DeAngelo Williams MVP?

When I ask most of my friends who DeAngelo Williams is they always bring up his days as a running back at the University of Memphis.  However, not many of them seem to realize that he was drafted in the first round by the Carolina Panthers in the 2005 NFL Draft.  Since then, Williams has rushed for 2,447 yards and 19 touchdowns in his three years in the league.  With 1,229 of those yards and 14 of his TDs coming in this season alone, I find him as a possible candidate for the NFL's MVP award.

Williams is currently the NFL's 4th leading rusher only behind Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner, and Clinton Portis.  Although, he may not be No. 1 in rushing yards, he is the league's overall leader in touchdowns so far this season with 16.  As impressive as his stats are, he has led the Panthers to many important, playoff defying victories such as the ones against the Green Bay Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

People are saying that New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees or Adrian Peterson should receive the honor of being the 2009 NFL MVP.  Both are very deserving of course, but Williams has the stats and situations to lead them in that category.  Brees has talent, that's for sure, but he doesn't single handedly bring his team back from behind with four touchdowns does he? Or rack up 189 rushing yards and two TDs against the league's No. 1 rushing defense on the biggest game of the season, which happened to be a nationally televised game on Monday night.  Adrian Peterson is a great runner and a score waiting to happen whenever he touches the ball.  However, he lacks the ability to bring his team back and lead them to a victory which Williams has done numerous times this season.

My vote is for DeAngelo Williams, running back number 34, of the Carolina Panthers for the 2009 NFL MVP.  He is the only deserving player this year and his talent and contributions should be recognized and he should be rewarded for them.