The Unlikely MVP
Last week, ESPN writers revealed who they believed should win the NFL MVP this season. Today, and updated list and ranking was released. I feel it necessary to add my opinion and say that this race isn't as wide open as you may think. It is time to take a few names off of that list...and maybe add one.
First of all I need to say that I respect the great teams of the season. I am not a fan of the Raiders, Cowboys, or Patriots, but what these teams are doing is noticed and respected. With that being said, I believe that much of the success that we are seeing from these teams comes from a team aspect.
Let me explain.
Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot are both in the running for Rookie of the Year....and rightfully so. They both are also in the running for league MVP which I do not agree with. It is a bit of a miracle that they Cowboys are 11-1 this season when few people expected them to even have a winning record this season. It is an accomplishment worth noting. The other thing worth noting is that the offensive line in Dallas is beyond good. They are easily the best in the league. They have created ideal circumstances for both a running back and a quarterback. They are the real MVPs of the team. This makes Dak and Zeke only the sixth and seventh best players on their own team.
This argument also can have some bearing in Oakland where David Carr (the current front runner) is leading his team to a brilliant season. He is doing something truly special but it is happening usually only in the fourth quarter of each game. They are a comeback team. The first three quarters of play for Carr is rather mediocre. He also has to face the fact that he may not be the best on his team either. Khalil Mack is playing so dominantly that as a front runner for Defensive Player of the Year, he may be stunting Carr's MVP hopes.
Then there is Tom Brady. Unlike others, I will not write him off because of his suspension though I will say that maybe there ought to be a policy that player who come under discipline resulting in suspension should forfeit the right to an MVP award. That policy is not in place and Brady is playing well. He needs to be considered. The one thing that will take him out of the running is the fact that without him, the Patriots were still 3-1. They were still winning. The definition of Most Valuable insinuates that they are irreplaceable to a degree. Tom Brady is legendary, but this season that value is semi diminished by the whole team performing well...especially in Brady's absence.
And where did Matt Stafford come from? I'm just going to say no to that one and move on.
My vote is simply and easy. The Falcons are leading the NFC South with an average running game and a lack luster defense. The difference makers are in the passing game. It is a passing game led by Matt Ryan who is at or near the top of the list on every quarterback statistic. He is playing consistently well and though he isn't necessarily the most exciting to watch, he has value to his team beyond what anyone else brings to the table. His mechanics are solid. His intangibles are on point. He is a leader and an irreplaceable part of a winning team; a team that probably wouldn't be winning without him.
Matty Ice for MVP!!!
First of all I need to say that I respect the great teams of the season. I am not a fan of the Raiders, Cowboys, or Patriots, but what these teams are doing is noticed and respected. With that being said, I believe that much of the success that we are seeing from these teams comes from a team aspect.
Let me explain.
Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot are both in the running for Rookie of the Year....and rightfully so. They both are also in the running for league MVP which I do not agree with. It is a bit of a miracle that they Cowboys are 11-1 this season when few people expected them to even have a winning record this season. It is an accomplishment worth noting. The other thing worth noting is that the offensive line in Dallas is beyond good. They are easily the best in the league. They have created ideal circumstances for both a running back and a quarterback. They are the real MVPs of the team. This makes Dak and Zeke only the sixth and seventh best players on their own team.
This argument also can have some bearing in Oakland where David Carr (the current front runner) is leading his team to a brilliant season. He is doing something truly special but it is happening usually only in the fourth quarter of each game. They are a comeback team. The first three quarters of play for Carr is rather mediocre. He also has to face the fact that he may not be the best on his team either. Khalil Mack is playing so dominantly that as a front runner for Defensive Player of the Year, he may be stunting Carr's MVP hopes.
Then there is Tom Brady. Unlike others, I will not write him off because of his suspension though I will say that maybe there ought to be a policy that player who come under discipline resulting in suspension should forfeit the right to an MVP award. That policy is not in place and Brady is playing well. He needs to be considered. The one thing that will take him out of the running is the fact that without him, the Patriots were still 3-1. They were still winning. The definition of Most Valuable insinuates that they are irreplaceable to a degree. Tom Brady is legendary, but this season that value is semi diminished by the whole team performing well...especially in Brady's absence.
And where did Matt Stafford come from? I'm just going to say no to that one and move on.
My vote is simply and easy. The Falcons are leading the NFC South with an average running game and a lack luster defense. The difference makers are in the passing game. It is a passing game led by Matt Ryan who is at or near the top of the list on every quarterback statistic. He is playing consistently well and though he isn't necessarily the most exciting to watch, he has value to his team beyond what anyone else brings to the table. His mechanics are solid. His intangibles are on point. He is a leader and an irreplaceable part of a winning team; a team that probably wouldn't be winning without him.
Matty Ice for MVP!!!
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