It’s not surprising that Tom Brady was named AP Offensive Player of the Year. The two-time recipient of the award led the league in touchdowns, fewest interceptions, passer rating and hasn’t thrown an interception in 355 regular season attempts (which is a record).
What is surprising is the fact that he received less than half the votes (21 out of 50). Michael Vick received 11 votes, Arian Foster received seven, Philip Rivers received five, while Roddy White, Aaron Rodgers and DeSean Jackson received two apiece.
All of those players deserve recognition but none of them accomplished what Brady did this past year. How does Vick receive 11 votes? Did people think they were voting for comeback player of the year and not offensive player of the year? I know he had a great season, but he missed four games due to injuries and after getting off to a MVP-like start, he struggled some down the stretch. (All six of his interceptions came in his final five games of the season.)
Rodgers also had better overall numbers than Vick and he only received two votes. He threw seven more touchdowns, had a higher passer rating by (albeit by a slim margin), threw for nearly 1,000 more yards and completed a higher percentage of passes. Granted, Vick did have five more rushing touchdowns than Rodgers but again, I think voters were still in a trance over what Vick was able to accomplish two years after being released from prison.
In the end, it doesn’t matter how many votes a player receives as long as the most deserving player wins. And honestly, I’m not sure if the award should be held for signal callers. Quarterback stats will usually hold more importance than rushing and receiving yards, because the position is held in higher regard. Of course, the argument against my argument is that Brady was clearly the most productive offensive player this season, so why shouldn’t he win the Offensive Player of the Year regardless of what position he plays? Still, I think it’s a bit of an unfair advantage.
