Anyone know the criteria for this award? Maddox seems the obvious choice, but I noticed Matt Hasselbeck didn't even get a vote. He had one of the most miserable seasons a QB could have last year, but "came back" to be among the leading QBs (rating-wise) in the NFL. Did he not qualify because he wasn't hurt or out of the league?
Well, I can't find the critera but consider this point. It is voted by 48 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL and conducted by the AP. No real reason when the top two vote getters where out if the league for years. Second place Edwards from Miami had rushed only 20 times for 107 yards, 18 receptions and scored two touchdowns. But, he was gone for three years. Then Drew Bledsoe was third and he never left the league or was injured (or did he lose his job last season due to injury? But he did come back last season anyway). Consider he did fall off the map behind Tom Brady last season while his team finished one win behind the rest of the teams in their division. At best, it would include the players the media knows about most.
Bledsoe got hurt early in the season and was fit to come back later, but Brady held on to the starting spot. If I had a vote, I would've picked Robert Edwards: here's a guy who almost had to have his legs amputated and had to learn to walk again. That he's back in the NFL is nothing short of amazing.