Quote:
Originally Posted by OneWinningDrive
The defense and just overall roster quality have always been there for sure. And if they didn't have Lamar, they would still be good with a different system. But this current version of the Ravens has been built around Lamar and is dysfunctional without him. I actually think that's the best argument for why he's the MVP. It's not a statistical argument so much as he is indispensable to his team and propels them to (regular season thus far) success.
In 2021, they were 8-3 and the one seed until Lamar got hurt, and then they lost their final six games to miss the playoffs. In 2022, 9-4 until Lamar got hurt. They remain competitive with Huntley because he can run the same offense and the rest of the roster/coaching staff is very good, but Lamar makes it all go.
Here's a way to think about it. Take Brock Purdy. He put up big numbers on the 49ers. Now put him on the Ravens. Are the Ravens even remotely as good as they are now with him throwing to Zay Flowers/Bateman/Likely instead of Aiyuk/Deebo/Kittle and having a backfield with Gus Edwards instead of McAffrey?
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Obviously Lamar is a million, maybe even a billion times more valuable than Brock Purdy. I think everyone realizes Purdy is a product of a stacked roster on both sides of the ball with a coach who seems to have a schematic advantage on the league. The huge "value" with Purdy right now is the super cheap rookie contract of a guy drafted in the 7th round. It will be hilarious if they end up giving him a top dollar contract.
But that TJ Watt statistic is just absolutely wild to me. I think the other positions outside of QB are not given enough thought in these MVP discussions. This 90% losing stat on TJ Watt injury games would indicate a 2-15 season for the Steelers...all because of one defensive player. They went 10-7 with him healthy. So the dude is worth 8 damn wins. That's crazy for a defensive player to be this valuable.
The other one I think about is Tyreek Hill in Miami. I think he has done tremendous stuff for them and he's extremely valuable to their performance. I feel bad for the Miami front office. Tua's agent is going to squeeze them for top dollar in the QB market, but Tua is propped up by his weapons...Tyreek hands down has the biggest impact of all those weapons. Biggest impact of any RB/WR in the league. Completely changes how defensive coordinators have to call games.