The Eddies: Season Awards

Well 2006 is done, no playoffs and now we can look forward to free agency and the draft, but first we have to hand out the end of the season Eddie Awards.

MVP: The Eddie goes to Frank Gore. Gore set franchise records for yards in a season and yards from scrimmage in a season. Oh yeah and he won the NFC rushing crown as well.

Defensive Player of the Year: The Eddie goes to both Walt Harris and Brandon Moore. Harris had one of the best seasons for a corner in a long time and Brandon Moore turned the defense around once he got the start. Forced fumbles, sacks and more.

Offensive Lineman of the Year - The Eddie goes to Eric Heitmann. He solidified the line after Newberry was shelved and despite missing the final two games with an injury he was the one consistent throughout the year.

Worst Lineman of the Year - The Eddie goes to Kwame Harris. How Harris still has a job is anyones guess, but watching Kwame get pushed back off the line week in and week out was embarrassing.

Pu**y of the Year - The Eddie goes to Jonas Jennings who spent more time lying on the ground due to injury than he did standing up.

Hit of the Year - This was a tough choice, there was the Spencer hit on Kitna, the Lewis hit on Branch and the Robinson hit on Dawkins. In the end the Eddie goes to Michael Robinson for knocking Brian Dawkins out of the game.

Play of the Year - The Eddie goes to Alex Smith for escaping a sack from Seahawks Kelly Herndon and then scrambling and hitting a wide open Frank Gore for the touchdown.

Clutch Player of the Year - The Eddie goes to Arnaz Battle. It seemed anytime the 49ers needed a big catch in a key situation Battle was on the receiving end.

Biggest Letdown of the Year - The Eddie goes to Derek Smith. Yeah he racks up 100+ tackles a season, but a middle linebacker should. Derek Smith played poorly this season with or without a lazy eye.

Rookie of the Year - The Eddie goes to Manny Lawson. Vernon Davis was close but due to his injury Lawson wins by default.

Underrated Player of the Year - The Eddie goes to Andy Lee. Lee punted his ass off and quietly had one of the best seasons from a 49ers punter in a long time.

Most Improved Player of the Year - The Eddie goes to Alex Smith for putting his rookie season behind him and having a solid year.

Biggest Surprise of the Year - The Eddie goes to Keith Lewis. Walt Harris trailed Lewis, but in the end Lewis proved he could handle the safety spot and also brought a spark to the defense with his hits.