ESPN analyst Joe Theismann answers five key questions after Week 16 of the 2001 NFL season:

Who is the NFL's Most Valuable Player for 2001?

	Only Jim Brown (6) has more four-TD games than Marshall Faulk, who had his fourth Sunday.

I think Rams running back Marshall Faulk is the MVP again.

Faulk is so important to the Rams' high-powered offense. He has 20 touchdowns again this year (including four Sunday against the Colts). He makes plays running and receiving.

He proves his value to St. Louis every time he touches the football.

You could also make a case for Rams QB Kurt Warner and Steelers QB Kordell Stewart.

Other candidates include Raiders QB Rich Gannon (although the Raiders' recent woes hurt his candidacy) and 49ers QB Jeff Garcia.

But I believe Faulk, the NFL's 2000 MVP, should be the MVP again in 2001.

Who is the Coach of the Year?
Marty Schottenheimer is my Coach of the Year. The Redskins started the season 0-5 but have a chance next week to finish with a .500 record -- what a tremendous job.

Washington was really a terrible football team at 0-5. But all of a sudden, after the 'Skins had a team meeting, they started making plays and their season turned around. They even got back into the playoff picture for a while. Give credit to Schottenheimer for keeping his players focused and not letting them give up on the season after those first five games.

Bill Belichick also deserves strong consideration. No one expected much from the Patriots -- especially after Drew Bledsoe went down with an injury in Week 2. But the Pats are in the playoffs and could win the AFC East next week.

Dick Jauron has pulled off a similar feat with the Bears. Talk about low expectations -- no one expected Chicago to compete for a playoff spot this season, much less the NFC Central crown. The Bears are already in the playoffs, and a win next week clinches the division.

Who is the Comeback Player of the Year?
I don't think there's any question -- the Comeback Player of the Year is 49ers running back Garrison Hearst.

Hearst should finish first, second, third, fourth and fifth in the voting. What he has been able to accomplish this season -- given what he's been through in the two years he's missed, with the injuries and the rehabilitation -- is absolutely amazing. He has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and a 4.9-yard average. It's as if he never missed a beat.

I don't see anybody challenging Hearst for this award.

Who are the offensive and defensive Rookies of the Year?
Bears running back Anthony Thomas is my offensive Rookie of the Year, because he should get as much credit as anyone for Chicago's turnaround this season.

The Bears are a great defensive team, and on offense, they focus on the run. They believe they can run the football, and the A-train is the reason why.

Other candidates include Bears wide receiver David Terrell and Dolphins WR Chris Chambers.

For defensive Rookie of the Year, I'll go with Steelers inside linebacker Kendrell Bell. He's provided big hits and big plays for Pittsburgh's D, which allows the fewest yards per game in the NFL.

Who is the Executive of the Year?
Bears general manager Jerry Angelo would be my Executive of the Year. Angelo has done a good job building the defense and deserves credit for the resurgence of the playoff-bound and division-leading Bears.

Seattle GM/coach Mike Holmgren merits consideration as well. He brought in running back Shaun Alexander, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and some good young receivers; he built a good offensive line. He may get overlooked because he's the coach, but he's also done a good job from an organizational standpoint. And the Seahawks are still alive in the playoff race heading into the season's final week.

What's your prescription to make the Redskins and Saints better in 2002?
For the Redskins: They need better play at quarterback. But I think Tony Banks deserves a chance to go through an entire training camp. Remember, the Redskins got him late in the preseason, and Jeff George began the season as their starter. Still, Banks is probably not their long-term answer, so that's a decision Schottenheimer needs to make as he approaches the draft and evaluates any free-agent QBs. Plus, wide receiver Michael Westbrook will be a free agent.

Going into 2002, I believe the 'Skins are a dangerous team. But they need stability at quarterback.

For the Saints: They simply need to be a smarter team. They made way too many mistakes this season. Quarterback Aaron Brooks will be a better player and will need to continue to improve. Brooks can do what Kordell Stewart did this season; he just needs to be more consistent and to make better decisions.

A game analyst for ESPN's Sunday Night Football, former NFL QB Joe Theismann won a Super Bowl and a league MVP award. He reviews the NFL each week for ESPN.com in Cup o' Joe.