Half of the professional football season has passed us by. How sad. The feeling of boredom following the Super Bowl has already begun to creep in. Let me reminisce on the excitement and most outstanding moments of the first half of the 2005 season.

MVP: Carson Palmer. Everyone knew he was talented and he was going to put it all together one of these years. The pieces finally have fallen in place around him, Chad and Rudi Johnson, along with a defense which has a +20 turnover differential, have helped as he entered week nine leading the league in passing yards.

Offensive Player: Steve Smith. The league's best unknown wide receiver has made it clear who he is. He may not run his mouth like TO, or have a checklist, but his explosive play has led to eight touchdowns and his team sitting atop the NFC South.

Defensive Player: Brian Urlacher. The quiet leader anchors the third-best defense in the NFL. Urlacher among the leaders of total tackles as well as sacks. The Bears resurgence and lead atop the 'Black and Blue' division is undoubtedly a result of Urlacher's health and improved play.

Coach: Marvin Lewis. Always regarded as a talented coach without a talented team, Lewis has directed his squad to a 6-2 first half record. Lewis, a defensive minded coach, has never struggled with his team scoring points but his direction of the Cincinnati defense is what has them leading the AFC North

Disappointing Player: Yes, Terrell Owens has disgraced himself again, but is anyone surprised? No one anticipated Daunte Culpepper forgetting all he knew about how to play quarterback. His abysmal six touchdown to 12 interception ratio left Viking fans praying for a reason that Culpepper would come off the field; their hopes were realized when Culpepper went down for the season with several torn knee ligaments.

Disappointing Team: New York Jets. One of the last eight teams to be playing last season may be one of the first eight teams picking in this April's draft. The Jets did catch bad luck losing both their starting and backup quarterback on the same Sunday, but they should have planned accordingly knowing that Chad Pennington is more often seen with a sling than a football in his hand.

Surprise Player: Robert Mathis. Is it possible that the Colts have a leader in sacks not named Dwight Freeney? Yes, it's true Robert Mathis has not only the most sacks on the Colts but in the NFL. He has been a key contributor to a defense which has finally learned how to play together and has the Colts entering the second half as the only undefeated team.

Surprise Team: Chicago Bears. Well, it does help they play in the league's worst division, but solid defense and veteran-like play from rookie Kyle Orton has the Bears sitting in first place. The contributions from the secondary, 11 interceptions and two touchdowns, gives the defense extra punch.