Lubeck Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=485373 Campaign '08: Endorsing Eli Manning as MVP Posted: November 12, 2008 With that rather big presidential election out of the way, now the political pundits can give way to the pigskin prognosticators again. And if you've turned on the tube lately, you have seen plenty of campaigning for the 2008 NFL MVP with those who cover the league championing different candidates. Clinton Portis, maybe with help from his first name, has gotten some proverbial votes with his fine work in Washington. Drew Brees has wowed everyone statistically with his efforts in New Orleans, but it hasn't led to progress in the standings. Even though Albert Haynesworth has been the best performer in Tennessee, there's been more push to get Kerry Collins' name on the ballot. Adrian Peterson is running a strong campaign by keeping Minnesota on the move. Meanwhile, perhaps inspired by John McCain, two-time MVP Kurt Warner is trying to get elected for a third term in Arizona. I'm here to say that the best and only choice for league MVP this season is Eli Manning. Speaking of Arizona, since gaining momentum by winning that all-important primary in February, your reigning Super Bowl MVP has been an impeccable leader in the New York Giants' title defense. Critics will point out Manning is only 12th in passing yardage and tied for seventh in passing touchdowns. They'll point to his approval -- er, make that passer -- rating of 88.8 being good for only 15th. But only Collins, the man Manning was drafted to replace in New York, can claim to be better in the most important of all NFL numbers: Victories. With a harder-to-please constituency, Manning has delivered whenever called upon to lead the Giants to their 8-1 start. He has pleased his home crowd by going 5-0 in Giants Stadium. He is 6-0 against NFC teams, including strong decisions over his closest competitors in Washington, Dallas and Philadelphia. Manning hasn't just been propped up by a dominant defense and a powerful running game. His maturity and intangibles as a leader have showed up every week. He is great at opening (109 rating in the first quarter) and closing games (98.8 rating in the fourth quarter. He also shines when the game is tied (113.4), in two-minute drills (122.8) and on third down (102.8). Manning has done much of this without consistent play from his top receiving mate, Plaxico Burress. He continues to get the most out of Amani Toomer, Kevin Boss, Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon and Derrick Ward in the passing game. After hearing about how he was too locked into Burress and his shaky completion percentage, he is now up to 60.5 by spreading the ball around so well. There have been many slings and arrows thrown Manning's way throughout his still-young NFL career, but he has grown into a unflappable, durable passer who looks headed for more big-game success than his accomplished brother Peyton. Don't look up the numbers. Watch the games. When everything is on the line this season, would you rather have someone else leading your team than Eli Manning? When it comes to the NFL in '08, that's the definition of most valuable. Vinnie Iyer, staff writer for Sporting News, approved this message. Email him at viyer@sportingnews.com. I don't think he has a chance since MVP tends to go to big number people, but it is an interesting case this guy makes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditto Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Don't look up the numbers. Watch the games. When everything is on the line this season, would you rather have someone else leading your team than Eli Manning? When it comes to the NFL in '08, that's the definition of most valuable. The intangibles. A lot of us saw that when he first came up and looked like shit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feefifoefum Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 His numbers won't give him a chance, but the guy is right, there is not a QB in the league right now that I'd rather have with the ball with the game on the line than Eli Manning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 I personally think Kurt Warner is the first half MVP....the old, grizzly veteran still has something left in the tank...now, if we could just get him to take some credit for his good play as opposed to praising God every time someone compliments him, he'd be set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
so-cal dub Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 It would be awesome, but it aint gonna happen. Not unless he starts to put up huge stats in the second half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGBLUE01 Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 I personally think Kurt Warner is the first half MVP....the old, grizzly veteran still has something left in the tank...now, if we could just get him to take some credit for his good play as opposed to praising God every time someone compliments him, he'd be set. Hey, God brought Kurt and Brenda together, and they even have matching hairdos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Hey, God brought Kurt and Brenda together, and they even have matching hairdos. Hello my apprentice.....Luv your sig....THAT IS ALL!!! :evilgrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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