Defensive Player of the Year: ‘Tis the season for slumps

| 2010/12/16

Are defenses beginning to tire? Our top contenders to the throne of Defensive Player of the Year didn’t produce quite the performances we’ve become accustomed to.

But that’s OK, we’ll let this week go by safe in the knowledge every last one of them will be back to their best this week. Right?

And if not, they can expect the kind of treatment Clay Matthews received after a shocking display of run defense against the Lions that sees him not even receiving a mention as he struggles to replicate his early heroics.

1. Kyle Williams, DT, Bills (+42.6)

Despite making a play that got him some television time, it wasn’t exactly the best display we’ve seen from Williams, with Alex Mack doing a number on him. No one took advantage. Last week: 1st

2. Justin Smith, DE, 49ers (+35.7)

We love to watch Justin Smith. If you watch him, you’ll notice him having a far greater impact than would ever show up on the stat sheet. Last week: 6th

3. Trent Cole, DE, Eagles (+45.4)

It’s time for you to bounce back, Trent. For the third week in a row Cole looked a shadow of himself. Injured? Hitting a wall? Needing a rest? It’s time to answer those questions. Last week: 2nd

4. Julius Peppers, DE, Bears (+39.5)

Even as the rest of his defense is struggling, Peppers is still producing. Where is that guy who took plays off? A motivated Peppers is scary good. Last week: 5th

5. Terrell Suggs, DE, Ravens (+41.3)

Suggs ran out of steam as the Texans ran play after play … after play, after play. It was a shame because he started off the game well. Last week: 3rd

6. Patrick Willis, ILB, 49ers (+31.1)

The best linebacker in the game. Did anyone not know that? But even he has the occasional stinker like the one he posted against the Seahawks. Last week: 4th

7. Cameron Wake, OLB, Dolphins (+37.7)

A somewhat shocking Defensive Player of the Year candidate, although not so much if you followed us last year when we praised Wake’s pass-rushing productivity. Hasn’t slowed down, nor has he struggled against the run as feared. Last week: 7th

8. Champ Bailey, CB, Broncos (+18.5)

So we’re back to where we started, with Bailey as the league’s best cornerback this year. Who would have thought that? Even if he’s not the player he was, he’s still who corners should aspire to be. Last week: Not ranked

9. Tamba Hali, OLB, Chiefs (+40.5)

Saw less action for the Chiefs this week, which kept him fresher and produced more pressure. Still remains utterly one-dimensional, and that should limit his power on this list. Last week: 10th

10. Haloti Ngata, DT, Ravens (26.0)

For too long Ngata got by on big plays and inconsistent play. This year he’s really ironed out those consistency issues and is having his best season yet, regardless of what the stat sheet says. Last week: Not ranked

Dropped Out: James Harrison (Steelers) and Brandon Flowers (Chiefs)

In The Mix: Charles Johnson (Panthers), Chris Clemons (Seahawks), Kevin Williams (Vikings), DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys), Bart Scott (Jets), Lawrence Timmons (Steelers), Antoine Winfield (Vikings) and Quintin Mikell (Eagles)

  • http://www.profootballfocus.com Jonathan Comey

    Good piece. Here’s my prediction for the actual award, which usually boils down to big-name players with good raw numbers on the best defenses:
    1. Polamalu 2. Ngata 3. Matthews 4. Urlacher 5. J Harrison.

  • http://www.profootballfocus.com Khaled Elsayed

    I’d agree with that and will attempt to sway against.

    Polamalu has made some big plays which does gloss over a quiet period of the season where he wasn’t doing much (imo). Ngata, isn’t the best defender on his own team while Matthews feasted on tackles earlier in the season when they weren’t up to speed or simply sucked. Urlacher again isn’t the best defender on his team, but the media love a 2+2=5 story when explaining why defenses have ‘improved’. Harrison would be a legit contender in my book but all those penalties make him a no go unless his play was that much better (though he may be the most complete OLB in the league).

    But yeah, much like you I’d be surprised not to see those names at the top. They’ll certainly be no mention of the best DT in football right now which is a shame.

  • John Breitenbach

    Think Mikell should have made the list. He’s been consistent this year and leads our safety rankings by a considerable margin.

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