touchdowns and 4 kick return touchdowns. On top of all of these returns, Schulte has 1,246 yards on 35 kick return attempts for a spectacular 36 yard average. Schulte also had 1,116 yards on 36 punt returns for a 31 yard average. The Philadelphia WR has made a huge impact on Philadelphia's return game, marking him as the 2023 Return Specialist of the Year.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Carolina Receiver Harry Ehlers: Ehlers had an outstanding rookie year racking up 867 yards on 52 receptions for a 16.67 yard average. Ehlers was a fantastic kick return specialist and even helped his team advance into the post season. The receiver from Jackson State will become a special player in Carolina's strong offense.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Washington WLB Michael Montes: Montes came from Houston College in the 1st round of the 2023 draft, and boy was it a good pick. Montes made it in the top 3 in WLB of the year award as his 88 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 pass knockdowns and 3 interceptions proved Montes to be a fierce young linebacker. Already one of the most talented players in his position, Montes has showed nothing but improvement, and he has a lot more years of football to improve.
Offensive Player of the Year: Oakland RB Robert Valez: Valez, now in his 5th year, had a breakout year in 2023 racking up 2,224 yards, the most of any back. The man from Massachusetts had a 5.72 yard average and rushed for 21 touchdowns. He even factored into the passing game as he had 27 receptions for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns for a 9.44 reception average. His only downfall was fumbling the ball 13 times, but his punishing rushes gave him the honors of being 2023 Offensive Player of the Year.
Defensive Player of the Year: Atlanta CB Jacob Miles: Miles earned this award with over 126 tackles and 13 interceptions, the most of any player. The 9 year veteran was a defensive machine, being everywhere on the field, and picking off two Quarterbacks for a pick 6. Miles is a threat to opposing offenses and shows no signs of slowing his motor down, thus proving why he is 2023 Defensive Player of the Year.
Last edited at 9/09/2015 3:32 pm
