We here at MCM are always up for a campaign for a good cause. Two days ago August told you about the traveshamockery that is Cedric Benson leading the AFC in running back Pro Bowl voting. Yesterday Chris Johnson told Paul Kuharsky that he is ready to launch an MVP campaign, so I figured I would take some time to help him with his campaign.
Let's start off by talking about some of the individual impressive numbers that CJ has put up this season. Hal mentioned earlier this week that Johnson has three touchdown runs of 85+ yards this season. No other running back has ever done that IN A CAREER. CJ also has a chance to become one of only 5 players in the history of the NFL to rush for 1,500 yards in his team's first 12 games if he rushes for 104 Sunday against the Colts.
Then there is how he compares to the other running backs in the NFL, and his numbers are far and away better than any of them. Johnson currently leads the league in rushing by 276 yards over Steven Jackson (1,396-1,120). That is a HUGE number at this point in the season. That number is even more impressive when you take into consideration that he has 21 less carries than Jackson.
Adrian Peterson, who many foolishly regard as the best back in the league, has 312 less yards on 13 more carries. Peterson also lost more fumbles against Detroit in week ten, 2, than CJ has lost all season (1). On the year Peterson has put the ball on the ground six times losing five of them, and Jackson has lost each of his two fumbles. It is pretty easy to see that CJ is the best running back in the league this season, and in all honesty, it isn't even close.
The three quarterbacks that are tossed around as MVP candidates this season are Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Brett Favre, but when you look at their numbers their isn't one guy that distinguishes himself from the pack. Take a look:
I guess the best case here can be made for Brees because he leads in touchdowns and yards per attempt, but he trails Manning by almost 300 yards. Manning does lead in yards, but he also leads in attempts and interceptions.
I also don't want to hear the argument that the Titans record isn't good enough for CJ to win the MVP. He didn't give up 100 billion points in the first six weeks of this season, and he should not be penalized for that. The MVP is the player that has the most valuable individual season. After looking at these numbers, the only conclusion you can draw is the CJ should be the MVP of the league.