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
Najeh Davenpoop
December 21st, 2010
7:47 pm
“A summary of what A-hole Trent Dilfer said”
“A-Hole Trent Dilfer” gets my nomination for redundant phrase of the year.
The Dogfighter Returns
December 21st, 2010
7:48 pm
Mark
December 21st, 2010
7:34 pm
Brady no question. I’m a Falcons fan, but you can’t deny what Brady has been able to do with all the injuries they’ve faced this year. He makes average players look like allstars. I give props to Vick but he has a cast of very good players around him. Where would he be without Jackson?
————–
What injuries are you talking about? Belicheat makes him look great. If he was great he would not have lost to the giants in the SB.
average players? they have two of the best tight ends in the game and two pro bowl receivers.
Ryan Supporter
December 21st, 2010
7:49 pm
Vick Supporter…..The falcons are a complete team,but rayan makes the team go.it his leadership and support of his cast of players that make it go.The Falcons are not a one man show,this team has a hole cast of mvp players,and thats why they will defete mike vick and the eagles if and when the come to town.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 21st, 2010
7:51 pm
“The only reason the Eagles NEEDED to come back from 21 points is because the Giants were owning them through 3 quarters and then laid back thinking the game was over.”
Uh… you could make the exact same argument about every one of the Falcons’ comeback wins under Ryan too. A comeback win is a comeback win. Some QBs have the mental toughness to orchestrate them, and some don’t. The ones who do deserve their props regardless of the situation.
AG
December 21st, 2010
7:51 pm
Falcon Fan .. YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED IN THE DOME LAST YEAR!!!! I have many friends who left Comcast for Direct TV just to get the NFL package. Look how often the Eagles are on national tv? Do you think Kolb and the Eagles would have been. Hey, cover of SI! People in Atlanta are still big Vick fans and they are not all black (I am sure Jeff never burned his #7 Falcon jersey!). He is the leading vote getter for the pro bowl. If the Falcons play the Eagles in Atlanta the house will be divided. As an Vick and a Falcon fan, I cannot lose, but I would cheer for Vick….(at that sports bar, not ONE tv was on Seahawks/ Falcons).
Sports Review
December 21st, 2010
7:51 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Vick Supporter
December 21st, 2010
7:52 pm
@Falcons Fan
Well…they should have faith in Ryan. He’s the QB. Look, am I a fan of Ryan? No. I just don’t think he’s as good as you people are CAMPAIGNING for him to be. Vick has alway been my QB…Vick is a top 3 QB in the NFL now, as Jeff said, he should have been when Vick first started. My opinion is…Turner makes this team go. Ryan can pull out a win himself now…and he has improved. He couldn’t do that last year. Yes, Ryan is a good QB, not great
AG
December 21st, 2010
7:52 pm
Jeff you should put a poll out
Najeh Davenpoop
December 21st, 2010
7:52 pm
“Brady no question. I’m a Falcons fan, but you can’t deny what Brady has been able to do with all the injuries they’ve faced this year. He makes average players look like allstars.”
Brady also has a far superior offensive line to Vick and one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history.
The Dogfighter Returns
December 21st, 2010
7:53 pm
Ryan Supporter
December 21st, 2010
7:49 pm
Vick Supporter…..The falcons are a complete team,but rayan makes the team go.it his leadership and support of his cast of players that make it go.The Falcons are not a one man show,this team has a hole cast of mvp players,and thats why they will defete mike vick and the eagles if and when the come to town.
—–
The falcons have no shot against the eagles especially in a weather friendly environment like the dome.
trust me it will be a blow out. the falcons cannot cover d jackson 1 on 1.
the eagles shut down the g-men’s running game twice this year. expect the same against the falcons.
reid just has the falcon’s number.
the falcon’s d is not in the same league as the giants or the bears.
Vick Supporter
December 21st, 2010
7:54 pm
@AG
I switched to direct TV too for the Eagles,lol
The Dogfighter Returns
December 21st, 2010
7:56 pm
there is an internet channel where you can get all daily us sports for free without paying a single dime.
Vick Supporter
December 21st, 2010
7:57 pm
I know one thing, if the Eagles come here, I HAVE to go to that game…I guess like I did last year when this happened,lol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzEq0m_6FrI
Falcons Fan
December 21st, 2010
8:03 pm
Well, the only reason they had the Philly – Giants game on is because they played at 1… You probably left when that game was over, and that’s when the Falcons came on, at 4…. Just saying… We’ll see Iggles at the dome… Paid my playoff invoice last week, and I can’t wait.. Go Falcons!!!
scott
December 21st, 2010
8:04 pm
MAN I HOPE ATLANTA AND THE FALCONS WIN AND GET TO THE SUPER BOWL SO IT CAN HEAL THIS RACIALY DIVISIVE METRO AREA BRINGING FOLKS OF ALL RACES TOGETHER HERE..DIDNT KNOW ATLANTA WAS SUCH A RACIAL HOT BED AND I,M WHITE ..I JUST BEEN READING ALL THE RACIAL HATE..AND I ASK MYSELF ARENT WE ALMOST IN THE YEAR 2011??AND NOT THE 1940,S..I,M A BIG FALCON FAN I WILL BE PULLING FOR THE FALCONS BIG TIME SO WE CAN ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO TAKE OUR MIND OFF RACE!!OUR KIDS OUR WATCHING OUR ACTIONS
AG
December 21st, 2010
8:06 pm
Okay, give me a break! The Atlanta game came on at 4:15 and the Eagles game went off around 4:30. Again, all eyes were on the comeback. Also, as always, there were quite a few Giants fams. Maybe because the game came on locally, most Atlanta fans stayed home???? I left after the win and the sports bar erupted as though the Eagles won the superbowl after the Jackson run back.
Vick Supporter
December 21st, 2010
8:07 pm
Falcons Fan
December 21st, 2010
8:03 pm
Well, the only reason they had the Philly – Giants game on is because they played at 1… You probably left when that game was over, and that’s when the Falcons came on, at 4…. Just saying… We’ll see Iggles at the dome… Paid my playoff invoice last week, and I can’t wait.. Go Falcons!!!
——————
The Eagles were on TV because of Mike Vick. They’re prime time almost every week. Let be real here
The Dogfighter Returns
December 21st, 2010
8:09 pm
scott
December 21st, 2010
8:04 pm
MAN I HOPE ATLANTA AND THE FALCONS WIN AND GET TO THE SUPER BOWL SO IT CAN HEAL THIS RACIALY DIVISIVE METRO AREA BRINGING FOLKS OF ALL RACES TOGETHER HERE..DIDNT KNOW ATLANTA WAS SUCH A RACIAL HOT BED AND I,M WHITE ..I JUST BEEN READING ALL THE RACIAL HATE..AND I ASK MYSELF ARENT WE ALMOST IN THE YEAR 2011??AND NOT THE 1940,S..I,M A BIG FALCON FAN I WILL BE PULLING FOR THE FALCONS BIG TIME SO WE CAN ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO TAKE OUR MIND OFF RACE!!OUR KIDS OUR WATCHING OUR ACTIONS
—–
It is all in your head. what you see on the net will never be uttered in person so take it with a grain of salt.
after 400 years of oppression why do you expect things to get better in one generation? things improve everyday.
besides race is a man made classification system designed to confuse and distract the masses.
Jeff Schultz
December 21st, 2010
8:10 pm
Vick Supporter — You’ve got revisionist history. Let me tell you how it actually went down. When some in this town were criticizing Vick for not having better passing numbers early in his career, I was writing: “He’s winning. He’s making plays to win games. That’s what counts the most.” Then, when he started sliding in terms of wins and losses, it was Vick (and Jim Mora) who said: “But look! The stats are getting better!” And I called them on it because everybody could see thing weren’t getting done like they were before, and he was losing. That’s the truth, sir.
Ryan Supporter
December 21st, 2010
8:14 pm
The dogfighter returns—–We have one player,i won’t mention names that allmost took Jacksons head off,and you can expect Jackson to be tip towing around,and not be much of a factor in Atlanta.The falcons will rise up and netralize the Eagles speed with hard hitting and smart game planing.Hard hiting allways slows down a fast team.Believe me Vick and the eagles will lose this game!
Vick Supporter
December 21st, 2010
8:16 pm
Jeff Schultz — Lets be real here. Vick was hammered here on these blogs. You probably did write a few stories as you stated.
Mark
December 21st, 2010
8:18 pm
Dogfighter: they have two of the best tight ends in the game and two pro bowl receivers.
They are Rookies!!!!! Would they be having this kind of year somewhere else?? I doubt it!! Wes Welker and who else????? They have a young no experience runningback to!
The Dogfighter Returns
December 21st, 2010
8:20 pm
Ryan Supporter
December 21st, 2010
8:14 pm
The dogfighter returns—–We have one player,i won’t mention names that allmost took Jacksons head off,and you can expect Jackson to be tip towing around,and not be much of a factor in Atlanta.The falcons will rise up and netralize the Eagles speed with hard hitting and smart game planing.Hard hiting allways slows down a fast team.Believe me Vick and the eagles will lose this game!
—–
ask “money making” mayweather or ali, you can’t hit what you can’t catch and the falcons will not catch jackson.
actually jackson will be excited to play against dunta robinson and dunta will get smoked.
The Dogfighter Returns
December 21st, 2010
8:26 pm
Mark
December 21st, 2010
8:18 pm
Dogfighter: they have two of the best tight ends in the game and two pro bowl receivers.
They are Rookies!!!!! Would they be having this kind of year somewhere else?? I doubt it!! Wes Welker and who else????? They have a young no experience runningback to!
——
Being a rookie doesnt mean you automatically stink.
hernandez is a TE with wr skills. the dude will kill any lb 1 on 1. gronkowski is 6-7 and also a good athlete. those guys are a mismatch whenever they are in the game. those guys are far superior to algee crumpler.
hernandez is better than tony gonzalez. he is smooth did you see his TD against GB?
Mark
December 21st, 2010
8:27 pm
New England has 12 players on IR. You can look that up yourself. All I’m saying is MVP goes to the player who did the most for their team. The Patriots would not be where they are without him. I hate saying it cause i’m a Falcons fan but it is the truth. Vick has impressed me tremendously, but the Eagles can win without him!
Mark
December 21st, 2010
8:28 pm
Yes I saw it, but comon’ you gotta admit Brady has alot to do with their success.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 21st, 2010
8:30 pm
“They are Rookies!!!!! Would they be having this kind of year somewhere else?? I doubt it!! Wes Welker and who else????? They have a young no experience runningback to!”
Would Brady be having a year like that with King Dunlap as his blind side offensive tackle?
Brady has, if not the best, at least one of the top 3 offensive lines in the NFL. And he has one of the best coaches in history.
And it’s not like DeSean Jackson was catching 80 yard TDs every game with Kevin Kolb behind center.
Mark
December 21st, 2010
8:30 pm
Oh and New England has started 30ish different players this year, and it isn’t their defense winning them games.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 21st, 2010
8:31 pm
The Eagles under Kolb barely squeaked by the 49ers (thanks to a defensive TD), got blown out by the Titans, put up a grand total of 12 points against the Redskins, and were well on their way to getting blown out by the Packers until Vick came in and nearly led them all the way back.
And Kolb is actually pretty good.
Mark
December 21st, 2010
8:32 pm
Really Davenpoop????!!! I think you need to look at some statistics on Jackson!!!! You guys kill me saying things without knowing stats!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 21st, 2010
8:32 pm
Oh yeah, and Vick’s only loss came against a pretty good Bears team that might get a first round bye; he hasn’t lost by 20 to a non-playoff team starting a rookie QB like Brady has.
Mark
December 21st, 2010
8:34 pm
Vick has lost some games too!!! All your losses didn’t come with Kolb under center.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 21st, 2010
8:37 pm
“Really Davenpoop????!!! I think you need to look at some statistics on Jackson!!!! ”
OK, let’s look at some stats for DeSean Jackson.
In the game against the 49ers, with Kolb under center: 2 catches, 24 yards.
Against Washington, in the game when Vick got knocked out in the 1st quarter: 3 catches, 19 yards.
Against Atlanta, the game Kolb won: 1 catch for a 34 yard TD.
Against Green Bay, Jackson had zero catches for zero yards until Vick replaced Kolb.
The only game in which Vick played and Jackson was that much of a nonfactor was the game against Chicago. And like I said, Kolb is actually pretty good. He could start for at least 12 or 13 teams in the league.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 21st, 2010
8:38 pm
“Vick has lost some games too!!! All your losses didn’t come with Kolb under center.”
Vick has lost one game that he played from start to finish. The only other “loss” credited to him was the game against Washington where Kolb played the final three quarters.
VickSucks
December 21st, 2010
8:40 pm
Vick Supporter be a man and wear an Eagles #7 jersey to the game.
The Dogfighter Returns
December 21st, 2010
8:41 pm
Mark
December 21st, 2010
8:27 pm
New England has 12 players on IR. You can look that up yourself. All I’m saying is MVP goes to the player who did the most for their team. The Patriots would not be where they are without him. I hate saying it cause i’m a Falcons fan but it is the truth. Vick has impressed me tremendously, but the Eagles can win without him!
—————–
your point is not supported by facts.
1. we have seen NE without brady and they were a good team. cassel did an ok job for a guy who never played before. besides brady has never won a sb by more than 3 pts and we know the team was cheating during this time.
if he is so good what happened against the giants?
the pats are a good team. emphasize team. look at the game against the colts. manning did everything possible to lose that game.
Greenbay almost beat them on sunday. the pats are vulnerable against an experienced QB.
VickSucks
December 21st, 2010
8:43 pm
The Fact is:
Ryan
32-12
73% winning percentage in less than 3 years
19-1 at home
3 STRAIGHT WINNING SEASONS
Vick
38-28-1
56% winning percentage
2 WNNING Seasons TOTAL in 6 years for the Falcons
VickSucks
December 21st, 2010
8:44 pm
And Vick replaced KOLB in the Green Bay game in the 2nd quarter and DIDN’T lead them back to victory either
The Dogfighter Returns
December 21st, 2010
8:46 pm
VickSucks
December 21st, 2010
8:43 pm
The Fact is:
Ryan
32-12
73% winning percentage in less than 3 years
19-1 at home
3 STRAIGHT WINNING SEASONS
Vick
38-28-1
56% winning percentage
2 WNNING Seasons TOTAL in 6 years for the Falcons
—-
that’s because the owner handed the keys to the wrong coach. even with the wrong coach you had a chance to go to the superbowl.
how close has matt gotten you to the SB?
keep trying.
The Dogfighter Returns
December 21st, 2010
8:48 pm
VickSucks
December 21st, 2010
8:44 pm
And Vick replaced KOLB in the Green Bay game in the 2nd quarter and DIDN’T lead them back to victory either
—-
But he outscored the opposition during the time he took over so during the time he had to play he won.
I can play your game also.
VickSucks
December 21st, 2010
8:48 pm
Closer than Vick has. AND GIVE ME A BREAK about MORA. The reason VICK failed is because he was smoking dope, fighting dogs, giving the Atlanta fans the middle finger for booing him and giving some girl herpes under the name RON MEXICO.
Vick sucked his last 2 years. Why, go watch his own words, he didn’t care.
VickSucks
December 21st, 2010
8:49 pm
Vick DID NOT LEAD the Eagles to a win over Green Bay, he lost
Ryan Supporter
December 21st, 2010
8:50 pm
All the teams going into the NFC playoffs are very good, and can beat the other on a given day.Lets just hope the Eagles flute win over the gaints don’t make them think they are better than they really are.wake up eagles, and come back down to earth,its time for another Falcons smike down.
VickSucks
December 21st, 2010
8:50 pm
Vick COULD not bring the Eagles back against Green Bay like Ryan did. Vick LOST
JASon
December 21st, 2010
8:52 pm
The only real argument here is Vick vs. Brady. Vick does have more talent backing him up, but even still…McNabb had the exact same talent last year and look where that got him. Vick all the way.
VickSucks
December 21st, 2010
8:52 pm
Reason 1 Vick Failed as a Falcon
n March 2005, Sonya Elliott filed a civil lawsuit against Vick alleging she contracted genital herpes from him in the autumn of 2002 and that he failed to inform her that he had the disease.[44] Elliot further alleged that Vick had visited clinics under the alias “Ron Mexico” to get treatments and thus knew of his condition. On April 24, 2006, Vick’s attorney, Lawrence Woodward, revealed that the lawsuit had been settled out of court under undisclosed terms.[45] Many fans bought custom jerseys from NFL.com with Vick’s number 7 and the name “MEXICO” on the back. The NFL has since banned customizing jerseys with the name Mexico.[46
VickSucks
December 21st, 2010
8:53 pm
Reason 2 Vick failed as a Falcon
November 26, 2006 – After a loss to the New Orleans Saints in the Georgia Dome, in apparent reaction to fans booing, Vick made an obscene gesture at fans, holding up two middle fingers. He was fined $10,000 by the NFL and agreed to donate another $10,000 to charity.[47]
VickSucks
December 21st, 2010
8:54 pm
Reason 3 Vick failed as a Falcon
January 17, 2007 – Vick surrendered a water bottle which had a hidden compartment to security personnel at Miami International Airport. “The compartment was hidden by the bottle’s label so that it appeared to be a full bottle of water when held upright,” police said. Test results indicated there were no illegal substances in the water bottle and Vick was cleared of any wrongdoing.[48] Vick announced that the water bottle was a jewelry stash box, and that the substance in question had been jewelry.[49]
Who'd have thunk it
December 21st, 2010
8:54 pm
Glad everyone has finally gotten a chance to weigh in on Michael Vick. Hasn’t been mentioned on these blogs before.
VickSucks
December 21st, 2010
8:54 pm
Reason 4 Vick failed as a Falcon
On April 24, 2007, Vick was scheduled to lobby on Capitol Hill, hoping to persuade lawmakers to increase funding for after-school programs. Vick missed a connecting flight in Atlanta on Monday to Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. He later failed to show up for another seat booked for him later that evening. On Tuesday morning, he did not attend his scheduled appearance at the congressional breakfast where he was to be honored for his foundation’s work with after-school projects in Georgia and Virginia.[50] Vick’s mother Brenda accepted the award from the Afterschool Alliance.