NFL MVP race: Vick, Brady even (Ryan, White close behind)
Michael Vick had four touchdowns against Giants.
Matt Ryan is close to setting an NFL win record.
There are two games left in the NFL’s regular season. Other than finalizing the playoff field, the greatest debate seems to be: Who is the season’s MVP?
The way I see it, it’s a four-player race that’s still up for grabs. But right now, Tom Brady and Michael Vick are at the top, and I’ve got them even. The other two candidates: Matt Ryan and Roddy White of the Falcons.
I welcome your opinion. Also got a poll up.
Loading ...Just one thing: I was on Twitter last night and the rapper @BowWow turned moron when he Tweeted, “If @MikeVick dont get MVP the nfl and commisioner[sic] are [bleeping] racist. Who u kno can go to jail come out turn a franchise around and dominate.”
I will say this once: PLEASE let’s have a civil debate without getting into a race debate. I will grant you that a lot of folks probably hold a grudge against Vick for his past, but let’s remember that at one time he brought this city together like maybe no athlete ever has, and it wasn’t about race then. If, say, Brady wins the MVP, it’s not because the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell are racist. Sorry, Bowwow.
OK, here are my four candidates, listed in order of preference, going into the last two weeks:
1.) TOM BRADY. New England (12-2) is tied with the Falcons for the best record in the NFL. The biggest reason is Brady. He hasn’t thrown an interception since the Patriots’ fifth game against Baltimore. That’s nine straight games (283 attempts) without a pick. He’s tied for the league lead in touchdowns (31), has the fewest interceptions (four) and the highest quarterback rating (109.9). There’s also this: He and the Patriots’ offense got better after they dumped Randy Moss. Brady made Deion Branch relevant again.
1a.) MICHAEL VICK. The New York Giants’ meltdown against Philadelphia Sunday notwithstanding, is there any quarterback in the league other than Vick who could’ve orchestrated that comeback? I don’t think so. He exuded leadership and was the ultimate weapon, throwing for 242 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 130 and another score. Vick’s turnovers have picked up as he’s gotten more beat up as the season’s gone on. But if he can finish with two strong games against Minnesota and Dallas, he is MVP worthy. The biggest reason not to vote for Vick is he sat out three games and was knocked out early in another. But his body of work compensates for that.
3.) MATT RYAN. I’ve gone back and forth between Ryan and White as to who’s been more valuable this season. Right now, it’s a split vote. Ryan is closing in on an amazing achievement: He is 32-13 as a starter and with wins in the final two games can break Dan Marino’s record for most wins (33) in his first three seasons. But let’s focus on this year. Ryan’s been at his best when the game is on the line, leading several fourth-quarter comebacks. That defines a winner (and the Falcons have won eight straight and more than any team except the Patriots). Despite four interceptions in his last three games, Ryan is on the way to the best touchdown-interception ratio of his career (currently 25 to 9).
3a.) RODDY WHITE. There’s a tendency to lean toward the quarterback when picking an MVP. But White has had the best season of his career and he has made the Falcons a better offense and Ryan a better quarterback with his ability to make plays. White leads the NFL in receptions (106) and receiving yards (1,284), averaging nearly 92 yards per game. He was the reason the Falcons beat Baltimore (12 catches, 138 yards, two touchdowns) and Cincinnati (11, 201, 2). Some wondered if White was worth elite-level money when he got his last contract, but he has proven that he is. Without him, this Falcons’ offense becomes ordinary.
That’s my opinion. I welcome yours.
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593 comments Add your comment
Enemas for Christmas
December 21st, 2010
2:21 pm
What does MVP stand for?
Fred Macmurray
December 21st, 2010
2:22 pm
Thanks Mr Enema,, I stand corrected
Rob Thomas
December 21st, 2010
2:23 pm
Eagles rely on big plays and explosive offense to win. Falcons have kept that very contained since then, so much that they haven’t lost since that game.
Sports Review
December 21st, 2010
2:26 pm
[...] Nation BostonMailbag: Mixed opinions on PatriotsESPNPro Football Weekly -Boston Herald -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 1,620 news [...]
Joe Tess Fish House
December 21st, 2010
2:26 pm
Why R so many people woried about speeling hear? Does it really mater?
The Dogfighter Returns
December 21st, 2010
2:28 pm
Wassup Choke? I see you are still fighting the lonely battle. Keep up the great work.
Fred Macmurray
December 21st, 2010
2:28 pm
Tellem Joe Tess, Spelling is overrated
Um
December 21st, 2010
2:32 pm
He also Divided this city like nothing has……. And for the record he did not unite crap. The team as a whole did that during those seasons by winning.
how2fish
December 21st, 2010
2:33 pm
Who Dat Nation you missed it by that much the first game…we are going to bury you this time….coal in your stockings..
gbal
December 21st, 2010
2:35 pm
MV is a great athelete and seems to have really improved his passing and ability to read defenses. A more complete QB than when with the Falcons, which he admits is due to putting in more time studying the game.
However, I still feel that his long term effectiveness will be a big question for any team who has him as a starting QB. Due to his style, he is always going to be more prone to injury that say a MR, TB, or PM.
Same as when he was with ATL. The best pure athelete on the field, but we could not count on him to be on the field week in and week out. And not because he is not a tough dude… he is; just liklihood of injury is greater due to his style of play.
I might rather watch MV for entertainment and great plays, but I would rather have a MR, TB, or PM on my team and in control.
Dawglasville
December 21st, 2010
2:35 pm
Wow, we not only failed at keeping race out of this we managed to throw gender into it as well. Merry Christmas everyone and go Birds.
Fred Macmurray
December 21st, 2010
2:37 pm
Another copy and paste masterpiece by Matt “Choke” Ryan,,, nice
Katherine
December 21st, 2010
2:38 pm
Who Dat Nation
December 21st, 2010
1:59 pm
Everyone knows the Falcons are a JOKE, go saints!!!
really? I don’t think everyone knows that at all….the falcons have already made the playoffs…have the saints? NO…..and the falcons have already beaten them once this season. Don’t get ahead of yourself just yet….
Rob Thomas
December 21st, 2010
2:40 pm
The Falcons are definitely not a joke, and if you say they are you’re just showing how much you fear them.
timthebrave
December 21st, 2010
2:40 pm
MV7 for MVP, You sound like a guy in love……Have you told Mike about your feelings yet
Richt looking forward to putting Dogs’ season behind him | Jeff Schultz
December 21st, 2010
2:44 pm
[...] – NFL MVP race: Vick and Brady are even (Ryan, White close behind) [...]
Gritz Blitz
December 21st, 2010
2:47 pm
Roddy White was also responsible for us beating the 49ers. Not only did he have a clutch catch in the winning drive, he forced a fumble that turned a certain loss into a possible victory. But if Ryan breaks Mario’s record and helps us win these final two games, how can anyone not vote for him?
Bosely Medical Group
December 21st, 2010
2:49 pm
got to be Brady with that weave bro
Katherine
December 21st, 2010
2:49 pm
“Good luck to MV and his new vision, attitude, friends, and priorities. I wish him the best. But I am a Falcon fan …. GOOOOOO Falcons.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself
wxwax
December 21st, 2010
2:50 pm
Michael Vick.
because he’s operating without an offensive line. Kolb would be toast by now. In fact, he lost his job because he was hurt.
Brady’s not working with name receivers but he gets solid protection. Most QB’s will play well if they get time. Brady, being great, plays great.
But Vick is doing all of this without time in the pocket. He’s taking a beating. But he’s making the throws. And he is, once again, the most exciting player in the NFL.
Bubba
December 21st, 2010
2:51 pm
if you want to talk about a joke,how bout that cess pool of a state on the Bayou
Pats for Life!!!
December 21st, 2010
2:52 pm
When this season is over, we will all have our excuses for why the NFL’s best quarterback in history did not win the MVP award in this, his finest season.
Leave aside the statistics. Tom Brady, the best winner in the NFL, the heart and soul of Bill Belichick’s NFL records and the best of all time, is bound to be lost in the many claims and counterclaims concerning his performance this year, and for that matter any year in the NFL.
Let’s not forget that Brady was honored with both the AP Male Athlete of the Year and NFL MVP in 2007:
“In 2004 and 2007, Brady was named ‘Sportsman of the Year’ by The Sporting News. He was also named the 2007 NFL MVP, as well as 2007 Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press, the first time an NFL player has been honored since Joe Montana won in 1990.”
Most of the current talk is about Michael Vick because of his play in his last game against the New York Giants. Call it whatever you want, but the fact is that the Giants were ahead by three touchdowns in large part due to Vick.
So when he rallies the troops back from a lead he had lost, when people make much of his “huge” talent and when players and others claim if he does not become the MVP, it will be racism, remember this: Vick is what his entire team is. Philadelphia has done little more than in years past. Their coach, running and passing along the margins, is the same as won so many times before.
Special? Perhaps in some ways. Forever tainted. Without a doubt. One will never be able to look at Vick without thinking of the dogs—pictures so grotesque and horrible one cannot even show them on TV. Vick as MVP?
We can also turn to the Philip Rivers fan fest full of former quarterbacks who laud his accuracy and excellence. The “anyone but Brady” crowd. As they have become more and more outdistanced by the obvious shortcomings of their choice, they turn to others.
The normal “turn-to” is the old standard Peyton Manning. They use the excuse that Manning is better because he has “never had a running game” or that he is no choker even though he cannot win the big games or much of anything that counts.
We have Atlanta’s current quarterback and other lesser lights. Yet we have to say, at the end, that they are just excuses.
Remember this.
Brady has managed to revive a group of youngsters and over-the-hill receivers into a team, meshing the best of each into a winner that is the odds-on favorite to win Brady a fourth Super Bowl ring. In an age of great quarterbacks, perhaps the best group ever, he stands out. With the best defenses in the age of defense, we have a quarterback with no interceptions in so long it seems like he will never be intercepted again.
Brady is a man whose leadership brings out the best in everyone—whose grace and gentlemanly ways make even the coldest times on the most frozen fields seem tender and warm.
If this is not the MVP this year, the NFL will become yet another NBA—rewarding the most noisy and obnoxious and anti-establishment, anti-team athletes, instead of the steady rock that makes us all wish for another game highlighting him on TV.
If you want someone who makes the league tick, who has the highest-rated games, who has fans looking for the next televised game profiling the man because he is the Man, you have to vote for Tom Brady. Any other vote would be pure insanity.
By Cliff Potter
Bubba
December 21st, 2010
2:55 pm
Brady won the most” Baby Mommas” award in 2006,2007,2008,2009, 2010
Tonyb
December 21st, 2010
2:57 pm
The only award that really matters is who will be the Super Bowl MVP.
gbal
December 21st, 2010
2:59 pm
And wax…. a lot of the reason for the beating is that teams plan for his style of play and attack him. It is amazing to watch him dodge these defenses so frequently who are game planning to stop him. But he does get beat on a lot and it will catch up to MV and Eagles eventually. He’ll be out! Same as when with ATL. If he is lucky and puts together a long string games avoiding injury, they could go all the way.
Any QB is one play away from injury…
MV and his style of play put him in this “one play away” situation 12-15 times a game.
MR, TB, PM types/style put them in this situation 4-6 times per game.
Pats for Life!!!
December 21st, 2010
2:59 pm
Bubba IS JEALOUS !!
FF284
December 21st, 2010
3:02 pm
To the Saints and Eagles fans——You guys are cracking me up!!!!! The fear you are giving is honestly priceless.
First of all, the Eagles cannot beat the Saints! The defense isn’t geared towards stopping the kind of ofense the Saints have. Also, it appears that both teams are going to have to play one more game then the Falcons. The Saints would have the easier path in that they would likely play either Seatle or St. Louis. The Eagles could end up playing Green Bay or the Giants in the first round. Either of those teams would be capable of defeating the birds. Yes, even the Giants who just blew a 21 point fourth quarter lead! Let’s face it, the Giants had the Eagles defeated and, if they see them again, will probably finish the job!
Secondly, the Falcons will be playing at home!!!! Even if Mike Vick gets to the dome there is no reason to believe that fans will be cheering for him and not the home town team! Even if they do, I don’t think it will matter. These Falcons have been showing the character of a champion!!!! They don’t give up, they play hard and they get the job done. How can Vick work his magic if he doesn’t have the ball? The Eagles have been slashed against the run this season! It’s just a statement of fact that at some point these Eagles are going to have to rely on their defense. Is it good enough when it counts the most? The Falcons defense has 12 wins showing that they are good enough. Wins against the Saints, Packers, Ravens and Bucs (all teams with winning records for those neophytes that want to say Altanta hasn’t beaten good teams in the last three years).
Saints fans are just as foolish. We know the Saints are not as good as they were a year ago. Just ask Cleveland or Arizona whose rookie quarterbacks took the Saints to school! Good teams beat teams that are not as good as they are. In New Orleans they have failed to live up to that standard!
And Joe Tess, you are a moron! When Peria stopped Justin Forsett on third down to kill the Seahawks drive, were you calling him a bust then? Perhaps people call you a moron because you don’t know how to spell, write or think?
Matt “Choke” Ryan—–Why would you compare Mike Vick with Matt Ryan when this is Vick’s 10th year in the league? And in those ten years he has two post season victories? I’ll tell you what, if Ryan goes 10 years and has only two playoff victories then I’ll start calling him the greatest quarterback ever, just as you do for Vick. Going by the logic you use for Vick the Mark Rippen (not sure if that is the correct spelling) should have won at least won NFL MVP award! Hell, he’s even won a Superbowl!!!! Actually, that is not a fair comparison as Rippen had won more playoff games in his first ten years! Maybe we should compare him to that other great quarterback, Chris Chandler? Nope, Chris got the Falcons to the Superbowl as well and had won more then two playoff games in the process.
Russ
December 21st, 2010
3:03 pm
MV7 for MVP – Since your main argument against Ryan is that he hasn’t had any success in the playoffs (yet), and Vick has acheived the ultimate goal of losing in a conference championship game, is it safe to say that Trent Dilfer is way better than Vick could ever dream of being?
Jeremy r
December 21st, 2010
3:05 pm
Y is everyone turning this into a race thing dang let it go. I’m glad Mike vick is doing great things but he messed up here Matty ice is our qb now so I root for him and the falcons.
Anthony Thompson
December 21st, 2010
3:09 pm
How is this even a debate…
I think vick is amazing and exciting to watch. But look at the stats.
Brady has completed more passes, has a higher passing percentage, 11 more touchdowns, 1 less interception, the highest QB rating in the league, averages more yards a game, completed more passes for 20 yards, more passes for 40 yards, a better 1st down percentage, 58 more first downs, the best record in the nfl with one of the worst defenses and a crew of no-name skill players surrounding him. If you think the AP voting will be close then you are out of your mind. Unless Brady is horrible in the last two games and vick does the impossible its a no-brainer. In face, statistically, Vick is 3rd behind phillip rivers. (although i’d put him at second) And those trying to sneak ryan into this pointless debate… please stop. He has the 13th best passer rating in the league and one of the best recivers in football to throw to, and plays in a horrible conference. dont make this personal, dont make this racial, make it logical. Brady is the overwhelming mvp and results will reflect that.
Katherine
December 21st, 2010
3:10 pm
Matt Ryan plays in a horrible conference? Really? I wasn’t aware lol
Timmy
December 21st, 2010
3:12 pm
First off, Vick is 9-2 not 10-1 this year. The Eagles have 10 wins total and the most impressive came with Kolb at QB against the Falcons. Vick lost as the starter against the Redskins in Philly and against the Bears. You don’t get a free pass for a loss by getting yourself hurt scrambling when your team is down 2 scores.
Second, if Bow Wow thinks Vick not getting MVP is racist then he must think the statistics are racist too, since Brady is well above Vick’s numbers. Don’t give me this “but Vick got hurt” garbage. Part of what makes an NFL player valuable is his ability to stay on the field.
And for those claiming white people in Atlanta didn’t respect Vick for being black – that is laughable. I loved the guy, but he completed 55% of his passes and has even admitted he didn’t dedicate himself while in Atlanta to becoming the best quarterback he could be.
The common defense of Vick was that he “just won” so the mediocre passing stats in ATL didn’t matter…well guess what? Ryan “just wins” more than Vick ever did in Atlanta. We never won more than 11 games in a regular season with Vick, and the second best season was 9 freaking wins.
BAMA dude
December 21st, 2010
3:15 pm
Simple solution. Since Vick missed the first part of the season, disqualify him from MVP but make him the hands-down Comeback Player of the Year. MVP would then come down to Brady and Ryan. I love Roddy and he’s a great player but WRs just aren’t seen as that valuable. The only one to evey win an MVP was Jerry Rice. Roddy ain’t quite in that category.
gbal
December 21st, 2010
3:19 pm
Enter your comments here
wxwax
December 21st, 2010
3:20 pm
@ Pats for Life!!!
You really think this is “an age of defense”?
Check the NFL rulebook. They keep crippling the defense because offense sells.
boiler up
December 21st, 2010
3:20 pm
I’ll tell you this.. NBC cannot stand the Falcons. They are the most bias Network their is in sports… When Mike Vick played for us they would give us low blows whenever possible, Now that he is playing for a higher market Northeastern team and has all of this contraversy they are eating it up and pushing him for MVP. Matt Ryan deserves it soooo.. There would not be a better story in the NFL. It would match the New Orleans Saints of last year. All the Falcons have been through since the Vick incident with the Franchise almost going completely under. What Arthur Blank, Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith have done to rebound this franchise. I see us not only going to the Super Bowl but winning it. What a close team and unselfish team that we have. Go Falcons and MVP goes to Matt Ryan deservedly soo…
how2fish
December 21st, 2010
3:20 pm
BAMA dude well said MV is without doubt comeback player of the year….
Anthony Thompson
December 21st, 2010
3:22 pm
yes katherine. the falcons are the only team above .500 in non-conference games in the nfc south. look at their schedules, who they have played, its junk. NFC is usually a joke but I like the eagles this year. Pats/Eagles superbowl
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 21st, 2010
3:22 pm
Let me ask you delusional Falcons one question….
Do you think the Philadelphia news stations would run any stories about CHOKE?
Just a thought. Maybe you should voice your anger towards the City of Atlanta. If you are not even the most popular qb in your own City, that says a lot
boiler up
December 21st, 2010
3:23 pm
Hey Anthony Thompson…. Go back to IU where your number is retired. Nobody knows you in Georgia!!lol
boiler up
December 21st, 2010
3:24 pm
Agreed.. MV is comeback player of the year….
Rob Thomas
December 21st, 2010
3:25 pm
Let me ask you delusional Falcons one question….
Do you think the Philadelphia news stations would run any stories about CHOKE?
Just a thought. Maybe you should voice your anger towards the City of Atlanta. If you are not even the most popular qb in your own City, that says a lot
They probably should talk about Matt Ryan, since Philidelphia is his hometown.
Ruff
December 21st, 2010
3:25 pm
Brees didn’t get MVP last year either so ohwell , but he did get the biggest prize SUPERBOWL THROPHY… OH YEAH THE MVP THROPHY too. Drew has 19 INTs afterall Brady fans wouldn’t want it to be said he had 5 Ints lol. how2fish Peyton not even in the top 10 QB’s bruh sssshhhhh let’s let the Mannings brothers rest for right now lol.As for Matt Ryan… well he being ranked #13, needs to concentrate on Monday night cause the Falcons really haven’t proven to be better than the Saints given that they won the last meeting 27-24 in OT on a FG only after our unfocused kicker missed so the story continues Monday Night.Oh by the way Saints 100% Monday night.
So all you so-called STAT guys pull up the numbers and prove me wrong Saints 100% only have lost 1 game in the last 2 years and that was Sunday vs the Ravens.
I’M JUST SAYING… so add your unfounded, and Saints hating and bias statements all you want in this case the NUMBERS don’t lie. SAINTS 100% HEALTHY THEY HAVE ONLY 1 LOSS… TO THE RAVENS. FACT!!!
BAMA dude
December 21st, 2010
3:26 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
December 21st, 2010
3:22 pm
Let me ask you delusional Falcons one question….
Do you think the Philadelphia news stations would run any stories about CHOKE?
Just a thought. Maybe you should voice your anger towards the City of Atlanta. If you are not even the most popular qb in your own City, that says a lot
Yep, it says a lot… about the city. You’re probably right that Ryan isn’t the most popular QB in ATL, but he’s a landslide favorite outside the perimeter. Guess where all the money’s at? (Hint: we never bought the $10 seats. Those went to the Vick fans).
Anthony Thompson
December 21st, 2010
3:28 pm
lol got the wrong guy. i like the falcons, i like matt ryan. i’m just smart enough to realize he’s not going to get a single vote for mvp, brady will get probably 75/90 percent of them, and vick will get the rest. maybe 1 or 2 for rivers just because of the stats he’s put up.
Mr Charlie
December 21st, 2010
3:29 pm
So we are arguing about a popularity contest? Sounds like something Choke would waste his time on.
mgm
December 21st, 2010
3:29 pm
I have always thought of the MVP award in terms of how dependant on the individual the team is and how much impact that one player has on the teams overall success. With that criteria in mind I have to say it should go to Vick. But it is very close. Without Brady, where would NE be. I don’t know but I think they do have a great system as they have proven over the years. That works against Brady a little but he still executes extremely well in that system. Philadelphia would be a mediocre team without Vick. Vick, as we all know changes the entire game on his own like no other player can or has. Notwithstanding, I don’t give Vick all the credit for the comeback against the Giants as I do the stupidity of the Giants and the incredible play of DeSean Jackson. I do give Vick credit for making the Eagles a great team. I don’t think they would be anywhere close without him.
I am a huge Falcons fan but Ryan and White in my opinion don’t meet the criteria. They are both great together but one without the other may not be as good. The Falcons are the epitome of a team. They are great as a team. Have great pieces that work together. For example, the offensive line is great as a unit. Individually they probably wouldnt be that good. Thus, Vick best fits the criteria of being so important as to lift his team to a much higher level.
Anthony Thompson
December 21st, 2010
3:31 pm
well you always thought wrong mgm. 2007 brady was surrounded by pro-bowlers, including a record setting recieving group and got 49 out of 50 votes. hate to burst your bubble
Joe Tess Fish House
December 21st, 2010
3:32 pm
WHy is Katherine still here? Im sure there R dishes that need 2 be washed.
mgm
December 21st, 2010
3:33 pm
I only said that Vick elevated Philadelphia higher than that of Brady this year. Not is years past.