Chargers.com – Last week, the Chargers voted for their 2012 team awards. This morning, head coach Norv Turner announced the six winners during their morning meeting.
Most Inspirational Player – Takeo Spikes
What Takeo Spikes has been able to do is nothing short of remarkable, and fittingly, his teammates recognize it. The 36-year old is in his 15th NFL season and recorded his 200th NFL career start earlier this year. Most importantly, Spikes has not only played but has made an impact while out on the field. He’s appeared and started in every game, playing through injuries to rank second on the team with 77 tackles.
Special Teams Player of the Year – Mike Scifres
Mike Scifres is a special player, able to punt consistently with precision and power. Like Spikes, he has battled through an assortment of injuries on his way to another impressive season. In his 10th season, Scifres has punted the ball 76 times for an average of 48.2 yards per kick. He has downed 30 of them inside the 20-yard line and booted a long of 66 yards.
Lineman of the Year – Nick Hardwick
Voted one of the team’s offensive captains prior to the season, Nick Hardwick has rewarded his teammates’ faith in him with another stellar season. While injuries have ravaged the offensive line, forcing players in and out of the lineup, Hardwick has started every game. He’s played every snap except for a handful against the Pittsburgh Steelers when he suffered a neck injury. But even then, he shook off the injury to come back and provide stability for a decimated offensive line that ended up scoring the most points in franchise history in Pittsburgh.
Defensive Player of the Year – Corey Liuget
Arguably the team’s most improved player, Corey Liuget has been a disruptive force all season long on the defensive line. The second-year player ranks second on the team with 7.0 sacks in addition to 48 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovered. Liuget is also amongst the league leaders for defensive linemen in pass defensed, knocking nine balls down at the line of scrimmage.
Offensive Player of the Year – Malcom Floyd
Malcom Floyd was enjoying his finest season before an ankle injury in the waning moments against the Carolina Panthers that ended his season two weeks premature. Nonetheless, the seven-year veteran leads the team with 56 catches for 814 yards, good for a 14.5 yards per reception average. At the time of his injury he also paced the club with five touchdowns.
Most Valuable Player – Eric Weddle
Simply put, Eric Weddle is one of the biggest game changers in the NFL today. A star at free safety, he is lethal against both the run and the pass. The sixth-year veteran was named one of the team’s defensive captains prior to the season and responded with another standout year. Weddle leads the team with 89 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown.
That’s what Colts owner Jim Irsay tweeted last night with this text, “It’s playoff time,ya’ll….time to let The Monster feed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Oh, and in case you missed it the first time, he went ahead and tweeted it again a few minutes later, “It’s time to let The Monster get out of it’s cage to feed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” That’s a lot of exclamation points, old man.
