Tom Brady: Will He Capture a Third MVP Award in 2012?

Tom Brady ran away with the 2010-11 MVP. He got all 50 votes. That tops the 49 he received in his record-setting 2007 season.

That makes four years in a row that the MVP has gone to either Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.

This post is not about the past; it is about the future. Only four times since 1980 has the MVP award gone to the person that won it the year before.

These are long odds, but with Brady's consistency and track record, there is a good chance at the start of any season that he is going to win the MVP award. Look on to see if Brady can further his legend and capture back-to-back MVP seasons.

5. No: Surrounding Talent

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Danny Woodhead #39 of the New England Patriots runs against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. New England won 34-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Tom Brady has a system, but he doesn't exactly have all world pass catchers. Wes Welker is going to be 30, and he already has a surgically repaired knee.

The Patriots second leading receiver was Deion Branch. Branch is almost 32, and he has a long history of injuries. Brady has capable receivers but not a lot that are going to help him with amazing catches or gaining yards after the catch.

Repeat MVP? No

5. Yes: Brady Has the Team

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots stands on the field during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa

As Rex Ryan pointed out, Tom Brady has a tremendous coaching staff helping create a successful game plan. 

Since Belichick has arrived, the Patriots offense has found success no matter who is playing. They take cast off, rejects and never-weres. 

Then they turn them into stat machines.

Repeat MVP? Yes

4. No: Stacked Deck

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots warms up prior to their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

As I mentioned in the opening slide, the MVP award seldom goes to the same person two years in a row.

The defending MVP is going to have to put up even better numbers to capture the title. If there is a question about who should be the MVP, the voters are going to favor the new blood.

Repeat MVP? No

4. Yes: Model of Consistency

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown by teammate BenJarvis Green-Ellis in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa

Brady has never finished with a completion percentage under 60. After his second year in the league, Brady has thrown for at least 3,500 yards. His lowest QB rating is 83.9.

He has never thrown more than 14 interceptions, and he has never thrown less than 23.

Repeat MVP? Yes

*All stats exclude his 2008 season. Brady only played one game due to injury.

3. No: Playing the Field

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers leads his team onto the field prior to Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

As far as the race for the MVP goes, this was a down year. There is a group of young gunslingers hungry to break into the Manning/Brady MVP race.

There are too many guys like Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Joe Flaaco and Josh Freeman ready to break through. 

Next year, they'll be even better.

Repeat MVP? No

3. Yes: A Land of Opportunity

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 07: Running back Kevin Faulk #33 of the New England Patriots rushes against the Seattle Seahawks on December 7, 2008 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The Patriots rolled through the regular season. They spent most of their time playing with a lead. This led  the Patriots to end the 2010 season 20th in passing attempts and 10th in rushing attempts.

While this helped Brady in the efficiency category, it did little to help his overall numbers. Brady will get a chance to air it out more next season.

Repeat MVP? Yes

2. No: Forever Young

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Rich Gannon #12 of the Oakland Raiders throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills at Network Associates Coliseum on September 19, 2004 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Tom Brady is going to be 34 next year. Since 1991, only Rich Gannon has won the MVP at the age of 34 or older.

Brady shows few signs of slowing down.  But he doesn't have to slow down by much to come in second.

Repeat MVP? No

2. Yes: Eye of the Tiger

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty

Tom Brady is one of the most self-motivated men on the planet. The season ends, and he goes to work.

If at all possible, he's going to work even harder this offseason.

New England's surprisingly early exit is going to leave a bad taste in every Patriot. They're coming back more focused and motivated than ever.

Repeat MVP? Yes

1. No: A Discouraging Trend

Admittedly, one time does not a trend make, but it is all we have to go on. After Brady's first MVP, Brady blew out his knee in the first game and missed the rest of the season.

Other than that season, Brady has been remarkably durable—healthy enough to play every other game.

Still, it is never surprising when a QB or any other NFL player misses time with an injury.  Football's a physical game.

Repeat MVP? No

1. Yes: A Team on the Rise

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Danny Woodhead #39 and Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrate Woodehead's 29 yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park,

As I mentioned earlier, the Patriots main wide receivers are aging—but that's the only spot where age is a bad thing.

The Packers are filled with youth and loaded with draft picks. Discounting their disappointing playoff performance, the Patriots offense seemed to gel as the season went on.

This is a trend likely to continue as they gain experience and familiarity.

Repeat MVP? Yes

What's the Verdict?

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots is sacked by Shaun Ellis #92 of the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by

Tom Brady is as consistent as a QB can be. He's a threat to win the MVP every year he is in the NFL.

He also benefits from playing with the most consistent team in the NFL—the New England Patriots.  Without question, the MVP goes to someone from a winning team.

That said, the NFL is a young man's game. Tom Brady is coming off one of his best seasons, but it gets harder to stay healthy with each passing year.  Don't forget, there's an incoming group of young talent poised to separate Brady from his next MVP.

Repeat MVP? No