Gang Green Nation
Linemen are people too
Last week, long-time New York Jets agitator and Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins gave a press conference and within it came an interesting thought.
Admittedly, this isn’t something I ever gave much thought to. However, he does bring up an interesting point regarding position awards and I can’t really think of a good reason not to do this. I think it especially makes sense given that the MVP award seems to have become a quarterback award in recent years (with rare exceptions for nominations of players at other positions that are statistically among the best ever displayed at that their position, like Philadelphia Eagle Saquon Barkley just this season), as offering more awards would provide opportunities for talented non-QBs to be recognized more regularly.
Moreover, beyond simply adding another year for fans to discuss and debate, it would probably help with eventual Hall of Fame voting for less heralded positions like offensive lineman. Related to the New York Jets, center Nick Mangold was among the best to ever do it, but it sure feels like a long shot that he’d ever be seriously considered for the Hall of Fame. Perhaps that would be different though if he had some “Best lineman of the year” awards to point to.
What do you think? Should the NFL expand its award offerings?
