The Most Valuable Player, the Outstanding Player

How does one decide on a Most Valuable Player award? I would consider the following factors, in order of importance:

1. The Indispensible Man: based on performace, where would the team be without this player?
2. The Best Man: if you were asked to select a first-place team from scratch, then based on this season's performances only (disregarding age, potential, previous performance, or reputation), who would be the first player you'd pick?
3. The Winner: Was the team in fact successful? Was it successful without the presence of other great players?
4.. Consistency: is he often guilty of bone-headed or sloppy play? Has he cost games?
5. The Playmaker: does he come through in the clutch?
6. Leadership: does his presence improve team morale?
7. The Stat Man: is he a leader in meaningful statistics?
8. Hype: Effect on ticket sales, ratings, etc.

Obviously, factors 3-8 play into the consideration of both 1 and 2. I consider them things to consider in the case of close calls.

Now, for an Outstanding Player award, like the Heisman Trophy, I would reverse factors 1 and 2 in order of importance, but otherwise consider the same criteria in the same order.

This year LaDanian Tomlinson's season was tragically cut short by an off-field accident tomorrow, I'd still probably give him the MVP this year, and an Outstanding Player award if there is one. It wasn't just setting the touchdown record in just 13 games. He comes out on top in nearly all categories, and in consideration of indispensiblity and play-making:

Week 8: Chargers 38, St. Louis 24; Tomlinson with 3 TD's.
Week 9: Chargers 32, Cleveland 25: Tomlinson with 3 TD's.
Week 10: Charger 49, Bengals 41: Tomlinson with 4 TD's.
Week 11: Chargers 35, Broncos 27: Tomlinson with 4 TD's.
In the last two games, the Chargers became the first team to come back from 17 or more points down and win two weeks in a row. And over the course of the four games, the Chargers became the first team to win four straight while giving up 24 or more points in each game.
Week 12: Chargers 21, Raiders 14: Tomlinson with 2 TD plus one TD passing.
Week 13: Chargers 24, Bills 21: Tomlinson with 2 TD's.

And taking away these six games, Tomlinson still has 11 touchdowns in the other games, where the Chargers are 5-2. Tomlinson also has over 1800 yards rushing and receiving. The Chargers are 11-2 with a first-year starter at quarterback. Tomlinson's presence obviously makes Philip Rivers a more effective quarterback, and the team much better, than they otherwise would have been with an average starter.