I know I know I must be crazy for even asking the question. How can a guy who’s on pace to not only erase the one-season record for TD, but also possibly go undefeated, not be the MVP? Only someone with a personal grudge against the guy would think otherwise. Someone would have to be a die-hard Ohio State Buckeye fan, or hate QBs featured in GQ magazines, or hate any player who plays for Darth Hoodie to even entertain the idea that Tom Brady doesn’t deserve MVP.
Well, I’m here today (well, sit here really) as someone who is none of the above three. I like the Wolverines and I don’t hold a grudge against the GQ club or anyone who plays for Bill Belichick’s despicable presence. So now that we’re on the same page, let me explain why Tom Brady isn’t the NFL’s Most Valuable Player this season so far.
Yes, Tom Brady is going to be statistically the best player not just this season, but quite possibly in history. Yes, he will finish the season with a minimum of 14-2, with the opportunity for perfection in sight. But do these two things mean he HAS to be the MVP? This kind of debate comes up every year in baseball. Does having the craziest stats imaginable mean you are the most VALUABLE player in your entire sport? A-Rod just won the American League MVP. Was it just because he put up numbers like Mantle and Ruth? No. It was because he single-handedly propelled the Yankees to the playoffs. Take away A-Rod and the Yankees don’t make the playoffs.
So this brings me back to my point. I will say it bravely. As of this point in the NFL season, having almost completed week 12, Brett Favre is the NFL MVP. Just to put up with a little more ridicule, let’s look at a brief side-by-side statistical comparison.
Touchdowns: Brady-39, Favre-22.
Yards: Brady-3,439, Favre-3,356.
Interceptions: Brady-4 (are you kidding me?), Favre- 8
Jump rating: Brady-127.9, Favre-101.5
Why, after this almost embarrassing statistical comparison, and knowing that Tom Brady will possibly be the quarterback to lead his team to a perfect season, do I think old River Brett Favre is the MVP? Thanks for asking. I’ll tell you why. Let’s look at some important factors that should not be overlooked. We will start simple. Tom Brady actually has a team around him. Brett Favre has players around him. Brady has a team, and a great team on that note. He has the most gifted receiver in the NFL, after the quietest steal in NFL history in terms of trades. His second receiver could be No. 1 on a lot of teams. Wes Welker, the #3, could also be the #1 or #2 on many teams. The Maroney-Morris tandem, while unsurprising lately, has provided a good running game. Add this to the fact that Brady is protected by the goddamn Great Wall of China with his offensive line, and he has all the pieces for success. I’m not downgrading his success. He is an amazing quarterback. But keep in mind that he is playing for an amazing team. It is a product of his own talent, but also of the incredible talent that surrounds him.
Brett Favre, on the other hand, is a product of nothing but himself. Please name me 4 starters on the Packers offense not named Brett Favre or Donald Driver. You can recite the Patriots’ trio of wide receivers, their tight end, running backs, etc. Brett Favre is playing pretty much alone out there. He’s creating a star in a kid named Greg Jennings and until the last few weeks he had the equivalent of a high school racing game behind him. Despite all of this, despite the lack of talent around him, despite the lack of running game around him until the recent appearance of Ryan Grant, you have an old quarterback doing absolutely incredible things.
And now the second reason why Brett Favre, and NOT Tom Brady, is the MVP right now. Take the fact that the Patriots are the best team in the NFL and add the fact that their schedule hasn’t exactly been, shall we say, bleak. Tell me if this line of opponents sounds scary to you. Buffalo Bills (twice), New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals. Is anyone else still shaking? I do not think so. The only real defense they’ve played this season was Indy, and MAYBE San Diego (although they can’t seem to defend anyone lately). The Packers, on the other hand, have played these teams: Eagles, Giants, Chargers, Vikings (twice), Bears, @Denver, @Kansas City and Carolina. I said it in a previous post of mine, but I don’t think anyone in the league has had a tougher schedule defensively so far. And yet, Brett Favre has almost single-handedly led his team to a 9-1 record.
Add all of these factors together, and it spells one thing; MVP. The player most value. Brett Favre, in terms of value to his team, is the best player in the National Football League right now. Let the hate emails and comments continue.