Why the MVP Award Shouldn't Be Determined by Sportswriters.

Barry Bonds won it seven times. Peyton Manning won it four times. Lebron already has three, and Kareem did it six times. Handing out MVP awards to these players took a lot of deliberation in some cases, and little to none in others. Yet, the voting systems in the MLB, NBA, and NFL remain majorly flawed, and I blame the media.

When we determine who the MVP is, there are too many questions that seem to be surrounding the discussion. Why can't it just be, who was the best player in the past season? 

In hearing analysts discuss the NFL MVP race this year, the circumstances surrounding Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson's comebacks from their injuries became the topic of conversation. While Manning's story is inspiring, it should not have an impact on his MVP chances. People with a story like his deserve an award that already exists, the comeback player of the year. I hardly recall hearing anything about Peterson's yards after contact, or Aaron Rodgers' TD/INT ratio, or JJ Watt's passes deflected/league leading sack total. 

While it seems like Adrian Peterson is rightfully going to win the award this year, there seems to be too much debate over how much Peyton Manning improved the Denver Broncos. Tim Tebow took Denver just as far as Peyton Manning. Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas are one of the best 1,2 receiver combinations in the league, but they are stuck in the media shadows of Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning, respectively. 

Michael Jordan could have won the MVP every year he was in the NBA, and I could argue the same for Lebron. The point is, regression in performance, and other factors that don't directly involve performance are too heavily weighted when these decisions are made. It is the same reason that Pete Rose, the all time hits leader in the MLB, isn't in the hall of fame. Outside factors not directly related to performance are too strongly considered. Furthermore, when we see great players, we become too accustomed and conditioned to their elite level of play. How often do you see a ridiculous dunk by Lebron, and then write it off because it's so common? It seems like MVP awards are now determined by who had the "best story" rather than the best performance. Performance doesn't need to be supplemented by a story. Why can't people just appreciate someone's performance for what it is? 

With all due respect to sportswriters and their knowledge of their respective sports, why don't the players and coaches decide? You know, the ones who are closest to the action. Players can tell you first hand who they had the most difficulties playing against, and who posed the toughest challenges. While players can be biased, aren't sportswriters subconsciously biased towards the teams they cover as well? In this instance, it is near impossible to place oneself behind the "veil of ignorance", but I know that I am less likely to argue with current coaches or players on who deserves the most prestigious individual award a sport can offer, rather than someone like me sitting at my computer. 

Season Review

Kaepernick Disaster

Another Season, another heartbreaking playoff loss for the Packers.

Colin Kaepernick brought back memories of the playoff loss years ago for the Packers when they played Michael Vick at Lambeau in 2003. The Packers' inability to stop Kaepernick made for a long night and humiliating loss. But nonetheless, there are negatives and positives to take away from this game/season.

Positives:

• Better Draft Pick- With Ted Thompson running things, the better draft position, the more likely we find a stud. 
• Young Team - Aaron Rodgers is only 29, which leaves him at least 5 more years of prime football, and the defense will be returning at least three second year starters. Nick Perry can't be overlooked as a difference maker. 
• Improvement - Jennings is likely to be gone, which doesn't necessarily help the Packers, but if Finley comes back, he is only going to be 26 next year, with Cobb still improving as well. Dujan Harris and Don Barclay, EDS, and Marshall Newhouse likely to all improve as young players.
• Adjustments - Colin Kaepernick exposed the Packers longtime weakness, the ability to be a dynamic defense. The Packers' inability to defend the run is well recognized, and Dom Capers and other D coordinators have something to adjust to this offseason. RGIII, Kaepernick, Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, and other running quarterbacks won't be as effective as they were this year, and people shouldn't overreact to the sudden perceived philosophical change in the NFL.

Negatives:

• Lack of $$$ - Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, Jermichael Finley, and Greg Jennings all are due a ton of money in Free Agency this year or next. The likelihood of keeping them all is slim to none, and it's difficult to say how Rodgers can perform without Jennings or Finley. 
• Defense - Even though the first six picks in last year's draft were spent on defense, they were still the reason that the Packers lost tonight, and significant improvements need to be made if the Packers are to compete with the 49ers next year. 
• Physicality? - While Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews aren't soft by any means, why isn't the rest of the defense as tough as them? If Woodson is gone next year, the Pack is going to need someone to take over the leadership role and instill some toughness into the defense. The pass defense is impressive with a promising future, but the defense as a whole doesn't seem to have the swagger that Rodgers and Co. have on offense. 
• Offensive Line/Running Game - Dujuan Harris seems to be a good answer to this question, but Rodgers was still sacked the most times in the league this year (51 times). If the Packers don't get an RB and effective offensive lineman in the draft or free agency this year, there should be some concerns. 

Season Conclusion:

• The Packers were able to go 12-6 with the defense not playing to it's potential, and getting robbed of a home playoff game courtesy of the replacement refs. Aaron Rodgers had another MVP caliber season, and improvement on the defense provides Packer fans with some hope for next year. 
• Ending the year in the final eight is encouraging and gives hope for next year, but a lot needs to be fixed on both sides, and McCarthy could also be more fluid with his personnel decisions. Jeremy Ross returning the first punt was clearly a game changing mistake in the first half, and responsibility needs to be assumed for that. 
• With the 26th pick in next year's draft, and a decent amount of cap room, Ted Thompson will be busy this offseason, and it could be make or break for his career and this franchise. Paying players the right amount of money and making the right pick will be determining factors for the future of the Green Bay Packers. 

The Bears Still Suck.