NFL's Most Valuable Players

[5wide]

The Tom Brady injury made me think about this. Obviously, the Patriots are still a good football without him, but they took a huge hit. What other NFL players absence could have a similar impact on their teams?

 

Here is my short list...

 

Tony Romo, Terrell Owens - Dallas

Brian Westbrook - Philadelphia

Drew Brees - New Orleans

Matt Hasselbeck - Seattle

Albert Haynesworth - Tennessee

Peyton Manning - Indianapolis

Jay Cutler - Denver

 

 

I didn't bother with players on bad teams like Carson Palmer. I took into consideration how the teams are built, how much responsibility that player has in their system, and who would replace him if the went down. I didn't put Eli Manning on the list because the Giants are built to win with great defense and a strong running game...same for Ben Roethlisberger. I left Philip Rivers off because the Chargers are built similarly and they beat the Colts in Indy with Volek playing down the stretch.

 

The QB's I did choose (Romo, Brees, Hasselbeck, Manning, and Cutler) are all counted on to carry a huge load for the offense and win games for their teams. Romo keys the Cowboys explosive, big play offense. Brees is counted on to make quick decisions and throw the ball everywhere in the Saints pass-happy offense. Although the schemes may be different, Hasselbeck is similar to Brees. Manning is on the same level as Brady...a one of a kind talent...a good backup would be a huge drop from Manning, and the Colts are as unprepared as the Patriots, if not worse, for an injury to their QB. And, Cutler has emerged into this group this season. Shanahan puts a lot on his QB's shoulders. The Broncos would be 1-2 at best without him.

 

As for the rest...Terrell Owens is the guy who is responsible for a large percentage of the explosive plays from Dallas and the weapon that opens the rest of the field up for the other players. Without him, they lose a lot of big play ability and everybody else becomes easier to defend. I'm not sure I even need to go into detail about Brian Westbrook, but I will. He is their primary weapon both rushing and receiving. Without him, the whole offense suffers tremendously and becomes a lot easier to stop. Teams don't have to respect the run nearly as much, which allows them to focus on a passing attack that is far less frightening minus Brian Westbrook. Finally, Albert Haynesworth...the Titans are built to run the football, stop the run and pressure the QB with it's front four. Without Haynesworth, their ability to do the last two drops drastically, which can lead to playing from behind and negating their plans to run the football on offense. The Titans defense was a very different unit in the three games he missed last season. It remains to be seen how they'd fare this year, but I'm guessing not good. He's the most dominating interior lineman in the league and he's keyed a defense that's allowing 240 ypg, less than 4 yard per rushing attempt, 4.6 yard per pass attempt, has 11 sacks and has forced 8 TO's in three games.

[Baseballguy]

It's very early, but Philip Rivers is playing very well right now. His Team is 1-2 thus far, but I do believe they will make the playoffs. So yea, I think he should be easily considered.

[Toothpick]

I have to mention Dolphins All Pro QB Ronnie Brown, he gets my vote :laugh:

[Jim Schue]

The Steelers become a pretty ordinary team when Polamalu's hurt.

[buzzer beater]

McNabb..

[5wide]

The Steelers become a pretty ordinary team when Polamalu's hurt.

 

That's one I didn't think about that I would consider. The difference to me is Pittsburgh has a good enough offense to win when the defense is less than 100%. Same with Indianapolis and Bob Sanders...if you wanted to break down players who impact their respective units the most, then the list would be bigger.

 

As for the mention of McNabb, the Eagles have proven they can win without McNabb as long as Westbrook is healthy. He's more important to their offense and their success than McNabb, IMO.

[GO CATS]

The Eagles are used to not playing with Westbrook..

[EKUAlum05]

5wide,

I have to disagree on Hasselbeck and Manning. If anything, these past few weeks have proven how insignificant he is without his receivers and a viable running game. the Seahwaks offense has been horrible. Same can be said for Manning, without Harrison at 100% and injuries to the OL/Clark he looks liek a completely different QB.

[EKUAlum05]

My short list:

Jay Cutler- Denver, Has been phenominal thusfar and even looked good without Brandon Marshall and without any true superstar RB.

 

Phillip Rivers- Chargers, Even though the Charger's haven't been dominant, Rivers has. With LT at less than 100% Rivers has carried the team and leads the NFL in TD tosses.

 

Marshawn Lynch- Bills, Buffalo is one of the biggest surprises of the league and Lynch is the bellcow of the offense.

 

Tony Romo- Cowboys, Leader of the best team in the NFL thusfar.

[spindoc]

I'd have to say Roethlisberger. As much popularity as he has, Leftwich's delivery takes longer than Bronson Arroyo. He has no touch between the line of scrimmage and 15yds.. It's 90mph at all distances. Great deep ball. Without Ben, Steelers are less than average.

 

I'll also add Larry Fitzgerald/Anquan Boldin in AZ. Either one down and they struggle as evidence last season. They are bad mamajamas when healthy. Best WR tandem in football IMO.

[spindoc]

That's one I didn't think about that I would consider. The difference to me is Pittsburgh has a good enough offense to win when the defense is less than 100%. Same with Indianapolis and Bob Sanders...if you wanted to break down players who impact their respective units the most, then the list would be bigger.

 

As for the mention of McNabb, the Eagles have proven they can win without McNabb as long as Westbrook is healthy. He's more important to their offense and their success than McNabb, IMO.

Has Westbrook ever played an entire NFL season? Serious question.

[5wide]

5wide,

I have to disagree on Hasselbeck and Manning. If anything, these past few weeks have proven how insignificant he is without his receivers and a viable running game. the Seahwaks offense has been horrible. Same can be said for Manning, without Harrison at 100% and injuries to the OL/Clark he looks liek a completely different QB.

 

There is some truth in what you say, but if you want to use that argument, then nobody should be on the list. Football is the ultimate team sport. No single player can win by himself...if you took away the top 4 WR's from any of the QB's I listed, their results would be similar to Hasselbecks, so let's just take them all off the list.

 

The Colts offense has started slow in past seasons...this year that is being combined with injury struggles and they just haven't got it going. If you replaced Manning with Jim Sorgi, the Colts would be 0-3 with scores similar to what the Rams have posted. As for the Manning without Harrison at 100% comment...I guess the first three games of '08 carry more weight than the last 14 or 15 games of '07.

 

If you don't think Manning belongs on this list, there's not much else to say...

[98NCCalum]

Has Westbrook ever played an entire NFL season? Serious question.

He's played 15 games in 4 of his 6 season in the NFL. And that includes his rookie season. The only 2 seasons he didn't play in at least 15 he played in 12 and 13, he really hasn't missed all that many.

[5wide]

Has Westbrook ever played an entire NFL season? Serious question.

 

No. In his previous six seasons, he's played 15, 15, 13, 12, 15 and 15...and all 3 this year. In his career to date, he's played 88 of 99 possible games (89%). Since the '04 season, when Westbrook emerged as a primary weapon in Philly, the Eagles are 3-6 when he hasn't played.

[5wide]

My short list:

Jay Cutler- Denver, Has been phenominal thusfar and even looked good without Brandon Marshall and without any true superstar RB.

 

Phillip Rivers- Chargers, Even though the Charger's haven't been dominant, Rivers has. With LT at less than 100% Rivers has carried the team and leads the NFL in TD tosses.

 

Marshawn Lynch- Bills, Buffalo is one of the biggest surprises of the league and Lynch is the bellcow of the offense.

 

Tony Romo- Cowboys, Leader of the best team in the NFL thusfar.

 

How can you make an argument against Peyton Manning and completely overlook the fact that San Diego won @ Indy last January with Billy Volek playing QB in the second half? Part of this whole debate involves who steps in when said player goes out.

 

The Chargers have proven they can win on the biggest stage without not only Rivers, but LT and a less than 100% Antonio Gates.

 

Manning to Sorgi is much more disastrous for Indy than Rivers to Volek is for San Diego. Especially when you consider how much the Indy offense relies on Manning's decision making both before and after the snap.