NFL @ halftime MVP race
Oct/30/08 01:05 AM Filed in:
Andre Johnson
| Ed Reed | Clinton
Portis
10. Andre Johnson,
WR, Texans. It’s hard for a
receiver to crack the MVP list, but Johnson is
setting a blistering pace and has lifted Houston
out of a potential quarterback controversy. Would
you believe the Texans are fourth in the NFL in
total offense? Believe it. It’s largely
because of Johnson, who has 56 catches for 772
yards in seven games. Now, try this on for size:
He had nine catches for 131 yards against the
Colts on October 5. How does he top it? In the
each of the three games since, he has had at least
10 catches and at least 140 yards.
8. Ed Reed, S, Ravens. Always a
playmaker of the highest order and someone opponents
must locate on every snap, it’s Reed’s
outstanding range that allows the creativity defensive
coordinator Rex Ryan flashes. He also gets a checkmark
in the “guts” category for playing through
hamstring and thigh injuries. Every coach who faces the
Ravens mentions Reed early and often. Baltimore is
second in total defense, third in pass defense and
first in run defense. Reed is the primary reason.
6. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins. Sshhh
… Portis is on a pace to rush for nearly 2,000
yards. Somehow, in all the hoopla over Jason
Campbell—he’s been outstanding, so he does
deserve it—Portis’ career year is getting
overshadowed. Portis has 944 yards at 5.0-per clip and
11 catches to boot. The reason he gets the call here
over Campbell is because the Redskins’ offensive
identity is one of a physical, grinding group that
wears out opponents. As a side note: How loaded was
that University of Miami title team in 2001? Johnson,
Reed and Portis are on this list, and that’s
without mentioning Vince Wilfork, Jonathan Vilma, D.J.
Williams, Willis McGahee, Frank Gore, Bryant McKinnie.
(sports.yahoo.com)