Mid-Season Rewards: New York Giant “Authority” Awards
This season has been an absolute rollercoaster of emotions. I made an award projection list prior to the start of this season…there has been a good amount of change to the list based on performance, availability, and some future 2025 season projections. It is officially an exciting time to be a Giant’s fan. It’s honestly hilarious what a few weeks can do to change the outlook of an entire franchise, and “brown out” the memories of the past decade of being terrible.
So in celebration of the future of the New York Giants and to shoutout the players playing their asses off so far this season…and maybe some not performing so well.
Here are the first annual New York Giant’s “Mid-Season Authority Awards” to shine light on our top performers and some others.
Mid-Season NFL Awards for the New York Giants
Most Improved: Kayvon Thibodeux - Defensive End
Once seen as a slight disappointment from his high draft status, Kayvon has done nothing but flourish this year. A huge part of his game and a HUGE portion of his success has been helping in the run game. A weakness for the Giants, he’s been great against the run and the pass.
Biggest Surprise: Russell Wilson - Old Quarterback
I’ll admit it….I was fooled. You see the videos online of the moon ball….he speaks like a natural born leader…and he seemed to have the respect from everyone on the field during the off-season. What I forgot is that in the game, none of that matters. He’s happy footed…and his corny overly professional interviews and quotes becomes far less cute after putting up some of the worst performances I’ve ever witnessed. We got a little bit of a tease when he went off (but lost) against the Cowboys. Then next week…when teams planned for the moon ball…he looked like the worst QB in the NFL. Good riddance Mr. Unlimited.
Coach of the year: Carmen Bricillo - Offensive Line Coach
Unfortunately for Coach Carmen and the rest of the offensive line….the only time you’re spoken about is when you’re performing terribly. With the return of Andrew Thomas, the improvement of JMS, and the strong play of Jermaine Eluemunor…our offensive line has gone from the league’s worst, to an above average unit. Carmen’s energy and toughness are some of the reasons behind the respect he’s gained from his peers and our players. He’s a bright spot in a year full of coaching rollercoasters.
Rookie of the Year: Jaxson Dart - New Young Handsome Quarterback
At this very moment, three of our rookies could be the current “Rookie of the Year” for about 20 other teams. We are young, tough, and talented. You could say Jaxson wins by default, being that his position is the most important to a franchise…but he’s earned it. The toucher of the football on every play, he is in complete control of the pace of the game and the success our offense will have. He leads with confidence, swagger, and a sweet mix of saying all the humble right things off the field. He’s shown flashes of GREATNESS. Legit greatness. Plays extended, incredible rushing touchdowns, and absolute dimes have been thrown. It’s been a great start to his career…and I’ll speak for all Giant’s fans when I say we ALL believe we’ve finally got our guy!
Doggiest DAWG: Cam Skattebo - Running Back
Might be the most obvious award winner of the bunch. Cam Skattebo is exactly who he’s been since birth, since elementary school, high school, college, and now the NFL. He’s an animal. He’s not herculean like Brandon Jacobs or fast like Chris Johnson…he’s just a literal rock. Immovable object…or even a magnet that is attracted to contact from metal. He reminds me of a piece of Tungsten. Tungsten is an extremely dense element type piece of metal. If you held a football sized piece of Tungsten in your hand you’d think you were carrying a “pivot” sized couch with Ross from Friends. His persona and his style wouldn’t work if it wasn’t him. Cam Skattebo is just himself….at all times, in any situation he can be found screaming in excitement and seeking out contact with his nearest human being. He’s an absolute delight to support and I am sure as hell proud to have him as a Giant.
Defensive Player of the Year: Brian Burns - Defensive Edge
He’s been our most available, most consistent, and best player so far this season. He’s turned the corner from a high ceiling top 20 defensive edge in the NFL, to a legit top 5 Edge in this league. Does not matter if we’re winning, losing, he’s sick, or where he’s placed on the field…Spidah is going to make the play. He’s just as valuable by his ability to lead by example then his actual stats themselves. He is currentlly in the top 5 in the NFL in sacks (6) through week 6 and shows no signs of stopping. If this keeps up, this will go down as the greatest trade in New York Giants history, trading for a top 5 NFL Edge in the beginning of his prime.
Offensive Player of the Year: Jaxson Dart - QB
Three straight games we’ve started off with an opening drive touchdown. The past three weeks we are top five in first downs gained, and top ten in redzone efficiency. Matching those stats to a New York Giants team of the past decade is a miracle in itself. I have been growing tired of the constant push of the “he brings energy” propaganda…but in all honesty it rings true. The guys just know he’s going to ball…be it slightly dangerous to his own health. He gives every single play a shot to gain yards…no matter how blown it can look to start. Jaxson Dart will be a future Hall of Fame quarterback, you heard it here first.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Andrew Thomas - Left Tackle
I don’t feel good about the selection, it feels like Brian Burns may have gotten screwed on this vote (just me)…but there are a few vital reasons why this is my selection. For one… any person that keeps the bummiest bum James Hudson off the field…is valuable in itself. Since his return to the lineup…he has been an absolute dominate unit. No pressures allowed. ZERO. He’s turned this offensive line unit into a top half unit in the league. He is everything a right handed franchise quarterback needs. Although Brian Burns is having the better year, Andrew Thomas is the New York Giants most valuable player.
We are almost at the middle of the season, and the future is bright…let’s stay healthy and chaotic.
