A Christmas MVP Controversy: Who will Santa deliver the trophy to this year?

Ah, the joys of holiday travel.  While sitting in the luxuriously comfortable airport benches for several hours after numerous delays earlier this week, I was provided with ample time to overhear a lengthy, ongoing debate between the two gentlemen seated in the benches directly behind me.  They were engaged in a heated argument trying to determine who the MVP of the NFL is.  With not a whole lot of other options at that moment in time, I decided to ease drop and hear who had the most convincing points.

With only two weeks remaining, the consensus among most people is that the candidates seem to be narrowed down to two players:  Michael Vick and Tom Brady.  These were also the individuals being discussed by my two new friends at the Sea/Tac International Airport.

Both are having absolutely tremendous seasons, quarterbacking their teams to records worthy of the lead in their respective divisions.  However, there is one area that I think Tom Brady has a distinct advantage over Vick.  Tom Brady has started each of the Patriots 14 games guiding them to an NFL best 12-2 record.  Michael Vick, on the other hand, has missed out on three full games due to injury.  And, in another game, he was knocked out in the first quarter. 

In the three games that Vick sat out, the Eagles’ record was 2-1.  This statistic, I believe is another indication that Brady is a more viable MVP candidate than Vick.  The supporting cast surrounding Michael Vick is much more talented.  The Patriots do not have a single player on offense at a skilled position that was drafted in the first round.  As a matter of fact, they only have two players who were drafted in the second round: Deion Branch (WR) and Rob Grankowski (TE).

Conversely, the Eagles have a total of five players taken in the first and second round:  Michael Vick (QB and #1 overall pick), Jeremy Maclin (WR, 1^st round), LeSean McCoy (RB, 2^nd round) and DeSean Jackson (WR, 2^nd round).  Even their backup QB, Kevin Kolb, was drafted in the second round, four rounds before Tom Brady was selected.  Therefore, if the Eagles were to lose Michael Vick, they would still be a playoff contender.  But, if New England were to lose Tom Brady, the Patriots would be an entirely different, uncompetitive team.

Despite playing the same position, these players could not have more different styles.  Although, his passing efficiency has improved greatly this year, Michael Vick cannot avoid the tag of a “running quarterback.”  Also, if a poll was anonymously taken, Tom Brady would most likely be voted the most immobile QB in the entire league.  Though, some believe that this aspect of Vick’s game is a reason why he might have an edge over Brady.

Throwing the ball, Vick has amassed 2,755 yards and tossed 20 touchdowns with 5 interceptions.  Brady has racked up 3,561 yards, 31 TDs and only four INTs.  While their completion percentages and QB ratings are similar (Brady: 66.6 and 109.9; Vick: 63.2 and 103.6), Vick has rushed the ball 92 times for a total of 613 yards and 8 TDs, while Brady has scampered out of the pocket 28 times for only 17 yards and managed to find the end zone just once (even though that touchdown was followed by an intensely ferocious ball spike!). 

The bottom line is that Brady has orchestrated one of the most impressive seasons, statistically, that we have seen in a while.  This New England Patriots team has not only exceeded, but greatly surpassed any and all expectations that may have existed prior to the start of the season.  In Sunday night’s game, Brady set a single season record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception, at 292.  This mentality has had a trickle-down effect as the Patriots, as an entire team, have not committed a single turnover for seven straight games.

For New England, everything starts and ends with Tom Brady.  The Philadelphia Eagles without Vick, as electrifying as he is and has been all year, would still be able to field a really good team.  Place Brian Hoyer at the helm, forget the playoffs, the Patriots would struggle to have a better record than the lowly Detroit Lions.

Realistically, Michael Vick is, hands down, already the recipient in waiting of the Comeback Player of the Year award, and considering the tumultuous path he has journeyed to reach this point in his career, he should take great pride in earning that title.  However, for my money, the best quarterback and Most Valuable Player to his team and in the NFL is none other than Mr. Tom Brady.

So, if you happen to be reading this article this week Santa, go ahead and slide another trophy down Tom’s chimney as you pass by the Boston area this Christmas season.  I know he already has one, but it’s like you say, “The more the merrier!”  Oh, and if it’s not too much to ask, while you’re at it, would you mind slipping in a shiny, new Lombardi Trophy to reward the rest of the team’s hard work for this year.  Thanks!  So, New England fans, on this traditionally holy, silent night, don’t be afraid to let out a ringing Christmas cheer, “Go Pats!”