MVP of the Patriots: Not as easy as you think
Dec 11th, 2007 by Bill Burt
I realize Tom Brady is going to win the MVP of the league, hence he’s MVP of the Patriots, but I wonder if Randy Moss deserves the honor as much as he does.
Moss is going to break the all-time receiving TD record (22 by Jerry Rice) and Brady will probably break the all-time passing TD mark (49 by Peyton Manning) next week against the Dolphins.
Brady is the best QB in the league. All you have do is look at his interceptions, only four, and consider how much he has thrown the ball — only Carson Palmer and Drew Brees, both on losing teams have attempted more passes.
But Moss has changed everything. The way the defenses play the Patriots have changed. The dink-n-dunk defenses are now “Cover-2,” which means one guy is about 30 yards deep on Moss’ side … before the ball is snapped.
Jason Whitlock of Foxsports.com and the Kansas City Star made an interesting case as to why Moss is the MVP over Brady.
The only thing is that Brady has won Super Bowls before, without Moss. If not, I might be inclined to agree.
This is similar to the Joe Montana-Jerry Rice debate. Both were at the top of their games, together.
Anyway, here is my MVP vote (top five included), if I had it, for the Patriots:
1. Tom Brady … 13 games, 13 wins, 45 TDs, 5 interceptions. Enough said.
2. Randy Moss … If I could wimp out and vote for two, he would be co-MVP.
3. Asante Samuel … Best in the NFL right now. He simply doesn’t get beat.
4. Mike Vrabel … Maybe equal to Brady in big game performances since he’s been here.
5. Wes Welker … With Ben Watson still an enigma, Welker has taken the middle of the field.
What are your top five?
7 reader comments to “MVP of the Patriots: Not as easy as you think”
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1Steve from North Andover said:
1. Brady: There is no debate
2. Moss: By far the second best
3. Samuel: I agree, this guy is awesome.
4. Mankins: Everyone says this guy is the best.
5. Welker: 90 catches is incredible. -
2John Cronin said:
I have to agree with your picks Bill. Wish it could be shared equally with Brady and Moss. The team within a team! Moss also should be commended for his humility this season. He always deflects to to the team when he is successful. That is refreshing in this dog eat dog world.
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3Mike Daly said:
One thing should be said about Moss - when was the last time one player so changed an entire team’s offensive output and approach? The Patriots broke 30 points in 2006 against Cincinatti, Minnesota, Green Bay, Houston, Tennessee, the Jets, and Indianapolis; they broke 30 in 2003 against Philly, Tennessee, Denver, Indianapolis, Buffalo, and Carolina.
With Moss the only games where they didn’t reach 30 were against Indianapolis, Philly, and Baltimore.
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4Scott in Lowell said:
I can’t wait for Brady to win it, it’ll be the first one for the Patriots franchise, and it’ll give more credence to the Manning vs Brady debate. Last year, Manning got his ring, it’s Brady’s turn this year for an MVP.
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5jim - red sox nation west said:
Brady should have won at least 3 MVP’S when he won superbowls with receivers that were brought out from the stands. If it weren’t for at least 5 dropped balls in the end zone (and that is just from the last 3 games) he would have already beaten Peyton’s pedestrian 49 mark…. and lock up another MVP. He is by far the best ever at the position and everyone just needs to admit it…and how old is he?
Im glad to be a Pats fan! Brady and Moss get 5 apiece on sunday. -
6TheBigOldDog said:
MVP is the guy you’d take if you were starting a team. Would you take Brady or Moss?
I love Randy, don’t get me wrong, but did he turn around Oakland? No. What would Oakland be like if Tom Brady showed up there? See?
Tom Brady took this team to the AFC championship last year with primary receivers who aren’t even playing this year. What more proof does anybody need?
