New England Patriots - NESN.com
Drake Maye currently is the betting favorite to win the NFL MVP. The sophomore quarterback leads or ranks among leaders in numerous statistical categories and, following Thursday night’s home win over the Jets, has the Patriots at 9-2 and atop the AFC East.
But don’t tell that to Bart Scott.
During Friday’s episode of ESPN’s “Get Up!” show, the former Jet and longtime Patriots hater rebuked talk of Maye being a serious MVP candidate. And well, his reasons are just that — reasons, or something.
“No, I saw a quarterback that has a good coordinator that designs good plays for him,” Scott said. “But I also see a team that’s beat teams with a combined record of 37-36. Let’s keep it in perspective. Now, I did see a very good player, but I wouldn’t be surprised, wouldn’t be shocked, if they win the division and have to host Kansas City, Baltimore or Buffalo and get sent home.
“This is a well-coached team that’s playing about as high as they could, and they have a quarterback that’s not losing the game, able to make plays down the field. You know, 66% in throws over 20 yards or better — that’s great. That allows you to get explosive. That means they can score. I think Stefon Diggs has become the kind of route-runner that they need, being able to move the chains and things like that, be that outlet for (Maye).
“But MVP? I think that’s disrespectful to Daniel Jones, Sam Darnold and Matthew Stafford.”
That was an impressively stupid diatribe.
It would be one thing if Scott had presented a cogent argument for why Maye shouldn’t be in the MVP conversation. Instead, all he did was talk about how well Maye is playing, how good Diggs is, and how well-coached the Patriots are. He also pointed out the previously unknown fact that NFL teams can lose in the playoffs. No way!
By Scott’s logic, Stafford also shouldn’t be an MVP candidate because he’s playing well, Sean McVay is a good coach, and the Los Angeles Rams could lose in the playoffs (after MVP voting ends, mind you). Same for Darnold, Jones and, you know, every QB vying for MVP.
Let this serve as yet another reminder to never put any stock into anything Scott says.
