MVP

MVP of the NFL is a hot topic this week, in anticipation of its being awarded to Peyton Manning early next week. What I like about the discussion of the most deserving candidates for MVP is that it requires from every sportscaster worth his salt a definition of the league's most valuable player before said candidates can be considered. There is a degree of consensus: if it's possible to subtract that player from the lineup, somewhat like Football Outsiders' "value over average" designation, and expect similar results, the player's not valuable. Hence, remove Matt Ryan and play Joey Harrington, do the Falcons come close to the fifth seed in the NFC? Alternatively, remove Michael Turner and does Matt Ryan remain as cool and confident?

But neither the sports talk people nor I know how much a more than competent supporting cast should be taken into consideration. For instance, does the presence of Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday diminish Manning's achievement, or the presence of 5 Pro Bowl-caliber receiving options? Because Manning's the most efficient passer in the league right now and may be the most efficient passer in league history, but if the player most responsible for his team's success is given the MVP, I'd have to hand the thing over to DeAngelo Williams or Chris Johnson. The problem is that only these guys seem to produce in a relative vacuum of other playmakers. Delhomme and Steve Smith have made a few connections, but Williams had 4-touchdown games at least twice. Chris Johnson has given LenWhale White so much confidence the guy thinks he can stomp on Terrible Towels with impunity. Somehow, it doesn't seem that people have payed enough attention to real difference.

But that's all to suggest how elusive a concept "value" can be.