NFL 2005 Awards.(KNOW IT ALL)

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Shaun Alexander

RB, Seahawks

Here's a 2005 resume that might appeal to shoppers looking for a running back this offseason: Rushed for 1,880 yards--more than the total for 20 teams. ... Scored 28 touchdowns, an NFL single-season record. ... Scored 168 points, second most in league history behind Paul Hornung's 176 in 1960. ... Led the NFL in big-play runs (10 yards or more) with 54 and became the first player to score at least 15 TDs in five consecutive seasons. His imposing performance can't be measured in numbers alone, however. This season, Alexander became a more complete back and a team leader. Before his future is determined--if the Seahawks don't sign him to a long-term contract, he will become a free agent-there's one more thing for Alexander, 28, to accomplish. A victory over the Steelers in Super Bowl 40 would make that resume glow in the dark. Now, who's interested? Seattle, you have the first bid.--Dennis Dillon

 Results (21 ballots) 11  Shaun Alexander, Seahawks 6    Peyton Manning, Colts 1    Tom Brady,  Patriots 1    Carson Palmer, Bengals 1    Steve Smith, Panthers 1  LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers Note: Table made from bar graph.  

COACH OF THE YEAR

Tony Dungy Colts

Dick Vermeil puts it this way about Tony Dungy: "What else does he need to do to prove his value?" Certainly, Dungy did enough this year with his Colts--a 13-0 start, the best record in the league, another AFC South title--to impress his peers. Still, it was a difficult season--a mixture of the elation over his players' achievements and the tragedy of his son's death near the end of the regular season. But through it all Dungy, 50, remained the same: calm, consistent, positive, inspirational. He leads by the strength of his character, not by fiery rhetoric. This was his best Colts team because the defense included more players capable of executing his cover 2 schemes. "You want to win for him;' defensive end Dwight Freeney says, "because he treats you with respect and concern, like an adult. You just hate to let him down"

--Paul Attner

 Results (26 ballots) Tony  Dungy, Colts