Merriam-Webster defines 'Most Valuable Player' as "the player who contributes the most to his or her team's success." Fair enough.
I personally believe that Most Valuable Player is one of the most controversial awards decided upon. These leagues are the best of the best, how do you narrow it down to just one valuable player?
With that being said, it is one of my most favorite awards handed out. One individual worked their butt off, tirelessly, to prove that they were THAT man or woman of the season. They carried their team to whatever success they may have had during the regular season, and it is their time to get appreciated for that. This award is not given, it is most definitely earned.
An elite guy apart of an elite group
This year's NFL MVP race is a bit unusual.
No, seriously... Something might happen that has never been done before. If you have paid attention to the NFL and their MVP for the past decade, you probably noticed a trend. A quarterback trend. That is not to say there have not been other players from other positions that have been deserving of this award, but the odds are ever in the QB's favor.
By "other positions," I mean one other position. There have a been a few running backs that took home the hardware. Players like the great Emmitt Smith, Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson, and most recently Adrian Peterson in 2012.
However, apparently no wide receiver has proven themselves to be more deserving than a QB or an RB. That's right, not even Jerry Rice earned himself the title of Most Valuable Player. You know, because everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Why I may have mentioned that this year's MVP race is a bit unusual is because there might be a receiver out there who has proven to be better than any other player in the league right now.
Antonio Brown... you may have heard of the guy. You probably follow him on Snapchat, let's be honest (the guy works out like 27.5 hours a day).
He is leading the NFL in total receptions, reception yards, and reception yards per game with 108.00.
As of Week 13, Brown has racked up a total of 1,296 receiving yards. Next in line would be DeAndre Hopkins with 1,084 and coming in third would be Julio Jones. Jones is actually someone who many consider to be the best WR in the game right now. Antonio Brown has over 200 yards on Jones. These two are also completely different builds in the WR position. Julio Jones is 6'3" and Antonio Brown is 5'10". Both have the quickness that every receiver should possess, as well as their ability on route-running (oops, should I have cleared that with Cam to use the term "route?").
I cannot discredit the work that Julio Jones has put into this season and some of the plays that he has made, but Antonio Brown has the upper-hand on having the better hands. The Steelers Week 12 victory, brutal victory, against the Green Bay Packers might be the game that gives him the edge. Brown took that Cover 2 defense and completely exposed it.
Tony. Toe. Tap.
Antonio Brown has nine touchdowns in the books thus far, tied for first with DeAndre Hopkins.
There have been seven games where Antonio Brown has thrown up at least 100 receiving yards... he is leading the league in this category.
It really does speak for a player who continues to stand out week after week on a team that is filled with superstars, and not be the quarterback.
LeVeon Bell could have made a strong case for MVP if he wouldn't have had so much negative drama surrounding him before the season even started.
Fortunately, Most Valuable Player mostly deals with what you provide on the field, but you have to prove yourself off the field as well. No off the field drama, plain and simple.
Hey, Brown has not went 'Facebook Live' this season so he continues to stay on the right track. Lessons learned.
Antonio Brown, Tony Toe Tap, whatever you may call him, he shows up huge for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Big Ben Roethlisberger sure does like throwing to that guy. That will not be changing anytime soon. Their chemistry is electric. Business continues to be boomin' for this superstar.
Chemistry, I said. Chemistry.
Now do not worry, I have not forgotten about the guy who is not making this MVP race easy. Carson Wentz has caught the attention and the hearts of many across America and the National Football League.
The crazy thing is that Wentz had an outstanding rookie year and had similar numbers to what he has already put up for the 2017 season. The rookie was shunned by the veteran Matt Ryan in 2016 so maybe it is the year that we truly appreciate what Wentz is giving all football lovers.
When you crunch the numbers, Tom Brady is outshining Carson Wentz by a pinch. Although doesn't the saying go something like "pass the torch?" The numbers of Tom Brady are obviously impressive, but Brady hit his peak eons ago and these are the same numbers he throws up every year. Tom Brady is the greatest of all time, has he truly earned another MVP? Someone who has been so good for so long, it's simple to overlook him.
High-5 if Brady is your MVP...
Carson Wentz is leading the red hot Philadelphia Eagles right now who are just 10-2 on the season. Impressive.
I haven't seen Philly fans this excited and in love with someone since... Mike Vick probably.
Wentz has 3,005 passing yards so far, with 29 touchdowns, doubling his TD stat line from 2016. He only has six interceptions, so either their opponents' defense are that poor or Carson Wentz is that good. Let's go with the latter of the two. He has a 102.00 QB rating as of Week 13. It is only up from here, I am sure of that.
Scrambling skills in full effect
We can't forget Wentz's weapons that help this kid look so impressive week after week. Zach Ertz, Nelson Agholor and Alshon Jeffrey deserve a huge "thank-you."
Just a side note, Carson Wentz was almost a Cleveland Brown. How many of you think we would be having this same MVP discussion if that happened? Eh, I didn't think it would be many. (Cleveland, we love you)
Wentz can truly do it all. He showed his scrambling skills in Week 7 with that absurd 17-yard rush against Washington. Didn't see that? YouTube, my friends. Check that out and if you don't believe in magic, prepare to believe. Wentz stunned America, and the Redskins' D, on that play alone. Just a little over a year ago he was a third string quarterback for the Eagles and now the Wentz-wagon is overflowing. There may be people out there who would not admit to comparing Carson Wentz to Aaron Rodgers, but we all see the signs. His second year into the league and there are signs of one of the greatest to ever play the quarterback position, within Philly.
I realize I have been talking about Wentz's two year career, but the realization is that many witnessed his rookie year as something pretty fantastic. The 'sophomore slump' was in the back of our minds, be honest. With the weapons that Philly brought in for the 2017 season, it has been pretty easy for Wentz to cash an MVP ballot.
"Philly! This is for you!" (wrong guy?)
Do I believe Wentz has the upper hand? I sure do, based on his position alone. It is pretty corrupt when you think about it. Going out on a limb here (not really), but I will vouch to say that the reason a WR has not won the award is because someone has to throw them the ball, right? If it wasn't for the quarterback, the receiver wouldn't even have the chance to shine.
This could be other people's justifications, but it doesn't work for me. The WR position is my favorite in the game. Unless you have Tom Brady, your QB probably isn't throwing you absolute dimes every time. The athleticism, the quick mind, the quick hands, the improvisation skills, and the speed that must be possessed by a wide receiver is fascinating. Antonio Brown possesses all five, and then some.
You see my clear winner here. Some may say it's bias, but truthfully it's just logic.
Either way, the one who comes away with the trophy is well-deserving.
Something that has nearly had the same result since it came into play in 1957, it might be neat to witness a twist on things. What better guy to do that.
Antonio Brown's infamous "Call God."
Disclaimer:
*Seattle, please do not hate me. Your quarterback is growing on me in this MVP race.
*NOLA, Drew Brees is beyond underrated... but your running game is outshining everyone else on your squad. That is why your QB has been overlooked.
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