NFL Rookie of the Year

Matt Kalil leads ALL NFC tackles in this year's Pro Bowl balloting. You would be hard pressed to find any tackle in the league who has had a greater impact on his team this year.

Harrison Smith is the Vikings third leading tackler this season. He's had three INTs and has run two back for TDs. He's also shored up a Vikings porous secondary this season. In Sunday's game against the Texans he had a forced fumble, a sack, and made the key stop on the Vikes goal line stand that made the Texans settle for a field goal. He has revitalized the Vikings defense in ways prognosticators never saw coming. We gave up our second round draft pick last year just to get him him six spots earlier in the first round. His play has been unbelievable.

Blair Walsh has made 32 of 35 field goals for the Vikings this season including an all-time NFL record nine for nine from beyond 50 yards. He may very well be the best place kicker in the league right now and he's just a rookie. He's also set the all-time Vikings rookie scoring record passing Randy Moss in that category.

Normally the Vikings have a guy who MAY be considered good enough to be nominated the NFL rookie of the year. This year we have THREE guys who all DESERVE to be NFL rookie of the year. I mentioned a few weeks back how good our draft was this season. These guys are the primary reason that this season still matters with one game to go.

I couldn't pick one of these players right now as "best." But one of them IS and one of them should get the highest rookie honor. I'm hoping national sports writers who vote for these things notice their incredible play as well.