This year has been a challenge for me to try to quantify my feelings for why I give so much of a crap about Russell Wilson winning MVP as much as I do. Maybe it's because I feel he has been that perpetual underdog, being overlooked his entire career while breaking NFL records, all because...Dare I say it? His height.
Maybe it's because he has quite honestly done enough in multiple years to earn it, yet is denied. Even in all of the years he was called "a magician", "game changer", "winner", I could go on and on and on...Yet, like Pete and John, the highest personal achievement award given has eluded them all for no apparent reason.
So this year, especially the first two months of the season, Russell looked like he was finally on his way to the MVP. His stats proved it. His play cemented it. Nobody could really argue that this looked like Russ' year. Finally.
Then Lamar happened.
With each passing week, Lamar was the relative "New Kid On The Block" even though it was his second year in the league. His ankle-breaking jukes, video game speed seemed to enthrall the planet, like an exotic super car that may never be practical for every day use, but hot damn does it look good and boy is it fast.
I found myself embarrassingly hoping Lamar would have a slew of bad games, or even worse, hoping he was taken out of a game or two or three from an unfortunate incident. Nothing horrible, maybe some bad tacos or something. All so Russell would be the front runner again.
Then I saw some stats this past week, showing Russ' numbers over the past month. They were pedestrian to be kind. Passer rating under 100 for the first time all year. Yards...Well, his yards rarely breach 275 but still. Some picks...He's had two picks returned for TDs. Meanwhile, Video Game Boy continues to not only rack up impressive rushing yards, but can actually throw now, and 4-5 TDs a game seems to be the norm.
So I realized after this last game on Thursday night that Lamar deserves the MVP. For no other reason than the simple fact is that he is playing better than Russell Wilson right now. And that is why I am so butt hurt. I EXPECT Russell Friggin' Wilson to be playing OUTSTANDING football, especially in December, aka the 4th Quarter of the season when Pete preaches it's not how you start, it's how you finish.
Well kiddies, it's finish time. And short of Lamar not being able to play the final 3 weeks and Russ averages 6 TDs and no picks per game over the final 3 weeks, the MVP is Lamar's. And I have come to terms with that. But what I am struggling with is why is Russ regressing? What has changed in the past month?
And why do I give a crap about a stupid award that means nothing other than to say you were MVP for said year??
If we win the Super Bowl this year, and Russell isn't MVP of the year. Who will give a rip?
I can say with a straight face, in that scenerio, not even I.
Maybe it's because he has quite honestly done enough in multiple years to earn it, yet is denied. Even in all of the years he was called "a magician", "game changer", "winner", I could go on and on and on...Yet, like Pete and John, the highest personal achievement award given has eluded them all for no apparent reason.
So this year, especially the first two months of the season, Russell looked like he was finally on his way to the MVP. His stats proved it. His play cemented it. Nobody could really argue that this looked like Russ' year. Finally.
Then Lamar happened.
With each passing week, Lamar was the relative "New Kid On The Block" even though it was his second year in the league. His ankle-breaking jukes, video game speed seemed to enthrall the planet, like an exotic super car that may never be practical for every day use, but hot damn does it look good and boy is it fast.
I found myself embarrassingly hoping Lamar would have a slew of bad games, or even worse, hoping he was taken out of a game or two or three from an unfortunate incident. Nothing horrible, maybe some bad tacos or something. All so Russell would be the front runner again.
Then I saw some stats this past week, showing Russ' numbers over the past month. They were pedestrian to be kind. Passer rating under 100 for the first time all year. Yards...Well, his yards rarely breach 275 but still. Some picks...He's had two picks returned for TDs. Meanwhile, Video Game Boy continues to not only rack up impressive rushing yards, but can actually throw now, and 4-5 TDs a game seems to be the norm.
So I realized after this last game on Thursday night that Lamar deserves the MVP. For no other reason than the simple fact is that he is playing better than Russell Wilson right now. And that is why I am so butt hurt. I EXPECT Russell Friggin' Wilson to be playing OUTSTANDING football, especially in December, aka the 4th Quarter of the season when Pete preaches it's not how you start, it's how you finish.
Well kiddies, it's finish time. And short of Lamar not being able to play the final 3 weeks and Russ averages 6 TDs and no picks per game over the final 3 weeks, the MVP is Lamar's. And I have come to terms with that. But what I am struggling with is why is Russ regressing? What has changed in the past month?
And why do I give a crap about a stupid award that means nothing other than to say you were MVP for said year??
If we win the Super Bowl this year, and Russell isn't MVP of the year. Who will give a rip?
I can say with a straight face, in that scenerio, not even I.
