Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers capped off a monstrous 2011 campaign by winning the Associated Press Most Valuable Player award in a landslide victory, garnering 48 of 50 votes. Quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints received the other 2 votes.
Rodgers is the first Packer to be named MVP since Brett Favre won the award three consecutive years (1995-1997), and joins former Packer legends Bart Starr (1966), Jim Taylor (1962), and Paul Hornung (1961) as MVPs.
"It means a lot to be recognized as a consistent player and contributor on my team," Rodgers said. "I think it's an award that relies on a player having the support of his teammates, obviously, guys blocking, guys running, guys catching, guys making plays. But I'm very honored to receive the award."
The 2011 season marked Rodgers' best season to date. He threw for 4,634 yards, and became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw at least 45 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions. His single-season passer rating of 122.5 is the best in NFL history, and his career passer rating rose to 104.1, also an NFL record.
Rodgers walked away with numerous accolades during the season, as he was the NFC Offensive Player of the Month in September, October, and November, and was the FedEx Air Player of the Week 6 times (weeks 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 13).
After winning Super Bowl MVP honors at the end of the 2010 season, Rodgers began 2011 right where he left off, throwing for 312 yards and 3 touchdowns in the season-opening victory against the Saints. He would continue to throw at least 2 touchdowns in each of the first 13 games of the season, an NFL record.
In week 4 against the Denver Broncos Rodgers exploded, throwing for 408 yards and scoring 6 total touchdowns (2 rushing) on the way to a 49-23 blowout victory.
Week 7 at Minnesota was Rodgers' best statistical performance, when he completed 24 of 30 passes for 335 yards and 3 touchdowns, amassing a 146.2 quarterback rating en route to a 33-27 win in the Metrodome.
On Thanksgiving Day in Detroit Rodgers threw for 300+ yards and 2 touchdowns, winning the "prestigious" Galloping Gobbler award after the 27-15 victory. He continued his holiday successes by throwing for 283 yards and 5 touchdowns and amassing a passer rating of 142.7 in a 35-21 Christmas Day victory against the Bears.
While the Packers ultimately fell short in the playoffs, Rodgers' 2011 campaign will certainly be remembered as one of the best individual performances in Packer history, and as a historic season in the NFL record books
a rodg...mvp = well deserved. he was the man all year long. when offensive positions failed him, he found a way. scrambling, throwing, whatever. he was THE MAN
ReplyDelete