The Offseason Reading Series #10: The NFL's MVP award

[21isSuperman]

Let's keep this going!

 

Previous ORS installments

ORS1: The best Indianapolis Colts team ever

ORS2: Which Indianapolis Colt are you?

ORS3: Dissecting the 15th overall pick

ORS4: Choose your contract

ORS5: Which Simpsons characters are the Indianapolis Colts?

ORS6: The best trash-talking moments of Peyton Manning's career

ORS7: My favourite Andrew Luck throws

ORS8: Changes the NFL needs right now

ORS9: Projecting Moncrief's Contract

 

 

Does the NFL need a separate MVQB award?

 

Each year, fans debate who the league’s best player is.  There are many different approaches to who deserves the MVP.  Some like to say MVP is the best player on the best team.  Others say MVP is the player whose absence would hurt a team the most.  Some think the MVP should be given to the most talented player.  Despite the disagreements, there’s one constant when discussing MVP: it almost always goes to a quarterback.  Taking a look at the last 10 MVPs…

 

2007: Tom Brady – QB – New England Patriots

2008: Peyton Manning – QB – Indianapolis Colts

2009: Peyton Manning – QB – Indianapolis Colts

2010: Tom Brady – QB – New England Patriots

2011: Aaron Rodgers – QB – Green Bay Packers

2012: Adrian Peterson – RB – Minnesota Vikings

2013: Peyton Manning – QB – Denver Broncos

2014: Aaron Rodgers – QB – Green Bay Packers

2015: Cam Newton – QB – Carolina Panthers

2016: Matt Ryan – QB – Atlanta Falcons

 

In the last 10 years, the MVP has been awarded to a quarterback 9 times.  In fact, the last time the MVP didn’t go to a quarterback or running back was 30 years ago when Lawrence Taylor won the 1986 NFL MVP.

 

It isn’t a quarterback’s fault that they win MVP.  Football is designed in such a way that quarterbacks, and running backs to a lesser extent, have the most attention put on them.  The quarterback and center are the only offensive players who touch the ball on every offensive snap (save the occasional trick play).  Running backs also get a bulk of carries and touches, though this is decreasing with teams going towards back-by-committee.  The quarterback simply has more attention put on him because he touches the ball so much and is in control of so much.  But should that be enough justification for them winning the MVP award almost every year?

 

Show the defense some love!

 

It’s been 30 years since a defensive player won MVP.  But in that time, some of the league’s top defensive players have had unbelievable seasons.  Per Pro-Football-Reference.com, JJ Watt’s 2014 defensive stats were 20.5 sacks, 59 tackles, 1 safety, 4 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown, 10 passes defended, and one interception which was also returned for a touchdown.  If that weren’t enough, he also had 3 receptions for 3 TDs, as the Texans employed him as a goalline tight end.  These stats are better than Lawrence Taylor’s 1986 season, when he won MVP.

 

In 2001, Michael Strahan set the NFL’s all-time single season sack record with 22.5 sacks in one season, and this record still stands.  The MVP that year was Kurt Warner.  I’m a big Kurt Warner fan, but despite his 4800+ yards and 36 TDs (both #1 in the league that year), he threw 22 picks (tied for third most that year), was sacked 38 times (tied for 9th most that year), and was 6th in interception percentage.  Not to take anything away from Warner – he had a great season – but Strahan set an all-time record.  Not only that, but Strahan, as a defensive end, would commonly be doubled teamed or chipped by tight ends and running backs, meaning he was on an island and would have to beat multiple players to get a sack.  On the other hand, a quarterback has several receiving options, and has the help of the head coach and/or the offensive coordinator.  The quarterback doesn’t have to face a double team like a defensive end would.

 

If all-time single season performances, like JJ Watt’s 2014, or a record-setting season, like Strahan’s 2001, aren’t enough for these guys to win MVP, there’s something wrong.  In fact, since the award was first handed out in 1957, there have been 2 defensive players win it (Lawrence Taylor in 1986 and Alan Page in 1971)…2 defensive players in 60 years.  To put that in perspective, there has been 1 placekicker win MVP (Mark Moseley in 1982), so defensive talent has been given MVP recognition only once more than placekickers in the entire history of the award.  This award is significantly skewed towards quarterbacks and running backs.

 

How should the MVP be awarded?

 

Two candidates for the 2016 NFL MVP included Ezekiel Elliot and Dak Prescott.  Elliot had an incredible 1600+ yards, 5.1 ypc, and 16 total touchdowns.  Dak Prescott completed nearly 68% of his passes for 3600+ yards, 23 TDs, and just 4 INTs, giving him a passer rating of 104.9.  One could easily have made a case for either guy to win MVP.  But there is one big question when you look at how those two did: would they have done as well without the Cowboys’ great offensive line?  The Dallas Cowboys boast arguably the league’s best offensive line.  Travis Frederick, Tyron Smith, and Zack Martin combine for 10 Pro Bowls and 5 first team All-Pro selections.

 

Would Elliot and Prescott, both rookies, have had as much production and success if it weren’t for the incredible talent the Cowboys have along the offensive line?  But there were no rumblings that the MVP should go to someone along the Cowboys’ OL.  This begs the question, should the NFL change how the MVP is awarded?  With how dominant the Cowboys’ OL is, why shouldn’t they get recognition for their talent?  If we go with the argument that the MVP should be given to the person whose absence would hurt their team the most, the Cowboys’ OL unit deserves consideration.  However, it would make no sense to give the MVP award to one individual along the offensive line since offensive line play is based so much on teamwork, chemistry, and playing as a unit.  Should the NFL introduce a new award, the most valuable unit (MVU)?  In addition, should they have a separate award for quarterbacks than they do for the other players?

 

MVP, MVU, and MVQB?

 

The names of the awards are still a work in progress, but the question deserves some consideration. 

 

The MVQB is fairly self-explanatory.  It is awarded to the most valuable quarterback that year, and only quarterbacks are eligible.  It would essentially be what the MVP currently is.

 

The Most Valuable Unit would be awarded to unit of players on one team that shows the most dominance over its peers.  Each team’s quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, and secondary would be eligible.  The award would also strongly favour production among all members of the unit rather than all of the production being concentrated among one or two players.  That is, a starting quarterback throwing for 4000 yards and 30 TDs and a backup QB throwing for 150 yards and 1 TD would not be a strong candidate.  If Ezekiel Elliot runs for 1600 yards and 15 touchdowns while Alfred Morris runs for less than 250 yards and just 2 TDs, that makes Cowboys RBs a poor candidate for this award.  On the other hand, the 2004 Colts WRs would have been a great candidate, as Harrison, Wayne, and Stokley all had 1000+ yards, 65+ receptions, 10+ TDs, and 65+ yards per game.  This is done on purpose to promote and recognize strong play among all members of a group instead of giving recognition for strong play from just one player (eg. your quarterback).

 

The Most Valuable Performer is an award that goes to the best single season performance that year.  When you think of a game wrecker or a game changer, that's who this award would go to.  Once again, quarterbacks are not eligible for this award since they have their own award.  While fans and writers are usually going to give more attention to the offense, great defensive performances would also be eligible.  I feel like this award should only be voted on by coaches since it would require voters to watch film and really see who is having the most dominant season.  For example, 2009-2011 Darrelle Revis or 2012-2015 JJ Watt would have been perfect candidates for this award.

 

What do you think?  Does this make sense?  Am I completely out to lunch?  Should there be changes to how the NFL awards its players?

[RockThatBlue]

I think the MVP award is fine. A QB is the most valuable player on every team. 

 

As great as JJ Watt is, he can't put the team on his back like a QB can. This doesn't mean I will agree with every MVP pick, but I think its hard to argue against a QB getting it most years.

[21isSuperman]

18 hours ago, RockThatBlue said:

I think the MVP award is fine. A QB is the most valuable player on every team. 

 

As great as JJ Watt is, he can't put the team on his back like a QB can. This doesn't mean I will agree with every MVP pick, but I think its hard to argue against a QB getting it most years.

Just to play devil's advocate...

 

Then should another award be created to recognize those players?  JJ Watt had an all-time great season and still didn't get MVP.  He helped his team offensively and defensively, whereas a QB only affects one side of the ball.  Because the game of football is so QB-centric, should the QBs be separated into a different group when giving awards?  Let the QBs have their own award, then the rest of the league gets their own recognition

[RockThatBlue]

57 minutes ago, 21isSuperman said:

Just to play devil's advocate...

 

Then should another award be created to recognize those players?  JJ Watt had an all-time great season and still didn't get MVP.  He helped his team offensively and defensively, whereas a QB only affects one side of the ball.  Because the game of football is so QB-centric, should the QBs be separated into a different group when giving awards?  Let the QBs have their own award, then the rest of the league gets their own recognition

Its an interesting idea. 

[SVFD Colts Fan]

On ‎6‎/‎24‎/‎2017 at 0:43 PM, 21isSuperman said:

Just to play devil's advocate...

 

Then should another award be created to recognize those players?  JJ Watt had an all-time great season and still didn't get MVP.  He helped his team offensively and defensively, whereas a QB only affects one side of the ball.  Because the game of football is so QB-centric, should the QBs be separated into a different group when giving awards?  Let the QBs have their own award, then the rest of the league gets their own recognition

Isn't that what the defensive player of the year award is for?

 

[21isSuperman]

2 minutes ago, SVFD Colts Fan said:

Isn't that what the defensive player of the year award is for?

 

If we go with that, then one could argue we should remove the MVP and just give the offensive player of the year award to the best quarterback

[BR-549]

I am with you.  I think it is a little bland as it is and really is pretty predictable most years, so personally I don't pay much attention to it. 

 

I would be okay with the MVQB idea, and also having an overall MVP that could come from either side of the ball. I think that would be less predictable and more interesting.  No doubt would be more debatable.

 

[21isSuperman]

19 hours ago, BR-549 said:

I am with you.  I think it is a little bland as it is and really is pretty predictable most years, so personally I don't pay much attention to it. 

 

I would be okay with the MVQB idea, and also having an overall MVP that could come from either side of the ball. I think that would be less predictable and more interesting.  No doubt would be more debatable.

 

Agreed.  When you talk about MVP, you can almost narrow your choices to the best QBs.  Makes things boring and arguably unfair to other players.  JJ Watt should have an MVP award to his name

[2006Coltsbestever]

3 hours ago, 21isSuperman said:

Agreed.  When you talk about MVP, you can almost narrow your choices to the best QBs.  Makes things boring and arguably unfair to other players.  JJ Watt should have an MVP award to his name

What is really insane is, Mark Moseley won League MVP in 1982 . A Kicker, that would never happen in todays league.

[2006Coltsbestever]

On ‎6‎/‎23‎/‎2017 at 11:33 AM, 21isSuperman said:

Let's keep this going!

 

Previous ORS installments

ORS1: The best Indianapolis Colts team ever

ORS2: Which Indianapolis Colt are you?

ORS3: Dissecting the 15th overall pick

ORS4: Choose your contract

ORS5: Which Simpsons characters are the Indianapolis Colts?

ORS6: The best trash-talking moments of Peyton Manning's career

ORS7: My favourite Andrew Luck throws

ORS8: Changes the NFL needs right now

ORS9: Projecting Moncrief's Contract

 

 

Does the NFL need a separate MVQB award?

 

Each year, fans debate who the league’s best player is.  There are many different approaches to who deserves the MVP.  Some like to say MVP is the best player on the best team.  Others say MVP is the player whose absence would hurt a team the most.  Some think the MVP should be given to the most talented player.  Despite the disagreements, there’s one constant when discussing MVP: it almost always goes to a quarterback.  Taking a look at the last 10 MVPs…

 

2007: Tom Brady – QB – New England Patriots

2008: Peyton Manning – QB – Indianapolis Colts

2009: Peyton Manning – QB – Indianapolis Colts

2010: Tom Brady – QB – New England Patriots

2011: Aaron Rodgers – QB – Green Bay Packers

2012: Adrian Peterson – RB – Minnesota Vikings

2013: Peyton Manning – QB – Denver Broncos

2014: Aaron Rodgers – QB – Green Bay Packers

2015: Cam Newton – QB – Carolina Panthers

2016: Matt Ryan – QB – Atlanta Falcons

 

In the last 10 years, the MVP has been awarded to a quarterback 9 times.  In fact, the last time the MVP didn’t go to a quarterback or running back was 30 years ago when Lawrence Taylor won the 1986 NFL MVP.

 

It isn’t a quarterback’s fault that they win MVP.  Football is designed in such a way that quarterbacks, and running backs to a lesser extent, have the most attention put on them.  The quarterback and center are the only offensive players who touch the ball on every offensive snap (save the occasional trick play).  Running backs also get a bulk of carries and touches, though this is decreasing with teams going towards back-by-committee.  The quarterback simply has more attention put on him because he touches the ball so much and is in control of so much.  But should that be enough justification for them winning the MVP award almost every year?

 

Show the defense some love!

 

It’s been 30 years since a defensive player won MVP.  But in that time, some of the league’s top defensive players have had unbelievable seasons.  Per Pro-Football-Reference.com, JJ Watt’s 2014 defensive stats were 20.5 sacks, 59 tackles, 1 safety, 4 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown, 10 passes defended, and one interception which was also returned for a touchdown.  If that weren’t enough, he also had 3 receptions for 3 TDs, as the Texans employed him as a goalline tight end.  These stats are better than Lawrence Taylor’s 1986 season, when he won MVP.

 

In 2001, Michael Strahan set the NFL’s all-time single season sack record with 22.5 sacks in one season, and this record still stands.  The MVP that year was Kurt Warner.  I’m a big Kurt Warner fan, but despite his 4800+ yards and 36 TDs (both #1 in the league that year), he threw 22 picks (tied for third most that year), was sacked 38 times (tied for 9th most that year), and was 6th in interception percentage.  Not to take anything away from Warner – he had a great season – but Strahan set an all-time record.  Not only that, but Strahan, as a defensive end, would commonly be doubled teamed or chipped by tight ends and running backs, meaning he was on an island and would have to beat multiple players to get a sack.  On the other hand, a quarterback has several receiving options, and has the help of the head coach and/or the offensive coordinator.  The quarterback doesn’t have to face a double team like a defensive end would.

 

If all-time single season performances, like JJ Watt’s 2014, or a record-setting season, like Strahan’s 2001, aren’t enough for these guys to win MVP, there’s something wrong.  In fact, since the award was first handed out in 1957, there have been 2 defensive players win it (Lawrence Taylor in 1986 and Alan Page in 1971)…2 defensive players in 60 years.  To put that in perspective, there has been 1 placekicker win MVP (Mark Moseley in 1982), so defensive talent has been given MVP recognition only once more than placekickers in the entire history of the award.  This award is significantly skewed towards quarterbacks and running backs.

 

How should the MVP be awarded?

 

Two candidates for the 2016 NFL MVP included Ezekiel Elliot and Dak Prescott.  Elliot had an incredible 1600+ yards, 5.1 ypc, and 16 total touchdowns.  Dak Prescott completed nearly 68% of his passes for 3600+ yards, 23 TDs, and just 4 INTs, giving him a passer rating of 104.9.  One could easily have made a case for either guy to win MVP.  But there is one big question when you look at how those two did: would they have done as well without the Cowboys’ great offensive line?  The Dallas Cowboys boast arguably the league’s best offensive line.  Travis Frederick, Tyron Smith, and Zack Martin combine for 10 Pro Bowls and 5 first team All-Pro selections.

 

Would Elliot and Prescott, both rookies, have had as much production and success if it weren’t for the incredible talent the Cowboys have along the offensive line?  But there were no rumblings that the MVP should go to someone along the Cowboys’ OL.  This begs the question, should the NFL change how the MVP is awarded?  With how dominant the Cowboys’ OL is, why shouldn’t they get recognition for their talent?  If we go with the argument that the MVP should be given to the person whose absence would hurt their team the most, the Cowboys’ OL unit deserves consideration.  However, it would make no sense to give the MVP award to one individual along the offensive line since offensive line play is based so much on teamwork, chemistry, and playing as a unit.  Should the NFL introduce a new award, the most valuable unit (MVU)?  In addition, should they have a separate award for quarterbacks than they do for the other players?

 

MVP, MVU, and MVQB?

 

The names of the awards are still a work in progress, but the question deserves some consideration. 

 

The MVQB is fairly self-explanatory.  It is awarded to the most valuable quarterback that year, and only quarterbacks are eligible.  It would essentially be what the MVP currently is.

 

The Most Valuable Unit would be awarded to unit of players on one team that shows the most dominance over its peers.  Each team’s quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, and secondary would be eligible.  The award would also strongly favour production among all members of the unit rather than all of the production being concentrated among one or two players.  That is, a starting quarterback throwing for 4000 yards and 30 TDs and a backup QB throwing for 150 yards and 1 TD would not be a strong candidate.  If Ezekiel Elliot runs for 1600 yards and 15 touchdowns while Alfred Morris runs for less than 250 yards and just 2 TDs, that makes Cowboys RBs a poor candidate for this award.  On the other hand, the 2004 Colts WRs would have been a great candidate, as Harrison, Wayne, and Stokley all had 1000+ yards, 65+ receptions, 10+ TDs, and 65+ yards per game.  This is done on purpose to promote and recognize strong play among all members of a group instead of giving recognition for strong play from just one player (eg. your quarterback).

 

The Most Valuable Performer is an award that goes to the best single season performance that year.  When you think of a game wrecker or a game changer, that's who this award would go to.  Once again, quarterbacks are not eligible for this award since they have their own award.  While fans and writers are usually going to give more attention to the offense, great defensive performances would also be eligible.  I feel like this award should only be voted on by coaches since it would require voters to watch film and really see who is having the most dominant season.  For example, 2009-2011 Darrelle Revis or 2012-2015 JJ Watt would have been perfect candidates for this award.

 

What do you think?  Does this make sense?  Am I completely out to lunch?  Should there be changes to how the NFL awards its players?

Regarding your ORS installments:

1. 2006 Colts

 

2. Gary Brackett - I have a LB mentality when I need too but I am a mellow guy.

 

3. Love the Malik Hooker pick, cant believe he was there still!

 

4. ? I have to go back and study that more?

 

5. Believe it or not I have never watched the Simpsons.

 

6. When Peyton said GDAMN IT Donald , that vs the Ravens in 2009.

 

7. My favorite Andrew throw was actually a shovel pass (so it was more of a play) to win at Detroit in 2012 as time expired, nothing beats a walk off win!

 

8. The NFL should make 3 changes. (1.) The OT rule should give each Offense a chance to get onto the field no matter what, (2.) If a WildCard team has a better record than a Division winner, they should have HFA in that Playoff game - meaning if a 5 or 6 has a better record over a 3 or 4, (3.) The Pass Interference Penalty should be like college = 15 yards.

 

9. Not sure about Moncrief's contract??

 

10. The MVP will usually always go to a QB. I don't see it changing. It is the most important position on the field. I still cant believe Moseley won it in 1982 though, a Kicker  

 

[Synthetic]

 

it's difficult to really say about the MVP award cause it's been going to quarterbacks for decades. 

 

Through out the 1980's, a quarterback was awarded the MVP 7 out of 10 times. In the 70's, it was 5 out of 10. 

 

Brian Sipe and Ken Anderson are quarterbacks who won MVP's and I don't think many people outside Cleveland and Cincy fans are familiar with those names. Even then, Kosar and Boomer Esiason are often the historic QB's associated with those teams as one reached the AFCCG multiple times and the other was close to winning a Super Bowl. 

 

IMO the MVP has primarily been a quarterback award for a long time now. Occasionally you get a running back who wins it like Thurman Thomas in 1991 or Emmitt Smih in 1993, 

 

This list is pretty revealing. Since 1986, every year it has been a quarterback win it or a rare year where a running back gets it.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League_Most_Valuable_Player_Award

 

Kinda hard to believe that there has only been 2 defensive players in history get an MVP. 

 

 

[Synthetic]

4 hours ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

 

8. The NFL should make 3 changes. (1.) The OT rule should give each Offense a chance to get onto the field no matter what, (2.) If a WildCard team has a better record than a Division winner, they should have HFA in that Playoff game - meaning if a 5 or 6 has a better record over a 3 or 4, (3.) The Pass Interference Penalty should be like college = 15 yards.

 

 

I disagree on this with OT rules. I prefer 'sudden death'. If your defense can't stop the other team from rolling down the field and scoring, then you don't deserve a second chance. That's just the way I see it. I don't think we'll ever see a return of sudden death though, the league tends to favor the college rules more. 

[Synthetic]

7 hours ago, 21isSuperman said:

Agreed.  When you talk about MVP, you can almost narrow your choices to the best QBs.  Makes things boring and arguably unfair to other players.  JJ Watt should have an MVP award to his name

 

I believe Watt was in the conversation back in 2012 when Peterson won it, or I may be off a year? 

 

Otherwise, I totally agree with you. We haven't had a defensive MVP since 1986. That needs to change eventually. 

[2006Coltsbestever]

30 minutes ago, Synthetic said:

 

I disagree on this with OT rules. I prefer 'sudden death'. If your defense can't stop the other team from rolling down the field and scoring, then you don't deserve a second chance. That's just the way I see it. I don't think we'll ever see a return of sudden death though, the league tends to favor the college rules more. 

Yeah I actually liked the Sudden Death rule as well so I sort of agree. I think it just kind of sucks if you have a QB like Peyton at SD in the Playoffs (2008) or a QB like Favre vs your Saints in 2009 cant get on the field because their Defense cant stop the opposing team.

[21isSuperman]

16 hours ago, Synthetic said:

 

I believe Watt was in the conversation back in 2012 when Peterson won it, or I may be off a year? 

 

Otherwise, I totally agree with you. We haven't had a defensive MVP since 1986. That needs to change eventually. 

I guess it depends on how you define it.  If you define it on which player has the greatest impact on their team's chances of winning, it's almost exclusively going to be quarterbacks simply because of how the game is constructed.  I'd like to see an MVP or maybe MOP (Most Outstanding Player, which is what the CFL uses) be given to the biggest gamewrecker, like the 2012-2015 JJ Watt

[2006Coltsbestever]

42 minutes ago, 21isSuperman said:

I guess it depends on how you define it.  If you define it on which player has the greatest impact on their team's chances of winning, it's almost exclusively going to be quarterbacks simply because of how the game is constructed.  I'd like to see an MVP or maybe MOP (Most Outstanding Player, which is what the CFL uses) be given to the biggest gamewrecker, like the 2012-2015 JJ Watt

The NFL should probably have an Offensive MVP and a Defensive MVP. If Ray Lewis didn't win MVP, no Defensive player will IMO. LT won it back in 1986 but he was such a force and the Giants were 14-2 that they almost had to give it too him. Problem with Watt is, Houston is never even close to being the best team in the league.

[21isSuperman]

2 hours ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

The NFL should probably have an Offensive MVP and a Defensive MVP. If Ray Lewis didn't win MVP, no Defensive player will IMO. LT won it back in 1986 but he was such a force and the Giants were 14-2 that they almost had to give it too him. Problem with Watt is, Houston is never even close to being the best team in the league.

But that shouldn't be a reflection on Watt.  Even if the rest of the Texans roster is absolutely awful, JJ Watt having an all-time great season should still be considered for MVP recognition.  Watt's job isn't building the roster, so it doesn't make sense to me to criticize him for that

[2006Coltsbestever]

47 minutes ago, 21isSuperman said:

But that shouldn't be a reflection on Watt.  Even if the rest of the Texans roster is absolutely awful, JJ Watt having an all-time great season should still be considered for MVP recognition.  Watt's job isn't building the roster, so it doesn't make sense to me to criticize him for that

I don't disagree but the MVP almost always goes to a player where his team won a lot of games in a season. That is just how the league is, not saying it's right.

[BlacknGold77]

On 6/24/2017 at 0:43 PM, 21isSuperman said:

Just to play devil's advocate...

 

Then should another award be created to recognize those players?  JJ Watt had an all-time great season and still didn't get MVP.  He helped his team offensively and defensively, whereas a QB only affects one side of the ball.  Because the game of football is so QB-centric, should the QBs be separated into a different group when giving awards?  Let the QBs have their own award, then the rest of the league gets their own recognition

 

they do, its called Defensive Player of the Year.  the DPOY is treated nearly as highly as the MVP and is considered the defensive MVP trophy the same way the Norris Trophy carries nearly as much weight in hockey as the Hart.

 

 

[21isSuperman]

2 hours ago, BlacknGold77 said:

 

they do, its called Defensive Player of the Year.  the DPOY is treated nearly as highly as the MVP and is considered the defensive MVP trophy the same way the Norris Trophy carries nearly as much weight in hockey as the Hart.

Point being if MVP almost always goes to a quarterback, why bother?  If you're not going to give the MVP to a defensive player who had an all-time great season, and say he gets DPOY instead, then wouldn't the same reasoning dictate that we should get rid of the MVP and just give the best QB the OPOY and the best defensive player the DPOY?