NFL We Have A Problem

By Reid Parsons
This year the MVP award was given to quarterback again, instead
of a more deserving player. Most fans argue the only players that
should be up for the MVP are players who have lead their teams to the
postseason. The player I think deserved the MVP is not an offensive
player (normally) and his team didnt make the postseason. That
player is JJ Watt of the Houston Texans, but ultimately Aaron Rodgers
won the trophy.
Ill agree that the winner, Aaron Rodgers, was great this year and
an important part to his teams victories. Rodgers has some great tools
to use in his passing game such as Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Andrew
Quarless, Jarrett Boykin, Davante Adams and Eddie Lacy. I believe an
average quarterback would succeed with such talent surrounding him.
Though Rodgers isnt an average quarterback he is an above average
quarterback and some would say he is an elite quarterback. His
statistics this season were 4,381 passing yards, 38 touchdown passes,
5 interceptions and a quarterback rating of 112.2. But in the history of
football there have been better single season quarterback statistics
just like Peyton Mannings record-breaking season last year or Aaron
Rodgers 2011 season. This season his statistics were good as
previously stated but one player had bigger impact in the game.
JJ Watt had a record-breaking season and did more for his team
than Rodgers did for the Packers. Watt is the first player to ever have
20+ sacks in two seasons. He is also the first defensive lineman since
1944 to score at least 5 touchdowns in a season. Unlike Rodgers, Watt
didnt have great tools around him to make it easier to succeed. Watt
didnt have a good defensive tackle or defensive end helping put
pressure on the quarterback and he still had 20.5 sacks this past
season. Besides having 20+ sacks he also had 4 forced fumbles, 5
fumble recoveries (one returned 59 yards for a touchdown), and 1
interception returned 80 yards for a touchdown. But his impact wasnt
just on the defensive side of the ball he had a surprising impact on the
offensive side of the ball. Watt originally played tight end at Central
Michigan University before leaving and walking on at Wisconsin and
changing to a defensive end. The reason I bring that up is because his
impact on the offensive side this season was lining up as a tight end
and at one point a fullback. All three times he played on offense this
season he got a touchdown with the defense knowing the ball was
going to him. His impact was great on both sides in my opinion, but the
voters gave him the Defensive Player of the Year Award because of
how great he was on defensive.
While I believe the Watt deserved the MVP the true
problem is that the NFL places way too much importance on the
quarterback. 37 quarterbacks have won the MVP award while only 2

defensive players have ever won the award. This importance is the
reason why Watt only received 13 votes compared to Rodgers 31
votes. The MVP award should be for both offensive and defensive
players, and yes I know they have awards for the best offensive and
defensive players. This year there were 4 offensive players who were
MVP candidates and 2 defensive. The other defensive player was
Bobby Wagner, linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks, who didnt have a
season worthy of the MVP. Why cant there be 3 from each side of the
ball and not just 3 quarterbacks, 1 running back, 1 linebacker and 1
defensive end like this year. I hope that one day JJ Watt gets the MVP
award because he is the most valuable player on the Texans and he
will keep breaking records to prove he is the best. Watt works everyday
to become better and is not complacent with where he is at in his
football skills.