Let’s get one thing straight, Tom Brady and Michael Vick are both dominant at their position, both are on good teams, and both have the unquestioned respect of their teammates and coaches. The NFL’s MVP will be well deserved this year, whichever quarterback wins it. Both players have support for the honor and it will be fascinating to see what appeals to the voters.
On one hand you have the redemption story of Michael Vick that even Hollywood couldn’t fathom, on the other, Tom Brady, a league leading statistical juggernaut with a less than normal supporting cast in an all too familiar situation.
The Tale of the Tape: (Thru Wk. 15)
Michael Vick:
Philadelphia Eagles Record 10-4
2,755 yds. 20 TD 5 INT 613 Rush yds. 8 Rush TD’s 1 FUM
11 Games 63.2 Comp% 103.6 Passer Rating
Tom Brady:
New England Patriots Record 12-2
3,561 yds. 31 TD 4 INT 17 Rush yds. 1 Rush TD 1 FUM
14 Games 66.6 Comp% 109.6 Passer Rating
There’s more to the argument than just the numbers of course, but it’s interesting to make the debate between nearly equally efficient passers with the variable in place that Vick, while lacking in compilation, makes up significant ground in his rushing statistics, which look like very credible 3rd down running back stats.
Vick has the compelling story on his side. He was absent from football for two seasons in jail, was serving only as a back-up last season, and started this season the same way. With incumbent Donovan McNabb now a Redskin, and heir apparent Kevin Kolb injured. Vick, the former Pro-Bowler, and now convicted felon, got his chance to reclaim the stardom he once enjoyed. Vick had said all the right things, played the part of the good soldier, accepted his role, didn’t complain, studied, practiced, and worked hard waiting for his chance to play. Part of what fueled the re-popularizing of Michael Vick was his sincerity in accepting responsibility for his mistakes and that we actually saw change in his character and work ethic. Most people love a good redemption story, it warms the heart and makes folks self-examine and apply the principle in their own lives.
Vick dazzled from the start. What people remembered about Vick was the uncanny athleticism and ability to move. All of that was there, what else was there, was what people weren’t expecting, the ability to be patient, read coverage, and deliver the ball accurately. This sparked an unlikely QB controversy in Philadelphia. Andy Reid, whom had made his figurative bed with Kevin Kolb, the young QB in waiting Reid ultimately decided to trade McNabb to make room for, or the thirty year old Vick who is a free agent at the end of the season. Vick was anointed the starter and hasn’t disappointed.
Vick has had the benefit of having a cast of dynamic play makers to surround him in the offense. Reid is an effective play-caller, and uses screens and the speed of his players incredibly well in his version of the West Coast offense. The reason this is working for Vick, who had never been known for being accurate, or having the ability to quickly read coverage and make decisions, is because of the speed that surrounds him. Vick has great agility and can evade in the pocket, but WR’s DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin have the ability to get to the second level of coverage quickly, which is vital if a timing based offense suffers a breakdown. Vick escapes, the WR’s find a spot, Vick delivers. If the protection is good, the offense functions as normal. Once the vertical game is established, it opens up Reid’s ability to call on LeSean McCoy in the running and screen game. QB draws, designed runs for Michael Vick are also a part of the offense. As soon as defenses cheat to stop McCoy and Vick on the ground, they are back over the top to Jackson and Maclin. For teams with great cover corners, TE Brent Celek is one of the better pass catching TE’s in football. It really is an exciting offense to watch.
Now for an MVP debate, one could argue that he has a ton of weapons that others don’t. You could argue that he is not as valuable to his team as say Brady is. Kevin Kolb was 2-1 in the three games he started with Vick out. The offense functioned a bit differently, but was still very explosive and bottom line is they were still winning ball games. Remember, the award is for MOST VALUABLE PLAYER, not most exciting, most athletic, or even the best player necessarily. Would the Eagles still be a good team with Kolb at QB instead of Vick? The answer is yes. Would they be AS good? Probably not, but good none the less.
In Brady’s case, what can you say? It’s Brady again, it’s Belichick again, it’s the Patriots again. But just because they are the team of the decade, clearly, and the fact you may be tired of them, doesn’t mean he should be any less rewarded for great play. Brady is the leagues best rated passer this season, and what’s even more impressive about this year than his record-breaking 2007 effort, is the supporting cast.
Brady’s arsenal took a big hit, or so we thought, when the Patriots announced they were trading WR Randy Moss to the Vikings for a third round draft pick, the same price they paid to get him from the Raiders just 2 ½ season prior. Not a bad deal for renting one of the best WR’s of all time. That aside, they re-acquired WR Deion Branch from Seattle and he took off like he never left the Patriots. Wes Welker, the leagues reception leader a season ago was a question mark after a knee surgery and an off-season of rehab. Two rookie TE’s Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez were yet to define a role in the offense, and a clear-cut ground attack had not been established. Veteran Fred Taylor went down to injury, Kevin Faulk was placed on IR, and Sammy Morris was banged up. This paved the way for last years’ pleasant surprise Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis and newly acquired Jets cast-off Danny Woodhead. Green-Ellis ran effectively and Woodhead became the “everything” player Kevin Faulk was in the offense.
When it all came together, the Patriots, and especially Belichick looked like geniuses again. The coach asked his quarterback to direct this offense, and he has in a big way. Arguably, better than ever, considering.
Again, we have to apply the situation to the MVP debate. Brady has been the better passer with less to work with than Michael Vick, and has all but clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs. It’s an impressive feat to say the least. You have to ask, “Would the Patriots be where they are without Tom Brady?” I say no. One could argue that they had just that chance in 2008 when Brady was injured on the first series of the year and Matt Cassel started the rest of the year. It’s a good point, but there was still a motivated Randy Moss, healthy running backs, and a better defense.
Personally, I don’t think there is any way you don’t see Tom Brady named MVP on Super Bowl Sunday, but I certainly wouldn’t hold it against anybody that voted for Michael Vick.
Vick is the MVP. Put Kolb in there, he would have been destroyed last night. Although, you wrote a nice article. I think bringing up Vick’s past is a mistake. What Vick is doing on the field is all that should matter. The present time is the issue here.
Brady is playing lights out, but, it’s Brady. He’s expected to make throws. He has a super offense, and a super offensive line. His weapons are spread out and he is playing flag football at qb, having only 17 yards rushing all year. I think Brady is peaking as a Qb, if you can imagine that feat. But, Vick is willing his team to victory. His teammates on both sides of the ball play at a higher level. His O-line would provide any other qb with many more sacks. Vick is performing at Qb with a worse O-line. The patriots are still a good team without Brady. The Eagles are not in the playoffs without Vick. The Eagles are battered, and just got back Samuel at cornerback. But the Vick show was still going.
Lastly, I will leave you with this. Vick had the “best” game a QB could have a few games ago against Redskins and they put his jersey from that game in the H.O.F. A few weeks later he has a game like he did against the Giants. A divisional, bigtime rivalry game, and he willed with his legs and his arm a 4th quarter comeback from a deficet only done 8 times before in the history of the game. Some people are calling that the “best” bame they’ve ever seen.
Vick for MVP.
At last! Someone who understands! Thanks for poisntg!
A fair enough point Andrew, and thanks for the response. I don’t know that I agree Kolb would have been destroyed. He may not have led that comeback. But in fairness, that was one for the ages, which I agree, is something to take into consideration for something like an MVP.
I also think Vick’s past is relevant here, because it IS part of the story. I’ll be the first to tell you, I’m a Vick believer. I’m glad he got his shot, and he’s making the most of it. I think it’s very inspirational and I couldn’t be happier for the guy. I’m all for second chances if you learn from your mistakes and turn them into positives in your life. I really believe Vick has done so.
Brady is indeed playing lights out, but my point was, just because that is his norm, and something we’ve come to expect from him, doesn’t mean he should be excluded from an MVP. He’s playing like an MVP. So is Vick.
The offensive line argument is a good one, and I agree that Vick is playing behind an inferior line compared to Brady. What’s interesting is that Vick’s style of play is suited to a line that allows pocket breakdown. It basically creates situations that play into his favor.
I’ll be interested to see how it shakes out. Like I said I’ll agree with whoever is chosen.
Nice article man. I think it’s a tough choice but my choice would be Brady for a couple reasons. First of all he has played the whole season. Secondly, he has had to bring in a virtually brand new receiving corps and has still been able to put up the most points in the NFL this season. He’s been playing lights out and winning games without a defence. Also, you think you could check out my blog cuz I wanna know what you have to say. http://chrisross91.wordpress.com/2010/12/20/good-but-not-championship-good/
Basing the comparison on the raw numbers can be misleading. Brady played 3 more games than Vick. They are both averaging about 250 yds passing per game. Brady accounts for about 2.3 TD’s per game; Vick, 2.5. But Vick has the added rushing yards.
The argument shouldn’t be whether Kolb hypothetically would have been productive. The argument for Vick should be that Vick completely changes the way that Philadelphia plays ball. Vick makes each game a nightmare for defensive coordinators. The Eagles used to play pretty standard, solid football. But with Vick, the team has the opportunity to play a completely different kind of game. And the game they’re playing has put them in the position they’re in right now. Peyton is the most intelligent pre-snap QB, but Vick is the most intelligent post-snap QB. Vick has literally put the Eagles on top in the NFC East.
The genius of the Patriots is not in Tom Brady, it’s in Belichick. I argue that the Patriots systematically make stars out of nobodies. That’s an attestation to phenomenal coaching, not of Brady. With that in mind, I argue that the Patriots would have been fine if Brady went down early in the season. But I guarantee that the style of football would not have changed.
On the other hand, when Vick started in place of Kolb the first time, the coaching staff in Philly deliberately changed the style of football they were playing in order to capitalize on Vick’s on-field value. They changed the way 10 offensive positions played to accommodate 1 player. Because of that simple reason, my vote goes to Vick.
However, I agree with one major point: You can’t discount Brady just because you expect him to play great football. To be fair, I’m a Brady-hater, but I still think he deserves to be in the running. I’m just trying to hit on some of the finer points to separate the two players.
I would have to agree & disagree on a few things…coming from “Sanders” and Andrew! I totally agree with Chris on this, it’s a tough choice! Do I think Brady totally has it in the bag? No, unfortunately! Do I hope he gets it? YES, most definitely! Why? I’ll explain in a minute!
First of all, unfortunately, Andrew…Vick’s past IS relevant, in my opinion (I honestly don’t know how YOU can’t think it is!) & you can ask numerous people from all walks of life, his past MOST certainly comes to mind…just as it is for everyone else out there who gets tangled in something that is way less than appropriate for ANYONE, much less someone who is supposed to be a leader & a role model… to children, especially! You totally took his mentioning of his past out of context. His past was not brought up in a negative way…it was brought up in a positive way! Kind of a like an underdog story! Vick committed a crime, did his time, and was allowed a second chance to do the ONE thing he loves to do! Some people such as he are not so lucky!! I’m sure many are wondering if he is taking the opportunity to make good choices this second time around & not wasting it by getting in trouble. I can’t say that the thought hasn’t entered my mind! But I’m the one who likes to play “Devil’s Advocate” majority of the time, too! Only Vick knows this, at least at this time…I know his name was attached to more than just the one “incident” he did time for. So for him to actually walk away with this award THIS year HAS everything to do with his past…who knows where he would be if the NFL wouldn’t have given him a second chance by reinstating him…on top of a fabulous team, like the Eagles, also taking a chance on him! Vick was starting to become somewhat of a behavioral issue when playing for Atlanta…like flipping his own fans off after a loss to the Saints one year! Some teams just don’t want the drama, but because Vick is Vick & everybody knows that he has this totally different style of quarterbacking…a team did give him that shot!! And the Eagles are on fire! I wouldn’t be surprised if a movie doesn’t come of this!
Now, please don’t think I’m a Michael Vick hater in anyway! That is not the point I’m trying to make when I bring up the bad behavior of his past! I do believe in second chances & people should be given them & be forgiven for what they have done, indeed! It is not my place to judge anyone for their actions guilty or not! In this situation, it is very difficult to say, because even though Vick “did his time” at least for ONE incident and walked back on a field to take his position as QB only for him to take over the leading role from Kolb thanks to an injury.
I agree w/Josh…I’m not holding it against Vick, nor am I going to say he is NOT entitled to at least be in the running for or even winning the award. Yes, Vick has had one heck of a season…some have wondered if it has been just a fluke & come next year it’s very possible we won’t see him this “on fire”. Doesn’t it make ya wonder…even a little bit? I’ve already started seeing defenses get to him when originally he was unstoppable & untouchable…so will he be MVP material every year…doubtful! Unlike Brady, for the most part HAS been deserving of his award of MVP.
So yes, Vick has caught the attention of every fan, franchise owner, coach, even the NFL & their people who are specifically responsible for determining who is worthy of the award because of the talent he’s portrayed out there this season. But, I’m of the opinion, though, that the REAL question here is which team could survive without their current quarterback? Or should I say which team COULDN’T function without their QB? It is my opinion that the Patriots COULDN’T function without Brady. He’s had numerous changes in his offense all season & has still managed to win games. The Eagles on the other hand…I believe were good with or without Vick…I think Kevin Kolb is a good quarterback considering the short amount of time he had on the field with his offense until he was injured…giving Vick that opening to prove he still had it, if not more so now than he did back in the days of being with the Falcons! BUT, that doesn’t mean Kevin couldn’t have pulled off the same thing (winning!)had he had the same amount of time on the field as Vick has. When Vick was injured & Kolb stepped back in…I saw drastic improvements from the first game (the one he was injured in, if I’m not mistaken)! Doesn’t it make you wonder…what if? What if Andy Reid would’ve stuck to his guns keeping Kolb as the starter for Philadelphia? Even at that time, I was thinking “he’s insane if he doesn’t change Kolb out for Vick”. And I’m sure the pressure was too much from everyone that Reid had no choice, but I think the Eagles would be flying right now regardless of if they had Kolb or Vick starting at QB!
Brady should be mvp. Lot less to work with. Vick’s team is stocked. Mccoy, Maclin, desean Jackson, celik.