Earlier in the NFL season, specifically when Philly played Washington on national TV, the world probably bore witness to the greatest singular exhibition and execution of quarterback play when Mike Vick dismantled the Redskins. After 6 total touchdowns , 300+ yards passing and 80 on the ground, it was hard to argue for another qb having a better game then that, past or present.
Of course in this knee-jerk reaction nation we live in, people were (as ESPN's Skip Bayless coins it) "prisoners of the moment" and already crowned Vick as the MVP of the NFL. If there are 3 things this country has subconsciously taught me, it's this: always separate business from pleasure, separate church from state, and America loves a great comeback story.
And that's exactly what that game versus Washington represented to me: the finality and manifestation of a great comeback. I thought his performance on the field was a mere reflection of the man's life coming full circle and how he transformed. In his professional career, he's always been a bird (Falcon, Eagle) so it was poetic justice that he became another bird in front of us: the rising phoenix.
Well several weeks down the road, the wins for Philly keep coming and Mike Vick's play has been stable and consistent. Now I'm realizing the things we're seeing right in front of us is history in the making. He's already the only qb in NFL history with a 1000 yards rushing in a season, but this year he's on pace to be the only player in league history with: 3000+ yards passing, 20+ td passes, 700+ yards rushing, and 10 rushing touchdowns in one season.
Now his #1 competitor for MVP Tom Brady is no slouch or foreigner to big numbers either. The Michigan alum won the MVP in 2007 back as he eclipsed Peyton Mannings record for most touchdown passes in a season at 50. This year seems to be a continuation of that season statistically (30+ touchdowns, 4 interceptions, no interceptions in over 300 passes, best record in the AFC), but the once exception (an exception that may enhance his season in most people's eyes) for him this year is that Brady is doing it without a "household" name wide receiver as future Hall of Famer receiver Randy Moss was shipped earlier this season. Brady's main receivers (wes welker, danny moorehead and deign branch) maybe shorter then your little brother.
So what's the factor(s) that's going to decide who's going to win the award this year? Since their numbers cancel each other out mostly, I'm relegated to use the aforementioned Skip Bayless' "eye test." When you look at Tom Brady, he's physically the prototype specimen for qb: tall (6'5"), traditional pocket passer, and leader. But when you look at Vick, week in and week out, he's the best player on the field! Physically he's average (6'0'', 185 pounds), yet he's anything but average on gameday. Continually outrunning would-be defenders, zipping the ball 70 yards in the air in an effortless flick of the wrist motion, or precise, lob touch passes, he has the complete arsenal.
And besides, in the 3.5 games Vick has missed this year, the Eagles look like a different team. Their offensive scoring and yardage average drops tremendously when he isn't behind center, and their body language looks listless if not lethargic with Kevin Kolb at the helm, not to mention their .500 record. Mike has led them to a winning record and a division title that was favored to be won by the NY Giants. That's no knock to Kevin Kolb (McNabb's initial successor), that's just a reflection of the electricity of Vick and the confidence he instill's in teammates.
At the very least Vick is a pro-bowler and the leagues comeback player of the year, but don't be surprised if he walks away with one of the leagues most prestigious awards.
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