(S24) - PT 3 - Midseason Mania

[mithrandir]

This is the first season I have had anything close to a noteworthy season for awards purposes. Cornerback Andrew Witten has had a disappointing career so far, with only two career interceptions prior to this season and no Pro Bowl invites. He has had a breakout year in his third season after moving from strong safety to cornerback for the New Orleans Second Line. Playing opposite the best cornerback in the league, David Rector, Witten has had plenty of opportunities to make plays this season as offenses target the weaker side of the defense. This season, Witten recorded his first pick six, his first multi-interception game, and already has four interceptions through ten weeks. His four interceptions are second among all cornerbacks, one behind Austin star Dermot Lavelle Jr., and tied Honolulu’s number one corner, Jim Waters. The only other cornerback with more than two picks is Arizona’s Zamir Kehla. Witten has an advantage over Waters in Kehla in that he has a pick six this season, as does Lavelle. Witten also has tied for the sixth most PDs among CBs so far this season with 13, more than Lavelle or Kehla. It will be a tight race for cornerback of the year award this season, but all the favorites are in the ASFC so one or two of these great players might end up missing the Pro Bowl despite being among the best in the league. Witten’s combination of interceptions, pass deflections, and the touchdown scored makes him a strong contender for the cornerback of the year award this season.