Johnathan Franklin's Neck Injury Proves Career Ending

After Johnathan Franklin had his rookie season cut short due to a neck injury, many assumed that Franklin, a fourth round draft pick out of UCLA, would be able to return within the next few years. Yet with today's announcement by Packers head coach Mike McCarthy saying Green Bay has officially released Franklin, the UCLA running back followed up by announcing his retirement from football. An All-American in college, Franklin and Lacy were supposed to help take some pressure off of Aaron Rodger's arm for the next few years, but obviously, that task will now fall solely upon Eddie Lacy. We wish Franklin the very best in his life after football.

NFL Award Predictions 2013

Most Valuable Player: QB Peyton Manning: Does this come as a surprise to anyone? Peyton Manning shattered all types of records in 2013 in his second year in Denver, including the single season records for touchdowns (55) and passing yards (5,477). Manning's multiple weapons on offense helped him reach the third Super Bowl of his career. Manning has little competition this season for Most Valuable Player, even though running backs Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy both had great seasons.

Offensive Player of the Year: QB Peyton Manning: With the record breaking statistics that Manning put up in 2013, he is not only a shoe-in for MVP, but also Offensive Player of the Year. Most seasons, Jamaal Charles (1,287 yards, 5.0 yards per carry, 19 total touchdowns) would be a legitimate contender for Offensive Player of the Year, but Manning is not your average player, and 2013 was not your average season.

Defensive Player of the Year: LB Luke Kuechly: Not only did the Carolin aPanthers make the playoffs in 2013, but their star defensive player in Luke Kuechly quickly became the best defensive player in all of football. Kuechly led the league in sacks last season, and even though he did not achieve this feat two years in a row, his 156 tackles and 4 interceptions will likely win him Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: RB Eddie Lacy: With Aaron Rodgers on the sideline for the majority of the 2013 season, rookie running back Eddie Lacy was forced to step up and fill the void left by Rodgers, a former MVP Award recipient. Lacy rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns, which will likely win him Offensive Rookie of the Year over wide receiver Keenan Allen (1,046 yards, 8 touchdowns).

Defensive Rookie of the Year: DT Sheldon Richardson: The New York Jets may have missed out on the playoffs in 2013, but their defensive line has become one of the best in all of football. The D-line, also nicknamed "Sons of Anarchy", was anchored by Sheldon Richardson, who recorded 77 tackles with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Coach of the Year: Andy Reid: After going 2-14 in 2012, the worst record of any team in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs hired former Eagles head coach Andy Reid. The Kansas City Chiefs did a complete 180, as they reached the playoffs, and even gave Peyton Manning and the Broncos a run for their money when it came to the division title. Kansas City's 9-0 start this season practically guaranteed Reid the Coach of the Year Award.

2013 NFL Award Predictions

Most Valuable Player: QB Peyton Manning: Peyton Manning's performance against the Baltimore Ravens last Thursday perfectly showed how lethal the Denver Broncos offense has become. Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas, and Eric Decker are bound to be Manning's favorite targets, and we predict Peyton Manning to throw for more than 50 touchdowns this year, breaking Tom Brady's record.

Offensive Player of the Year: QB Peyton Manning: If Manning is able to break Tom Brady's record of 50 passing touchdowns, he is a shoe-in for both MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. The Broncos offense was able to score 7 passing touchdowns against the Ravens defense, so imagine what they will do against a team like Jacksonville...

Defensive Player of the Year: DE JJ Watt: With the return of cornerback Darrelle Revis, the fight for Defensive Player of the Year will only become more competitive, but we see JJ "Swatt" winning this award for the second consecutive season. Watt was a sack away from breaking Michael Strahan's single season sack record in 2012, and even though we do not see Watt breaking the record in 2013, Watt's dominating campaign will win him this award once again.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: RB Eddie Lacy: Eddie Lacy is a thick, physical running back who will be used to take some pressure off of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. We predict Lacy's main competition to be Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin for this award, but in the end, Lacy will be the 31st running back to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: DE Ezekiel Ansah: Despite having just three years of experience playing football since he left Ghana, Ansah has too much raw talent to be sitting on the sidelines as a rookie. In his first preseason game, Ansah picked off Mark Sanchez and returned it for a touchdown. Big things are clearly in store for Ezekiel Ansah.

Coach of the Year: Sean Payton: The Saints have already taken down Atlanta in Week 1 of the 2013, so Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints are off to a great start. Brees is likely to surpass 5,000 yards yet again, especially if tight end Jimmy Graham is able to stay healthy. If the defense improves slightly, Sean Payton is a shoe-in for this award.

Comeback Player of the Year: CB Darrelle Revis: Despite all this talk about Richard Sherman being the best cornerback in the league, Revis remains the most dominant at the position. His new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ranked dead last in pass defense last season, so this organization is building the defense around their newly acquired cornerback. He will not disappointment.