Yes, excellence deserves recognition be it the best job done or among the best jobs done. That's what these guys all get paid crazy money for. So like the Iceaman said--the plaque for second place is in the ladies room.
What we could see this year is something that I don't believe has ever happened. One player could win the top three individual awards--Comeback, Offensive POY, and MVP.
I'm talking about Peyton Manning of course.
Let's take a look at the man's body of work: 4355 yards (No. 6), 34 TDs (No. 3), and 11 INTs (18 other guys have more).
What makes his performance even more impressive is that it is his first year with a new team and is coming off of his fourth neck surgery; both things that should have relegated him to the back of the pack this season, but instead he is out in front.
Comeback is an easy one. There is no question that he deserves that one. The only other player that should even be in the conversation is Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Not only has the man returned from blowing out his knee last season, but he has almost single handed made the Vikings relevant in the playoff hunt.
Oh--yeah. He's also the single season rushing leader and looking to become part of the elite 2000+ yard club. He could also become the single season record holder with a big day today.
AP has had a tremendous year--but it isn't enough to overshadow Peyton's accomplishment. The man should have retired, but instead he switched teams and proceeded to have one of the best seasons of his career. People overcome knee injuries all the time, but they don't overcome multiple neck surgeries.
I will say that AP does deserve to win the Offensive MVP. He really is the offense for the Vikings; Christian Ponder just hasn't been able to get it together yet (too busy with Samantha Steele I suppose). Without AP taking pressure off of Ponder I could have seen the Vikings pulling Ponder earlier this season. Thanks to the season he has had the Vikings are actually in the driver's seat in the playoff race.
Calvin Johnson deserves a nod for his year, but since the Lions have basically sucked his season his production means little even though it is the best year that any wide recevier has ever had.
MVP is another tough call. Peyton Manning has definitely had a year that warrants consideration, but he is not the only one. AP certainly has. I think Reggie Wayne deserves consideration with the year he has had in Indianapolis. J.J. Watt's name should come up in talks as well, but he'll get the defensive MVP instead.Don't laugh, but I think an argument could be made for Tony Romo.
However, the MVP of the season is Tom Brady.
Peyton has had a MVP-worthy season, but I think part of his success is due to the system he is in. He has had the benefit of a good running game, a stable of quality receivers, and one of the best defenses in the game.
Many times this season it was clear that Peyton and the rest of the offense was not on the same page. They were often good enough to win once they did, but I don't think the MVP should have as many growing pains as he has this year.
No other player in the league can take the entire team on his shoulders and carry it to victory quite like he can. He's always in consideration for the award and righteously so, but what did it for me was the San Francisco game. Through sheer stubbornness and determination he nearly engineered one of the greatest comebacks that the game has ever seen.
Yes, I know that they still lost that game, but that is how he has played every game. Take him away and the New England Patriots become the New York Jets minus the entertaining drama.
So there you have it folks--Peyton will be in talks for all three, but he should only get one.
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