Your 2008 NFL MVP Is…..

As correctly predicted by this site two weeks ago, Peyton Manning won his third NFLMVP today, tying him with Brett Favre for most in a career. Manning received 32 of the 50 votes. Also receiving votes were Chad Pennington and Michael Turner. Shockingly, receiving no votes was Bret Favre. What Peter King didn’t cast a vote ?

The NFL MVP is….

You have to go back to 2002 when there really wasn’t a favorite this late in the season to win the NFL MVP.  That year Rich Gannon won and I am assuming because he was the quarterback on the best team that scored the most points.  That year the MVP should have gone to Priest Holmes who put up mind blowing stats.  Gannon’s numbers were only slightly better than Drew Bledsoe’s in ‘02.  The reason I bring this up is that the 2008 season is following a similar pattern and I think that Peyton Manning will somehow sneak in an win the MVP this season.  Although I feel that MVP voting is trivial and most of the writer’s that have a vote shouldn’t, I will make a case for a handful of players.  Since kickers have won as many MVP’s as defensive players in the last 30 years I am ruiling out Albert Haynesworth, Kris Jenkins, James Harrison, DeMarcus Ware and Joey Porter.    Wait! Did i just say that a kicker won the MVP in the last 30 years? Must be a trick question right? Nope – Mark Moseley won in the 1982 strike season.  This is a disgrace and an outrage, everyone with a vote should have lost it.  This is almost as absurd as Derek Jeter winning multiple Gold Gloves.  Things that like make me think that these votes are just a waste of time, and that’s why I normally do not get fired up about these.  This year is different because there isn’t any clear cut favorites.  Here is my argument both for and against the names that I have heard most often for NFL MVP:

• Drew Brees: 
  • For – Could break Dan Marino’s NFL record and did most of this without a stud WR.  He doesn’t have a receiver on the team that is in the top 20 in yardage.  He helped keep the Saints a float through the injuries of Bush, McAllister and Colston. 
  • Against - Team is .500 and will not make the playoffs.  He has also thrown numerous Red Zone INT’s
• Ben Roethlisberger:
  • For – 5 – 4th quarter game winning drives.  Steelers are a top 5 team and a favorite to win the AFC.
  • Against – stats are not very good and how many of those 4th quarter drives does he need if he hadn’t sucked the first 3 quarters?
• Peyton Manning:
  • For – Colts have battled injuries on the O-Line at RB and to Marvin Harrison and yet they are still going to the playoffs and Manning is 3rd in the league in passing. 
  • Against - stats are not as good as his two previous MVP seasons and although the Colts have won the offense has struggled.  They are 15th in total offense and points per game. 
• Kurt Warner:
  • For – having a throwback type of year, Warner could still break Marino’s yardage record as well. He is going to the Pro Bowl and has lead the Cardinals to the division title.
  • Against – He has two Pro Browl WR’s and another high draft pick in the slot.  The schedule has been very easy and they have struggled mightily on the road. 
• Adrian Peterson:
  • For – The Vikings are in position to win the NFC north and get a home playoff game.  Peterson leads the league in rushing and has been able to take pressue of the unreal combo of Gus Ferrotte and Tavaris Jackson. 
  • Against - stats are not nearly as good as LT or Alexander the last two RB’s to win MVP.  He has a tremendous O-line and the schedule for the Vikings was soft. 

Here is a list of others that should be in the discussion for one reason or another but I do not think have a chance of actually winning.  In no particular order.  Please note a WR has never won MVP so this is going to make my next list look silly. 

• Wes Welker
• Michael Turner
• Steve Smith
• Anquan Boldin
• Andre Johnson
• Eli Manning
• Chad Pennington
• Matt Forte

This vote is really up in the air and because of that I think that voters will turn to Peyton Manning because it will be the career achievement award plus he annihilated the Jaguars on national TV the other night.  Anything can happen, Kordell Stewart finished 4th in the 2001 MVP voting.

Posted by Big Shrek (special to sonsofsimmons.com)