Worst Super Bowl MVP choice ever?

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Malcolm Smith named Super Bowl MVP. Are you kidding me?

To recap: he was probably the 8th or 9th best guy on the defense. His pick six happened when the ball was tipped by someone else and his fumble recovery happened when the all jarred out by someone else. Nine tackles? Big deal. Manning completed 36 passes all within 6-8 yards (linebacker zone.) Basically this guy won the MVP by being in the right place at the right time several times.

Meanwhile, Russell Wilson became the first QB to pass for at least 200 yards, 2 TDs and complete 70 percent of his passes in a Super Bowl win without being named MVP. But I don't think the stats tell the whole story. Wilson also had some key scrambles, came up big on third down all game, completed some incredible passes on the run, and consistently beat the Broncos pass rush with his legs. His performance was every bit as good as some notable MVP performances by QBs in recent years. In fact, that was one of the better QB performances I can remember in a big game considering the crummy pass protection. Wilson is truly something special.

On defense, several defensive linemen and the entire secondary all were more valuable than Smith, even though their names were not called as often. Richard Sherman held Decker to six yards on one catch, while Kam Chancellor had an interception and some huge hits. Earl Thomas forced Manning to throw underneath the entire game.

Finally, Percy Harvin was more deserving of than Smith with the back breaking kickoff return and several huge plays. He added another dimension the Seahawks offense.

 

[YearbookCurfew]

I honestly thought Harvin or Wilson deserved it more. Wilson did a great job, and Harvin was making explosive plays.

 

[thenepatsrule]

I honestly thought Harvin or Wilson deserved it more. Wilson did a great job, and Harvin was make explosive plays.

This.............

 

[IcyPatriot]

I posted several times in the game thread who do you give it to.

Under those circumstances I would have given it to Wilson

... he led his team and that's more important than any stat - and he had those also.

 

[pheenix11]

Wait, Eric Decker played? I thought he missed the flight.

 

[supafly]

Under the circumstances of the excellent team defense without having any one player stand out, yes--I definitely thought they'd have given it to Wilson too.

 

[ausbacker]

I don't know I'd give it to any of the names people are putting up. You could pick any one of the Seattle Defensive Lineman because that's where the game was won. Clemons and Avril stood out to me.

Going with a player without sexy stats in the Super Bowl doesn't seem to be a popular pick.

 

[fnordcircle]

They can't give the MVP to Wilson because that means he officially outplayed the Golden Forehead and that would go against the current narrative the NFL is pushing that Peyton or Brady are the two best.

If Manning gets outplayed by a 'game manager' smurf that hurts that story line so it had to go to someone on the defense.

I'm not much for NFL conspiracy theories, really, and I don't think the NFL generally plays favorites but I think in this instance it was a highly-political move to not give the opposing QB to one of the league's poster children the game MVP.

 

[nzpatsfan]

I glad Wilson didn't get it. I get I bit sick of the QB have a good game and winning MVP when others had a great game. 07 super bowl was perfect example. Eli was good, the defensive line was outstanding.

To be honest I don't know who picks MVP. If you just looked at the stats Smith was great, if you watched the game he benefited from the great play of others.

 

[Sticky Caulk]

I glad Wilson didn't get it. I get I bit sick of the QB have a good game and winning MVP when others had a great game.

And this attitude is what gave the MVP to someone who lucked into stats instead of the guy who really deserved it.

Russel Wilson did an incredible job. He looks like a young Tom Brady. People wont like that comparison, but he is only in his second season. Very smart, humble and, most importantly, accurate. He will continue to get better. It's not crazy to think Wilson will have a better career than Luck. No guarantee Luck will ever play for a championship never mind win one.

It's not crazy to think Pete Carrol might be the next great coach in pro football. He drafts insanely well and coaches up lower tier guys into important roles on his team. Sounds like a coach we all know and love. NCAA doesn't mean much in the NFL because the style of coaching doesn't translate often, but it did here. Pete Carrol is what Rex Ryan wanted to be.

I am very interested in what happens with Seattle as those young, cost controlled players need new deals. Can they continue to replace talent with talent, or will they rise and fall like most Super Bowl winners?

 

[Claremonster]

Wilson was only a Dilfer...Harvin would have been my choice.

 

[Gumby]

I glad Wilson didn't get it. I get I bit sick of the QB have a good game and winning MVP when others had a great game. 07 super bowl was perfect example. Eli was good, the defensive line was outstanding.

To be honest I don't know who picks MVP. If you just looked at the stats Smith was great, if you watched the game he benefited from the great play of others.

Agree, am glad to see that the qb didnt get the award just because he is the O leader (as usually happens). He made plays with his legs and didnt make any stupid plays with his throws; but was he specifically a game-changer -- I dont think anyone would say so. The D, and specifically the DL, was the game-changer - - both of those INTs came off soemone hitting pay-me while his arm was moving; plus the fumble. And the commentators even said at half-tme that he is used to having more time in pocket for those guys routes to break free.

As to worst MVP choice EVER.....???

It is bad; but TY LAW vs TB ring a bell. That was a horrible choice made on the old 'Give it to the QB rule'. I'm sure there are quite a few more (Didnt Dilfer get mvp too ?) but I cant remember all non-Pats SBs off the top of my head.

He scored a TD whether or not it was gifted by another player; he still had to negotiate 2 O-players to run the 55 yards or so. So he made SOME moves-impacted score and didnt just hit people. Personally I would have given it to a HOG (avril most likely) - but at least it went to the right side of the ball.

 

[Observer]

I think Wilson played amazingly well. Made some very accurate throws to get first downs, some important runs to the same effect.

 

[Patsfan_22]

I would have given it to Avril or Chancellor but really it should be shared by the Seattle D - everyone was dominating.

 

[PatriotSeven]

Agree on Wilson. He was very impressive. Made some huge key plays last night as he had done all season. Those 1st and 20's, that put them in huge holes when they badly needed to keep the chains and clock moving, and some of those 3rd down completions...they were all him and his legs. Some really accurate passing in traffic as well. Probably the best passer on the run right now. He's going to be a more elusive, albeit much smaller, Big Ben who can throw a better and more accurate spiral. Very clutch, too. Much like Big Ben, who also doesn't get enough credit for that. But Wilson makes less mistakes. His picks are not usually the reason he has to be clutch.

I guess Seattle's D hype and name was too much to overcome for Wilson though. Not fair, but if you're going to pick one guy, and not one side, yeah I'm not sure I agree with the pick.

Although to be perfectly fair, I'm suffering a bit from second half bias when it comes to Wilson because after writing that first part, I remember in the first half he was playing pretty crappy and felt worried for them to be only 8-0 after scoring 3 times. So Smith was probably more consistent for the entire game. But Wilson settled down and had a huge second half.

PS: Did anyone have any idea Wilson was such a talker in front of the camera? Kid loves to talk. Like a kid in a candy store last night. Baby face and super ecstatic. I liked seeing that.

 

[zoostation]

Kam Chancellor's presence reminded me of the game changing safety play of Rodney Harrison in the 2004 SB

 

[Bella*chick]

I wish there was a way to award the thing to an entire unit. I don't know….I enjoyed watching Seattle's offense (particularly Harvin and Kearse, and Wilson made some great plays too) but the real fun was when the defense was playing.

 

[varjao]

Wilson did the most important thing a QB with a great defense support can do, not blow things up, not put his team in a hole, like the other QB.

Also made great throws, 2 TD's, controlled his offense like a veteran.

He should have been named MVP.

 

[Big-T]

Doug Baldwin looked to have played a good game, he was my choice - some big catches and a TD.

 

[UK_Pat37]

A QB has a 'solid' game in the Super Bowl and everyone anoints them MVP. He was just that, very solid. I was impressed with his composure and key third down plays but I don't think it warrants MVP. That award is dished out far too often to the QB to the extent the award has become somewhat of a farce anyway.

I'm glad he didn't get it. My vote would have been Harvin.