Terry Bradshaw and Rob Gronkowski were left in disagreement during an intense debate over who should snag the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) title this season on FOX NFL Sunday.
Alongside Michael Strahan, Bradshaw and Gronkowski each had their own favourites during the pre-game show on Sunday, with no clear frontrunner emerging. Strahan was first to bat, throwing his support behind Philadelphia Eagles’ dynamo running back Saquon Barkley
“He leads the NFL in both yards from scrimmage and rushing, period,” Strahan, a New York Giants legend, contended. “A high percentage of yards from scrimmage for his team… the best player in the league with that. But Philly, 255 yards rushing record. He’s on pace to break Eric Dickerson’s record for rushing record for the season.”
Strahan didn’t hold back, adding: “The guy is just amazing. The MVP is the most valuable player for that team. This was a team that was in shambles – ‘coach should be fired’ – they lost their swagger. They put it on his back, he has carried them the entire way. Hands down, MVP.”
Barkley’s switch from the Giants to the Eagles in the offseason proved to be a masterstroke, as he led Philly’s charge to a 9-2 record before their showdown with the Baltimore Ravens – a stark turnaround from last year’s slump from 10-1 to an 11-6 finish and a playoff thrashing by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gronkowski, the former New England Patriots star, has thrown his weight behind Lamar Jackson for MVP, contrasting Strahan’s view. “I’ve played with a quarterback (Tom Brady) who has won multiple MVPs, so I know what it looks like. And it looks like the guy in Baltimore – Lamar Jackson,” he said.
“He is the most entertaining quarterback in the league right now, he bedazzles every time he has the ball in his hands, he makes guys miss left and right, he’s just so fun to watch.”
Gronk was effusive in his praise for Jackson, adding: “And on top of it, the Baltimore Ravens, their identity is to run the ball. 55 percent run, 45 percent pass. And Lamar Jackson still leads the league in passing yards. He is numero uno, that is number one in Spanish Terry – you got that baby? “.
Bradshaw, however, wasn’t as quick to hop on the Jackson train and offered a different take as he snapped back at his co-host following his sarcastic remark: “I don’t think so, not that fast Gronk!” the 78-year-old declared.
The Pittsburgh Steelers legend instead championed Derrick Henry, the powerhouse running back from Baltimore. “My guy is Derrick Henry. I’ve loved Derrick Henry ever since he came out of Alabama. His running style is unique – a little bit more upright – he’s 6-foot-2, 245, 250 – and he’s so fast! He’s so powerful,” Bradshaw said.
The veteran also pointed out the challenges Henry faces, saying: “And he’s playing behind an offensive line in Baltimore that is not as good as the one in Philadelphia. We all would agree with that! And if you just look at the Ravens losing in the playoffs – they lost it at the one-yard line to a fumble. He wouldn’t have lost it at a fumble.
“The difference that you’re seeing at Baltimore – even though they’ve lost four games – is the fact this guy has made a difference in their quarterback, their offensive setup, and they’re doing exactly what John wants to do – John Harbaugh their coach.”
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