Michael Vick Leads Wide-Open NFL MVP Race
Vinnie Iyer - SportingNews.com
Nov 16, 2010
You can't spell MVP without Michael Vick's initials. And now you can't talk about the award for 2010 without considering Vick first on the list.
He did the ultimate campaigning on Monday night, burning Washington's defense for arguably the best game of any quarterback in NFL history (20-for-28 passing, 333 yards, 4 TDs; 8 rushes for 80 yards, 2 TDs).
"He could always run but now nobody else has a weapon like him in the National Football League," Redskins linebacker London Fletcher said after losing to Vick's Eagles, 59-28.
Vick is a unique contender, because he has played in only six games out of Philadelphia's nine. But the fact he's having an unblemished season as a complete quarterback -- 4-0 as a starter, 15 total TDs to no turnovers, a league-best 115.1 passer rating -- makes him the strongest contender.
"He's been a decisive difference-maker in every game he's played," said NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger.
There's nothing in the way of Vick's performing that will keep him from winning the league's top individual honor. As in his past, however, the big concern is staying healthy. Even while improving so much all-around, Vick has remained fearless in taking off and running.
If he proves to be durable, he just might shake the thinking that only a pure pocket passer can win a Super Bowl. Beyond Vick, there are eight other realistic MVP candidates for 2010:
2. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots. Brady had his big national showcase on Sunday night before Vick trumped him. His passionate three-TD performance against the Steelers' top-ranked defense proved just how emotionally charged and focused he is this season, carrying a team short on experienced skill players.
"There's no question that Tom is the leader of our offense," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "He's not only a great quarterback, but he’s a great leader."
If the Patriots make the playoffs and Vick doesn't stay healthy, Brady will likely win his second MVP.
3. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts. The four-time MVP will be on this list probably until he's retired. Like Brady, he's dealing with a shell of past offenses. He would be above Brady if his team had a better record, but he has a big chance head-to-head against his New England counterpart this week.
4. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers. What's hurting him is the fact his team is 4-5, but as San Diego makes its expected second-half charge toward another AFC West title, Rivers will be in the conversation. He's already on pace to break Dan Marino's single-season passing yardage record (5,098). In the same vein as Brady and Manning, he hasn't missed a beat, no matter to whom he's throwing.
Whether it's Brady throwing to Brandon Tate, Manning trusting in Jacob Tamme, or Rivers connecting to Seyi Ajirotutu, unfamiliar names have produced familiar results for the trio of elite quarterbacks.
"They just have the ability to make everyone around them better," Baldinger said. "They take whoever they have and make the best of it."
5. Clay Matthews, OLB, Packers. In fewer than two full seasons, he has emerged as the league's most disruptive force, with 21.5 sacks in 25 games, including the Packers’ playoff game last season. If Green Bay ends up winning the NFC, Matthews, already with a league-high 10.5 sacks, has a strong case to join Alan Page and Lawrence Taylor as the only defensive players to win the award.
"He plays with a reckless abandon," Baldinger said of Matthews. "He just seems to be keep getting better."
6. Arian Foster, RB, Texans. He's having a great season as an all-purpose back, but Chris Johnson's record 2,509 total yards in '09 didn't earn him the award, and Foster also is on a losing AFC South team.
7. Roddy White, WR, Falcons. Even though he's been the NFL's standout wideout in '10, it's been 23 years since a wide receiver won MVP, and it took Jerry Rice scoring 23 TDs in 12 games to do it.
8. David Garrard, QB, Jaguars. Garrard is the only reason his team is above .500 instead of being among the AFC's worst teams. On top of a potential Jags freefall, playing in Jacksonville doesn't help.
9. Drew Brees, QB, Saints. The Super Bowl 44 MVP is having an "off" season by his high standards, but as New Orleans' offense is about to get healthy, Brees is an intriguing darkhorse, capable of getting red-hot down the stretch.
"You can't count him out, especially when he gets Reggie Bush back," Baldinger said.
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