Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots, linebacker Kirk Morrison of the Oakland Raiders, and kick returner-wide receiver Joshua Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for September, the NFL announced today.
OFFENSE: QB TOM BRADY NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
As the Patriots posted a 3-0 record in September, Brady led the NFL with a 79.5 completion percentage and a 141.8 quarterback rating. Brady completed 70 of 88 passes for 887 yards with 10 touchdowns. In Week 3 against Buffalo (9/23), Brady set a new career-high with a 150.9 passer rating and tied a career-high with four touchdown passes. The veteran signal caller tossed three or more touchdowns in three consecutive games (9/9-9/23) and his 10 touchdown passes are the highest three-game total of his career. With Brady at the helm, New England was the league's number ranked offense in September as the team scored 38 points in all three games.
In his eighth season from Michigan, this is Brady's first career Player of the Month Award.
DEFENSE: LB KIRK MORRISON, OAKLAND RAIDERS
Morrison, the man in the middle of the Raiders defense, has been a force as Oakland closed out September winning two consecutive games. The Raiders' defense has posted eight interceptions, which rank first in the AFC and third in the NFL. The third-year linebacker had an interception in each of the first three games and is tied for first in the AFC and is tied for second in the league with three interceptions. All three interceptions took place in Oakland territory, thwarting potential scoring drives. The Raiders' leading tackler last season (238), Morrison leads the team with 35 tackles, including four tackles for a loss. Morrison has also contributed a team-high six passes defensed.
In his third year from San Diego State, this is Morrison's first Player of the Month Award.
SPECIAL TEAMS: KR-WR JOSHUA CRIBBS, CLEVELAND BROWNS
Entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2005, Cribbs has established himself as a key contributor on the Browns' special teams units. Cribbs leads all NFL kickoff returners with 549 kickoff return yards and a 34.3 kickoff return average for the month. Cribbs posted five kickoff returns over 30 yards in September. In Week 3 against Oakland (9/23), Cribbs returned four kickoffs for 174 yards (43.5 average), including a career long 99-yard return for a touchdown (third of his career). Cribbs is tied for first in Browns history with BOBBY MITCHELL (3) for the most career kickoff return touchdowns and needs 49 yards to pass DINO HALL (3,185) and become the franchise leader in kickoff-return yards. Cribbs also ranks second on the team with six special teams tackles.
In his third year from Kent State, this is Cribbs' first Player of the Month Award.
