My picks for League & Ravens MVPs
MVP, MVP!
Sunday the Ravens hit the halfway mark of the 2008 season, and earlier this week I asked readers to pick their NFL and Ravens mid-season MVP.
Here are my picks for both categories and we'll see what you think.
My pick for league MVP is Redskins running back Clinton Portis. The Skins Jason Campbell has been very good too; he's quarterbacked eight games without an interception, that's amazing!
Campbell has been very good but Portis has been even better. He's on pace to run for nearly 1,900 yards and 14 touchdowns, and he's averaging five yards a carry.
Portis has run for over 125 yards in five straight games--he and O.J. Simpson are the only players in NFL history to do that twice in a career. Portis has been key to Washington's surprising 6-2 start.
My second choice is Drew Brees; his Saints are only 4-4 but the quarterback has put up some staggering numbers.
He's completed just under 70% of his passes for 2,563 yards; that's nearly 500 yards more than Kurt Warner who's second in passing yards. Brees is on pace to break Dan Marino's 1984 record for most passing yards in a season.
The Titans are currently the best team in the NFL (and the only undefeated team). Rookie running back Chris Johnson and defensive Tackle Albert Haynesworth deserve mention for each having a big first half.
My Ravens MVP is Ray Lewis. 
Still going strong in his 13th season Ray leads a Ravens defense that is still the heart of the team. The Ravens secondary is ordinary, but the front seven with Ray Lewis policing the middle might be the best in the NFL.
Terrell Suggs is a close second with five sacks and big plays in run and pass defense.
Agree, disagree? Who's your pick for Ravens and NFL MVP? Let me know using the comment box below.
3 and out!
Scott
 |
Categories (click for archive)MASNblogs | Scott Garceau |
Hi Scott, I read your blog and i agree with your picks. Both players have had very good seasons so far. I enjoy reading your blogs and look forward every chance i get to see you on MASN or WMAR. You will always have a friend in me. Take care, Your Fan and Friend, Roland Klages
NFL MVP... I think it's between Kurt Warner and Clinton Portis.
"My second choice is Drew Brees; his Saints are only 4-4 but the quarterback has put up some staggering numbers. He's completed just under 70% of his passes for 2,563 yards; that's nearly 500 yards more than Kurt Warner who's second in passing yards."
-- Keep in mind that Brees hasn't had his bye week yet, and has therefore played one more game than Warner. Also, I doubt a non-playoff team's player gets the MVP. Of course it's still too early to tell who's going to the playoffs.
Good article, Scott!
Roland, thanks for your interest and the kinds words. You must be a smart man, agreeing with me. Best, Scott
Tom, you make a good point about Warner playing one less game than Brees. The Cardinals are 4-3 but have a 2-game lead in the weak NFC West. Still, Brees is on pace to break Marino's single season passing yardage record.
Warner would have to throw for almost 500 yards this week to catch him. Tennessee is another team that has played only 7 games. So Chris Johnson will add to his terrific first half.
These players are off and running let's see who can maintain in the 2nd half when the weather gets as nasty as the Ravens defense.