Clay Matthews (and I don't think it's even close!)
I think it would be a shame if Rivers, who has outplayed anyone at his position by a large margin IMO so far, would not even get any consideration if they don't make the playoffs. This guy is amazing.Rivers may have been playing spectacularly better than any other QB, but if his team fails to make the playoffs, then no consideration whatsoever. Peyton Manning for me at this point.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writ...l-week-9/1.htmlI have Rivers as 1a and Manning at 1b. Only way Rivers wins is if they make the playoffs. I have no beef with Manning winning, he's be great this year as he usually is, but Rivers has been spectacular.My MVP plays for a losing team.
In the hours before the 3-5 Chargers took the field in Houston to play a game they had to have, Philip Rivers text-messaged his dad thusly: "I don't think Gates is going to play. We gotta find a way.''
That was the Charger theme of the week -- find a way -- with another injury, this one to tight end Antonio Gates (foot, ankle) clouding their chances. Seems like all the great quarterbacks (except for Drew Brees, maybe) are having to put up with massive changes at the receiver and tight end position this year.
Among the pass-catchers for San Diego were Gary Banks, a free-agent wideout from Troy, and veteran backup tight end Kris Wilson and veteran free-agent tight end Randy McMichael. Recent practice squad graduate Seyi Ajirotutu was Rivers' big target Sunday in a 29-23 win over the Texans. He and McMichael, signed as a camp body in June, both caught two touchdown passes, as the four best receivers on the team -- Gates, Vincent Jackson, Legedu Naanee and Malcom Floyd -- all watched.
"The best thing about it,'' Rivers said from Houston, "is because we haven't had most of our front-line guys to practice with, I've gotten to develop a good feel for the guys playing now. McMichael's a starting tight end in this league, and I've been throwing to him a lot in practice. Now I've been throwing to Patrick Crayton and Tutu a lot. I've really been able to gain confidence in them. They're professional receivers.''
I'd give my MVP nod to Rivers over Peyton Manning and Tom Brady right now -- though it's razor-thin -- because Rivers has had to deal with injuries the same way Manning has, and he's had to deal with a new cast of receivers the way Brady has. And he's had to do it while the historically bad Chargers special-teams have consistently put the team in holes that have been very difficult to dig out of. But he's dug out of four, and nearly out of a couple of others. He's thrown for 2,944 yards through nine games, 357 more than any other quarterback. His 8.95 yards-per-attempt is three-quarters of a yard better than any other passer, while his 19 touchdown passes lead Brees by one.
The MVP race should be interesting, especially if Rivers continues on pace to break Dan Marino's passing-yards record for a season, and especially if the Chargers get some receivers healthy and make a run at the division title in the second half of the season. Rivers hasn't won one yet, and there's a reason: His competition is outstanding, as it will be this year.
Does this account for rushing yardage in any way, shape, or form?Top 10 QBs in value added over average, as measured by Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt (LgAvg = 5.7):
Rivers is in a landslide there. For now.Code:Rk Tm Age Cmp Att Yds TD Int Sk Yds ANY/A VAL1 Philip Rivers SDG 29 215 329 2944 19 8 22 140 8.0 8222 Peyton Manning IND 34 228 351 2478 16 4 10 58 7.1 5013 Kyle Orton DEN 28 195 316 2509 12 5 21 139 7.1 4634 Michael Vick PHI 30 76 125 1017 7 0 14 82 7.7 2825 Vince Young TEN 27 72 122 998 9 2 10 56 7.8 2796 Tom Brady NWE 33 166 261 1826 14 4 13 88 6.7 2757 Aaron Rodgers GNB 27 192 303 2300 15 9 17 112 6.5 2588 Ben Roethlisberger PIT 28 52 82 754 5 2 6 36 8.3 2269 Eli Manning NYG 29 178 271 2075 17 11 12 82 6.5 22410 Joe Flacco BAL 25 160 263 1917 12 6 14 90 6.5 217
are you making fun of my lineup decisions?Putting Drew Brees in over Michael Vick is ridiculous.
Peyton Manninghow many Colts' players are out due to injury? regardless of missing key players, Manning keeps chugging along...I'm asking because there doesn't seem to be a clear choice right now. I wish I could vote for Rivers but his team has let him down. Just missed the cut:Ahmad BradshawTom BradyKyle OrtonBrandon LloydAntonio GatesMichael VickDarren McFaddenChris JohnsonHakeem Nicks
Brett FarveVick
He's only played in 4.25 games and mostly against suspect defenses. Not enough for league MVP, at least not yet...Vick
That is exactly why you should be voting for Rivers. No brainer.I'm asking because there doesn't seem to be a clear choice right now. I wish I could vote for Rivers but his team has let him down.
Fixed.That's been the trend. Other guys have won it, but usually because there was a lack of other good candidates that met the above criteria.First off it will be a QB........On a playoff team . . . .With a winning record . . . .On one of the top 2-3 teams in the league based on record . . . .Usually with 12 or more wins.
This. By the end of the year we'll probably be looking at (in no order): Eli, Vick, Rodgers, Brees, Ryan, Brady, Peyton and possibly Rivers.David Yudkin said:Fixed.That's been the trend. Other guys have won it, but usually because there was a lack of other good candidates that met the above criteria.Carter_Can_Fly said:First off it will be a QB........On a playoff team . . . .With a winning record . . . .On one of the top 2-3 teams in the league based on record . . . .Usually with 12 or more wins.
I've seen this statement or something similar numerous times from multiple people. But since it's never happened that Manning was hurt and missed any time, we have no way of knowing. I suspect you (and others) are right on this, but until it actually happens it's just a guess.At least when Brady got hurt, Cassel stepped in and NE still won 11 games (against a weak schedule). Hopefully we won't find out what would happen if Manning got hurt, but it would be an interesting comparison.manning, hands down. If he's not there, they are 0 fer
I'm pretty sure what I said is relevant. I know Browns record doesn't reflect well in MVP voting but this guy has been killing it at all levels. Big yards vs some of the best defs. He's taken key defenders out of games with his physical running. He has helped us to stay in every game this year. I know he won't be in the running but he should be over EVERY RB anyways.. II am pretty sure this is meant to be for NFL MVP, not fantasy MVP.
He has no running game, and when they try, the Colts RB's are made of glass. He makes people you have never heard of better, Tamme anyone? Who the hell ever heard of him? Manning makes avg players look awesome. He is carrying the team on his shoulders more than anyone. The dude is clearly the glue.I've seen this statement or something similar numerous times from multiple people. But since it's never happened that Manning was hurt and missed any time, we have no way of knowing. I suspect you (and others) are right on this, but until it actually happens it's just a guess.At least when Brady got hurt, Cassel stepped in and NE still won 11 games (against a weak schedule). Hopefully we won't find out what would happen if Manning got hurt, but it would be an interesting comparison.manning, hands down. If he's not there, they are 0 fer
You do realize that "they" don't actually vote for an MVP after eight weeks, right? That would "their" voting patterns pretty irrelevant.The thread asks who IS MVP. Might want to clarify if people meant "who is most deserving" . . .I was voting for who I would give the MVP to. Not who I think will receive it.If the season ended today, it would not be Rivers. Extremely unlikely they would vote for a guy from a team with a losing record as MVP (or a team that would miss the playoffs). That could change if the Chargers rectify both of those things . . .![]()
As much as I don't like going with the trendy choice, I think Rivers deserves the MVP is things continue as they have. He's kept that offense humming no matter who's been out there to catch or run. He can't play special teams too. Realistically, I think Manning will win it other either scenario you gave though. It's a popularity contest. Manning is at least among the best QBs to ever play the game and everyone loves him. Many people don't like Rivers' attitude at times (unfair IMO). Only way Rivers wins is if Manning gets injured or Rivers can get the single season passing record.4. Suppose Manning duplicates his first half performance, finishing with 4900+ yards and 30+ TDs, and the Colts end up 10-6 and win their division... and suppose the Chargers finish 9-7 with a regular season loss to the Colts and Rivers maintains his pace, throwing for 30+ TDs and breaking the pass yardage record... and assume neither team's injury situation gets worse, so that factor remains about the same as it has been to date. Does Rivers win over Manning? If not, suppose the Chargers beat the Colts in the regular season and both teams finish 10-6, with all else the same. Does that make the difference?
Love your enthusiam but as of now Hillis is ranked 12th in rushing on a 3-5 team. Even his mom wouldn't vote for him.Can we get Peyton Hills on this list already.. my vote would be Rivers1, Matthews Jr2, Hillis3 no other RB other than Foster comes close.. ?? Hillis doing it every week with no pass game to stretch the field.