The outdated man got here off the coach, jumped onto the sphere midway by way of the 12 months, and led a staff to the playoffs. That’s the story being offered for Joe Flacco’s AP 2023 NFL Comeback Participant of the Yr Award, and it’s a story I can get behind.
Ever since Lamar Jackson took the reins in Baltimore mid-way by way of the 2018 season, Joe Flacco’s profession fell off a cliff.
There have been backup stops in Denver and New York main towards the inevitable final stops of free company and retirement. The man was all however executed, after which the telephone rang. He was signed to the Cleveland Browns apply squad on November twentieth and was the starter by December third.
Via that five-game stretch, Flacco threw for 1,616 yards, accomplished 60% of his passes, and had a 13/8 landing to interception ratio. The Browns went 4-1 over that run, securing a playoff spot and ending the 12 months 11-6 whereas resting starters the final week.
I can get behind that story and don’t have any complaints about Flacco profitable, however his 151 votes to Tua’s 21 votes doesn’t sit proper with me. Tua didn’t even are available third. He was fifth, and that boggles my thoughts.
What’s Tua’s case?
From the offseason to week one, Tua’s soccer future was fully up within the air. Most media and followers thought he was one other concussion or two from leaving the sport altogether. He suffered two to 3 concussions by way of the 2022 season and missed shut to 6 video games.
Tua was made enjoyable of for doing jiu-jitsu within the offseason and criticized for the burden he placed on to get his physique higher acclimated to the punishment of an NFL season. He performed all seventeen common season video games and one playoff sport. He wasn’t taken out at any level associated to accidents. Just for blowing out the opposite staff.
We noticed Tua should get stretchered off the sphere after being knocked unconscious and his fingers locked up. He went from that second to taking part in eighteen video games in 2023 and had nice numbers throughout the board.
Take that in. A number of concussions, half the NFL world telling him he ought to retire, to main the Miami Dolphins to an 11-6 report, main the league in passing yards whereas commanding the NFL’s prime offense. These are his numbers:
69.3 CMP% (5), 4,624 YDS (1), 29 PASS TD (T-5), 14 INT (T-5), 101.1 RTG (6), 60.8 QBR (10)
Whenever you bear in mind Tua’s story with concussions and doable retirement, after which couple that with the numbers Tua put up, I’m undecided how one can hold him out of the highest spot, not to mention put him right down to fifth. There weren’t 4 gamers who deserved the award greater than him, and the NFL gamers agreed.
Tua Tagovailoa gained the Sporting Information 2023 Comeback Participant of the Yr Award. An award that’s voted on by gamers, coaches, and executives. He edged out Damar Hamlin and Baker Mayfield, whereas Joe Flacco obtained round 1% of the vote.
My checklist can be as follows:
1. Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins)
2. Joe Flacco (Cleveland Browns)
3. Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
4. Damar Hamlin (Buffalo Payments)
5. Matt Stafford (LA Rams)
I do know what you’re considering. “How may you might have Damar Hamlin so low?” There’s a simple clarification for that. He barely performed in any respect. He didn’t make a sliver of distinction for the Buffalo Payments on the sphere. It could be a chilly opinion, however for my part, the man who wins this award must be somebody who made a distinction on the sphere.
Hamlin has essentially the most important harm kind of challenge out of anybody nominated. I do know. He actually died on the sphere and needed to be revived. I additionally watched that. It’s nonetheless just one aspect of the argument. The opposite aspect is coming again the next 12 months and taking part in properly. He was a backup and particular groups man who had no memorable performs.
The suggestion I’ve that would honor Damar Hamlin and what he went by way of is by naming the award after him. There’s no yet one more deserving of the respect. “The person who died and got here again to soccer.” It’s lovely, and I hope somebody has steered it to the NFL.
That apart, for those who take into account each side of the award, not solely did Tua get snubbed from the highest spot, however I feel that he bought disrespected.
Tell us within the feedback who you suppose ought to’ve gained the award!
