The Rookie Deserves Serious Consideration

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It may be impossible to fathom, but I think Matt Ryan has a strong case for MVP of the league. This award is usually given to the player who has the gaudiest stats, the one who has the most endorsements, and the one who’s the biggest household name.  But that’s not what an MVP of the NFL should be.

MVP stands for Most Valuable Player.  This is exactly how you should judge a player who’s up for this award.  The thought process should go something like this: If this player was not on the [fill in the blank team], where would the [fill in the blank team] be right now?  How significant of an impact has this player had on the success of the team?

Let’s first look at the contenders.  First up: Kurt Warner.  Warner is reminding us of his “greatest show on turf” days.  He’s thrown for 4,320 yards and 26 touchdowns.  But he’s fumbled the ball a mind boggling ten times this season; he’s fumbled an astonishing 53 times over the past five years.  His Cardinals are also only 8-7-they lost 47-7 against the New England Patriots on Sunday.  In that game, Warner was 6 for 18 for 30 yards.  Every player has a bad game, but you cannot be a candidate for MVP with a performance like that.

Next up: Adrian Peterson.  I love Peterson. I loved him in college,and always thought he had Hall of Fame potential.  As great a year as AD (short for “All Day,” his nickname) is having, it still falls short compared to his rookie season.  Currently, AD has played 15 games and rushed for 1,657 yards and nine touchdowns.  Last season, Peterson played 14 games-(missed two to injury)-and started just nine of those 14 matchups.  In that time, he rushed for 1,341 yards and 12 touchdowns.  He also broke the single game rushing record last season.  There’s no question that his stats would be off the charts with a better passing game, but the Vikings are a bit disappointing given how much talent the team has.  Peterson also has eight fumbles this season.

Next is Albert Haynesworth.  This man has been a beast in the middle of the defensive line in Tennessee.  With 51 tackles and 8.5 sacks, Haynesworth is the reason why the Titans defense has been so tough up front.  With that said, it looks like he will be out the remainder of the regular season with a leg injury.

Next is, of course, Peyton Manning.  Manning is no doubt incredible-one of the top five quarterbacks I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching.  It’s hard to argue against him. His numbers, though below his average, are still good.  Close to 4,000 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and a 66.4 completion percentage.  Injuries, too, ravaged this team, and Manning found a way to rebound like he always does.

With that said, Manning’s Colts still lost the division to the Titans.  And though Manning’s stats look good, you have to wonder how the Colts almost lost to the Browns (final score: 10-6).  In that game, Manning had less than 130 passing yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions.  That just shouldn’t happen.  Even in a game like Thursday’s matchup against the Jaguars, it just seems the Colts start slow against teams they should beat.  It shouldn’t take over three quarters for a Manning-led offense to finally start clicking.

As for Matt Ryan, his stats don’t jump out at you necessarily. He has 3,280 yards passing with 15 touchdowns and a 61.7 completion percentage.  But it’s not always about the numbers. Remember, the Falcons were the team that no one wanted to play for (D’Angelo Hall).  Hell, no one wanted to coach there, either (Bobby Petrino).  Even Bill Parcells left owner Arthur Blank at the altar regarding a vacant front office position.  And, of course, the stench of Michael Vick permeated throughout the entire franchise.  With everything that had transpired with this team last year, Blank was asked if he felt used by the media. Blank’s response: “Actually, I feel abused.”

It was ugly in Atlanta in 2007.  Last season, Joey Harrington and Byron Leftwich were attempting to quarterback the team.  In 2008, the job has been given to a 23-year-old rookie quarterback, and he has been outstanding.  He throws the ball extremely well, often very accurate and away from the opposition.  He manages the game.  He understands the playbook.  He’s composed on the field, looking like a ten year veteran in the pocket.  Off the field, he exudes confidence when talking to the press.  And with a win over the Vikings this past Sunday, Ryan secured his team a spot in the playoffs.

Some may have thought Ryan would find success in the NFL, but no one would’ve predicted it would come this early.  And no one could have foreseen that it would come just one year after the utter disaster that was the 2007 Atlanta Falcons.

In my opinion, Ryan had both the lowest and highest of expectations.  He was a top level draftee who was paid an ungodly sum of money.  He took over a downtrodden team as an inexperienced pro.  And he was filling the shoes of one of the most exciting players in the NFL, and ironically enough one of the most hated athletes in America-Michael Vick.

And all Ryan has done is lead the Falcons to a 10-5 record-they would be 11-5 had Roddy White caught a perfectly thrown touchdown pass by Ryan in the back of the end zone with 58 seconds remaining against the Broncos in week 11.  And while running back Michael Turner no doubt has been a force for Atlanta, Matt Ryan would get my vote for league MVP.

This story is filed under: Football Weekly, Sports