NFL MVP at Mid-Season...And Other Thoughts

So any football fan can tell you that the season is officially half way over. All 32 teams have now played at least 8 games and this opens up speculation for mid-season MVP candidates. I'll give you a run down of my top 10 and why along with some other thoughts on the happenings around the world.

Number 10 - Aaron Rodgers - QB - Green Bay Packers
Welcome to Mr. Rodgers' Neighborhood Wisconsin. Rodgers has eliminated nearly all fears of a horrible quarterback to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Bret Favre. His play is that of a focused veteran for the most part. Though there are erratic times he seems to always pull through in a Favre-ian way. He's thrown 13 TD's so far and only 5 interceptions and has led the Packers to a formidable 4-4 record putting them in 2nd place in their division. 4-4 doesn't sound too great but in the NFC North that's a decent record with the possibility of taking the Division Title.

Number 9 - Eli Manning - QB - New York Giants
Eli wins a Super Bowl last year and hasn't strayed away from great play this year, even without WR Plaxico Burress for 6 quarters of play due to suspensions. Eli seems to have shook the cobwebs out that were limiting his decision making ability for much of his career. He's rebounding from bad passes and bad beats quickly and looks like a leader.

Number 8 - Brandon Jacobs - RB - New York Giants
Brandon Jacobs makes this list despite being one of 3 running backs that split carries in Giants Stadium. Officially listed at 264 lbs he looks closer to 280 and is bigger than some defensive linemen that should be stopping him. Without him Eli's passing game wouldn't be too great because you wouldn't have to stuff the box with 8 defenders. He just makes life that much easier for the G-Men.

Number 7 - Drew Brees - QB - New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees seems like the last healthy member of the Saints offense this year and you can't even tell the others have dropped off with injuries. Completing 69% of his passes for 2,563 passes while amassing 15 TD's with 7 interceptions he's looking his normal Pro Bowl self.

Number 6 - Michael Turner - RB - Atlanta Falcons
I knew he was good just from when he'd touch the ball 5 or 6 times a game playing Number 2 to LaDanian Tomlinson, but this good? He's currently 3rd in rushing yards and 6th in rushing TD's and leading an Atlanta Falcons team that no one thought would win more than 3 or 4 games this season. With the help of Matt Ryan's above average rookie season this team might even make the playoffs.

Number 5 - Chris Johnson - RB - Tennessee Titans
I know, I know, he's a rookie but look at this guy. 4th in rushing yards 11th in rushing TD's and splitting the carries with Lendale White. He can run the ball, catch the ball, run after catching the ball, make the big plays. He's the difference on this unbeaten offensive squad.

Number 4 - Albert Haynesworth - DT - Tennessee Titans
This guy is a quarterback eating machine. He's a huge part of the defense that's holding opponents to a mere 13 points per game. He's the anchor to this very talented defense and already has met his career high 8 sacks in one season and we're only half way done.

Number 3 - Anquan Boldin - WR - Arizona Cardinals
Anquan Boldin is the very first number 1 wide reciever that I've ever seen or even heard of to take the ball on a draw play. That just shows his versatility. Boldin missed only two games after having re-constructive facial surgery from a hard hit from Eric Smith. He still leads the league's WR in TD receptions from only playing 6 games.

Number 2 - Kurt Warner - QB - Arizona Cardinals
At age 37 Kurt Warner is once again making his team a very serious contender. He's a two-time league MVP and seems to be trying to make it 3. His 16 TD passes with 6 interceptions is unheard of for a man of his age starting in the NFL, because most of them are kickers.

Before we get to Number 1 I wanna throw out an Honorable Mention or two.

New England Patriots
Yeah...that's right...the whole team. If any other team in the league lost their star cornerback(Asante Samuel, Eagles), started games with a very young defense(even with a couple 40 year old linebackers), their star perennial Pro Bowl QB(Tom Brady, IR Knee), star running back(Laurence Maroney, IR Shoulder), and one of the anchors and leaders on the defense(Pro Bowler Rodney Harrison, IR Thigh) I doubt they would be close to a winning record. Especially with such an inefficient passing game even with arguably one of the best modern day recievers in the game in Randy Moss.

Kyle Vandenbosch - DE - Tennessee Titans
Without the pressure from Vandenbosch I'm not all that convinced the defensive line would be this good in Tennessee. He's not getting the sacks but he's drawing pressure to free up Haynesworth enough to bust through and get it done.

And now for Number One

Number One - Clinton Portis - RB - Washington Redskins
Clinton Portis is the anchor man in Washington, his inside and outside running opens up the pass to make Jason Campbell look so good. Through 9 games he leads the league in rushing yards and is only 5 yards short of his 6th 1,000 yard rushing season.


Now to the Other Thoughts

The election is finally over and we can go on with our lives. I don't really understand what the big deal about "getting out to vote" is. YOUR VOTE DOESN'T COUNT. Hasn't that been proven? did George W. Bush not lose a popular vote and still win the election? If you aren't in the electoral college why vote for the President? It's more of an appointed position. So congratulations Barack Obama you've just been handed the Presidency how do you feel?