Who is your favorite and why?

I have two guys targeted as favorites for this award, Julius Jones and Roy Williams.

Julius Jones - As everyone knows by now, Parcells has an eye for talent, especially the RB position. Parcells waisted no time in targeting on Jones this year, and Jones will be running behind an offensive line that is improved from last season. If Jones can excel out of the backfield as a solid receiver, he is guaranteed this award, in my opinion, because Dallas will be playing ball control with a mixture of the running game, and short passes all season.

Roy Williams - No longer will he be the focal point of defenses, at least for a few games. Williams may start out as the #3 receiver, but will be lining up on every down opposite Charles Rodgers very soon into the season. Rodgers demands attention, which will prevent Williams from being double teamed.

Longshot- Kevin Jones. He just might be able to make Lions fans quit thinking about Barry.

Although both J. Jones and Williams are valid picks for the reasons stated I am still of the opinion that with Julius coming back from an injury last year and was gradually working himself back into form throughout the season I can see it taking another year at this level before he will produce like you are projecting. There was a reason why before Dallas picked him he was consistently a late 2nd and early 3rd round sleeper. The Tuna may know RB's but he will also wait for him to develop. He will doe well but because of the offense and his own skill but his real value will be the following season.

Given time I think Roy Williams will outperform Rogers. I am not sure his opportunity to produce immediately is any better than Larry Fitzgerald's though.

I don't think Kevin Jones will have us Lion fans forgetting Barry anytime soon but he is in a position to make more of an impact than Julius. Granted this may be the result of preseason rose colored glasses and I like Detroits upgrades at two skilled positions but he was consistently ranked #1 or #2 among RB's prior to the NFL draft and is in a position to lockup the starting position much like Jones so the opportunity is there.

Though he may not win the award the player that could end up deserving it is Sean Taylor. I'm looking forward to seeing how he does.

Am I missing something? What injury is Julius Jones coming back from?

I'm tinking that Larry Fitzgerald will be the guy. Denny Green will probably promote the use of Fitzgerald to the detriment of Anquan Boldin. He'll be given evey opportunity to flourish.

The season before last and he appeared to improve throughout this past season but I do not believe he has reached his potential.

ah, that what I thought you were talking about. The missed season was academic, not injury, although any lost time is not good.

I wasn't aware of that. Thanks. I know he finished the 2001 season injured and I must have taken it for granted that it was a factor on his missing 2002. Could have sworn I heard the gradual improvement over the following season being associated with a recovery from an injury but I don't recall it ever being laid out in any detail.

I will have to check in on the injury situation, an injury of that length is a definate cause for concern, although I am totally convinced JJ is the real deal, and this pick will go down as another great decision for Bill Parcells.