Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Defensive POY.... (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Gatorman
- Start date
Colin Dowling
Footballguy
I'd include Taylor in the top-3, but even with the suspension, Merriman has been the best defender in the NFL this season.
NYCGangGreen
Footballguy
A guy who was suspended for Steroids will NEVER win the Def. P.O.Y. in the same season he was suspended. And if the NFL does give it to him, that is atrocious, and will only open the door for more infractions of the policy in years to come.Jason Taylor has been tremendous, but don't forget the rookie...Demeco...guy is leading the NFL...the whole league in tackles and has looked really good as the main signal caller for the D as a rookie.
Not taking anything away from him AT ALL, but is tackles the only stat that should be considered? After all, I would suspect Houston's defense is on the field alot more than the average defense plus teams would have a tendency to get up early and just run all day. This is an obvious generalization, but I'm trying to make the point that as impressive it is to lead the league in tackles, that shouldn't be the only measurement.
NYCGangGreen
Footballguy
That's my other part......last guy to come in as a rookie....make all the play calls and lead in tackling....that's right...Vilma.....now thats some pretty good company.Granted he may not win it, but I'd say he has a leg up of D.R.O.Y., and in contention for D.P.O.Y.
Colin Dowling
Footballguy
I tend to agree that Merriman won't win it, and it would open a door we'd all rather see closed.
Urlacher will win it again this year.
Other players (besides those mentioned) who will get votes:
Julius Peppers
Ray Lewis
Champ Bailey
Al Wilson
Curious if the steriods suspension will hurt Merriman next year.
Personally, I would never vote for someone who got caught cheating that way - but I would not vote for someone who took part in a double murder either.
Other players (besides those mentioned) who will get votes:
Julius Peppers
Ray Lewis
Champ Bailey
Al Wilson
Curious if the steriods suspension will hurt Merriman next year.
Personally, I would never vote for someone who got caught cheating that way - but I would not vote for someone who took part in a double murder either.
GregR_2
Footballguy
Well, no need to suspect, we can go and check.Houston ranks 12th out of 36 in total number of defensive plays. Houston is 15th in # of defensive plays that were rushing and 11th in # of defensive plays that were passes.
I don't see anything about those numbers to think any special consideration positive or negative should be given to him because of the team he plays on, do you?
Top candidates, IMO:
DL - Jason Taylor (11.5 sacks, 2 INT, 8 FF, 2 TDs)
LB - Shawne Merriman (12.5 sacks in 9 games, 4 FF, 1 INT)
LB - Brian Urlacher (best defender on the league's best defense)
DB - Champ Bailey (60 solos, 6 INTs, best CB in the league by far)
Julius Peppers lost steam lately but could re-enter the picture with a very strong finish.
Adrian Wilson is probably the most underrated defender in the league, but will likely be overlooked because he plays on a bad team.
Adalius Thomas and Bart Scott are arguably having better seasons than Ray Lewis.
DeMeco Ryans has been incredible and will certainly win DROY, but the Texans are a bad team with a bad defense so that will hurt his chances.
DL - Jason Taylor (11.5 sacks, 2 INT, 8 FF, 2 TDs)
LB - Shawne Merriman (12.5 sacks in 9 games, 4 FF, 1 INT)
LB - Brian Urlacher (best defender on the league's best defense)
DB - Champ Bailey (60 solos, 6 INTs, best CB in the league by far)
Julius Peppers lost steam lately but could re-enter the picture with a very strong finish.
Adrian Wilson is probably the most underrated defender in the league, but will likely be overlooked because he plays on a bad team.
Adalius Thomas and Bart Scott are arguably having better seasons than Ray Lewis.
DeMeco Ryans has been incredible and will certainly win DROY, but the Texans are a bad team with a bad defense so that will hurt his chances.
Bizkiteer
Footballguy
Very good list and I'd venture to say it's right on. I think it very well could be between Taylor and Urlacher. Taylor playing like a man on a mission and doing things a DL just shouldn't be doing...2 INT's for TD's. He seems well suited for this new role of standing up and rushing the passer. I believe he originally was not in favor of it...young jedi listened to his master (Saban) and found the force.Top candidates, IMOL - Jason Taylor (11.5 sacks, 2 INT, 8 FF, 2 TDs)LB - Shawne Merriman (12.5 sacks in 9 games, 4 FF, 1 INT)LB - Brian Urlacher (best defender on the league's best defense)DB - Champ Bailey (60 solos, 6 INTs, best CB in the league by far)Julius Peppers lost steam lately but could re-enter the picture with a very strong finish.Adrian Wilson is probably the most underrated defender in the league, but will likely be overlooked because he plays on a bad team.Adalius Thomas and Bart Scott are arguably having better seasons than Ray Lewis.DeMeco Ryans has been incredible and will certainly win DROY, but the Texans are a bad team with a bad defense so that will hurt his chances.
Everytime I watch the Bears....Urlacher is either possessed or there are just more than one Urlacher on the field. He's always, I mean ALWAYS aroud the ball. When the opposing team runs, he's there. When they pass it long down field, he there. He is everywhere making the tackle or cleaning it up. 
Merriman is wicked and scares me a bit. If he plays this good now, what will his play be once he really gets a feel for the NFL and how it's played. Can you imagine him with more football savy or knowledge? He won't get it though because it would be one BIG PR nightmare. NFL too smart to let it happen...Champ is great, but his play doesn't take over a game IMO. By far the best CB in the game, just not putting as much stamp on it as the other mentioned prior.
thatguy
Footballguy
I think Taylor is the most deserving at this point. However, I do think that Champ takes over games, just not in obvious ways. He takes a whole side of the field away from the opposition. When teams do challenge him, he usually makes them pay. He has 6 INT's (most of which came in the red zone) despite being avoided almost entirely. He is also tremendous in run support - he's one of the best tackling CBs in football and almost never misses open field tackles. That said, because his impact isn't as obvious as Taylor's or Urlacher's, I doubt he'll get more than a handful of first place votes.Very good list and I'd venture to say it's right on. I think it very well could be between Taylor and Urlacher. Taylor playing like a man on a mission and doing things a DL just shouldn't be doing...2 INT's for TD's. He seems well suited for this new role of standing up and rushing the passer. I believe he originally was not in favor of it...young jedi listened to his master (Saban) and found the force.Top candidates, IMOEverytime I watch the Bears....Urlacher is either possessed or there are just more than one Urlacher on the field. He's always, I mean ALWAYS aroud the ball. When the opposing team runs, he's there. When they pass it long down field, he there. He is everywhere making the tackle or cleaning it up.
Merriman is wicked and scares me a bit. If he plays this good now, what will his play be once he really gets a feel for the NFL and how it's played. Can you imagine him with more football savy or knowledge? He won't get it though because it would be one BIG PR nightmare. NFL too smart to let it happen...Champ is great, but his play doesn't take over a game IMO. By far the best CB in the game, just not putting as much stamp on it as the other mentioned prior.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
I don't know if Merriman's actually been the best defensive player this year, but I don't think the reason for him missing four games should factor in. Missing four games obviously reduces his impact, but because it's for steroids shouldn't hurt his chances relative to missing four games due to injury. He paid the price for testing positive for steroids, I don't see any reason to punish him again. (Not that not winning the DPOY is much of a punishment.)
jetpack
Footballguy
1. Taylor (8 forced fumbles, 10 PDs, 11.5 sacks!)
2. Urlacher (116 tackles, 1ff, 3 INTs, 8 PDs)
3. Champ Bailey (17 PDs, 6 INTs)
4. Rashean Mathis (19 PDs, 7 INTs)
5. Combo of Adalius Thomas/Bart Scott
A guy who tests positive for performance enhancing drugs cannot, by definition, be considered for a performance-based award.
2. Urlacher (116 tackles, 1ff, 3 INTs, 8 PDs)
3. Champ Bailey (17 PDs, 6 INTs)
4. Rashean Mathis (19 PDs, 7 INTs)
5. Combo of Adalius Thomas/Bart Scott
A guy who tests positive for performance enhancing drugs cannot, by definition, be considered for a performance-based award.
gman74
Footballguy
thatguy
Footballguy
From what I've heard, the Jets new defensive scheme this year has limited his ability to make as many plays as he used to. I don't really know the details, but I'm sure you can find information about it over in the IDP forum.
Not true, plenty of NE LBs have been "big" for them. I fully expect Vilma to be "a name" again next year once he's more comfy in the scheme.
b/c he's not shedding blockers very well at all this year and the Jets don't have a great NT like Ted Washington or Vince Wilfork to protect him...and he doesn't play DE/OLB like McGinest so not sure why he would matter.The Jets also don't appear to be blitzing him very much, and he's not as good in coverage as Bruschi was so he's not likely to put up a lot of INTs.The defensive system change has obviously had a major impact on his production. Not sure how anyone could argue otherwise. Yes, he could get better next year as he gets more comfortable and the coaches figure out better ways to take advantage of his skills...but, look at the DL who Bruschi/Vrabel got to play behind compared to the DL of the Jets. The Jets also don't have guys like McGinest, Vrabel, Colvin on the outside although Bryan Thomas is emerging this year.
Last edited by a moderator:
FunkyPlutos
Footballguy
They don't have a standout player but I just want to make note that the Vikings' defense has a VERY good chance of ending up with the top defense in the league. They have just been overshadowed by a HORRIBLE offense who has given up lots of turnovers for TDs which makes scores look much worse for the Vikings' D than people realize.
