Tomlinson, Brees faves for MVP
Well it appears there has finally come a year when Peyton Manning will do no better than honorable mention when it comes to Most Valuable Player voting this year.
Instead, it has become a two-horse race between two players who are yet to get the coveted honor, those being San Diego?s LaDanian Tomlinson and his former teammate, Saints savior and former Charger QB Drew Brees. In another twist, many experts feel the duo not only are the odds-on favorites for the MVP award, they could also meet in the Super Bowl, with Brees going up against his former teammates.
It?s funny how the separation led to the resurgence of Brees? somewhat mediocre career as a signal caller in San Diego while also allowing his former team to step up to the role of odds-on favorite for the AFC title.
Brees? replacement by new golden boy Phillip Rivers after last season seemed somewhat odd, seeing Brees had finally become a real NFL quarterback after four bad years. I was one of those who predicted the Chargers, who were on the cusp of the playoffs last year, would stink up the west this year with the unproved Rivers under center while a franchise year for the Saints wasn?t even a remote thought with Reggie Bush just in his first year. But, like many of you, I was dead wrong. With Brees gone, Tomlinson has taken up an even greater role helping the young Rivers who Brees has transformed the Saints seemingly overnight.
Now before you think I?m on the Brees for MVP bandwagon, let me say my vote, if I had one, would go to Tomlinson. After all, the guy broke Shaun Alexander?s single season touchdown record last week, posting his 29th of the year in just 13 weeks. He also has 1,429 yards rushing, third most in the NFL just behind Larry Johnson and first-place Niner Frank Gore who leads with 1,491. I mean, if the MVP went to Alexander last year, when he had his Seahawks in about the same position Tomlinson has his Chargers right now, it is only right to give the award to the former Horned Frog.
With that said, let me tell you what is so great about Brees in New Orleans. Unlike Tomlinson, who is just overpowering people himself, Brees is like a conductor, using all facets of his offensive arsenal. While in San Diego where it is somewhat of a one-man show (yes, it takes 11 but LaDanian could do it with eight probably) Brees has spread the wealth, being a catalyst of the offense rather than the overwhelming force like Tomlinson. For instance all-star backs Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister are both having huge years, meaning the load is being split, with McAllister getting the lion?s share of carries while Bush is getting the big swing passes.
Meanwhile Brees made stars of players such as rookie of the year candidate Marques Colston (who will lose that honor to Vince Young and perhaps finish behind his teammate Bush) and third year LSU man Devery Henderson, not to mention a resurgence of 11th year journeyman Joe Horn.
As for our old favorite MVP standby, Manning, a sudden collapse of the Colts offense following a 9-0 start has relegated him to third in the MVP despite the fact his numbers are almost the same as those of Brees.