Jaguars wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker is one of five finalists for the 2009 VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER Award. For the past two seasons, VIZIO, America's #1 LCD HDTV Company, has recognized the professional football player who has performed above and beyond expectations, relative to his contract, with its groundbreaking VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER award. With the finalists established, VIZIO is calling upon fans across the country to choose the winner by voting online between January 12 - 25 at www.topvalueperformer.com
Sims-Walker led the Jaguars with a career-high 63 receptions for 869 yards (13.8 avg.) and seven touchdowns and three 100-yard receiving games. He became the fourth wide receiver in team history to have 55-plus receptions in a season (Jimmy Smith, Keenan McCardell, Matt Jones). In addition, Sims-Walker joined Smith and McCardell as the only wide receivers in team history with 800-plus receiving yards in a season.
At the conclusion of the 2007 season, the inaugural VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER hardware went to Jaguars quarterback David Garrard, who led the Jaguars to their first playoff win since 1999. Last year, then-New England and now Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel stepped in for an injured Tom Brady despite not having started a game under center since high school. Cassel led the team to eleven victories, taking home VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER honors.
As in past years, the company consulted one of professional football's most highly-respected former General Managers to help evaluate and select five finalists for this unique award. Ron Wolf masterminded Green Bay's return to dominance on the arm of Brett Favre and the former backup quarterback in Atlanta who went on to become one of football's living legends in Green Bay and now Minnesota.
"Each and every season in professional football, virtually overlooked yet talented players emerge from 'off the radar' and help lead their teams to new heights," said Wolf. "As a former GM often charged with identifying untapped talent, I really appreciate this award, because it recognizes those special players who exceed expectations and become valuable difference-makers for their teams."
VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER finalists are evaluated based on their regular season performances and statistics and the role they played in the success of their teams. These factors are then measured against their base salaries to come up with the following finalists:
The five candidates for the 2009 VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER award were:
- Elvis Dumervil – DE – Denver
- Mike Sims-Walker – WR – Jacksonville
- Steve Smith – WR – New York Giants
- Ray Rice – RB – Baltimore
- Vincent Jackson – WR – San Diego
