First I would like to congratulate Peyton Manning on winning his record 4th NFL MVP award. Having gotten that out of the way I would also like to say that it's time to rethink the MVP Award altogether. A look at this years voting , and at the historical record of the award, indicate that some changes could be beneficial.
A look at the voting this year shocked me a little I must confess. Why, you ask? Allow me to explain. Quarterback was the only position to get any votes. That in and of itself isn't completely shocking. But running back Chris Johnson being shut out completely by voters tells me we need to redefine this award. In case you missed it Chris Johnson posted the 5th highest rushing total in league history and broke the record for total yards from scrimmage in one season. He became the 1st player to accumulate more than 2,000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving in one season. This to me represents one of the great seasons in league history. There were 4 quarterbacks that received votes, and yet not one vote for Johnson.
I believe the reason for this is that the Q.B. position has become so critical to a team's success in modern day football that the position has elevated itself to a level of importance above and beyond any other position in the sport. Let's face the facts, it is almost unanimously agreed upon that if a team loses it's starting quarterback it has little chance of winning.
When Wes Welker , the leading receiver in the NFL , went out with a season ending injury in their final regular season game there was no panic from the Patriots. They felt they could over come it by spreading the ball around to some other receivers. If it had been Tom Brady going out ask the Patriots how they would have over come that. And look what happened to the University of Texas when senior Q.B. Colt McCoy left the BCS Championship game with a shoulder injury. Talk about taking the wind out of a team's sail.
Since the position of quarterback has clearly separated itself in importance from the other positions I think it's time quarterbacks have an award of their own. Major League Baseball has the Cy Young Award for pitchers, which is also a unique position and the most important one in it's own game. It's time for the NFL to do something similar. Considering that 21 of the last 30 seasons the MVP has been a Q.B., and that other than an occasional running back no other position ever gets consideration I think it's about time.
The Associated Press started their MVP voting in 1957. In that time only 2 defensive players (Lawrence Taylor 1986 and Alan Page 1971) have won it. We hear coaches and analysts say over and over that it's defense that really wins championships. If defense is so critical to success explain to me the lack of defensive MVP winners. Jerry Rice was the only receiver ever to win. To be fair there have been several running backs to win it , but a large majority of the time it's been the Q.B.s.
Chris Johnson did win the Offensive Player of the Year Award , which I felt he was obviously deserving of. But that just accentuates my point. He was clearly the best individual offensive player this season and still finished behind 4 quarterbacks in the MVP race. The reason is simple, the quarterback position supercedes all others in importance.
This year's vote was proof positive for me. When 4 quarterbacks that have had good but not great seasons can get votes, but Chris Johnson who had a historically significant season can't even get one I believe the writing is on the wall. If the 4th best QB in the NFL is considered more valuable than a running back who had a record breaking season than it's time to set the QBs aside from everyone else. Call it the Unitas Award or the Most Valuable Passer. Call it what you want to, but the time for the NFL to create an award for the best quarterback , similar to baseball's Cy Young Award, has come in my opinion.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
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At first glance, I thought the Cy Young analogy was spot-on. And because pitchers get their own award, it is not that often that you see them also winning the MVP award in baseball. Similarly, redefining or renaming an award in football to individually honor the QB position, yet allowing for other very valuable contenders to be considered for recognition is a good thought. However, because the QB does play every play for the most part, and every game too, it is different than the pitcher who we get to see every 5 games. Therefore, the basic math suggests that a pitcher is only worth 20% of the value of a position player.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, having a most valuable player award often going to the QB is fine – especially because there is an “outstanding offensive player” category. It basically does what you want it to do – recognizes great individual performances in the year. Furthermore, one could argue that “pitching” is the key to winning in baseball, therefore why are there only a handful of pitchers who have won the MVP? Sure, the CY young award does that, and MVP acknowledges the best position player most of the time. Conversely in the NFL, MVP acknowledges the best QB and outstanding offensive player recognizes other great performances too.
And if we look no further than the shores of Lake Erie, we would ALL agree that the QB IS the most valuable player. The Browns 5-11 record is proof positive of that.
Dear Dr. O,
ReplyDeleteI know the quarterback-pitcher analogy isn't a perfect apples to apples comparison.You may have taken it too literally. I was just trying to illustrate that an award given to a specific position is reasonable, and has worked in other venues. When Chris Johnson was asked about his MVP shutout he replied," I guess it's just a quarterback thing". I agree with Johnson and have no problem with it being a "quarterback thing". I think the NFL should just officially announce it as such and stop asking players like Johnson to compete for it when the odds are so ridiculously stacked against them.
Actually, the more one looks into the MVP award and who has won versus who has NOT won the award, I believe that in the NFL, MVP truly does stand from most VALUABLE player. And when we assess value, the teams overall record must be factored in. Arguing for a player whose team went 8 – 8 versus the player whose team that went undefeated (14-0) in the games when that player actually played the entire game is tough to do.
ReplyDeleteAnd there is past precedent. Eric Dickerson rushed for over 1800 yards in 1883 and his team went 9-7 and did not make the playoffs. The same year, Joe Theisman won the award and his team went 14-2. The next year Dickerson set the record with over 2100 rushing yards on a non-playoff 10-6 team. Dan Marino won the award on a 14-2 Miami squad. Finally, Eric had another 1800 yard season but he was again bested in the MVP voting by LT. Dickerson’s team did make the playoffs with a 10-6 record, but it no way compared to the Giants 14-2 dominating year.
So in the end, I believe the voters did get it right. Two great players and each are having a great year. One player’s team started out 1 – 6 and didn’t make the playoffs. The other player’s team started out 14-0; and when he didn’t play the game, they lost. Wins and losses define “value”. No question about it, Peyton was more valuable. And for what it’s worth, history shows that it is truly all about “value”. Look no further than 2008. Drew Brees threw for over 5000 yards – 1000 more than Manning; yet Manning won MVP. The Saints went 8 – 8 and did not make the playoffs. The Colts charged into post season at 12 – 4. Stay well and see you somewhere I hope.
Dear Dr. O,
ReplyDeleteNo need to defend the Associated Press for voting Manning as MVP. The intent of my article was not to insinuate that Manning was unworthy OR that Johnson should have won the award. As I said earlier Manning was on a very short list of players I thought were MVP worthy. Manning's team suffers tremendously when he doesn't play,and he is certainly worthy of the MVP crown. I don't feel that the AP necessarily got it "wrong".But when Johnson accomplished a couple things that no back in league HISTORY had done I thought it would have gotten him at least a vote or two.When he was shut out it just got me to thinking about how we define the award.
I agree that Johnson should have received some votes; however I think the AP gave the MVP to the wrong QB... You be the judge, who had the better year?
ReplyDeleteQB A: 15 games: 4,388 yards 36 Total TD'S (2 rushing) 11 INT QB rating of 109.6 and SET the new NFL RECORD for completion percentage in a season 70.6 (broke ken anderson's record of 70.55 in 1982)...Team was predicted to go 8-8 Team finished 13-3
QB B: 4,500 yards 33 Total TD's (0 rushing) 16 INT QB rating of 99.9 68.8 percent completion percentage. Played half of the last 2 regular season games. Team was predicted to win their division, Team finished 14-2
Both QB's are equally valuable to their teams, as both QB the #1 seeds respectfully in the playoffs. Both have issues with their backups Indy has a rookie that is clearly not ready, and the Saints have an aging dinosaur whose prime was in 1960...well maybe not that old...
Looking at the numbers, and keeping in mind that both QB's are equal in value to their respective team, it is clear that QB A, DREW BREES should have been the MVP!!
- The Cajun
I would tend to agree with the Cajun...though it's difficult But once again my reasons are purely northern.....he's another Big Ten product!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see the Yankee and the Cajun weigh in, you were conspicuous by your absence. Once again I think the argument is not so much who won the award but if there is a better system as to how the NFL post season awards should be judged/awarded. Of course, the Cajun's argument in this particular case would probably not change. I just hope his Saints can recover, losing three straight heading into playoff time is normally the way to earn an early exit.
ReplyDeletehey Cajun, I agree. Brees did have a better year statistically. Interestingly enough Manning didn't lead the NFL in any passing categories.It makes the basis for choosing an MVP even cloudier, doesn't it. Keep the commentary coming, and keep an eye on the yankee for us.
ReplyDeleteA couple of thoughts about the Saints, and how they ended...I think it's a little bit overblown by the media. On one hand, they all talk about how important getting the bye is for the playoffs (rest, home field advantage, etc.), then on the other hand they say its better to keep playing w/out the bye (timing, momentum, etc.) We were very beat up at the end of the year, esp. our D. Our D is obviously not as strong as our O, so every starter that's missing b/c of injury (at one point - middle through the end of the year - our #1, #2, and #3 corners at the same time, also later in the year DT, OLB's, S) hurts... And teams picked on our rook Malcolm Jenkins (ur OSU product) when he had to start...We are healthy now only 2 players who started at the beginning of the year are out (DE,FB), plus the Dome will be rocking!! It should be a shootout between the two Offenses. Not worried about Brees and the timing part of it, but the better question is will we be able to run the ball, and not be one dimensional? I think P. Thomas will have a big game...More worried about the Cards playoff experience from last year, but they will be on a short week and have to travel... Warner will make plays and get his yards, so will Fitz, but we have to stop Beanie (another OSU product that we tryed to trade back into the 1st round to draft), I think that's a big key of the game, as well as the usual turnover battle, ToP, and 3rd down conversions. Should be a fun game to watch!! WHO DAT!!
ReplyDeleteYankee is doing good
Everyone is going to expect a shoot out game here and maybe they are right, but teams in this league do not throw up 40+ points on a weekly basis especially in the playoffs. The Cards are going to have to play much better defensivley to win this game. If the Saints "O" can regain the luster today they should win.
ReplyDeleteIt's been entertaining to watch the people in this part of the country get excited about the Saints. It reminds me of the years when the Browns looked destined to get to the Superbowl and finally win a championship for Clevelanders.
ReplyDeleteWe'll see what happens! But I'm happy for the Cajun and all my other friends from the deep south.
Being a die hard saints fan this is hard for me to say, but i think Peyton deserved the MVP this year more than brees. I just feel the brees had more weapons and a more passing friendly offense to work with
ReplyDelete