Top Team: The Packers were a young team that had an incredible 16 players on the Injured Reserve List when they won the Super Bowl last season, and now that they are relatively healthy and a year older, they are off to a very impressive and undefeated 8-0 start. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to grow and mature and is now playing at the elite level that we saw in last season's playoffs. He benefits from as many receiving weapons as any quarterback in football and has been buoyed by the return to health of athletic Tight End Jermichael FInley and Running Back Ryan Grant. The injury to Left Tackle Chad Clifton is a concern, though the steady veteran vows to return this season. Throw in arguably the League's best and deepest LB corp and three outstanding Corners, and the Packers defense also continues to excel and improve.
Most Surprising Team: This was a close call between the upstart and overachieving Bills and Jim Harbaugh's 49'ers. I will give the edge to the 49'ers due to their 7-1 start, which includes road wins at Detroit, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Washington. Jim Harbaugh has transformed both sides of the ball, with a physical power running game and ball control offense and an aggressive, attacking defense -- not to mention elite special teams. Moreover, the work that Quarterbacks Coach Geep Chryst and Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman have done with QB Alex Smith is remarkable, while Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio has several starters playing at a Pro Bowl level, including DE Justin Smith and LB's NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis and Rookie Aldon Smith. Fangio has also helped resurrect the career of LB Ahmad Brooks.
Most Disappointing Team: The Colts are 0-8, but I always felt that they had NFL bottom-5 talent -- especially on defense -- that was camouflaged by the brilliance of the injured Peyton Manning. Therefore, I will go with the Eagles (3-4) who many "experts" thought had the most talent prior to the start of the season. Unfortunately, these experts ignored the fact that the Eagles had a new starter at Center and at Right and Left Guard, and lacked a true two-gap Defensive Tackle and run stuffer, along with not having one difference maker at the second level of their defense, as they Eagles currently start Rookie Brian Rolle, Moise Fokou and Jamar Chaney at Linebacker. Throw in a revolving door at Strong Safety and the health scare of DT Mike Patterson, and the Eagles have struggled defensively.
Best Player: Aaron Rodgers is the clear choice here, leading the Pack to an undefeated start by completing 171 of 239 passes (71.5%) for 2,372 yards (338 a game) and 20 scores with only 3 interceptions. Rodgers also boasts an incredible 125.7 Quarterback Rating. Simply put, he continues to improve and is the NFL's best player on the League's best team.
Best Offensive Rookie: While Rookies like the Bengals WR A.J. Green and QB Andy Dalton have excelled, Carolina QB Cam Newton has been outstanding, completing 174 of 287 passes (61%) for 2,293 yards (299 yards a game) and 11 scores. Moreover, Newton became the first Rookie QB in NFL history to throw for over 400 yards in each of his first two starts. The Panthers GM Marty Hurney was wise to surround Newton with a young QB's best friend: solid veteran Tight Ends, as Hurney brought in Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen this offseason. The return to health of WR Steve Smith, a solid offensive line and three starting-quality running backs have given Newton great support in his incredible first half. That said, Newton's mechanics, touch, pocket presence and ability to read defenses are light years ahead of where most scouts thought he would be at this point in his development.
Best Defensive Rookie: While Broncos LB Von Miller has been solid, and Bills DE Marcel Dareus is starting to make an impact, the 49'ers OLB Aldon Smith has 6.5 sacks through seven games, even though he has yet to become a starter. Smith has tremendous edge quickness, bend and natural pass rush skills that remind me of a young DeMarcus Ware. Moreover, Smith will only get better as he continues to add bulk and strength to his frame, as well as game reps. What is even more exciting for 49'ers' fans is that all of Smith's sacks -- 6.5 -- have come in the last four games, resulting in Smith being named the NFL Rookie Defensive Player of the Month for October.
*Player statistics are through Week Eight.
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