99 Problems But The MVP Ain't One

The drumbeat for an MVP for Rob Gronkowski started a few weeks ago. Given the Patriots hostile takeover of the AFC correlated to Gronk’s return to form, it wasn’t a ridiculous proposition. Like J.J. Watt, however, nobody seemed to give Gronk much of a chance to actually win, not with Aaron Rodgers, DeMarco Murray and the Ghost of Peyton Manning putting up big numbers. Lately, some local pigskin pundits and bobbleheads have taken a look at Gronkowski’s award-season credentials, with Christopher Price of WEEI and Field Yates of ESPN (Insider Content) making the case for the big Polish sausage aficionado as Patriots MVP. Not all of the locals agree with Gronk’s candidacy, of course. Some, like Jerry Thornton, also of WEEI, think the real MVP of the Patriots is Darrelle Revis while Tom E. Curran of CSNNE doesn’t think Revis is just the MVP of the Patriots, he thinks he’s the MVP of the league.

Tom Brady? 

Anyone?

 

While the discussion of Brady, Gronk and Revis as MVP has been largely in the context of the team rather than the league, with the Patriots holding down the #1 seed in the AFC, it isn’t really that big a leap to place this debate in the larger context. It got me to thinking. Is there another team in the league where I could make a case for three (or more) MVP candidates? I’m sure Packers fans could make a case for Aaron Rodgers, and two from the list of Jordy Nelson, Eddie Lacey and Clay Matthews. Personally, I find that list a little weak but maybe somebody living in Wisconsin wouldn’t think that much of Brady, Gronk and Revis, either. And they do hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. How about Seattle’s estimable triumvirate of Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and Richard Sherman? Not too shabby. Manning, Demaryius Thomas and Von Miller? Dez, DeMarco and Romo? I could go on but I’m already finding this exercise terribly tedious.

I guess the obvious point here is that good teams have good players and the 2014 Patriots have something of an embarrassment of riches. Brady, Gronk and Revis, of course. Dont’a Hightower, Julian Edelman, Devin McCourty, Jamie Collins, Chandler Jones – where should I stop? Brandon LaFell is closing in on 1,000 yards receiving. Shane Vereen will likely top 500 yards receiving. Rob Ninkovich with 8.0 sacks for the third year in a row? Vince Wilfork? It doesn’t hurt having two of the best special teams players in the league in gunner Matthew Slater and kicker Stephen Gostkowski, either. Okay, I’ll stop now.

It’s all terribly subjective when it comes to Most Valuable Player. The best player on the best team? They’re probably the best team because they have the best player so I guess I buy the rationale there. Then again, it isn’t Most Best Player, it’s Most Valuable Player. Is there a football version of VORP? Maybe we should have Football Outsiders choose the MVP instead of a bunch of credentialed sportswriters, each of whom by definition have their own personal definition for MVP criteria.

I’ll bet Brady, Gronk and Revis would tell you they don’t care about the MVP award. This is a team sport they would tell you. It takes everybody on the roster, all eleven guys on the field, every single play. It’s really a team award. Okay, the recognition is gratifying. It’s a validation, really. But you didn’t do it alone. You’re only here because of your teammates.

Super Bowl MVP?

That might be a different story.