The MVP award? That’s so 20th century.

What does MVP really represent? It’s meant to honor the player who is the most valuable to his team. But rarely is the award given out with that intent.

More often than not it’s handed to the sport’s “best” player, not necessarily the most valuable.

Think 49ers quarterback Steve Young in 1994. That team was so loaded, David Klingler probably could have gotten them to the Super Bowl. Young was the best that season, but not the most valuable.

Think Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez in 2003. Think LeBron James the last two seasons in the NBA.

The current postseason award structure in all sports should be scrapped.

The MVP award, which is ambiguous and can mean very different things to different people, should be broken into several pieces to be a great deal more specific.

Think of this new structure like Ben Roethlisberger’s nose: smashed up like corn flakes to better serve you.

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The Most Invaluable Player (MIP): This is what the MVP should be. This is the player who means the most to his team. Without this dude on the field, his team would smell foul and attract flies.In the NFL this season, there are several candidates for this award: Browns RB Peyton Hillis, Bucs QB Josh Freeman, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and Colts QB Peyton Manning.The winner: Manning. Without Manning, the Colts would win three or four games each season. He’s that invaluable.Quick! Name the Colts’ backup quarterback? I think it might be Johnny Unitas or maybe Earl Morrall.

• The Most Awesome Player (MAP): This dude is the best of the best. All others want to be him. The only time he fails is on purpose, just to remind himself of what it feels like.NFL candidates this season: Pats QB Tom Brady and ... um ...Winner: Brady (duh).Brady is the definition of awesome this season. His stats are great (27 TD passes, only four interceptions), but that isn’t the only criterion for this award.Who wouldn’t want to be Brady right now? He has great hair, is married to a super model, is ultrawealthy and is part of the elite group of athletes who have their own logo based on their initials.That’s a true measure of awesomeness.

• Most Vile Player (MVP): This is the anti-MVP. This is the worst of the worst, the player who actually makes his team worse because of his play or off-the-field issues.NFL candidates: Redskins 300-pound speed bump Albert Haynesworth, whatever-team-he-is-playing-for now’s Randy Moss.Winner: Tie. They are both vile — which means both will be playing for the Cowboys next season.Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.