MVP Newton, Watt, Rivera, Berry big winners of NFL awards

Saturday was Newton’s turn, as the NFL MVP and as the league’s offensive player of the year.

Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt was named the defensive player of the year for an equal-best third time after the 26-year-old led the league in sacks and tackles in 2015. To whom? Only one of the most reliable tight ends in the game, Greg Olsen, one of the fastest receivers in the league, Ted Ginn, Jr., or any other weapon the Panthers ownership strategically assembled. You always think as a player – I know we did – like we’re going to get back to another one.

You’ve all heard about the cricketer who likes to make a note of milestones on their equipment, but the football player who flaunts his statistics on his boots? Quarterbacks Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Carson Palmer of the Arizona Cardinals, received one vote each. In the post-game scrum, Cam was asked a number of questions about his overall performance and specifically the late game fumble that ultimately led to a Denver touchdown.

And Newton got 48 of 50 votes. “Everybody believes a little bit more that we can get something done”.

Where they went was a 17-1 season that has landed them with a chance to win the franchises first Super Bowl on Sunday.

A lot attention has been on what will likely be Peyton Manning’s last Super Bowl when he faces off against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

“I’m so happy for Cam”, said head coach Ron Rivera, who was named Coach of the Year.

One of his teammates, cornerback Marcus Peters, took defensive rookie of the year honors.