Saying that Aaron Rodgers is the front-runner for the NFL’s MVP award is like saying the Detroit Lions are the NFL’s most undisciplined team. Everyone knows it. Everyone accepts it. So there is really no reason to discuss it. Rodgers is just on another level. He is the sun and we are all just basking in his omnipotent glory.  The more interesting discussion comes when Rodgers is removed. Let’s pretend that in the final three weeks of the season Rodgers pulls a Caleb Hanie, throws six interceptions in three games, and the Packers don’t win again.  Or let’s just pretend that Lambeau Field was swallowed by a sink hole back in September and Rodger’s historic season never happened. If either of those situations occurred there wouldn’t be a lack of other deserving candidates. There have been many great performances this year worthy of MVP consideration. Rodgers’ wizardry has just overshadowed them. So for the time being let’s play make-believe and erase Rodgers from our minds. These are the best of the rest. The other NFL superstars deserving of MVP consideration.

10. Rob Gronkowski
The only thing Rob Gronkowski does is score touchdowns. Actually, that is a complete exaggeration. He does much more. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick would both tell you that.  But as far as MVP consideration goes, his touchdown numbers are what puts him in the discussion.

Gronkowski came out of no where last year to score 10 touchdowns for the Patriots. In 2011 he’s demonstrating that last year’s red zone mastery was no fluke.  He’s second in the NFL in total points scored (not counting kickers) with 96. He has 16 touchdowns on the year and has cemented himself into the role of favorite red zone target of Tom Brady.
Not a bad role to have.

During Sunday’s victory over the Redskins, Gronkowski broke the single season record for touchdowns by a tight end with his 14th and 15th scores. With three games remaining it is safe to say that he will be adding on to that record.

Besides that, he holds the record for the most majestic ball spike.  Despite his astonishing TD numbers, Gronkowski’s MVP chances are hurt because he plays on a team with two more deserving MVP candidates. More on them later…

9. LeSean McCoy
“It’s hard to soar like an eagle when you’re surrounded by turkeys.”  Such is the life of LeSean McCoy, the NFL’s second leading rusher and highest scorer (not counting kickers).  The Eagles have been dreadful this year. Despite high-priced free agent signings and high expectations that earned them the nickname “The Dream Team”, they won’t make the playoffs.

Clearly that has nothing to do with McCoy who has definitely soared. He is the lone bright spot in this dismal season for the Eagles. He’s amassed 1,172 yards, 17 total touchdowns, 4.8 yards per attempt, and averages 90 yards a game rushing the football. Those numbers put him in the elite class of NFL running backs.  Plus, he has zero fumbles in 13 weeks of play.

His performance is MVP worthy. There is no doubt. However the Eagles have only managed five wins so far. His team’s record realistically hurts his chances.  McCoy has more to do with those wins than any other player on the team but five wins isn’t going to cut it. The truth is MVP’s come from teams that win. Which means teams that at least make the playoffs.

8. Jimmy Graham
In less than two years Jimmy Graham has revolutionized the tight end position. True, the position had been trending toward the more athletic pass catching type of player for years.  But Graham has taken that idea to a whole new level. If Calvin Johnson is a receiver in a tight end’s body, then Jimmy Graham is a tight end in a receiver’s body.

Like Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates before him, Graham’s basketball background has given him unique attributes that set him apart from other tight ends. His size, speed, soft hands, and balance all play a role in his rapid rise to success.

With only two full seasons of football under his belt, Graham is clearly the Saints leading receiver. Not only is he leading his team, but he ranks fifth in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,101, second in receptions with 80, and tied for sixth with eight touchdowns.  He is the best tight end in the game and because of the mismatch he brings every Sunday, dramatically improves that Saints chances of winning.

Unfortunately for Graham, his MVP chances take a hit when you consider he has a teammate that is probably more deserving of the award.  More on him later…

7. Maurice Jones-Drew
Even before Sunday victory over Tampa Bay, MJD deserved to be in the MVP discussion. He is the NFL’s leading rusher with 1,222 yards and is doing so on a team with a rookie quarterback and a passing game that is probably the worst in the NFL.  This means opponents game plan for him because they know that Blaine Gabbert and the Jaguars receiving corps are not going to hurt them.

How has he responded? By putting the team on his back and consistently putting up quality numbers. With three games left he could easily equal or surpass his best statistical season; 2009.  He’s scored seven rushing and three receiving touchdowns this year while averaging the highest yards per game average (94) among running backs.  His MVP status shot up on Sunday when he had a performance for the ages scoring four touchdowns; two rushing and two receiving. According to ESPN, he became only the second player in NFL history with a TD run and a TD reception in two different quarters of the same game.

Like LeSean McCoy however, MJD unfortunately plays on a very bad team with very few wins. While his numbers are MVP worthy, they have to result in more wins for him to have a realistic chance at the award.

6. Tim Tebow
Early in the season, with Kyle Orton at the helm the Denver Broncos were playing uninspired football. They were going nowhere. So, in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins, the keys to the Denver Broncos were handed over to Tim Tebow.

General consensus was that Tim Tebow was not the answer but the Broncos owed it to themselves, and their fans, to give him a chance and see what he could do.  The media salivated and enjoyed ripping Tebow’s ugly play and lack of fundamentals. But then a funny thing happened. The Broncos started winning; and kept winning.

Professed football experts have not stopped ripping Tebow. Despite his leadership and winning ways, almost no one predicts the Broncos to make a serious commitment to him as their franchise quarterback of the future.  But after another Tebow-led come from behind win on Sunday against the Bears, some experts are beginning to wear down and accept that maybe Tebow has something special.

It is undeniable that Tebow is the leader of that team. It is also undeniable that the Broncos play better, harder, and more unified with him as their quarterback.  Tebow’s numbers are pedestrian at best. In fact, pedestrians might not like that comparison.  He’s racked up 11 touchdowns and 1,290 yards on 198 attempts for a 48.5 completion percentage. His quarterback rating is an 83.9 for the season.  That’s middle of the road folks.

The only number that really matters in the Tebow for MVP argument is seven. That is how many wins, in eight games started, he’s led them to. In the process the Broncos have gone from predicted door mats of the AFC to a lock for the AFC West title.

Talent and stats alone do not win MVP titles. Those things have to lead to wins. Tebow is a winner personified. For that he deserves MVP consideration.

5. Wes Welker
Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have made a dynasty out of finding diamonds in the rough. Wes Welker is a perfect example of this.

Welker was snatched from the Miami Dolphins for a second and seventh round pick in 2007. New England should offer Chad Ochocinco to Miami next. They could probably get a first rounder, Reggie Bush, and Brandon Marshall.

Welker has to be the biggest steal in NFL history. Since joining the Patriots he has been arguably the most complete receiver in the NFL. Each year ranking among the leaders in receptions and yards. The only year he didn’t top 100 receptions and 1000 yards was due to injury.

In 2011, Welker is having a career year. He is arguably the most complete receiver in the game. He may not have the most touchdowns, but he has already eclipsed his previous high with three games remaining. He will also easily beat his previous high in yards.  He’s averaging more yards per catch, and he already has 100 receptions for the year as well.  Gronkowski might get most of Brady’s red zone attention. But without Welker the Patriots might never get to the red zone. He is the perfect fit for New England’s system and knows how to find seams and openings in the defense that other receivers would miss.  Yet Welker often gets dismissed as merely a product of his environment.

The argument is that anyone would find success in Belichick’s system and with Brady for a quarterback. This is easily debunked by taking a look at the aforementioned Chad Ochocinco, a talented receiver with arguably a greater skill set then Welker. Most people thought that he would be unstoppable in New England’s system.  Well, we all know how that turned out. Ochocinco couldn’t grasp the offense. Yet Welker continues to excel.  If Brady is the engine that powers the Patriot offense then Welker is the motor oil that keeps the engine running smoothly. And everyone knows that without oil, an engine will eventually die.

Sounds pretty vital. Sounds like an MVP.

4. Calvin Johnson
There was a point early on this season when the Detroit Lions were the most talked about team in the NFL for their winning, not for their dirty play.

The Lions were led by Calvin Johnson who amassed nine touchdowns during a five game winning streak and looked poised to break Randy Moss’ single season TD record.  Johnson’s status as the most dominant receiver in the game was given a boost during the Lions come from behind victory in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys.  Johnson was unstoppable in the red zone scoring two fourth quarter touchdowns. One while in triple coverage the other a jump-ball that he held on to despite being body slammed to the turf.

The NFL took notice of his domination. Chris Carter even came around and admitted he miscalculated Johnson’s impact on the game.

The tides have changed for Johnson and the Lions since then though. He is still the dominant force he was then, but the pace he established during those first five games was not sustainable. Particularly on a team that suffered such key injuries on offense.  The loss of Jahvid Best and Matthew Stafford’s hand injury had the most impact.  But the biggest reason for Johnson’s drop in production–he only has three touchdowns in his last eight games–is that defenses are putting two or three defenders on him every play. Defenses are forcing Detroit to key on other receivers.

While his production may have dropped off, there is something to be said for the importance of a player who demands this kind of attention. It is like the Deion Sanders effect. Sanders often went unnoticed during games because teams simply did not throw in his direction.

Johnson’s situation is similar but on the offensive side of the ball. He forces the defenses to play a certain way. The New Orleans Saints put two defenders on the line of scrimmage, directly in front of him, when the Lions were in the red zone. NBC’s Chris Collinsworth commented that he had never seen that before.

The fact that defenses have to devote this much man power to one player, plus his impact on the overall success of the Lions, makes him a strong MVP candidate

3. Eli Manning
The 2007 Superbowl MVP should be in the discussion for the 2011 regular season MVP. He is having his best year as a pro.

Manning’s already thrown for more yards than ever before and he will likely surpass his previous high in touchdowns. Plus, he’s taking care of the ball. His interception numbers are way down from last year.  Keep in mind he is doing this on a team with two running backs on their last legs, a young and unproven receiving corps, and an aging and injury ravaged defense.

I know, Victor Cruz has been a revelation. But without Manning, Cruz would be just another unproven slot receiver on a bad team.

Often overlooked because of his all-world brother and reserved manner, Manning is finally getting the attention he deserves. His knack for orchestrating one come-from-behind victory after another is the reason for that.

In six of the Giants seven victories this year they’ve been trailing when entering the fourth quarter. In all six of those games Manning has meticulously led his offense on game winning drives and has thrown eight fourth quarter touchdowns.  As the crew on Sunday night pointed out, Manning was tied with two other quarterbacks for the most fourth quarter TD’s in NFL history (14). The other quarterbacks? Johnny Unitas and Peyton Manning.  That is elite company and that is clutch.

Some might argue that Tony Romo deserves to be considered over Manning. True, his numbers are slightly better. But perception is huge. Who do you want leading your team in the fourth quarter?

Eli Manning was right to publicly consider himself an elite quarterback. He can also claim to be more of a clutch quarterback than some of the other guys mentioned ahead of him. His stats back him up.  It’s time for “the other Manning” to get his due.

2. Drew Brees
Dan Marino’s record for passing yards in a single season will be shattered by Drew Brees this year. It’s not a question of if; it’s a question of when.

Marino is probably eating a steady diet of Tums and Pepto Bismol while he watches Brees complete pass after pass and creep closer and closer to his hallowed record.  No one likes to see their record broken. Especially when changes in the league have made it easier for quarterbacks to be successful. Plus, the receiver’s Marino had probably wouldn’t have made the Saints practice squad.

Regardless, Brees will break the record and his 2011 season will be one for the ages. Officially the record is 5,084 yards. Brees is currently at 4,368 yards with three games remaining. He is averaging 336 yards a game. If he keeps up that pace he will have no problem eclipsing the record.  In fact, he could average 100 yards less per game and still get the record.

Brees is an elite quarterback in the NFL and he continues to make the Saints relevant. He is the undisputed leader of the team. But he does have a number of weapons on his team. The Saints are blessed with a trio of dangerous running backs and a handful of talented receivers. Robert Meachem, Lance Moore, and Devery Henderson would be second options on any other team. On the Saints they are often the third or fourth option.  This is why I tend to place other quarterbacks ahead of Brees when considering the MVP. His record-setting season is great, but he is doing more with more. Other quarterbacks might not be breaking records, but they are having great years with far less talent around them.

The Saints might not be as good with out Brees, but I believe they would still be very good. The Patriots on the other hand might not win a game without Brady.  For me, that is what makes an MVP.

1. Tom Brady
Saying Tom Brady is going to be an MVP candidate is like saying Detroit is going to be cold in December. It’s an expectation that everyone has based on past experience.

Great players are not just great for one or two years. They are not just great on great teams. They are great every year and they make the players around them better.  Take for instance his receivers. Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski are very good players. They Patriots would not be where they are without them. But as good as they are, they are better because of Brady.

I’ve heard some people say that Brady isn’t having a Brady-like year. I disagree. Besides his record-setting campaign in 2007, his 2011 numbers are on par with any of his other years.  The Patriots are an unbalanced team this year. The defense is the worst of the Belichick era. They have serious holes and lack the personnel to be competitive. Their running game is also weak. They rank 22nd in the NFL in rushing yards per game.

More than any other year, the pressure to carry this team has fallen on the shoulders of Brady; as it should.  He’s responded like the hall of famer he is, leading the Patriots to a 10-3 record so far. He is second in the NFL, behind Aaron Rodgers, with a 106.0 quarterback rating. He is second in the NFL, behind Drew Brees, with 329 yards per game. He also trails only Rodgers in touchdowns (33) and only Brees in total yards for the year (4,273).

With Denver, Miami, and Buffalo remaining on the schedule, Brady could win out and finish 13-3. For this team, that would be truly amazing.  If that were to happen Brady would deserve serious consideration for MVP, even with Rodgers in the discussion.

Chris Madden is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag.  He can be contacted at cmadden@thepenaltyflagblog.com.

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