The National Football Post is proud to announce our first annual “National Football Post Insider Awards.” The winners were selected based on input from NFP contributors as well as various league insiders. Multiple ballots were cast, and the candidate who carried the majority of the votes was determined to be the winner. The National Football Post congratulates these eight individuals on their 2008 seasons.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Peyton Manning QB Indianapolis Colts: Manning completed 371 of 555 passes (66.8 percent) for 4,002 yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while guiding the Colts to a 12-4 record. He was named to the AFC Pro Bowl team for the ninth time and was voted first team All-Pro. The Colts opened the 2008 season 3-4 before Manning led them on a nine-game winning streak. During that span, the Indy signal-caller tossed 17 touchdown passes and just three interceptions. Manning completed the regular season ranked fifth in yards, touchdowns and QB rating and was third in completion percentage.

Runner Up: Drew Brees QB New Orleans Saints

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Drew Brees QB New Orleans Saints: What couldn’t Brees do with the football in his hands during this season? He was a highlight show unto himself, falling just 16 yards short of breaking Dan Marino’s single-season record for total yards. After the final game of the season, it was hard not to notice how impressive Brees was over the previous 16 weeks: 5,069 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and a QB rating of 96.9. Not quite a record-breaking season, but a monster year nonetheless.

Runner Up: DeAngelo Williams RB Carolina Panthers

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Ed Reed Safety Baltimore Ravens: Reed is the smart choice for NFP Defensive Player of the Year because he can flat-out change a game in an instant, forcing opposing offenses to alter their game plans whenever he’s roaming the middle of the field. He’s the difference maker for the league’s second-ranked defense. Reed finished the season with a league leading nine interceptions and three defensive touchdowns.

Runner Up: James Harrison LB Pittsburgh Steelers

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Chad Pennington QB Miami Dolphins: For the second time in his career, Pennington has made a comeback. This time, it was in a different uniform down in south Florida after he was let go by the New York Jets. Pennington took a 1-15 team from 2007 and led it to an 11-5 record and the AFC East title. For the season, Pennington threw for more than 3,600 yards, 19 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.

Runner Up: Antonio Bryant WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Matt Ryan QB Atlanta Falcons: Ryan might be the most impressive rookie quarterback this league has seen in quite some time. Without him, the Atlanta Falcons would have watched the playoffs from home. He learned to take what defenses gave him, challenged defensive backs and finished the season with 3,440 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Runner Up: Chris Johnson RB Tennessee Titans

HEAD COACH OF THE YEAR

John Harbaugh Baltimore Ravens: In his first season as an NFL head coach, Harbaugh took a Ravens team that had won just five games in 2007 and transformed it into a playoff team that won 11 games during the regular season. Keep in mind, Baltimore finished its 2008 campaign 11-5 under the guidance of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. In addition, the Ravens’ defense regained its trademark swagger, finishing the year ranked second in total defense and passing defense and third in rushing defense. This elite unit went through the 16-game regular season without allowing a single 100-plus-yard rusher.

Runner Up: Mike Smith Atlanta Falcons

COORDINATOR OF THE YEAR

Dick LeBeau Defensive Coordinator Pittsburgh Steelers: LeBeau could win this award every year, but any time you play the style of defense displayed by the Steelers this season, finish as the league’s No. 1 unit and carry the team to a first-round bye, you should get noticed. LeBeau’s defensive schemes are creative and copied by almost every coach in the league. He is the best defensive coordinator in the game today.

Runner Up: Cam Cameron Offensive Coordinator Baltimore Ravens

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Bill Parcells Miami Dolphins: When looking at the Miami Dolphins this season, you have to wonder where they would be without Parcells. He started by bringing in head coach Tony Sparano — who changed the culture of Dolphins football — then signed Pennington and watched one of the greatest turnarounds in NFL history.

Runner Up: Thomas Dimitroff Atlanta Falcons