Michael Vick: Why He Is the NFL's Most Valuable Player

The 2010 NFL MVP race was a showdown between two of the NFL's finest quarterbacks: Michael Vick and Tom Brady.

Brady was named the award winner in a unanimous vote, receiving all 50 of the votes casted.

However, there is still much discussion and debate about who the award should have went to.

There are many who still believe that Vick should have won the award in 2010 and could very well receive the honor in 2011.

Here are five reasons why Vick is the NFL's most valuable player.

5. Dual Threat

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs for a touchdown against Kenny Phillips #21 of the New York Giants in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by M

The quarterback position is undoubtedly the most important position on the field for any NFL team.

Obviously, the typical skill set at the quarterback position is that of a player who can sit in the pocket and deliver accurate on-time passes.

Every once in awhile, you get a special player who can also generate plays from the quarterback position by running the ball.

There has never been a player in the history of the league who has done it better than Vick.

He has been known throughout his entire career for generating plays with his feet.

Last season was no different, when Vick posted nine rushing touchdowns. The amount was the most in his entire career.

4. Improved Passing

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the New York Giants during their game on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Until last season, Vick was known as a running quarterback who could also throw.

Now, he is looked at as a throwing quarterback with the unique ability to run.

The 2010 season was easily the best season of Vick's career, and it is being viewed this way due to the drastic improvement that can be seen when he throws the ball.

Credit Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg for this one.

Everybody laughed at the start of the season when Mornhinweg, who coached Steve Young, said that he saw potential in Vick to become that sort of player.

Who is laughing now?

3. Statistics

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles takes the field before playing against the Green Bay Packers in the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (P

Shawn Carter (Jay-Z) said it best, "Men lie, women lie, numbers don't."

As was already stated, Vick is known for his great play running the ball and his improvement throwing the ball.

What does that look like on paper?

Vick played roughly 12 full games for the Eagles last year.

In just 12 games he threw for more yards than ever before in his career (3,018) and rushed for more touchdowns than ever before (nine).

This total means Vick averaged 251.5 passing yards per game. To put this in comparison, the 2010 MVP winner Tom Brady averaged 243.75 yards.

His 100.2 passer rating ranked him fourth-best in the league.

He threw 21 touchdowns to just six interceptions.

Statistically, Vick was one of the top five players in the league last year.

2. Winning Difference

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts as they play against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

There was one statistic that was left of the following slide. It's actually the most important statistic.

There were 10 games last season where Vick was the "primary" quarterback for the Eagles. The team had a record of 8-2 when he was under center.

Without Vick, the team posted a record of 2-4.

If the award is supposed to go to the most valuable player, perhaps something that should be looked at is how valuable that player really is to the team.

The argument can be made that any team would struggle without their starting quarterback, but remember who it was starting for the Eagles in those other games.

Kevin Kolb is no slouch, and there are many teams across the league that would love to have him starting for their team in 2011.

This is a team that still struggled with Kolb. That shows how important Vick really is to the success in Philadelphia.

1. Road to Redemption

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HONOLULU - JANUARY 30: Michael Vick #7 of the NFC Philadelphia Eagles looks for an open receiver during the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 30, 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. NFC won 55-41 over the AFC. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Maybe this shouldn't be criteria and should stick only to the Comeback Player of the Year Award, but it's hard to ignore the road Vick has taken to resurrect his career.

In Week 1 of 2010, he was a backup quarterback who's career had fallen apart after years in prison.

Now, you are reading an article about him possibly being the most valuable player in the NFL.

In fact, he is a much better player now than he was when he entered the league.

Sit back and take that in for a moment.

Maybe it shouldn't be taken into consideration when voting for the league's most valuable player.

It doesn't change the fact that it's more impressive than anything any other player in the NFL accomplished in 2010.