Chad Pennington Deserves MVP Consideration

It is that time of the year. The playoff race is tightening. Every game is crucial. A loss now could be the difference in playing in January or watching. It is also the time when everyone starts discussing who should win the NFL MVP.

I keep hearing Kurt Warner's name, and for good reason. He has put up huge numbers and the Cardinals have won the division for the first time since 1961. Eli Manning was another name on the list, too.

Not hating on anyone, but how in the hell is Chad Pennington not on, or, at the top of the list? Just look at the definition of the MVP: "The player who is considered most valuable in the league." Not whose team is sitting at the top of the conference or the player that has put up the gaudiest numbers.

By that definition Chad Pennington has to win the award. He came to a team that was 1-15 the year before and now has them at 9-5 and looking at winning the AFC East. Yes, the cast is a little bit different but this was a team that was thought of as being at least a two year rebuilding project.

Pennington might not have overwhelming numbers but they are solid. He is 273-412, which is a 66.3 completion percentage. He has thrown for 3,218 yards, 14 touchdowns to only six interceptions, has lost only two fumbles. His quarterback rating is an impressive 95.1. He is leading an offense that is about to set an NFL record for fewest turnovers in a season. Right now the record is at 14, and the Dolphins have only committed 10.

Now I understand that Warner has much better numbers. His team has already locked up the division and at least one home playoff game. But the Cardinals have yet to win a big game on the road, not to mention they have yet to win since clinching the division.Same case could be made for Eli Manning.

Pennington continues to help his team win by not making the big mistake. He has also won some big games not just at home but also on the road.

As the pressure gets tighter Pennington has been, as Stuart Scott says, "cool as the other side of the pillow."