MVP

themont85

Brady
or
Vick

Well Brady as MVP looked a done deal until last night. Vick anchored a comeback in a style no other QB could match. Brady has been sensational and somehow not been picked in a while but will Vick pip him to the post?

kryogen

Brady still in front id bet, i think Matt Cassel should get a mention this season.

Syferus

Brady probably, but Vick has established himself enough this year that few eyebrows or objections will be raised next year if he preforms similarily and wins the MVP.

Pyjamarama

Right now Brady but if Vick can out perform him over the next two weeks he'll have to get a mention...

The next two in line for me would be MJD and Rivers who have both been amazing imo.

Peyton Manning

Pyjamarama wrote: »

Right now Brady but if Vick can out perform him over the next two weeks he'll have to get a mention...

The next two in line for me would be MJD and Rivers who have both been amazing imo.

Arian Foster has been far more impressive than Jones-Drew from an MVP perspective.

eagle eye

Tom_Brady wrote: »

Arian Foster has been far more impressive than Jones-Drew from an MVP perspective.

What about Jamaal Charles? He has been head and shoulders above anybody else this year. Darren McFadden too.

Pyjamarama

Tom_Brady wrote: »

Arian Foster has been far more impressive than Jones-Drew from an MVP perspective.

I disagree. From an offensive player of the year stand point he certainly has been but he has Andre Johnson keeping defenses honest. MVP isn't best player, it's most important and i don't really see how anyone could argue that MJD hasn't been more important to the Jags than Foster has for the Texans.

Pyjamarama

eagle eye wrote: »

What about Jamaal Charles? He has been head and shoulders above anybody else this year. Darren McFadden too.

McFadden has missed too much time for me and ther Raiders haven't really been in contention imo which is relevant.

Charles is a better shout and i'm a huge fan (have him in my 3 fantasy leagues) but I think the Chiefs could win without him but they wouldn't have a shot without Cassel (who i don't rate that highly as a qb but he does a good job in that scheme).

Both are good shouts for OPotY tho. Especially Charles.

kryogen

Chiefs dont work without Cassel, he has be the MVP on that team without doubt

Rivers has been outstanding again

Brady is the man

Justin10

I thouhgt MVP means play who played above all othes for the regular season?? If that is the case why is Rivers name not being mentioned?
New England and Chargers have same amount of Rushing yards per game. Yet Philip is second highest Quarterback in yards and tds, with 16 different receivers with his two main receivers missing alot of the season and Vjax missing nearly whole season. Brady only has 3500 yards 600 behind Rivers.

Is MVP who preforms best for couple games in the middle the season???
Dont get me wrong I think Vick and Brady have had good seasons but so has Rivers.

Prefab Sprouter

I'd also say (though I hate admitting it) that Rivers deserves to be considered. He's been amazing.

As regards McFadden, well he has missed a bit of time but never underestimate his contribution to making the Raiders a semi-respectable team again - thats some achievement in itself!

Peyton Manning

Rivers deserves to be considered, but the fact of the matter is that when it comes to Brady vs Rivers, all the relevant stats are taken into consideration in the calculation of their passer ratings, and over the course of the season Brady's is higher than River's (109.9 vs 105.7).

Strength of schedule should also be considered, and the Charger's schedule was a hell of a lot more passer friendly than the Patriots, so for Brady to get a higher passer rating against the calibre of opponents he's faced is what has him as clear favourite in many people's books.

Justin10

The passer rating is nearly the exact same. The difference is the int. With Rivers chasing games with the huge mistakes from Chargers ST. They have same complition percentage with river couple of completions more.

Crazy stuff.

Pyjamarama

MVP shouldn't be about stats. It's the most important player in the NFL. And that is Tom Brady right now. And tbh it will be when the voting ends. The only guy with a real shot apart from him would be Vick and for him to do it he'd have to win the superbowl. Both players have taken teams expected to be in transition to the playoffs and both are potential superbowl teams.

Rivers has been excellent but the Chargers haven't won enough games for me. Thats not his fault as a player but it has to be a consideration when discussing MVP. And it's what keeps him below Brady and Vick.

Dodge

Brady's had a few stinkers this year (eg Cleveland) so its not a done deal at all IMO.

It'll boil down a contest between Brady's nice guy popularity and Vick's redemption story

What I think will happen is that Brady will get MVP and Vick will get Offensive POTY

Stev_o

Vick for me some of his performances this year have been truly amazing while Brady is having a near perfect season i think he's gotten a easy ride for the most part. The only time he was under genuine pressure was the GB game and had GB had Rogers they probably would of lost that game.

frostie500

Dodge wrote: »

Brady's had a few stinkers this year (eg Cleveland) so its not a done deal at all IMO.

It'll boil down a contest between Brady's nice guy popularity and Vick's redemption story

What I think will happen is that Brady will get MVP and Vick will get Offensive POTY

It's far from a done deal but the one thing that could hold Vick back is that he has missed four games this year. I was looking at what I would consider the main stats for determining the MVP and Vick actually has an edge in most categories. Below is a table showing the comparisons of each player. It's worth bearing in mind the difference offensive systems that both play in-Brady is playing with a tightend heavy scheme this season whereas Vick has the most explosive playmakers in the game around him.



As I said the main thing that will hold Vick back is the fact he missed four games, even with that though he has almost as many total TDs and yards as Brady. Both players are having tremendous seasons and are proving to be very productive and not turning the ball over very often. Both of these players are very deserving of the MVP, as things stand today, but Vick will need to finish strong if he is to take the award.

Personally, even as an Eagles fan, I would hate if Vick's "redemption" is taken into account. Players like Brady deserve better than to have the fact that they didnt break the law and go to jail to be held against them

In relation to offensive player of the year I am not sure that Vick deserves to win it. Even just looking at the Eagles team I would say that DeSeasn Jackson would be more deserving. If you look at his season it is one for the ages, 45 receptions for 1000 yards giving him an average of almost 23 yards per catch and eight receptions of over 40 yards, add in a rushing and return TD and its pretty clear that his season is quite remarkable.

frostie500

Stev_o wrote: »

Vick for me some of his performances this year have been truly amazing while Brady is having a near perfect season i think he's gotten a easy ride for the most part. The only time he was under genuine pressure was the GB game and had GB had Rogers they probably would of lost that game.

I was reading this earlier and while it's an article about Brady v Manning the section below is relevant to Brady's current season and his performances.

The most impressive aspect of Brady's MVP-caliber effort this year is that he's producing monster stats and huge point totals against an absolute murderer's row of defenses.
Seven of Brady's 14 games this year were played against the six stingiest scoring defenses in football (Co-No. 1s Green Bay and Pittsburgh, No. 3 Chicago, No. 4 Baltimore, No. 5 N.Y. Jets (twice) and No. 6 San Diego).
Brady and the Patriots shredded almost all of them. They scored:
• 31 points against Green Bay Sunday night, the most any team has scored this year against the league's stingiest defense (15.7 PPG)
• 39 against Pittsburgh, the most any team has ever scored in a regular-season game at Heinz Field
• 33 points in the first half alone against Chicago; the Bears have not surrendered more than 26 total points in any other game this year.
• 45 points in their second meeting against the Jets; the team has otherwise not given up more than 31 points in a game in two years under Rex Ryan.
From the perspective of individual production, those same six teams all rank in the top 10 in Defensive Passer Rating, a Cold, Hard Football Facts "Quality Stat" and the most effective measure of each team's pass defense. It merely takes the formula used to rate quarterbacks and applies it to pass defenses.
• The Packers are No. 1 in DPR (70.32). Brady posted a 110.2 rating against them with 2 TD and 0 INT.
• The Chargers are No. 2 in DPR (72.46). Brady posted an 82.7 rating against them, with 1 TD and 0 INT.
• The Bears are No. 3 in DPR (73.00). Brady posted a 113.4 rating against them, with 2 TD and 0 INT.
• The Steelers No. 6 in DPR (78.16). Brady posted a 117.4 rating against them, with 3 TD and 0 INT.
• The Ravens are No. 7 in DPR (78.20). Brady posted a 69.5 rating against them (lowest of the year), with 1 TD and 2 INT (his last INTs of the season).
• The Jets are No. 10 in DPR (79.94). Brady posted a 148.9 rating in his most recent game against them, with 4 TD and 0 INT.
In other words, Brady has played half his schedule against defenses that have shut down every other quarterback and every other offense they've faced this year.

Hazys

Stev_o wrote: »

Vick for me some of his performances this year have been truly amazing while Brady is having a near perfect season i think he's gotten a easy ride for the most part. The only time he was under genuine pressure was the GB game and had GB had Rogers they probably would of lost that game.

lol

Stev_o

Hazys wrote: »

lol

Some great contribution there :rolleyes:

How many sacks has Brady received in the lead up to the Packers game? Suddenly Pats were going 3 and out after 3 and long.

Dodge

frostie500 wrote: »

Personally, even as an Eagles fan, I would hate if Vick's "redemption" is taken into account. Players like Brady deserve better than to have the fact that they didnt break the law and go to jail to be held against them

Its the way it is though. Brady and Manning are helped because of their celebrity. Vick's story keeps him in the spotlight and in voters minds.

Both are desrving IMO

One point that was mentioned above is wrong though. A superbowl win won't help anyone as the award is handed out before then

Peyton Manning

Stev_o wrote: »

Some great contribution there :rolleyes:

How many sacks has Brady received in the lead up to the Packers game? Suddenly Pats were going 3 and out after 3 and long.

He took the same number of sacks against the Packers as he did against both the Bears and the Jets, the two immediate games in the lead up to the Packers game.

themont85

In fairness the Pats line is far better than the Philly one, far better.

Peyton Manning

themont85 wrote: »

In fairness the Pats line is far better than the Philly one, far better.

I know that, but Stev_o seems to think that Brady peformed below par against the Packers because it's the first time he's seen that much pressure and taken that many sacks, when in reality it was the exact same as the Bears and Jets games, and their star pass rusher Clay Matthews was nullified for almost the entire game.

davyjose

It's definitely between Vick and Brady. Rivers is nowhere near the conversation -- MVP's don't scrape their team through a ragged season -- they grab it by the balls. Vick has been insane in leading the Eagles this year. And Brady has been astonishing. i don't know. Flip a coin tbh.

Hazys

Stev_o wrote: »

Some great contribution there :rolleyes:

How many sacks has Brady received in the lead up to the Packers game? Suddenly Pats were going 3 and out after 3 and long.

Easy ride...ffs Have you seen the quality of teams and defenses Brady has put up 30pts plus on?

Yes the Pats have a good oline but their stats are certainly helped by Brady having unbelievable pocket presence. BTW the Pats OLine has 3 starters on IR, which is unbelieveable.

Vick has much better receivers and running game...easy ride for him i'd say :rolleyes:


Brady is hands down MVP, considering the job he has down with the supporting cast playing with him (only two 1st round picks in Offense with a lot of later round picks and FAs), great TD to INT ratio, high QB rating, unbelievable play in the elements, wins against top defenses, multiple perfect games, and so on against one of the strongest schedules in the NFL.

Vick has been very good but this season Brady is on another level.

Lirange

This was a good article re: Vick vs. Brady for MVP

davyjose

Hazys wrote: »

Brady is hands down MVP, considering the job he has down with the supporting cast playing with him (only two 1st round picks in Offense with a lot of later round picks and FAs), great TD to INT ratio, high QB rating, unbelievable play in the elements, wins against top defenses, multiple perfect games, and so on against one of the strongest schedules in the NFL.

Vick has been very good but this season Brady is on another level.

No offense, but your argument is somewhat skewed, IMO, by the fact that you are a Pats fan. Vick has been incredible this year Hazys, don't downplay it.
Nobody on here would argue if Brady won the award -- he's been incredible too. But I daresay only the Pats fans would complain if Vick won it.

frostie500

Hazys wrote: »

Brady is hands down MVP, considering the job he has down with the supporting cast playing with him (only two 1st round picks in Offense with a lot of later round picks and FAs), great TD to INT ratio, high QB rating, unbelievable play in the elements, wins against top defenses, multiple perfect games, and so on against one of the strongest schedules in the NFL.

Vick has been very good but this season Brady is on another level.

I don't think its fair to say that Brady is working with less talent. I say this mainly because the vast majority of football fans all know that Patriots have consistently been the best talent evaluators in the NFL(look at all the low round picks and FA who succeed with the team) so while the players may have been drafted lower they were deemed good fits for the NE scheme.

It's crazy to say that Brady is operating on "a different level to Vick," both players are playing at a crazy level right now, head and shoulders above anyone else in the league right now. Statistically both players are very similar this season, Vick is better in a few categories, Brady in others. This is a very close run thing and, to my mind, the only thing that is holding Vick back from winning it is that he didnt start four games.

You say that Brady has had "multiple perfect games" but in the last five games Vick has played arguably the greatest game ever by a QB against the Redskins and orchastrated one of the greatest comeback wins of all time against the Giants so I'd say that Vick has also had his fair share of perfection this year

Peyton Manning

frostie500 wrote: »

Vick has played arguably the greatest game ever by a QB against the Redskins

Serious?

frostie500

Tom_Brady wrote: »

Serious?

I meant to have "arguably one of the best games" but the point remains that statistically that game was an absolute monster. Against the Skins it looked like men against boys with Vick able to make any and every play he wanted to. The point was being made to illustrate that Vick has played outstanding in certain games this year, just like Brady has, and not to get into a debate on the greatest performances by a player of all time

eagle eye

I can tell you that if Peyton Manning had done what Tom Brady has done this year he would be 100% certain to win the MVP.

Michael Vick has been magnificent this year but nothing near Brady.


I do agree that Vick put on what I'd consider the best performance I've ever seen by a QB against Washington but thats only one game. Over the course of the season Brady has been head and shoulders above everybody including Michael Vick.

themont85

eagle eye wrote: »

I can tell you that if Peyton Manning had done what Tom Brady has done this year he would be 100% certain to win the MVP.

Michael Vick has been magnificent this year but nothing near Brady.


I do agree that Vick put on what I'd consider the best performance I've ever seen by a QB against Washington but thats only one game. Over the course of the season Brady has been head and shoulders above everybody including Michael Vick.

I disagree. I think when both have played it's apples and oranges. But Vick was injured and missed games, so his impact is reduced. That is partly due to the way he plays so it's fair enough that he loses ground in that respect. In all fairness thhough, there is no other QB who could have done what Vick did versus the Giants last week with 8 to go, none. Brady has a lead but Vick has the opportunity to still win it imo.

Your opinions on the Colts/Manning/Bill Pollian are just nauseating at this stage tbh.

Peyton Manning

Just off the top of my head, Drew Brees vs the Patriots, Tom Brady vs the Titans (both last year) and Steve Young vs the Chargers in 95 were better QB performance in my opinion.

Syferus

The more I think about it, the closer it is for me. Vick is both a good QB and a serious attacking threat in his own right and completely changes the way defenses play against the Eagles. Brady's had a great year too and both have took teams assumed to be in transition and helped them become serious Superbowl contenders. Removed from their 'stories', there is very little seperating the two at this minute.

If either signifcantly out-preforms the other in the remaining two games that'll be the player I'll consider him the most deserving of the award.

Dodge

Some here would want to calm down about 'historic' seasons and the like. brady was abysmal in his first game against the Jets, and against the bleeding Browns.

Peyton Manning

Dodge wrote: »

Some here would want to calm down about 'historic' seasons and the like. brady was abysmal in his first game against the Jets, and against the bleeding Browns.

Wtf are you talking about? You're the first person who has mentioned 'historic' seasons.

eagle eye

Tom_Brady wrote: »

Just off the top of my head, Drew Brees vs the Patriots, Tom Brady vs the Titans (both last year) and Steve Young vs the Chargers in 95 were better QB performance in my opinion.

Steve Young's performance was incredible for a Superbowl. Tom Brady against the Titans isn't even one of his top 5 performances. Drew Brees was exceptional last year and it was a great performance by him. None of them come close to what Michael Vick did to Washington though. He was just awesome that night, in a class all of his own. He was so close to a perfect passer rating, just .5 yards per pass off, and he had 10 rushes for 100 yards too. It was like watching the best QB and the best RB rolled into one, you just can't beat that. Unfortunately rushing does not add to a QB rating.

Dodge

Tom_Brady wrote: »

Wtf are you talking about? You're the first person who has mentioned 'historic' seasons.

Yeah, sorry got my forums mixed up there.

Peyton Manning

eagle eye wrote: »

Steve Young's performance was incredible for a Superbowl. Tom Brady against the Titans isn't even one of his top 5 performances. Drew Brees was exceptional last year and it was a great performance by him. None of them come close to what Michael Vick did to Washington though. He was just awesome that night, in a class all of his own. He was so close to a perfect passer rating, just .5 yards per pass off, and he had 10 rushes for 100 yards too. It was like watching the best QB and the best RB rolled into one, you just can't beat that. Unfortunately rushing does not add to a QB rating.

Like I said, in my opinion, the others were superior performances. I maintained it at the time, and I still do now that the hype from Vick's performance has died down.

To say none of them came close to what Vick did is a little ill informed though wouldn't you say. Young put in a historic performance on the biggest stage of all and breaking records while doing so. He accounted for the same number of touchdowns as Vick (6), and also finished as his team's leading rusher. Brady had a completion percentage of over 85% against the Titans, also accounting for 6 touchdowns in the snow. And that was in just over 2 quarters, as he came out of the game a few minutes into the third. Brees' performance against the Patriots was against a good defence, a team that went 12-4, accounting for almost as many touchdowns (5) despite 12 less rush/pass attempts. He wasn't 0.5 short of a perfect passer rating - he was zero short of a perfect passer rating because it was a perfect game.

All three were better performances than Vick's imo. Not to take away from his though, it was a very good showing.

Pyjamarama

Anyone who says you can't make an argument for Vick being MVP is looking through very Patriot tinted glasses. He has been exceptional all year and this is coming from someone who was 100% against him getting the starting job ahead of Kolb.

For me it's still Brady's title but if Vick did win it, it wouldn't be a travesty. It's Brady for MVP, Vick for OPotY and Matthews for DPotY.

Of course these awards are all given far too early anyway, playoffs should 100% be taken into consideration. But thats a debate for another time.

Hazys

I think youll have to take into account the quality of opposition the two QBs have played against, Brady wins hands down. The only seriously good quality teams the Eagles have beated are the Colts, Falcons and Giants, while the Patriots have beaten the Colts, Steelers, Jets, Ravens, Bears, Chargers and Packers and nearly all has Brady put up 30+pts...which is incredible!!

Yes Vick had a once in a lifetime game against the Redskins...but it was against the Redskins, which takes away from that. IMO Brady's 30 plus passes, 30 plus points, 3 passing TDs against the best defense in the league, the Steelers was more impressive.

The level of competiton is why i think Brady is on another level to Vick, i dont think the vote deserves to be close.

Pyjamarama

Hazys wrote: »

I think youll have to take into account the quality of opposition the two QBs have played against, Brady wins hands down. The only seriously good quality teams the Eagles have beated are the Colts, Falcons and Giants, while the Patriots have beaten the Colts, Steelers, Jets, Ravens, Bears, Chargers and Packers and nearly all has Brady put up 30+pts...which is incredible!!

Yes Vick had a once in a lifetime game against the Redskins...but it was against the Redskins, which takes away from that. IMO Brady's 30 plus passes, 30 plus points, 3 passing TDs against the best defense in the league, the Steelers was more impressive.

The level of competiton is why i think Brady is on another level to Vick, i dont think the vote deserves to be close.

Just out of curiosity which team do you follow?Vick has lost one game he started and that was against the Bears. We played poor as a team and lost by five points and tbh i think the huge turning point is the pick just before half time which was a tipped pass.

It should be a close race. Vick is playing unlike any player in history. It's not about who the best player in the NFL it's Most Valuable... do people not get this? It's in the name of the award... I still think Brady should win myself but I honestly don't understand how anyone can think it's not close. They obviously haven't been watching both teams.

And for those (not really on this forum) who think the fact Vick has better players around him should hurt his chances, the same arguement can be made for who has the better coach.

Happy Christmas all!!

bruschi

has any Patriot fan on here said you cant make an argument for Vick not to be in the reckoning? I dont think any Patriot fan would argue that Vick deserves huge consideration and is the only other realistic candidate against Brady. So dont know where the Patriot tinted glasses are, maybe I've missed someone saying you cant make an argument for him. I'd also say every Patriots fan thinks Brady deserves it, but that would go without saying.

the one thing about MVP,is the title itself, the most valuable player. Would the Patriots win as much and be where they are this season without Brady? And would the Eagles be where they are without Vick? Which player is the team most dependant on? That right there convinces me that Brady will get it. But the season Vick has had is unreal. Serious dedication from him and I for one am glad to see him back playing, with the added bonus of his throwing being much better than when at Atlanta.

Pyjamarama

A few guys have posted that Vick hasn't come close to Brady this year. For what it's worth i 100% agree with your post and i'd give it to Brady myself with vick sneaking Offensive player of the year as a consolation.

SantryRed

I would have to make the case for Cassel if it's based on Most Valuable and not best performer. We all seen how much of a disaster KC were against the Chargers when Cassel was out. They don't function without him.

Pyjamarama

Defo deserves a shout. I was wrong about him, thought he was a waster but he's good enough to lead a team to the superbowl if they have him in the right situation, i.e. they have that awesome running game. Big bounceback game for Bowe last night as well. Different player when hit in stride.

DDC1990

Forget Vick, Cassell, Brady.

Josh Freeman MVP :P

Pity the defence and special teams couldnt hold out last week against the Lions or the Bucs would be playoff bound :P

Rookie MVP: Mike Williams please :P If not LeGarrett Blount.

Maybe slightly Buc tinted glasses on my part.

In all seriousness, the Bucs have been fantastic this year and i'd love to see them in the playoffs.

Real MVP? I'd say Brady, but man Vick has skills. Bradys mechanics are flawless though. Standing tall in the pocket, feet skills amazing. Vick is just the ultimate athlete.

Peyton Manning

Here's Vic Carucci's take on things. Nothing that hasn't been said before, but it perfectly sums up why a lot of people are giving the edge to Brady.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Mother Nature decided to add a little more drama to this anything-you-can-do-I-can-do-better competition that Tom Brady and Michael Vick are waging for NFL MVP, but it wasn't necessary.

This battle is over. Brady wins. Unofficially, for now, but that's how the voting by the Associated Press' national media panel is likely to go.

Brady wins because he has done more with less. He wins because he is incredibly efficient, while being incredibly productive. He wins, because ... well, let one of his tight ends, Alge Crumpler, explain.

"Because when we get on this bus, headed out of here, he'll have his computer on and he'll be studying Miami," Crumpler said after the Patriots' 34-3 victory over the Buffalo Bills. "Nobody works harder than Tommy."


Even after the Pats had clinched home-field advantage through the AFC playoffs, rendering their Week 17 season finale against the Dolphins meaningless, Crumpler knew his teammate's attention would be focused exactly where it always is after a game: On the next opponent.

In Brady's world, preparation never gets a bye. Keeping sharp and focused is what he always expects of himself and of everyone around him. Call it the Brady Standard of Excellence, which even transcends the lofty standard Bill Belichick established for his three-time Super Bowl champions.

Yes, what Vick has done this season is every bit as valuable to another strong team, the Philadelphia Eagles. It is flashy, dynamic and unlike what any quarterback, or player for that matter, does and probably will do for a long time. Thanks to the blizzard that rocked the East Coast, his next game, against Minnesota, won't be until Tuesday night. Vick might very well have a spectacular prime-time showing, adding yet another chapter to his comeback story for the ages. But it won't matter.

There is no topping the fact that Brady's off-the-charts season has come without the same sort of support that has allowed Vick to consistently add big plays with his passing arm to a repertoire that once mostly included (but still features) highlight-reel runs. Brady doesn't have a receiver the same caliber as DeSean Jackson or a running back comparable to LeSean McCoy. He is working with an offense that reinvented itself after Week 4 when his lone deep threat, Randy Moss, was traded and there was no longer the ability to stretch opposing defenses.

The critics said that the Patriots were in trouble because it was too easy for other teams to clamp down on Wes Welker running those patented short and intermediate routes. But Brady pulled together a new scheme that relied heavily on a pair of rookie tight ends, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, and running back Danny Woodhead, whom the Patriots acquired after he was cut by the New York Jets. Putting greater emphasis than ever on precision, Brady maximized the production of his supporting cast with throws that moved the chains and generated touchdowns while avoiding enemy hands. Against the Bills, in cold and blustery conditions that aren't conducive to accurate passing, he set an NFL record by pushing to 309 his streak of consecutive throws without an interception. Brady's three touchdown passes, all to his tight ends (two to Gronkowski and one to Crumpler), pushed his season total to 34. But even more impressive are his mere four interceptions, the last of which he threw in Week 6.

This is where that considerable work ethic comes in. This is the byproduct of the standard of excellence, which doesn't merely do plenty to help others to succeed but inspires them to raise their performance level.

"He leads by example," said Gronkowski, who knows that his full buy-in to the Brady approach has gone a long way toward allowing him to catch nine touchdown passes and tie a Patriots record for most TDs by a tight end in a season (Ben Coates, 1996) and also move into second place for touchdown receptions by a rookie tight end in NFL history behind Mike Ditka, who had 12 in 1961.

Part of that example is Brady's feeling, which he expressed during his weekly appearance on Boston radio station WEEI on Monday morning, that the selection of an MVP in a team sport "doesn't make a lot of sense" and that the only award he has ever cared about "is a Super Bowl ring."

Still, votes for this year's award will be collected on Jan. 7, and Brady's case for winning it shouldn't be impacted by how little he might play (if at all) against the Dolphins. Nor should it be hurt by his mere 140 passing yards against the Bills. As guard Logan Mankins pointed out, "He is a quarterback, half his job is to hand it off, so he can't throw it every time. That's not going to be any good for the team. Days like today, when he's handing it off a lot (41 rushing attempts compared with 27 passes), he's making the right checks. There's more to quarterback than just throwing it."

Or running with it.

And when you look at the entire package, you have the more convincing argument for Brady as the MVP.

Peyton Manning

So yeah, that's case closed :cool:

Royal Seahawk

Does anyone really care? There's only one trophy that matters and it isn't the MVP one.