NFL Predictions 2011: Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Adrian Peterson Lead MVP Race
Let us just pretend that all this silly talk of no football this year isn't taking place. Just imagine that the players and owners love each other, and it is business as usual out on the field. Players are gearing up for training camp, the NFL Draft is about to take place with no problems, and come late summer, the first preseason games will take place.
Of course, we know this isn't the case, but we can hope, can't we? Today we are going to look at the favorites to win the Most Valuable Player award for the 2011-2012 season.
10. Ndamukong Suh
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It is a very long shot that Ndamukong Suh will win the MVP award, but did you watch him play last year? He looked like the best defensive player on the field at all times, and he was only a rookie.
He was dominant throughout the entire course of the year, and he put fear into the best offensive linemen. Did I mention that Suh was only a rookie last year?
He was voted to the Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association and Sporting News All Pro teams. He is an absolute beast of a player who is extremely quick for his size and plays at 110 percent every play he is on the field. He is only going to get better as he continues to develop his amazingly high potential.
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 73 tackles, 14.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two defensive TDs
9. Andre Johnson
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Over the past few seasons, Andre Johnson has separated himself as one of the top three receivers, if not the top receiver, in the NFL. He has lead the league in receiving yards twice, made it to five Pro Bowls and been voted to four All Pro teams.
Last year, he missed three games due to injury but still amassed over 1,200 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Johnson has all of the tools that you want in your top receiver. He is a big and physical. He has great straight line speed, but can also make precise cuts. He catches the ball in traffic, and you know if Houston has the ball in the red zone, they are looking to hit Johnson on the fade route.
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 108 receptions, 1,483 yards and 13 TDs
8. Ray Rice
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Ray Rice burst onto the scene in Baltimore during the 2009-2010 season, and although some would say he disappointed last year, I see that as an opportunity for a huge "comeback" season this year. It is true that his rushing yards, receiving yards, touchdowns and yards per carry went down, but he still had nearly 1,800 yards from scrimmage.
Rice was knocked for his size coming out of college at Rutgers, but his size has proven to be one of his greatest assets. He stays low to the ground and is a real challenge to tackle in the open field, especially for defensive backs.
He has great vision and can hit holes with power. He is a fantastic receiver out of the backfield and seems to be most dangerous on short screen passes where he has a few blockers and the ability to run. He will be, once again, the focal point of the offense in Baltimore, so look for him to have a huge season.
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 318 carries, 1,563 yards, 72 receptions, 650 yards, 11 total TDs
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7. Clay Matthews
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Clay Matthews might be the most intimidating player in the NFL not named Ray Lewis. If he hadn't missed a game to injury and played at less than 100 percent for a few other games, he most likely would have been the Defensive Player of the Year last year.
The last time a linebacker won the MVP award was in 1986 when Lawrence Taylor took home the trophy.
Matthews is entering only his third year in the NFL, but he has already separated himself as one of the best pass rushing linebackers in the game. He has great strength and a bevy of moves to get to the quarterback.
He has the ability to play pass coverage, and that ability should improve this season as he continues to get used to playing in coverage. He plays at an energy level that is higher than any other player on the field.
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 77 tackles, 16 sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, one defensive TD
6. Peyton Manning
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As long as Peyton Manning is playing in the NFL, he will always be in consideration for the MVP. He could be 50 years old and sitting on the bench and people would still vote for him as the MVP.
He has had a fantastic career in Indianapolis and is considered as one of the best to ever play the position. He threw more passes last year than in any other season during his career, so don't expect his growing age to play a factor in the upcoming year. He will still be one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
Manning is the ultimate field general who seems to know this game better than anyone else. It often appears as if he knows what the defense will be doing before the defense knows. He has tremendous accuracy and has the ability to make every throw in the book.
He is by far the best quarterback at developing talent and relationships with wide receivers. It doesn't matter who he is throwing to, he knows how to get the ball to players.
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 94.3 quarterback rating, 4,634 yards, 34 TDs, 11 INTs
5. Chris Johnson
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Chris Johnson had one of the best seasons ever by a running back during the 2009-2010 season. No one expected him to reproduce those type of statistics, and even though he didn't, he certainly didn't disappoint either.
He had over 1,300 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. With no true starting quarterback, look for Johnson to get loads of carries throughout the season.
Chris Johnson was labeled as a speedy running back coming out of college, and he certainly has lived up to that billing. There might not be a faster running back in the league, and there are few players who can catch Johnson in the open field.
He is an excellent receiver, and all he needs is a small crevice and he is gone. He is the definition of a big play threat every time he touches the ball.
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 347 carries, 1,712 yards, 48 receptions, 318 yards, 14 total TDs
4. Philip Rivers
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Philip Rivers has thrown for over 4,000 yards the past three seasons, and last year he led the league with over 4,700 yards. That impressive feat was done without Vincent Jackson and with an injured Antonio Gates.
He continues to improve and always seems to have his team in a position to win games. If San Diego can keep Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates stays healthy, look for Rivers to push closer to the 5,000 yard mark this season.
Coming out of college at North Carolina State, Rivers was known more for his awkward throwing motion than the other things he did on the field. He has shown that throwing motion doesn't matter as much as some think, as he is one of the most accurate passers in the NFL.
In fact, only Drew Brees and Peyton Manning had a better completion percentage than River's 66 percent last year. Rivers is ultra competitive and is a natural born winner.
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 98.7 quarterback rating, 4,836 yards, 35 TDs, 12 INTs
3. Tom Brady
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Tom Brady is another player who always seems to be in discussion for the MVP award. If the award was given for having the best looking wife, he would probably win every year. Fortunately for the rest of the league, it isn't. Unfortunately for the rest of the league, Tom Brady is still one heck of a football player.
Brady is coming off one of his best statistical seasons where he threw only four interceptions. He, like Peyton Manning, doesn't really care who he throws the ball to as long as they can catch. There isn't a throw that he can't make on a consistent basis.
If I needed a player to lead a game winning drive in the final minutes of a game, my first choice would be Tom Brady. He is poised and knows how to win the big game.
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 101.2 quarterback rating, 4,130 yards, 39 TDs, seven INTs
2. Adrian Peterson
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Adrian Peterson is the best running back in the NFL right now. If you don't believe me, just look at his highlight tape. I know of linebackers who would rather try to tackle a freight train than Adrian Peterson.
The only real knock on him in recent years has been his fumbling, but he appears to have corrected that last year, only fumbling once in nearly 300 carries.
If I could pick one word to describe Adrian Peterson, it would be beastly. He has all the tools that you want from a running back and he is entering only his fifth season in the NFL. He has speed, power, elusiveness and vision.
Some fear that his aggressive style of running will cause him to be injured frequently, but I would have a 75 percent Peterson over any other running back at 100 percent. With no quarterback in Minnesota, Peterson is going to have a huge season.
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 332 carries, 1852 yards, 32 receptions, 315 yards, 21 total TDs
1. Aaron Rodgers
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That's right Aaron Rodgers, you are No. 1. Rodgers is coming off a fantastic season where he led a depleted Packers team to a Super Bowl victory.
He has separated himself as one of the top five, if not top three, quarterbacks in the league, and I expect him to cement his position as the best in the game this season. He returns some weapons on offense, which should boost his stats.
Rodgers might have the strongest arm in the league, and it is a thing of beauty to watch him throw the deep ball to a streaking Greg Jennings or Jordy Nelson. He spreads the ball around to a number of different receivers and can rocket balls into tight spaces. He is extremely elusive in the pocket and led his team in rushing last year.
Projected 2011-2012 stats: 104.4 quarterback rating, 4,634 yards, 42 TDs, 11 INTs
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