IT LOOKS LIKE MR. SAM THOMAS HAS OPENED THE CAN 'O' WORMS, SO IT SEEMS FAIR TO KICK THE DOOR WIDE OPEN....
**Correction - Sam didn't start the talk. THIS POST OFFICIALLY STARTED THE TALK.
In most leagues this topic will arise slowly and drag on; which makes for great fodder for idiots like Skip Bayless to ramble incessantly as we all tune in to ESPN. Sadly, the RMFL season is much much shorter than any professional league so this whole discussion usually just turns into a popularity contest amongst GM's during the playoffs.
Will this season be different?
Will the Most Valuable actually be recognized?
I'll do my best to break things down objectively for everyone and maybe throw some names out there that aren't really that well known.
OFFENSIVE MVP CANDIDATES
(2014 OFFENSIVE MVP - CHARLIE PETERSON REV)
These candidates aren't going to surprise anyone, but I have broken them down into tiers to try and push this discussion.
THE OBVIOUS SUSPECTS
1. Zion Lions - Misi Tupe QB
Punishing runner that takes full advantage of his 6'5" plus receivers when defenses stack the box and play man. The talent is obvious, and believe me this offense would be a shell of itself without #2.
2. Wasatch REV - Charlie Peterson QB
The old man is playing surprisingly efficient this season. He is leading the league in passer rating, yards, completion percentage, and tied for the lead with 20 TD passes. 40 is coming on quickly....can the old cougar get through the month of June without a drop off.
CHASING THE LEADERS
3. Utah Shock - Sam Thomas WR (edited)
Demands attention on the field....probably too much. Great athlete, but it takes a QB to get him the ball. Maccully Culkin has done a pretty good job doing that so far this season.
4T. Wasatch REV - Bryant Eteuati/Joe Mapson WR
Arguably the two most talented athletes playing the WR position and they have to split touches. Stats are not anything ridiculous, but the REV have been playing with a short field most of the season.
THE SLEEPER
6. Davis Vipers - SCHKUYLER...(yeah something like that) Sherwood QB
50 pts/game the last two games?!?! People need to give this guy a thought. Who the hell thought the vipers would be a .500 team this season jumping to AAA? Not this guy. But they have been playing some decent football in the last couple weeks and this guy is the reason why. I don't think anyone would argue that without Sherwood, the Vipers win 1 game this season....Maybe!
OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS FROM THE MONTANA/IDAHO CREW....JUST BRING SOME EVIDENCE TO THE TABLE.
DEFENSIVE MVP CANDIDATES
(2014 DEFENSIVE MVP - ANDREW ROBINSON STEALTH)
Not going to rank these guys, just list some notable performers from the leagues best.
Southern Conference
- Brigham Sting LB Mike Messenger
Leading tackler from the top scoring defense in the league...with the top two scoring offenses coming to town for the final two weeks of the season. What better way to PROVE IT!
- Zion Lions DE Vince Feula
What offensive tackle is excited for this dude to show up across from him every snap? Still a terror in this league and is still putting heat on the QB (6.5 sacks)
- Wasatch REV LB Ian Eyre
Without Levine Tupe laying the wood this season, someone was bound to fill those extra large shoes on the REV defense. Leads the league in tackles (43.5) and tackles for loss (17.5)
- Zion Lions SS Brandon Thompson
Not making a ton of tackles this season, but has a nose for the ball...LITERALLY. 4 Sacks 2 Forced Fumbles and 4 Fumbles recovered including one for a touchdown.
Northern Conference
- Laurel Locos DE Tusi Ah-mai
Troy Polamalu look-a-like contest winner and sack leader for the year thus far. Can he separate from the pack like Andrew Robinson did last season and bring home the hardware?
- Idaho Mustangs LB Mike Daronch
Leading tackler for the best D in the north. Could rise to the top, but not showing up for games against teams like the Stampede makes a vote from the southern conference GM's hard to come by.
Anybody else???
...I think we will move on....
OVERALL MVP
(2014 OVERALL MVP - BRYANT ETEUATI REV)
Not trying to be redundant here, but you may have seen these names before...Also, I am going to do my best to justify each of these from both the league perspective and team perspective.
(His award to lose...)
Zion Lions - Misi Tupe QB
Really not surprising here guys, but I won't sell this as a lock. From a league perspective, how much better can you get than a local guy who played in a big time football conference back playing for the love of the game. I would dare say that Misi is the face of the RMFL brand right now. I think he has realized that after his debacle in Brigham City last season. Also, I'm really glad he stopped playing under an alias...that was just confusing. From a team perspective, there isn't a person involved in this league that can sell me that the Lions would be undefeated without Misi being a part of the action. He is unquestionably the most valuable piece to the puzzle Dr. Stott is trying to solve in the St. George heat.
Wasatch REV - Charlie Peterson QB
This is definitely the more conservative and safe choice for MVP considering the sterling reputation and BYU pedigree. (although I heard rumors about something in Laurel...no details confirmed) From a league perspective, this is the salesman you want selling the brand. This guy gives you appeal to the young kids growing up, hoping to be brawling Cougars one day. He has been a constant in the league for so long and has won regardless of the talent his roster provides him. From a team perspective, everyone knows when the general goes down...hope is pretty much thrown out the window. The same is true with the REV. He is without a doubt irreplaceable and if age catches up to him in the home stretch, that will be proven once again.
I could spend some more time breaking down the rest of the field, but this one is a two horse race. IMO, one wins overall and the other gets O-MVP.
The holiday weekend was terribly boring, so hopefully this spices things up as the season draws to an end.
~ERIC STRATTON, RUSH CHAIRMAN "DAMN GLAD TO MEET YA"~
-- Edited by Rush Chairman on Thursday 28th of May 2015 11:26:37 AM
I may have a little bias but I vote CO-MVPs of Charlie Peterson and Bryant Eteuati from the REV.
Peterson (Rev): Leading passer on the highest scoring offense in the league. Leading passer rating and completion percent at over 60%. Can you say accurate! His accuracy is almost 10 full percentage points above the next closest in the league.
Eteuati (Rev): This Uce is a scoring machine. 8 receiving touchdowns, 5 rushing touchdowns, and 1 punt return. Eteuati has it all and puts it all on the field every week.
Close 2nd, Misi Tupe (Lions). That dude is a beast and is harder to tackle then nearly every running back in the league. I think he is getting close but falls to the two mentioned above.
There is my two cents on MVP and Offensive player of the year.
-- Edited by DJohnson47 on Friday 29th of May 2015 01:19:43 AM
-- Edited by DJohnson47 on Friday 29th of May 2015 01:25:17 AM
If you look at who is making a difference on their teams......I would have to put Misi up there...he is unstoppable when he is in the zone
MY Uso Bryant would also be a great candidate, like Misi, Bryant dominates when he is in the zone
Sam " I am" Thomas would also make a legit MVP....dude is a competitor.....and you can't deny his play making abilities
As far as Charlie Pete......best Qb in the rmfl, bar none
But every one of these dudes will tell you, they could give two shiets about individual awards.....there's only one trophy all 4 of these athletes want
Bryant Eteuati is not having an MVP year, he wouldn't even be the MVP on the Rev. He only has 5 more receiving yards than Mapson. Yes, he has 5 rushing TDs but only has 12 carries for 40 yards. Can you say padding the TD numbers? Bryant obviously gets the snaps inside the 5 yard line. If you direct snapped the ball to Gurtz on the same plays, you may be having the MVP conversation about him instead.
Bryant is a great player, but this is not his MVP year, there are many players more deserving. I have worked out the stats for top 8-10 players at QB, RB, and Rec. I will be posting more stat information in the next couple of days.
FYI: Bryant averaged 164 all purpose yds/game last year, this year he is averaging 101 yds/game. There are 4 players with more all-purpose yards this year than Eteuati.
I am betting Mr Thomas is on that list of 4 players? I get that everyone is bias to their own players... For me personally, I refrained from commenting the first time because I have alot of respect for Bryant and Thomas and have been apart of teams that both play for. However I have watched alot of football this year and I gotta be honest. This could very well be a year we have "Co Overall MVPs" If it was Indoor football I would give the nod to Bryant on elusiveness, you just can not contain that dude in small spaces. However in Outdoor football Mr Thomas has a knack for making people miss and/or breaking tackles (Much like Mr Thornton does) one however is benefiting immensely from his level of comfort with the Shocks QB.
Offensive MVP - Misi Tupe
Defensive MVP - ??? Up for Grabs
Overall MVP - Bryant/Sam (This could swing either way by playoff time) We'll see how each team** does in the next few weeks.
**I say team because their team depends on them just as much as they do their teams, in order to post stellar stats as they have been.
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Any incorrect grammar, spelling, or inproper use of verbiage, shall be blamed on my iPhone not me!
Stats don't really tell the true story for Bryant....he makes plays when we need it.....he hasn't had as much touches as last year....but he makes those plays count.....I still gotta give Misi the nod though....what he's done with his passing this year keeps defenses guessing.....you put a safety in the box, he'll go up top, and if he sees a cover 2....it's over
His accuracy is almost 10 full percentage points above the next closest in the league.