FVP (Franchise's MVP)

Franchise Cornerstone

I spent a little time a few weeks ago talking about Franchise players on an NBA team. It is debatable whether a guard or a center is the best choice to anchor your franchise. However, the debate is much less polarizing in the NFL. In the NFL, you cannot win without a good quarterback. You definitely cannot win a Super Bowl without a franchise quality quarterback. Therefore, I think the question of who is the most important cornerstone of a franchise is one that cannot be argued.

It is the quarterback. Some people will argue that a tackle is more important to a franchise than a quarterback, but there is no way that the statistics back up that up. A quarterback touches the ball every single offensive snap of the game (allowing for direct RB snaps and wildcat formation plays). A left tackle is also on the field every offensive play of the game, but they do not have nearly the same amount of responsibilities, or nearly as much effect on the offense. If the Left Tackle is performing poorly, run the ball to the other side of the line, or give him help blocking. If the quarterback is performing poorly, there are not a lot of backup options. He has to throw the ball by himself, nobody can help him throw it.

For this reason, and several others, I consider Peyton Manning to be the most important player in the National Football League. Without him, the Colts would not have a fighting chance in the AFC South. If Curtis Painter, the current Colts backup, was under center for the 2010 season, I have no doubts that Indianapolis would be tied with Buffalo for the worst record in the league. You may argue that the Colts offensive weapons would be enough to coax a few wins out of their personnel. I disagree. Joseph Addai rushes for less than 100 ypg even when he is paired with the most dangerous passing game in the NFL. If the quarterback was not dependable, opponents would expect running in running situations, which they cannot when Manning is under center. I could go on, but I think the evidence is overwhelming. The quarterback position is the most important in football, with no exceptions.

Give me your thoughts and opinions.