The NFL's Own Magazine Says Peyton Manning Is The 2011 MVP, Dwight Freeney Calls It 'Ridiculous'

by Brad Wells on Dec 8, 2011 9:41 AM EST in 2011 Colts News

The NFL debuted its very own magazine this month in an age where print mags are going the way of New Coke and Paris Hilton's acting career. And already, the magazine is writing stuff that rubs Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney the wrong way.

NFL Magazine's publisher and editor-in-chief, Mike Dunphy, wrote an article saying that the 2011 NFL MVP (for the 2011 ragular season) is not Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, or Drew Brees. It's Peyton Manning, a man who has not taken a snap under center all season.

Here's a byte from Dunphy's article, via PFT and the LA Times:

‘Look, we all know who would win if we took a poll right now," said Mike Dunphy, publisher and editor-in-chief of the freshly-christened venture, via the Los Angeles Times. "Aaron Rodgers would absolutely kill it. But if the Colts end up going the way they’re headed, the more it proves that Peyton really is the franchise. . . . Is he really the MVP? Everybody has an opinion on that, and this is ours."

Dunphy's opinion does not sit well with the before mentioned Freeney, who (in case you forgot) is a teammate of Peyton's.

"It is disrespectful and it’s ridiculous across the board, to all of the guys who are actually playing the game," Freeney said, per the Associated Press. "To the guys who are playing hard, it’s unfortunate that they’re doing something like that. They will and they do look ridiculous doing that."

In a way, Freeney is right. The MVP should go to someone who is actually playing this year. And as we said repeatedly two years ago, when some silly people were babbling that Chris Johnson should have won the 2009 MVP over Peyton Manning, the league MVP is someone who has to get his team into the playoffs. That is an unofficial criteria.

I mean, if the player were truly 'valuable,' the team would win. Gaudy stats are meaningless without Ws, and Ws are meaningless unless they result in a playoff birth. This isn't the NBA or the MLB, where flashy splash plays that do little to affect the W column get you shiny trophies and pats on the back. Winning is everything in this NFL. Everything.

For 2011, Rodgers is the obvious choice for MVP, and he should be the unanimous one. If anyone votes for Tom Brady or Drew Brees, they are either unapologetic homers or on the payroll of the Patriots or Saints. But, should someone vote for Manning, that type of vote would be more of a statement regarding how diminished the NFL is without him. While I'm sure Pats, Saints, and Pack fans might disagree with this, Brady, Brees, and Rodgers do not have the presence that Manning does. Even injured, his absence has cast a shadow across the league, which is why (from a business perspective) it is so very important that he return to play in 2012.

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Comments

So instead of giving Manning the MVP this year...

he should instead be awarded every MVP trophy for the last 12 years?

by JCub3d on Dec 8, 2011 9:49 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Freeney is right, but he should be busy getting sacks.

He should have got to 100 a month ago.

by Ty46 on Dec 8, 2011 9:56 AM EST reply actions

Dwight can get as mad as he wants

But if him and the rest of his teammates would win some games, he wouldn’t have had to get all disrespected by it. Truth hurts, Peyton Manning was this team, and this team won more games in a decade than any before. Thus…

by SunnyD1988 on Dec 8, 2011 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 6 recs

Agree

If Freeney and the others really are sick of this, then change it. Even though this disaster of a season is largely at the feet of the FO, the players have their chances to win a few.

What do I really have left in life but this place? It ain't much of a home, but it's all I got. Well, g******it. I'll be damned if I let some foreign, graffiti writin', soul suckin', son of a bitch in an oversized cowboy hat and boots take my friend's souls and sh** 'em down the visitors toilet!

by Guy LeDouche on Dec 8, 2011 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

Our DE sack totals this year are definitely concerning.

Both he and Mathis are sitting at 5 1/2 right now.

by MinerFootball on Dec 8, 2011 10:08 AM EST up reply actions

concerning?!

how can you get sacks when teams are running 90% of the time because we are chasing the score. Sacks comes when your team is leading the game and the other team has to throw. It’s what it is, a season where our offense left the defense exposed, can’t move the ball and hold on to possession = more time on the field for the defense. Any defense will get burned eventually.

by kbreboot on Dec 8, 2011 11:01 PM EST up reply actions

So far this season,

Opponents average 34.5 rushing attempts per game, as opposed to 30.1 pass attempts.

Last year the Colts averaged 33.4 pass attempts and 27.8 rush attempts.

It’s a marked change, but 3 extra pass attempts per game doesn’t account for such a drop. Both players are on pace for 7-7.5 sacks for the season. They had 10 and 11 last year.

by James Broschat on Dec 8, 2011 11:15 PM EST up reply actions

Trying to sell magazines

On one hand, I agree. Of course, Manning’s absence has shown how bad the rest of the team is but the MVP should be for someone who’s actually playing. As BBS said, the MVP should be someone who is getting their team to the playoffs.

The award should go to either Brees or Rodgers.

by Guy LeDouche on Dec 8, 2011 10:00 AM EST reply actions

Agree

Of course you’re just “an unapologetic homer” because you mentioned Brees.

Ha, and if that gets in BBS’s crawl… wait til the votes come out and Tebow has AT LEAST 5 votes for MVP. That’ll make his head explode.

by SunnyD1988 on Dec 8, 2011 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

I think it's important Peyton returns...

for way many other reasons than just the business perspective. for me, it’s because i don’t want this to be the final enduring memory of him http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOcZhoZoWOE

by gujurarhti on Dec 8, 2011 10:10 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Wow

I had never seen that clip. I was actually sitting in section 300 something on this particular night and kind of just pushed out all the clips and news shortly thereafter (I take playoff losses hard haha) so I’ve never seen this. I didn’t realize he was that upset.

by SunnyD1988 on Dec 8, 2011 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

His last throw as of right now was in that directv ad football cops

by PeytonIsGOAT on Dec 8, 2011 12:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

I've been thinking the same thing since they announced his 3rd surgery.

ugh.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Dec 8, 2011 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

freeney

over the years, i’ve noticed that freeney has taken a number of digs, some veiled, some not, at manning. always kind of annoyed me.

by Rocky Top Manning on Dec 8, 2011 10:11 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

Jealousy, me thinks.

I’ve noticed the same thing.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Dec 8, 2011 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

Like it or NOT Dwight and the COLTS proved that

Peyton is the MVP!!!! Like it or not the Colts were built around him,,,we all know if he had played they would have won games 2,3,4,5,6 and other games and who knows how many less injuries there would have been on defense cause they would not have been on the field as much,,, hopefully Colts have a new Head coach, a healthy Peyton,, will get injured guys back, good draft choices with the #1 pick each round, and a 4th place division schedule,, will be all set up for the Colts to get back in the playoffs and for Peyton’s 5th MVP next year!!!!

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Dec 8, 2011 10:37 AM EST reply actions

Just out of curiousity...

…and I mean no disrespect, but does your keyboard have a “.” key? Your enthusiasm for the Colts is evident in every post, I just don’t think I have ever seen a comment of yours with a period in it lol

If at first you don't succeed, quit and watch TV.
In the name of the Colts, the Hoosiers, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Amen.

by The Learned Hand on Dec 8, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

It does in a hurry, will try to do that in the future.

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Dec 8, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

Oh, no, no, no!!

There is absolutely no need whatsoever to use the “.” key! Your comments are always rife with unbridled optimism and enthusiasm for your beloved Colts and, in my opinion, part of that comes from your unique way of typing! Only the comments, yours included, of a few Stampede Blue members pique my interest sufficiently for me to read them start-to-finish. Read them enough, and you pick up on the mannerisms of certain members. I was just curious, that’s all! Go Colts!

If at first you don't succeed, quit and watch TV.
In the name of the Colts, the Hoosiers, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Amen.

by The Learned Hand on Dec 8, 2011 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

I think Freeney

was saying it’s disrespectful to the guys playing in the NFL that would actually deserve MVP consideration. I don’t think he was saying it is disrespectful to the Colts. At 0-12 and with only 5.5 sacks he doesn’t have a leg to stand on and I think he knows that.

by FatDT on Dec 8, 2011 10:44 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

I think everyone realizes that.

Do not think there will ever be another team in the future that will be so dependent on one guy and everyone realizes that you have to play to get the MVP. They were just emphasizing the dominance and importance of Peyton and how unique he is and just causing some conversation.

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Dec 8, 2011 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

To be fair

It is hard to get sacks when teams don’t have to throw. And when they do, it doesn’t take long to find an open receiver.

by jackj7 on Dec 8, 2011 12:47 PM EST reply actions

^Beat me to it

Freeney and Mathis’ numbers are down because other teams aren’t playing from behind like they would if the GOAT was playing. He (18) isn’t just an offensive MVP, he’s MVP of the defense too. Without him getting the Colts to big leads, other teams don’t have to play catch up, they play their own game plans that take advantage of the pass rush, our weaknesses on D, etc. What other team in the league can say that missing ONE PLAYER affects them from top to bottom like the Colts can? Heck, he’s even the reason our punter is having a stellar year rather than being that guy nobody ever heard of. No, he won’t be MVP (that’s Rodgers’ baby this year) but this is just another reason why he COULD be.

by mcjim11 on Dec 8, 2011 1:24 PM EST reply actions

But

“vaunted” DEs shouldn’t need a 14 pt lead to be effective. It’s pretty apparent that Freeney and Mathis have underachieved this season. Neither has ever proved to be more than a turnstile against the run. I love them both, but they have been tremendous disappointments this season.

by steveoly32 on Dec 8, 2011 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

Doesn't help that they aren't getting any help (interior rush).

In the four games before Nevis and Foster were both out, they both had 3 sacks. In the 8 games since, they both have 2.5.

by James Broschat on Dec 8, 2011 6:12 PM EST up reply actions

if we go 0-16

Peyton will get a vote for MVP

by Phillycolt on Dec 8, 2011 1:33 PM EST reply actions

Freeney

where the hell were you and #98 last Sunday? Expectations include being able to beat poor and stellar lineman…and our pass rush fizzled against the Pats last Sunday…I thought you enjoyed sacking Tom Brady? Our D $’s are invested in you and #98 to make our defense go….not mope and whine about some comment on a stupid ass magazine…go hit somebody.

"No one's gonna take me alive
The time has come to make things right
You and I must fight for our rights
You and I must fight to survive"

by Z.Pain on Dec 8, 2011 2:37 PM EST reply actions

Well anytime Freeney and Mathis did get any pressure

Brady stepped up in the pocket. In fact I think every time he dropped back to pass he stepped up into a clean pocket. They had no interior pass rush. They didn’t have great games but it’s not all on them.

What if Peyton was fightin' dogs instead of Mike Vick?
-Jadakiss

by melvin shot out of a gun bullit on Dec 8, 2011 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

I heard this on ESPN a few weeks ago

To quote Skip Bayless, even though I hate him: “Peyton Manning is the unofficial MVP of 2011”

Pat McAfee 2012 Pro Bowl bound!
Anthony Calvillo - 72,382 passing yards - pro football's all-time leader
Jon Stewart for President 2016
OCCUPY BILL POLIAN'S OFFICE

by KBUnitz on Dec 8, 2011 5:04 PM EST reply actions

MVP-Most Valuable Player

Whether the other teams like it or not Peyton is the MVP playing or not he is the most valuable. Even on the sidelines he put the pressure on guys to step up not sitting there moping he was telling them to do their jobs.
Just him on the sideline has been a value to the team.
By definition of the term I see no reason he couldn’t or shouldn’t win by not playing he shows how valuable he is. He creates wins he’s the W factory.

Rodgers is having a great year and they are undefeated but not nearly as valuable as Peyton.

by C.Settles on Dec 8, 2011 10:15 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Parts of the games passing yards, yacs, runs, INT's

Today I have a car with a bad engine as a matter of fact, the car is not working at all. It has been O for the month of November. Do I blame the wheels for it or the battery for it? Or better yet there’s another story where the body parts had a argument. They were fussing about which part was most valuable in the body. It had great points and support including the asshole. My point: when the offense and defense and special teams and the organization are working together the Colts will win. Since the Colts have fallen off look at the Denver Broncos. All the body parts are working and not the assholes.

Teams win.

My point

by Leroystayclean on Dec 9, 2011 11:16 AM EST via mobile reply actions