The Brady Effect: Who Is the NFL MVP From 100 Down To 1, Part 1

In the wake of the 2010 NFL season, the crowning of the most prestigious personal award has yet to be awarded as we enter into the final leg of the playoffs.

Judging by the consensus opinions of most analysts, Tom Brady is a runaway MVP award winner for this season's great performance, but is he?

With stiff competition from a couple of NFC star quarterbacks, maybe Brady isn't such the clear choice he appears to be.

Judging by his performance in his brief playoff stint before being bounced by the New York Jets, the competition may have gotten a little tighter.

Only if playoff performance really mattered in the coronation of MVP.

The next slides will preview the furthest choices for the MVP award for this first part of the two-part series crowning 2010's MVP.

Who's the Least Valuable Player?

100. Derek Anderson, Arizona Cardinals, 2010 Least Valuable Player

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LA QUINTA, CA - JANUARY 19: Arizona Cardinals quarterback Derek Anderson watches his tee shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the Bob Hope Classic at the Silver Rock Resort on January 19, 2011 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Ge

You ask why I have Anderson in a golf picture instead of in a Cardinals football uniform?

Based on his play in 2010, he would've been better off teeing off on a Sunday afternoon. Or maybe as Tony Romo's caddy.

Anderson was just plain terrible this season, and collective Cardinals fans had to have set the Guinness World Record for upchucking their buffalo wings into their mouths.

Larry Fitzgerald went from being considered the best receiver in the league, to an afterthought, and it wasn't even close to his fault. Losing Anquan Boldin hurt, but he had Anderson throwing him the ball!

Not to mention, Anderson went on a hilarious post-game rant after being caught smiling with teammate Duece Lutui in a game in which the Cardinals were getting it handed to them.

He claimed to have been adversely affected by his bad play, and that he is a student of the game and studies and prepares every week.

With his study habits, I'd rather have Ferris Bueller as my quarterback.

Congratulations Derek, you are the 2010 Least Valuable Player. Enjoy that contract you were given years ago after being a one-year wonder, because it might just be your last.

97. Jimmy Clausen, Carolina Panthers

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Okay, I know this guy was a rookie thrust on the scene by a desperate, under-performing Panthers coaching staff who dropped the ball with Matt Moore, but Clausen didn't exactly make them look good, either.

In an era where rookie quarterbacks have routinely performed well in their first year of starting such as Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan and Josh Freeman, Clausen looked as good as Andre Ware.

His completion percentage of 52.5 percent was 30th in the league, and with 299 attempts he was only able to muster 1,558 yards with 3 TD's and 9 INT's. Whoa.

His 58.4 QB rating was last in the league, and he finished the year on the league's worst team.

Losing DeAngelo Williams for the year hurt, and he doesn't exactly have great choices for receivers, but man those are some bad numbers.

Since he's a rookie we won't call it a career for him yet, but he simply has to get better.

91. Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings heads to a post game press conference after a 13-20 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

This picture is indicative of what Favre should be doing after his horrific 2010 season.

Leaving the locker room for the last time.

No disrespect to the NFL's golden boy, but Favre had a disaster of a season that could be classified as nothing less than an epic fail.

After teammates flew to his farm to coax him into a return this season, everything pretty much went downhill like Lindsey Vonn from there.

From the very beginning it appeared that Favre wasn't himself and looked a bit dejected, and the Vikings paid for it with a losing record, while Brad Childress paid for it with his job.

Favre will definitely need to take advantage of those thin health benefits retired players receive after the pain he felt in 2010.

Let's see, the Vikings finished the season 6-10, last in the NFC North after winning the division a year ago, Favre hurt his ankle, chin, shoulder and had a concussion while tossing 19 INT's for a QB rating of 69.9.

Talk about second-guessing a decision.

This is one time Favre should have left us with the indelible image of him tossing a pick to end his career. It would've been far better than leaving us with all of the mistakes and images from 2010.

85. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals walks off of the field after throwing an interception late in the fourth quarter of the Bengals 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati,

The Cincinnati Bengals were more known for the T. Ocho show in 2010 than for their on-field production. It seems wherever Terrell Owens ends up, a bad season ensues.

After one lackluster season in Buffalo, Owens was signed by the Bengals to be on the other side of Chad Johnson (Ochocinco, whatever) and ended up out-performing him.

So what?

He blamed the coaches for the losses, and Carson Palmer did his best Jeff George impression.

After shocking football last season snatching the AFC North out of the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bengals went 4-12 this season placing last in the division.

The worst number of all? Palmer threw 20 interceptions, third in the league. Oh, and 12 losses.

What happened to Palmer being an elite quarterback? This season solidified the fact that he is no longer to be mentioned in that stratosphere.

79. Albert Haynesworth, Washington Redskins

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth #92 of the Washington Redskins stands on the sidelines during preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona

Ah, the 100 million dollar man.

Mr. "I can't pass a fitness test, okay maybe after 50 tries, but I'm still in shape though," "I have to pee, doesn't that give me a free pass?," and, "I am still good everyone, I need to be in the 4-3 defense or otherwise I suck. Or won't play."

Really Albert? Or should we just call him Fat Albert.

Oh I'm sure he's heard that one before.

Seriously, this dude should be working for the city removing snow in the winter. Haynesworth doesn't deserve the privilege of being an NFL player.

We understand you're more successful in a different scheme, but at least TRY and play for your 100 million dollar worth.

Haynesworth engaged in a childish season long dispute with Mike Shanahan, and only played when he felt like it, which wasn't much.

Maybe he still has talent, but his horrible ethics just made him nothing more than a nuisance in 2010.

74. Donovan McNabb and Mike Shanahan, Washington Redskins

These two looked like they were quite cozy together in the NFL.com commercial early in the season, and everyone for some reason thought that the Redskins would be that much better with these two in the fold.

Yeah, that sure happened.

What resulted was a bitter cold-war between the two, which led to McNabb being benched multiple times for Rex Grossman.

Early in the season in a game that the Redskins still had a chance of winning against the Detroit Lions, Shanahan inexplicably benched McNabb for the two-minute drill in favor of Grossman, citing that McNabb wasn't in shape and blamed his, "cardiovascular endurance."

Shanahan later benched McNabb for the final four games of the season, not because of discipline or injury. Just because Grossman made them that much better.

Okay.

McNabb didn't exactly torch the football field either, passing for 14 TD's and 15 INT's for a QB rating of 77.1.

The Redskins were again in total disarray, and McNabb was likely a one-year loan. Wherever he lands in 2011, they'll need more production from him.

69. The NFC West

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams lays on the ground after being hit by defensive end Raheem Brock #98 of the Seattle Seahawks during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo b

Here's the records for the NFC West in 2010:

1. Seattle Seahawks: 7-9

2. St. Louis Rams: 7-9

3. San Francisco 49ers: 6-10

4. Arizona Cardinals: 5-11

Although the Seahawks became the first NFL team ever to win a playoff game after winning a division with a losing record, that itself is fools gold for a terrible division in 2010.

The New Orleans Saints obviously underestimated the 'Hawks, but who wouldn't have?

Hopefully this historically bad division is a little better next season, but for 2010 they made us wish for that contraction thing LeBron James was talking about.

At least seed the playoffs by records. It might help stop beatings like the Bears handed the Seahawks in the divisional playoffs, something the defending champs couldn't do.

59. Eli Manning, New York Giants

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants walks off the field after loosing to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The kid in shoulder pads looked as inconsistent as ever in 2010.

Manning B has always been inconsistent, and besides putting together a historic playoffs in 2007 he's been more of an under-performer than many would like to admit.

His penchant for the turnover has destroyed a many of Giants drives, and gave momentum to the other team.

His defense wasn't spectacular this season, but was good enough to be in the playoffs. Bottom line, Manning just made too many costly mistakes.

Manning had 31 TD's, but a league leading 25 INT's.

Not to mention his countless fumbles, Manning had a decent season otherwise but it's hard to overlook almost 30 interceptions in a season.

50. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints walks off the field after the Saints were defeated 41-36 by the Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washin

At first glance, you may say that Brees should be higher because his team made the playoffs with a 11-5 record.

That's great, but they lost in the Wild-Card to the 7-9 Seahawks and gave up 41 points.

Talk about a Super Bowl hangover. In addition, Brees threw 22 interceptions and because of lack of running game had to throw 658 passes, second in the NFL.

Of course other than the turnovers Brees had another stellar season, but when you lose in the Wild-Card to a team you are obviously better than it lands you No. 50 on this list.

44. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Nick Laham/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes against the Buffalo Bills at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Imag

Another great season for the talented do-everything back in Minnesota.

Peterson was a standout on a team that couldn't stop anybody or beat anyone substantial in 2010, and suffered from the cloud that was Brett Favre.

Not only Favre had a bad season in Minny, but so did virtually the whole offense behind an erratic quarterback and unstable offensive line.

Peterson ran for nearly 1300 yards and 12 touchdowns and stayed virtually healthy throughout the season, and if Tarvaris Jackson is his starter in 2011 he will have to repeat his performance and maybe more.

30. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans is tackled by Jacob Lacey #27 of the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. the Colts won 23-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Johnson wanted to run for 2,500 yards this season, but he had to be kidding himself if he actually believed he could do that with a QB tandem of Vince Young and Kerry Collins.

Nevertheless, Johnson had a great season for a losing, controversial team in 2010 totaling 1,364 yards on the ground with 11 touchdowns.

He also got a cool segment on Sports Science that showed just how quick, fast and strong he actually is.

Young won't be his QB in 2011, so the future is uncertain in Tennessee for Johnson but you can guarantee that if he isn't injured, he will have another monster year.

26. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars walks off the field during the game against the Oakland Raiders during the game at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/G

The diminutive workhorse ran through defenses again in 2010, rushing for 1,324 yards, second in the league and also posting five touchdowns.

Behind inconsistent quarterback play, the Jaguars missed an opportunity to supplant the Indianapolis Colts as winners of the AFC South, but don't blame Jones-Drew.

Once predicted to be a fringe talent in the NFL, Jones-Drew has budded into a star and the most well known Jaguars player on a team that has never been able to reach their ceiling, much like the Houston Texans.

That is the end of part one of this two-part series chronicling the best and worst of the 2010 NFL season, leading up to Most Valuable Player. Check later for part two!