Eddie George: Andrew Luck Is Right Behind Peyton Manning For NFL MVP Award

The 2012 NFL MVP field is quite thin this year. It basically boils down to Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and Minnesota Vikings runningback Adrian Peterson. Since runningbacks are essentially worthless in the modern NFL (look who was running the ball in the Super Bowl last year compared to who was throwing it), this means that Peterson has no real shot at the MVP award. Manning will win it... unless his arm falls off over the next five weeks.

However, another name is creeping up in the MVP discussion, and it isn't one of the usual suspects, like Tom Brady, Drew Brees, or Aaron Rodgers.

It's Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.

Now, before we get too much into this, let me just say that Luck is not an MVP candidate, in my opinion. I personally think Reggie Wayne should get more consideration over Luck, and I'm not alone in that. At least one person thinks Luck isn't just someone who should be in the discussion, but rather he's right there behind Peyton Manning!

Here's former Tennessee Titans runningback and current Yahoo! Sports commentator Eddie George on Andrew Luck:

Looking at his rookie year, [Andrew Luck] has been simply fantastic. He's right behind, in my opinion, Peyton Manning for the league's MVP.

Former Redskins and Texans general manager Charlie Casserly already thinks Luck is one of the better quarterbacks in the league, and that should the Colts win 11 games, Luck should get MVP consideration.

Again, personally, I think it's a stretch to think the Colts will win 11 games. We'll have a better idea of whether or not that's possible after the Patriots game this Sunday. Regardless of who does or doesn't win MVP (because, at the end of the day, no one really cares except player agents), it's something of an accomplishment for Luck that he's even in the discussion.