Peterson: MVP?

[Hunter Morrow]

People say "Imagine the Broncos without Manning!" like it didn't happen last season and like the Broncos didn't make the playoffs with Tebow.

Now, imagine the Saints without Brees. Talk about a MVQB who has put up jaw dropper stats and never gotten the MVP. Again, this season, 5000 yards and 40 touchdowns and because the defense is putrid you don't say Brees is MVP? Imagine them with a good but not great QB. Like Carson Palmer or Andy Dalton or Colin Kaepernick. They're terrible, right? They certainly don't put up 5000 yard/40 touchdown seasons.

[Demi]

Seriously? Peterson was a "shoe-in" to return? The guy who said that is an idiot IMHO. I would have characterized the injuries as the polar opposite of the article. Manning is a little "long in the tooth" but there was very little doubt he could return from his medical issues.

Really? Every indication was AD would be ready if not for the regular season pretty close. There was talk Manning might not even be able to play after the nerve issues he was having. Much less be as good as he was before. Players come back from ACL all the time, multiple neck surgeries? Not so much. There was quite a bit of talk about how Manning would do, no one ever said for a second Peterson wouldn't play again. Maybe not as good as he was as early, but definitely play this season.

[vikeinmontana]

to be fair it's all just talking heads. people DID say manning might never play agian because the injury was so serious. although manning himself said he planned to return and said he could still play at the same level. other talking heads agreed he'd be back. same with AD. many people DID say this would be a career-altering injury. some speculated whether he'd play again. many said he'd never be the same. but AD himself said he'd be back. said he wouldn't miss a game. many people who learned not to doubt the guy agreed. it's basically all he-said she-said stuff.

both guys are deserving. but looking at what AD was able to accomplish with this team and specifically THIS passing offense is amazing to me. i'm blown away by manning too but he was put on a team good enough and deep enough that a terrible tim tebow was able to giude them to the playoffs last year. manning got a playoff team. AD got a 3 win team with one of the worst passing attacks in the nfl.

[Just Me]

Really? Every indication was AD would be ready if not for the regular season pretty close. There was talk Manning might not even be able to play after the nerve issues he was having. Much less be as good as he was before. Players come back from ACL all the time, multiple neck surgeries? Not so much. There was quite a bit of talk about how Manning would do, no one ever said for a second Peterson wouldn't play again. Maybe not as good as he was as early, but definitely play this season.

You may want to review this thread. Granted it was alot of talk by all of "us experts" on the board, but while we could cite a some examples of persons who had overcome this injury, there are others who do not. It was Peterson who kept saying he would play. No one esle was that sure...

[Just Me]

to be fair it's all just talking heads. people DID say manning might never play agian because the injury was so serious. although manning himself said he planned to return and said he could still play at the same level. other talking heads agreed he'd be back. same with AD. many people DID say this would be a career-altering injury. some speculated whether he'd play again. many said he'd never be the same. but AD himself said he'd be back. said he wouldn't miss a game. many people who learned not to doubt the guy agreed. it's basically all he-said she-said stuff.

both guys are deserving. but looking at what AD was able to accomplish with this team and specifically THIS passing offense is amazing to me. i'm blown away by manning too but he was put on a team good enough and deep enough that a terrible tim tebow was able to giude them to the playoffs last year. manning got a playoff team. AD got a 3 win team with one of the worst passing attacks in the nfl.

I didn't know there were those who speculated Manning might never return. I stand corrected. I truly thought the Colts move was to "move to the future" with Luck knowing that Manning would need some rehab time and Manning was getting old. I'll withdraw my rather harsh (and apparently inaccurate) criticism of the voter in that case. I still believe Peterson accomplished what he did with much less to work with than Manning who basically took a playoff team from last year and took them to the playoffs again this year...

[Just Me]

Its really sad. Look at nfl.com "gmc never say never" voting ahahahahahhaa

Manning? In a blowout game vs the nfl's worst team? Why is he even there? Why isn't alfred morris there? Not even MLB or NBA media coverage goes to the extremes that the NFL media does. Holy #### .

The NFL's love affair with QB's is nauseating.

Hahaha! This settles it! We'll just give the MVP to Ponder! Sorry Adrian!

[vikeinmontana]

I didn't know there were those who speculated Manning might never return. I stand corrected. I truly thought the Colts move was to "move to the future" with Luck knowing that Manning would need some rehab time and Manning was getting old. I'll withdraw my rather harsh (and apparently inaccurate) criticism of the voter in that case. I still believe Peterson accomplished what he did with much less to work with than Manning who basically took a playoff team from last year and took them to the playoffs again this year...

nah. as you and i said....it's just talking heads and "experts". i was just pointing out that it's all silly because people were on both sides in regards to both players. especially this day and age where everyone lives for the split-second and often times overreacts. AD's injury was no different. the minute he got hurt you could read this board and people were saying his career was over. he'd never play again. if he did he wouldn't be the same. yada yada yada.

just another in the long line of examples of how we "experts" rarely know what we're talking about. if we did AP would have retired, the vikes would have won 1 game, ponder would be five feet tall and have 200 interceptions this year, and frazier would have recently been fired from his head football gig at morningstar middle school.....

[VikeMike]

It isn't like Manning doesn't deserve consideration. He does, and he'll probably win the MVP. Coming back from the neck injury is a very gutsy accomplishment. In an odd way, it's sad to me that a four-time MVP winner will likely take a fifth. Only because a historic season from a now all-time great running back will be swept under the carpet. I don't think there's any denying that Peyton Manning is one of the greatest QBs in history — his track record says it all — and that he accomplished a lot by recovering from a very serious injury, stepping into a new city and team and making the team better. But that statement that he changed the culture of the Broncos is a bit much. Changed it from what? A playoff team to a No. 1 seed playoff team? The way the rules are now weighed in favor of the passing game, is it that much of a shock that the Broncos' passing attack improved from Tebow to Manning? Again, I don't mean to take anything away from Manning, but what Peterson did this year maybe the only story that could overshadow Manning's story. I hate hyperbole, but this was a all-time, epic season and it would be a shame if it wasn't recognized. The fact that AD didn't whine about the record and he keeps saying how the foremost goal was to reach the playoffs is every bit as classy as the way Manning handles himself.

[glg]

Really? Every indication was AD would be ready if not for the regular season pretty close. There was talk Manning might not even be able to play after the nerve issues he was having. Much less be as good as he was before. Players come back from ACL all the time, multiple neck surgeries? Not so much. There was quite a bit of talk about how Manning would do, no one ever said for a second Peterson wouldn't play again. Maybe not as good as he was as early, but definitely play this season.

Players don't come back from ACL surgeries that quickly and certainly don't come back better that quickly. Usually it's the second season after surgery when a guy is really back to form, if he ever gets back to form (many never do). With AD's injury coming so late in the season, putting up this season means he's nothing short of a cyborg.

[PurpleHalo]

I still hear all this talk, about whose injury was more serious, blah blah blah. MVP isn't about that, at least it's not supposed to be. It's about which player was more valuable, to his teams success. Comeback player of the year, goes to Peyton Manning, MVP to 28.

As I have stated before, these quarterbacks benefit, from a system that coddles them. These guys are no better, than, Elway, Montana, Marino etc.., and I get sick of hearing greatest quarterback ever with these guys. They throw 45 times a game, with rules so far slanted toward WRs and QBs, of course they will throw 5000 yards, and 40 TDs every year. Is Mannings season top 2 all time for QBs? Adrian wins MVP, I guarntee it!

[Demi]

It's about which player was more valuable, to his teams success.

If you put AD on Broncos and Manning on Vikes...are Broncos still going to be #1 seed and Vikings barely make the wild card? I have a feeling we win the Division and Broncos get a wild card at best.

It's tilted more towards QBs because QBs *are more valuable* than running backs. You can have the best running back in the game and win 10 games and the final wild card spot, heck last year he was 2-8 as a starter! You have the best quarterback in the game you're looking at a top 2 seed year in and year out. Shouldn't that count for something? Bring up the inflated numbers all you want but the position is still the most important in the game. Can you name the running back on recent super bowl winning teams? They're interchangeable. The top HBs in any given year, MJD, CJ2K, AD, Jamaal Charles...their teams don't even make the playoffs more often than not.

I also believe AD should get it, but I hardly think it's as cut and dry as some people are making it out to be.

[Just Me]

If you put AD on Broncos and Manning on Vikes...are Broncos still going to be #1 seed and Vikings barely make the wild card? I have a feeling we win the Division and Broncos get a wild card at best.

A better comparison is to put a 'serviceable' QB on the Broncos and a 'serviceable' running back with the Vikings, removing both Peterson and Manning from their respective teams. I can practically guarantee (inasmuch as Tebow took them to the playoffs last year) the Broncos still make the playoffs (possibly as a #1 or #2 seed). My guess is the Vikings are looking at 8-8 at best in that scenario.

If we swap the players (as you suggest), The Broncos still probably win the #1 seed and Peyton suffers a career ending injury at some point during the season due to sporadic protection. I don't think even Manning could win the divison with the receiving corps we have (against Rodgers). Put it this way: Even if you concede Manning is better than Rodgers, how much better is he? If you assume Manning and Rodgers have approximately the same level of skill, then it comes down to the receiving corps and o-line making the difference in the passing game. Is it your assertion that the Vikings receiving corps and o-line is equal to or better than Green Bay's?

[rogers 12]

I am a Packer fanatic and wanted to give my opinion, I think hands down Peterson should win the mvp, every week teams no what their are going to get and they still can't stop it. This has become a pass happy league so qb stats are through the roof. No don't get me wrong look at Rogers year 39 tds 8 int. On other years he would win hands down but after last year this year was conidered okay for him. I think Manning will get it though because of his comeback even though what peterson did was simply amazing. Scott

[Purple Domination]

I apologize for asking something that is probably common knowledge, but when is the MVP announced this year?

[Raptorman]

I apologize for asking something that is probably common knowledge, but when is the MVP announced this year?

Just before the Super Bowl if I remember correctly.