Potential MVPs after five weeks in the 2010 regular season
A few players are off to a terrific start in the 2010 regular season and are quickly making a strong case for an MVP nomination. Here are players that are worthy candidates.
Clay Matthews, Linebacker, Green Bay Packers
Clay Matthews could not have envisioned a better start to his second season in the NFL. Perhaps bitter that he finished behind Brian Cushing in votes for last year’s Rookie of the Year award, Matthews made offences—most notably quarterbacks—serve notice
that he intends to be the league’s MVP.
Matthews’ impact was immediate as he recorded back-to-back three-sack games in the Packers’ first two games of the season. He leads the NFL with 8.5 sacks after five games. San Diego Chargers linebacker, Shaun Phillips, is second with six. Matthews relies
on his speed to blow past offensive linemen and uses his size and strength to get to the quarterback. He is hard to block and even when teams decide to double team him, he has the ability to elude blockers and make a play. He has 21 tackles and one force fumble
and is a main reason why Green Bay currently ranks second in the NFC North with a 3-2 record. Look for him to continue his dominant play at the linebacker position.
Arian Foster, Running-back, Houston Texans
Arian Foster is slowly becoming a household name for football fans as the weeks go by. He cordially introduced himself to the NFL and to the Indianapolis Colts in the season opener, rushing for over 200 yards in the Texans’ 34-24 victory. Fresh off the practice
squad, it’s hard to imagine how such a dynamic player was not on the team’s starting roster last year. Well, Foster will not have to worry about making the team after he has taken the Texans to first place in the AFC South with a 3-2 record.
Foster leads the NFL in rushing with 562 yards on 96 carries and four touchdowns. It’s hard to imagine a running-back that no one has ever heard of prior to this season posting such solid numbers after five weeks in the regular season. Foster has shown his
versatility on run plays as well as in the passing game. He can maneuver his way past would-be tacklers for a gain and can help in pass-blocking when Houston wants to attack defences through the air. Foster has single-handedly improved the Texans’ ground game
and the team is currently ranked sixth in the league.
Reggie Wayne, Wide receiver, Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne made it clear a long time ago that he is an elite player. Standing on top of the NFL with 39 receptions this season, the Colts have trampled teams by playing smash-mouth football and imposing their will on defences
by involving Wayne in the game plan. The Colts’ offence often rely more on the passing game, and quarterback Peyton Manning usually looks in the direction of his favourite receiver for a big conversion or when the game is on the line. Over the years, Wayne
has delivered and this season is no different. He currently sits in second place for receiving yards with 531 and has contributed with two touchdowns. If the Colts (3-2) wish to be the defending AFC champions, then Manning will have to continue to get the
ball into the hands of Wayne and allow his Pro Bowl receiver to continue his strong play. Although Wayne’s numbers on the field make him extremely valuable, his veteran leadership to the Colts’ young receiving corps is what separates him from the pack and
make him a potential MVP nominee.
Tags: