I am privileged to have a vote for the NFL All-Pro team, and I've been mulling over some choices. I thought it might be fun to throw out some names for some of the awards and see who you, the great readers of this clog, prefer.
Note: I am obliged not to reveal my vote until the award is announced.
Thus, this is done for discussion only.
We shall start with the big one: MVP.
Now … I define MVP specifically as "valuable." Not as "best." The best player receives the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year Awards. MVP is the guy who means the most to his team. Take him away and what do they have.
These are the guys I'm considering. I welcome (well … I don't really welcome … but you get the idea) your comments, and if there's someone not on the list you think is worthy of consideration, please suggest him.
Peyton Manning
Chris Johnson
Drew Brees
Ahtyba Rubin
Philip Rivers
Brett Favre
MVP is Manning. He IS the Colts. Any of the other guys mentioned can miss a game or two & not destroy the team. Manning can not, thus making him the most valuable.
However, Ahtyba Rubin is undefeated as a starter, right? Nobody else on the list can say that…
I think you have listed 5 of the top 6 candidates, but I think you should consider Aaron Rodgers as well. Without him, the Pack never makes the playoffs.
And he led my fantasy football team to the title…so maybe I'm not totally objective.
How did your fantasy team make out this year, Pat?
It's gotta be Manning in a landslide. Without him are the Colts even a playoff team?
That said, I'd lean towards Johnson as AFC OPOTY
Why not vote for Sasha Pavlovic? Windhorst once had the cajones to give Pavlovic his vote for the Comeback Player of the Year Award. The only vote Pavlovic has received from any media person. Ever. Why did Windhorst give Pavlovic his vote, you ask? Because he knew nobody else would. That's actually what his explanation was. Always nice when sportswriters take their responsibilities so darned seriously. It's a cryin' shame Pluto didn't have a ballot, or Ferry would have gotten a Comeback Player of the Year vote.
Accordingly, I hereby demand one MVP vote for Jamal Lewis. Just for laughs. Who's going to stop you? I certainly won't.
If I had a vote it would be Manning. No one has the command of the game that he has when he is on the field.
personal awards in team sports—i could care less. i second jamal lewis.
Pat…
I am a daily reader of the blog, etc. and I rarely comment.
I don't understand this MVP definition.
I agree that the best Offensive player should win the best Offensive award
(and the same for the Defensive player).
BUT… why does the MVP go to the most valuable player to that team? Isn't this a NFL award? Why not save the Team MVP for that purpose? This award should go to the MVP to the league. Look at all of the stats and the affect that the person hand in the games that they played…
I say an MVP vote should also be cast for Patrick McManamon, only because I know he had to go back and check and double-check and triple-check the spelling of the word "Ahtyba" before he felt comfortable enough to post it. So, to review: Jamal Lewis, Sasha Pavlovic and Patrick McManamon, and not necessarily in that order.
Peyton place and J C who wears #4 for the Vikings take away either and well tough vote in my humble opine
Well, of all the players you listed (and I would also add Aaron Rogers to that mix), Favre is the one who is in a situation that really makes it easiest to see just how valuable he is to the Vikes. He is the major difference this season, and they have lost the only games he has played poorly in, so I think I have to give it to him. Peyton is an excellent choice also.
But as someone else mentioned, Rubin is undefeated as a starter, so he's got that going for him, which is nice.
I would have to say Manning, with Phillip Rivers a close 2nd.