Last night I had a very entertaining Twitter conversation with our good friend Robert Littal of Black Sports Online regarding who should be the NFL MVP in 2009.
Robert is a strong proponent of Titans’ running back Chris Johnson, and with good reason. Johnson had one of the most statistically impressive seasons of an any player at any position in NFL history.
I took a little bit of a different view, stating that Johnson’s position (RB) and his team’s record (8-8 and out of the playoffs) puts him at a reasonable disadvantage in comparison to quarterbacks, who play a much a tougher position, who have terrific individual seasons while leading their teams to 12-, 13-, 14-win seasons.
And we had three such quarterbacks this year, all of whom I rank ahead of CJ when it comes to the 2009 NFL MVP voting.
And, for the record, the conversation between Robert and I started because he took exception to Peter King leaving 2,000-yard man Chris Johnson of his 2009 NFL MVP top 5. (For the record, King did name Johnson as his All-Pro running back and named him Offensive Player of the Year.)
Robert thought it was another manifestation of King’s trend (and it’s a real one) of favoring quarterbacks for MVP. With Johnson having perhaps the greatest individual season ever by a running back (NFL record for most yards from scrimmage), Robert thought it was a given that Johnson at least be a top 5 candidate.
King, however, felt that Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Brett Favre, and Aaron Rodgers were all more worthy candidates.
I disagree with King on the last two, but agree wholeheartedly with him on the first three. Here is how my 2009 NFL MVP ballot would look if I actually had a vote:
1 – Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
He was statistically superb, as always, and did not allow his team to lose a game in which he was actually allowed to play four quarters. His efficiency and ability to always deliver in the 4th quarter for the Colts actually ended up hurting his overall numbers.
Had the Colts been 12-2 rather than 14-0, he would have had another 5-6 quarters of stats to add to his already impressive line: 4,500 yards, 33 TDs, 99.9 QB rating. And the numbers don’t really tell the whole story, because Manning actually threw 16 INTs this year.
But watching the Colts play this year – in games such as the Miami game when Indy won despite having the ball for less than 15:00, and the New England game when Bill Belichick was so scared of giving Manning the ball that we went for a controversial 4th and 2 in his own territory, and so many more – it became even more clear that we are watching the greatest quarterback in NFL history.
He very well could be the QB of a 16-0 team had his coach and team president not taken that away from him. Peyton Manning is, unquestionably, my MVP pick this year.
2 – Philip Rivers, San Diego
The most underrated player in football, I believe. He threw from 4,254 yards, 28 TDs, and only 9 INTs. He led his team from a rocky start to being the most red-hot team in the playoffs, and he did it with little consistent help from the running game.
I agree with those who say that he is the Dan Marino of this generation: great arm, beautiful deep ball, fiery leader. Now we’ll see if he can do what Marino never could and win a Super Bowl.
3 – Drew Brees, New Orleans
Yes, Brees and the Saints struggled down the stretch, but they won 13 straight games before that and Brees was the main reason why. He finished the year with 4,388 yards passing, 34 TDs, and and sterling QB rating of 109.6.
And remember: Chris Johnson was not the only player to set a great record this year. Brees eclipsed the all-time single-season mark in a very underrated statistical category for his position: completion percentage. Brees finished the year with a mind-boggling 70.6 completion percentage. The previous record-holder, Ken Anderson, set the record during the strike-shortened season of the 1980s.
(Note: I waffled back and forth on Rivers and Brees between #’s 2 and 3. I ultimately went with Rivers because he played a little bit better down the stretch, but it’s splitting hairs.)
4 – Chris Johnson, Tennessee
You can’t deny his greatness. And I agree with King that while Johnson is not the MVP, he is the Offensive Player of the Year. The numbers speak for themselves: 2,006 rushing yards, 503 receiving yards, 16 total touchdowns.
When the Titans fell to 0-6, they made a more concerted effort to get Johnson the ball and he responded in a huge way. Much was made of Vince Young’s resurgence this season, and with good reason; but, Chris Johnson’s greatness was a major part of what helped Vince Young go 8-2 as a starter.
#5 could go a lot of ways. Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers are certainly in the conversation. Tony Romo has quietly had a terrific second half of the season in leading Dallas to the NFC East crown. Darrelle Revis has been the defensive star of the year, locking down top WR after top WR. Charles Woodson has been outstanding as well.
In the end, I give the nod to Brett Favre because he really has taken Minnesota to another level. We will see how far he can take them in the playoffs, but do you really think that the Vikings would be sitting at home with a bye during the first week of the playoffs with Sagevaris Rosenjackson at QB?
I don’t.
And while Favre has brought his usual melodrama and engaged in the understated, subtle me-first actions that have become his custom late in his career, he’s also played brilliant football for the most part. 4,202 yards, 33 TDs, and a 107.2 QB rating. Wow.
He’s helped turn Sidney Rice into a star, found ways to utilize the unique talents of Percy Harvin, and has allowed Adrian Peterson to stay relatively fresh for the playoffs.
Minnesota was already a 10-6 team last year without Favre, which is why I rate him lower than Manning, Rivers, and Brees – all of whom I think did slightly more with slightly less than Favre did  this year – but the old man has proven that coming back wasn’t a mistake.
Now the question is: who is your choice? I’ve listed everyone named in the post below. If you think I forgot anyone, or want to argue with my picks or reasoning, that’s what the comment section is for. Have at it.
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About Jerod Morris
