Congratulations are in order for James Harrison of the Pittsburg Steelers, who was awarded the Associated Press Defensive MVP on yesterday........But......And yes there is a but......How does Ed Reed finish 3rd?
The final order for the award went as follows:
2) Demarcus Ware
3) Ed Reed
4) Albert Haynesworth
5) Troy Polamalu
Harrison is one heck of a player, but the best Ed Reed could do is third? and all you ever hear about is how much of a "game changer" he is, and how is a first ballot Hall of Famer and etc. Ware had a great season too...If the season were 10 to 12 games. The case can be made for Reed because all year we have heard about how the Ravens defense is getting old and how they aren't as feared anymore. On top of that, you have the great campaigns that the Titans and Steelers put on. If you take Harrison out of the equation, there is a good chance that another Steeler could put up his stats. If you take Ed Reed out of the equation, the Ravens are not in the Divisional Playoffs.
As for the Offensive Player of the Year, it brings up what is becoming an increasingly suspect process of awarding MVP's.
Writers Note: I know Drew Brees won AP Offensive Player, but when the MVP is an offensive player, it sort of negates the award.
Continue reading The DNA of an MVP.
