As the NFL regular season becomes more and more in view, certain media outlets will put out preseason lists. You know, top quarterbacks, who are the best EDGE rushers, who will have the most receiving targets, and so on.
This is football. It is a game designed to be followed by numbers and stats, so creative lists become the latest doodle during mid-week until the next preseason game is played.
RELATED: GET TO KNOW OG ISAAC SEUMALO
Recently, in the realm of mid-week lists, we want to share two recent
lists that you might have missed. No drum roll necessary.
Preseason NFL “Protector of the Year” favorites
The NFL has several individual awards.
Last year was the first time the NFL officially recognized the service of the offensive line. They presented the very first “NFL Protector of the Year” award, which Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney won the maiden honor.
Vegas has dropped the odds of the offensive lineman who should win this year’s award. Detroit Lions OT Penei Sewell is the frontrunner at 9-2 odds, followed by Tristan Wirfs of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 9-1.
The Vegas list has 46 players listed. Cardinals’ veteran OT Paris Johnson, Jr. is ranked #22 at +4000 odds while OG Isaac Seumalo is ranked #30 at +7000 odds. No other Arizona offensive linemen are enumerated.
There have been plenty of efforts by different organizations to give the offensive line some recognition. Just not sanctioned by the NFL.
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“Outstanding Blocker of the Year” Award
1964 to 1977
From: National 1,000-Yard Club
Cardinals: (none)
“Forrest Gregg Award”
1970 to 1982
From: PFWA Wisconsin Chapter
Cardinals: 1975 Dan Dierdorf
“Offensive Lineman of the Year” Award
1973 to 1984
From: Football Digest
Cardinals: 1975 Dan Dierdorf
“Offensive Lineman of the Year” Award
1967 to 1999
From: NFLPA
Cardinals: 1976 Dan Dierdorf, 1977 Dan Dierdorf, 1978 Dan Dierdorf
Seagram’s Seven Crowns “Offensive Lineman of the Year” Award
1974 to 1986
From: Seagram’s 7 Crown
Cardinals: 1975 Dan Dierdorf
NFL Alumni “Offensive Lineman of the Year” Award
1982 to 2010
From: NFL Alumni
Cardinals: (none)
“Modern Valuable Protectors” Award (team award)
2009 to 2012
From: EA Sports Madden
Cardinals: (none)
“Bruce Matthews Award”
2015 to 2024
From: NFLPA
Cardinals: (none)
“NFL Protector of the Year” Award
2025 to present
From: NFL
Cardinals: (none)
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The second list comes from “The Athletic.”
An article written by Austin Mock gave predictions for all 16 AFC teams as far as projected win totals. This conference is full of great passers and decorated franchises.
Mock created the “NFL Projection Model” to forecast win totals.He shows that only one club will reach the 11-win plateau. Here is how he predicted the NFC West Division.
- #1. Los Angeles Rams: 11.6 wins, 75.9% playoff chance, 13.7% Super Bowl odds
- #2. Seattle Seahawks: 10.8 wins, 67.2% playoff chance, 7.6% Super Bowl odds
- #4. San Francisco 49ers: 10.2 wins, 59.1% playoff chance, 5.7% Super Bowl odds
- #16. Arizona Cardinals: 4.4 wins, 10.7% playoff chance, 0.1% Super Bowl odds
