NFL Quarter-Season MVP: A Saintly Pick

It’s absolutely too early to start MVP talk. 

I’m going to start it anyway. 

From what I can tell after nearly four weeks of NFL action, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been the most valuable player to his team’s success. 

He leads the league in passing yards.  You may say that he should.  He should because he also leads the league in attempts.

He leads the league in yards per attempt and completion percentage.

15 passes completed for longer than 20 yards. 

6 passes completed for longer than 40 yards.

2 passes completed for longer than 80 yards.

 In this my 26^th season as a Saints’ fan, I have never been so confident that my team is never out of it.  I have never been so sure that the heaves 40, 50 yards down the field are flying on more than just a wing and a prayer. 

Saints players and coaches are equally as confident in their leader.

Now, I know that the Saints are only 2-2.  But consider this when evaluating Brees:

·         Leading receiver Marcus Colston has missed the past three games and is expected to miss a few more with a thumb injury.

·         Tight end Jeremy Shockey, who has been solid in his first three games as a Saint, missed Sunday’s game against the 49ers and is expected to miss at least the next two.

·         New Orleans’ running game has been putrid and is one of the main reasons why they have lost at all this season.  This may turn around with the return of Deuce McAllister.

·         While the Saints’ defense has been strong in spots, overall, they have been mediocre.  Thus, the Saints have needed every single one of Brees’ touchdowns.

·         As mentioned earlier, New Orleans has suffered through some injury problems.  14 Saints have appeared on the injury report.

Back in 2006, Drew Brees finished 2^nd in the MVP voting behind former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson.  So far, one could argue he has been better than Tomlinson or anyone else in the league for that matter.

If the Saints finish 8-8 or 9-7, I would likely remove Brees from MVP consideration.  Should New Orleans win the NFC South, however, it’s going to be on the arm and leadership of their quarterback.

Without Brees, the Saints undoubtedly would be 0-4 and staring at a 3-13 season.