The MVP Case For Kurt Warner

Kurt Warner, 2008 NFL MVP.  Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?  If Kurt Warner continues on his current pace, how could he not be considered?  At the young age of 37, he is possibly having even a better year than when he won his previous MVP awards in St. Louis.

Let’s take a look at the following numbers, which prove Kurt Warner is not only have the best season of anyone right now, but also his best season ever.

70.6% completion rate.  During his time in St. Louis, he never finished higher than 68.7%.  Kurt Warner is not putting himself in situations where he has to scramble much, which leads to more incompletions.  It also doesn’t hurt he has a triple threat at wide receiver in Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston, all of whom have made some amazing receptions this season.

2,760 Passing Yards. That puts him on pace to finish with 4,909 yards (307 yards/game), which beats his 2001 career high of 4,830 yards in St. Louis.  Of course that could change with a little more balance in the offensive attack, but why abandon what is working for you?

106.4 QB rating. His rating in 199 in St. Louis was 109.2, but that was partly because he threw for 41 touchdowns.  He has thrown for 19 touchdowns so far.  His rating is that high because he has only thrown 6 interceptions.  He threw 13 in that 1999 campaign and Warner is on pace to finish this season with 33 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.  Fewer turnovers create more wins.

So, you tell me.  Is Kurt Warner a candidate for MVP?  If he isn’t, name me five others better than him.  Sure, there are some others out there like Drew Brees, Brett Favre, Brandon Jacobs, anyone on the Tennessee defense.  Only Brees really is the competition I believe and unless he can turn the Saints around it is clear Warner has been more valuable to Arizona, leading them at the age of 37 to their first division title since 1975 and first playoff appearance since 1998.  Kurt Warner – your MVP.

Go Kurt Warner!

Scott Allen

AZScott