Is Tom Brady REALLY the MVP so far?

Sports

I know that 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 TD mark, but possibly go undefeated, not be 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 that appear 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 the despicable presence of Bill Belichick. So now that we’re on the same page, let me explain why Tom Brady isn’t the NFL MVP this season so far.

Yes, Tom Brady will be statistically the best player not only this season, but quite possibly in history. Yes, he will finish the season a minimum of 14-2, with a chance for perfection in the offing. 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’re the most VALUABLE player in your entire sport? A-Rod just won American League MVP. Was it just because he put up numbers like Mantle and Ruth? No. It was because he alone 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 boldly. As of this point in the NFL season, having nearly completed week 12, Brett Favre is the NFL MVP. Just to bear 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?), 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’ll 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 many teams. Wes Welker, #3, could also be #1 or #2 on many teams. The Maroney-Morris tandem, while unsurprising of late, has provided a good running game. Add this to the fact that Brady is protected by the Great Damn Wall of China with his offensive line, and he has all the pieces for success. I am not demeaning the success of it. He is an incredible quarterback. But keep in mind that he is playing for an amazing team. It’s 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 none other than himself. Please name me 4 starters in the Packers offense not named Brett Favre or Donald Driver. You can rattle off the Patriots’ trio of wide receivers, their tight end, running backs, etc. Brett Favre is playing almost alone out there. He’s creating a star in a kid named Greg Jennings and up until the last few weeks he had the equivalent of a high school racing game trailing him. Despite all 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, grim. 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 don’t believe it. The only real defense they’ve played this season was Indy, and MAYBE San Diego (although lately they can’t seem to defend anyone). The Packers, on the other hand, have played these teams: Eagles, Giants, Chargers, Vikings (twice), Bears, @Denver, @Kansas City, and Carolina. I said that in a previous post of mine, but I don’t think anyone in the league has had a tougher defensive schedule so far. And yet, Brett Favre has almost singlehandedly led his team to a 9-1 record.

Add all of these factors together, and you spell one thing; MVP. The player most value. Brett Favre, in terms of his team value, is the best player in the National Football League right now. Let the hate emails and comments continue.

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