Pete_Prisco

Numbers have to mean something though, and Manning's clearly don't make him the NFL MVP. So the only way he can be considered MVP is the importance he had in Colt's wins, which also definitely wasn't true.

He finished the season 12-4. He had little to do with the last victory of the season, since nobody played. Then look at the Cleveland game, Manning had nothing to do with that victory, it was entirely his defense. Then the Texans game, Sage Rosenfels is the only reason the Colts won, not Peyton Manning. Then the Patriots lost because of David Thomas, not because of Peyton Manning. Thats 4 wins the colts had with or without Peyton Manning, just off the top of my head.

Drew Brees put up the numbers he did in the best division in football this year, with no running back most of the year, and Colston and Shockey being hurt most of the time, and no defense. The Saints skill players are close to the level of the Lion's, and still Brees puts up those numbers. No question who the MVP was this season.

McNair was better.

This whole argument is moot and silly.  It's the "MOST" Valuable Player award.   Take Peyton away from the Colts and they are a 6-10 team at best, if you've actually watched games.   He carried the entire team the past nine weeks.

I know a lot of fans of other teams hate him.  (Hell, I don't like Brady, but know he's a great player).  But look at the respect opposing defenders give PM.  Ask Ray Lewis who the best QB is? 

The fact that Peyton Manning won the 2008 NFL MVP is disgusting and despicable. He and his other white stiff buddy Chad Pennington had no business being in the top 5.

Have you actually watched any football this season?

Still, Drew Brees had MVP numbers - Peyton did not.  I have to wonder what the outcome would have been if Brees had about 50 more yards on the season...

MVP numbers, yes. MVP performance, no.

Peyton's numbers are comparable... and he meant more to his team than Brees did.  Simply put, "almost record-breaking" numbers don't mean anything at 8-8.  No running game, no defense and 12-4 equal most VALUABLE player.  This was easily Manning's best season.

I'm glad someone put the numbers here in a comment.

IF the "anti-Manning" people gave McNair the co-MVP in 2003, then surely the pro-Manning folks gave him the MVP in 2008.

I understand the intangibles, leadership, etc.  Still, Drew Brees had MVP numbers - Peyton did not.  I have to wonder what the outcome would have been if Brees had about 50 more yards on the season...

Prisco forgets to tell his readership that Favre's last MVP was shared with Barry Sanders.    &nb
sp; Nice sportswriting

horrible horrible post zibit.

I don't understand why you and other critics continually disparage Steve McNair.  Peyton may be an elite quarterback but he's been neither half the football player or teammate that McNair was throughout his career.  McNair absolutely dominated the division they shared in his prime with little supporting cast in terms of receivers.  Mason was more of a returner the year they went to the Super Bowl.  Also, McNair did throughout his career what Peyton has only recently learned how to do, win close games in the fourth quarter.   Peyton choked in countless playoffs appearances and it often look his team quit bc he was such a baby.  You never saw McNair screaming in linemens faces or shruggin and gyrating like a four year old who just got his ball taken.  McNair played hurt throughout his career, Manning does it once and you deify him.  I guarantee if McNair had Harrison and Wayne in his prime he wouldve posted similar numbers.  You look at what McNair did in 06 past his prime with two decent receivers throwing for 3,000 yards and getting the ravens to a top ten pass offense the second half of the season with one of the weakest running games the ravens have had.  If McNair had one last great game in him or some of his old mobility or someone other than brian billick calling the plays in jan 07 we'd still be calling peyton the biggest playoff choker of all time and dungy might be retired.

How can you say Drew Brees is the MVP when he didn't even lead his team to the playoffs? Phillip Rivers led his team to a remarkable 8-8 record. I agree that Deangelo Williams and Michael Turner should have got some attention, but they weren't as important to their teams as Peyton Manning. I think this year was more of an MVP year than either of his previous 2 MVPs, his team is not as talented, Marvin Harrison is well past his prime, Jospeh Addai was injured most of the year, Jeff Saturday was down for the beginning of the season and he was playing hurt for the first 4-5 games. I also think Pennington deserves recognition for helping turn an 1-15 team into a division leader. Numbers don't mean everything.