Who one thinks is the MVP depends almost entirely on one’s definition of MVP. Some define MVP as the player with the best individual stats, period, regardless of team record. Some think the MVP is the player with the best stats on the best team, even if another player at the same position has better stats (but on a bad/losing team). Personally, I take the “V” in MVP literally: I think the MVP should be the player who is most valuable to his team; the player without whom the team would not be in (contention for) the playoffs. So, using that definition, I give you my mid-season MVP candidates:
Kerry Collins (Tennessee Titans) – Ok, not really. But, his contribution to the Titans’ success has been overlooked and downplayed, with critics hanging the dreaded “game manager” tag on him. Collins has thrown for over 35,000 career yards and made his bones in this league with his arm; he is not “just” a game manager. Anyone who doubts that Collins is still able to get it done through the air need only look to last week’s game against the Bears. The Bears committed 8 men in the box to take away the run, daring Collins to beat them with his arm… and he did, completing 30 of 41, throwing for almost 300 yards, 2 TDs and no INTs in route to the Titans’ win. So, while he’s probably not a realistic NFL MVP candidate considering the outstanding competition, he has been invaluable to the Titans’ success and I don’t think anyone could say with a straight face that the Titans would be 9-0 with Vince Young at the helm.
Kurt Warner (Arizona Cardinals) – Warner is 2nd in the league in total yards (2,760), yards per game (306), TDs (19), currently has the best completion percentage at 70.6, the highest QB rating in the league at 106.4, and has lead the upstart Cardinals to an NFC West leading record of 6-3. Considering Warner’s career looked to have stalled following the 2003 season, for Warner to have had such a rebirth 7 years after last receiving the NFL MVP is nothing short of amazing and could be a story many voters find hard to pass on when casting their ballots.
Clinton Portis (Washington Redskins) – Beast. Clinton Portis is just a beast. Period. Despite being dinged up virtually since the start of the season, Portis has carried the Redskins to an NFC East second best 6-3 record on the strength of his 995 total yards / 110 yards per game / 7 TD performance. That opponents must respect his rushing threat so seriously opens things up for QB Jason Campbell, who is having by far his best season to date. As Portis goes the Redskins go, and if that’s not MVP material I don’t know what is.
Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) – Peterson is somewhat of a dark horse in my race at the moment (only because of his team’s record), but has come on amazingly strong over the past 3 weeks, rushing for 452 yards and 4 TDs, including carrying the Vikings to a win over the Packers on Sunday virtually single handedly. Peterson leads the NFL in total yards, yards per game, and rushing attempts. Should his numbers hold up and the Vikings win the NFC North Peterson must be considered a serious MVP candidate.
Albert Haynesworth (Tennessee Titans) – Another dark horse candidate – because defensive players rarely win the MVP (Lawrence Taylor in 1986 being the most recent) – Haynesworth is nevertheless a legitimate MVP candidate as far as I’m concerned. Unquestionably the heart and soul of the Titans defense, Haynesworth has helped lead the D to an NFL leading fewest points per game allowed (13), best turnover differential (+10), 6 individual sacks (the team overall is 2nd in the league with 15) a forced fumble, and is an every down player equally efficient against the run or the pass. The difference when Haynesworth is on the field is palpable, and the Titans’ 2-6 record without him over the past 2 seasons is a testament to the crucial role he plays. The Titans are the NFL’s only unbeaten team at 9-0, and are doing it in large part on defense. Haynesworth is the key to the Titans D, and that makes him a legitimate NFL MVP candidate.
Contenders…
New England Patriots – Yeah, how about that? The Brady-less Patriots are quietly tied for 1st in the AFC East and that guy Cassel actually seems to be able to play a little ball back there at the QB spot. Though not setting the world on fire, Cassel has been more than serviceable for the Pats and has lead them to an overall 6-3 record, including 3 wins in their last four outings. The Thursday night showdown with the Jets is for outright ownership of 1st place in the AFC East, and if the Pats can get past the NY Favres they have a very manageable remaining schedule, with their last six opponents currently sporting a combined 26-28 record.
NY Jets – The Jets go into Thursday night’s match-up with the Pats riding a 3 game winning streak, having finally gotten Thomas Jones rolling with his 149 yard / 3 TD performance in the Jets’ 47-3 blowout against the Rams on Sunday. But, it was only the Rams (2-7), and Favre has thrown twice as many INTs (8) than TDs (4) over the past 5 games, and also fumbled 6 times. The jury’s still out on Favre and the Jets, but their performance against the Patriots tomorrow night will go a long way toward deciding whether the Jets are legitimate contenders or just overhyped pretenders.
…or Pretenders
Buffalo Bills – The jury isn’t out, however, on the Bills, who have cooled off considerably since their 4-0 start. After teasing us all with thoughts of a possible return to the Jim Kelly era Buffalo Bills of old, the current Bills have lost 4 of their last 5, including the last 3 in a row. With Cleveland, Kansas City and San Francisco lined up as their next 3 opponents the Bills have a chance to get back into the hunt, but if they can’t circle the wagons over the next 3 weeks against teams that are a combined 6-21 they’ll cement their pretender status.
Green Bay Packers – For two glorious weeks everything looked like it was going to be all right in Green Bay post-Favre: the Packers charged out of the gate to a 2-0 start, beating their first two opponents by a combined score of 72-44, and heir apparent Aaron Rodgers threw for 506 yards / 4 TDs / 0 INTs…. oh how things have changed. Since then the Packers have gone 2-5 and have fallen to third in the NFC North behind the solid Bears and surging Vikings. The 2007 Packers were 8-1 at this point last season and the Cheese Heads are getting restless. With tough defensive teams Chicago and Carolina and high scoring New Orleans up the next 3 weeks the Packers could be in serious trouble, with their shot at the playoffs fast slipping away since they are unlikely to get in unless they win the division.
Quest For The “Perfect” Season
Cowardly Lions – Ah, finally a satisfying, not even close loss for the Lions! After 3 weeks of real effort I was getting concerned, but the Lions looked in complete shambles against the Jaguars and notched up a nice 24 point loss… and on their home field to boot! Culpepper demonstrated in his hasty, 5 days of prep start that he is clearly not in any kind of game shape and was replaced by rookie QB Drew Stanton after throwing for 0 TDs, 1 INT, and compiling a QB rating of 47.5. Stanton, however, could definitely be a problem; in limited playing time he went 6 out of 8 for 94 yards, 1 TD (on his first NFL pass ever!), 0 INT, and had a QB rating of 153.1. I’m going to be very displeased with this rookie should he dash my dreams of a perfect season in Detroit!
