The Voters Do The Right Thing: Taylor AP DPOY (1 Viewer)

[Limp Ditka]

Jason Taylor won the AP Defensive Player of the Year in a surprisingly close race with Champ Bailey.

Taylor earned 22 of a possible 50 votes. Champ Bailey, who picked off ten passes this season, earned 16 votes. Shawne Merriman surprisingly only earned six votes as he was penalized for missing four games due to a steroid suspension. Taylor's numbers may go down in 2007 assuming he doesn't retire, as Nick Saban was highly creative in using his DE/LB hybrid. Jan. 5 - 8:27 am et

from rotoworld

 

[Banger]

good for him. He's been a very good player for a long time and deserves it.

 

[aposulli]

Merriman Baily snubbed

fixed.

 

[simsarge]

He definitely deserved it, but he politicked the hell out of the media to make sure he got it and Merriman didn't.

 

[ShadowMaster]

He definitely deserved it, but he politicked the hell out of the media to make sure he got it and Merriman didn't.

Yeahhhhhh. It couldn't be because Merriman was kicked out for substance abuse or anything like that.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Merriman Bailey snubbed

fixed.

fixed

 

[harryhood]

He definitely deserved it, but he politicked the hell out of the media to make sure he got it and Merriman didn't.

Yeahhhhhh. It couldn't be because Merriman was kicked out for substance abuse or anything like that.

so he is not playing in the playoffs???? choose your wording before indicting someone.

 

[thesurfshop19]

I'm glad it was close between Taylor and Champ.

The one thing in Champ's favor is that it's been a long time since I can recall the dropoff from the best and 2nd-best CB in the league to be this big.

On the other hand, you could probably argue that Jason Taylor changes the game more, you can "technically" ignore Champ.

Tough call, I'd have gone with Champ but they're both great players.

 

[Ghost Rider]

On the other hand, you could probably argue that Jason Taylor changes the game more, you can "technically" ignore Champ.

Ignoring Champ means he has forced you to cut out a major part of the field when looking to throw a pass, so I would say that is changing the game quite a bit.

 

[simsarge]

He definitely deserved it, but he politicked the hell out of the media to make sure he got it and Merriman didn't.

Yeahhhhhh. It couldn't be because Merriman was kicked out for substance abuse or anything like that.

Thus, IMO, he was the focus of Taylors PR campaign. Whether Taylor didn't want to lose to a guy that had gotten busted by the league for bad stuff, or he didn't want to lose period, only Taylor will pro'ly ever know.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Look at the voting people - I don't think Taylor's comments can account for the extremely low number of votes Merrimen got. People had their own opinions - it's silly to think Taylor has that much influene.

 

[thayman]

Look at the voting people - I don't think Taylor's comments can account for the extremely low number of votes Merrimen got. People had their own opinions - it's silly to think Taylor has that much influene.

I agree...but I also think Taylor's comments at least reminded everyone of Merriman's suspension.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Look at the voting people - I don't think Taylor's comments can account for the extremely low number of votes Merrimen got. People had their own opinions - it's silly to think Taylor has that much influene.

I agree...but I also think Taylor's comments at least reminded everyone of Merriman's suspension.

Do you seriously think it was going to be forgotten if Taylor hadn't "reminded" everyone?

 

[trader jake]

Bailey would have a stronger case if the Broncos made the playoffs.

The best player on D this year was Taylor, he deserved the award.

 

[DanFouts]

Look out in the playoffs.....Merriman will be pissed off.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Look out in the playoffs.....Merriman will be pissed off.

It will be more of a roid rage as opposed to a simple pissed off.

 

[trader jake]

Look out in the playoffs.....Merriman will be pissed off.

It's called roid rage. :layup:

 

[trader jake]

Look out in the playoffs.....Merriman will be pissed off.

It will be more of a roid rage as opposed to a simple pissed off.

Look out in the playoffs.....Merriman will be pissed off.

It's called roid rage. :layup:

 

[jonessed]

Look at the voting people - I don't think Taylor's comments can account for the extremely low number of votes Merrimen got. People had their own opinions - it's silly to think Taylor has that much influene.

I agree...but I also think Taylor's comments at least reminded everyone of Merriman's suspension.

Do you seriously think it was going to be forgotten if Taylor hadn't "reminded" everyone?

He also tossed around the idea that he was going to retire. He was riding the media for this. It seems pretty obvious. That doesn't mean he didn't deserve it.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Look out in the playoffs.....Merriman will be pissed off.

It will be more of a roid rage as opposed to a simple pissed off.

Look out in the playoffs.....Merriman will be pissed off.

It's called roid rage. :layup:

:rejected:

 

[DanFouts]

Look out in the playoffs.....Merriman will be pissed off.

It will be more of a roid rage as opposed to a simple pissed off.

I love me some Charger Roid Rage......

 

[PsychoMan]

Taylor deserved it regardless in my opinion. IF Merriman had actually played those 4 games and recorded even better stats, it may have been a different story.

 

[parasaurolophus]

frankly if Taylor actually did manipulate the voting, more power to him. If the sportswriters are that mindless then i say let the best campaigner win.

 

[Two Deep]

Taylor deserved it regardless in my opinion. IF Merriman had actually played those 4 games and recorded even better stats, it may have been a different story.

Good point. It would be hard for me to vote for a guy (most valuable anything) when he was unavailable to play for four games because of not complying with basic league rules.

 

[thayman]

Look at the voting people - I don't think Taylor's comments can account for the extremely low number of votes Merrimen got. People had their own opinions - it's silly to think Taylor has that much influene.

I agree...but I also think Taylor's comments at least reminded everyone of Merriman's suspension.

Do you seriously think it was going to be forgotten if Taylor hadn't "reminded" everyone?

Not completly. But I do think if the subject never came up it would be alot easier for some voters (particularly SD homers) to gloss over it a bit with out thinking about it as much as they could have.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Look at the voting people - I don't think Taylor's comments can account for the extremely low number of votes Merrimen got. People had their own opinions - it's silly to think Taylor has that much influene.

I agree...but I also think Taylor's comments at least reminded everyone of Merriman's suspension.

Do you seriously think it was going to be forgotten if Taylor hadn't "reminded" everyone?

Not completly. But I do think if the subject never came up it would be alot easier for some voters (particularly SD homers) to gloss over it a bit with out thinking about it as much as they could have.

Well I think that's ridiculous. If you're a sports writer, you're paid to have an opinion, and if you have a vote for this award all you do is look at the season that each player has had. How anyone with half a brain could think about Merrimen's 2006 season and not think of the steroid suspension independent of whatever remarks Jason Taylor is making? I'm not suggesting that Taylor might've intended on ####ting on Merrimen a little to help himself out - I'm just saying that looking at the disparity in the voting, Merrimen was not going to win this award irregardless of what Taylor said.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I agree with those who penalize Merriman for not being on the field for 25% of the games - just like it's difficult to give a player who missed significant time due to injury MVP or DPOY, Merriman was only able to impact 75% of Charger game this season, while Taylor and Bailey were able to impact 100% of their teams games.

But penalizing Merriman for moral reasons in bunk. He paid the price, and sat out 4 games. He has been tested multiple times per week for months now, and is clean.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Regardless of Taylor winning the award, it's quite obvious to most observers that Merriman is more dominant. So while Taylor can take solace in adding a trophy to his collection, every time he looks at it hopefully he'll remember that the only reason he won it was b/c the better player missed 4 games.

 

[PatsWillWin]

I agree with those who penalize Merriman for not being on the field for 25% of the games - just like it's difficult to give a player who missed significant time due to injury MVP or DPOY, Merriman was only able to impact 75% of Charger game this season, while Taylor and Bailey were able to impact 100% of their teams games.But penalizing Merriman for moral reasons in bunk. He paid the price, and sat out 4 games. He has been tested multiple times per week for months now, and is clean.

I don't think it's a "moral reason" to say that Merrimen racked up his stats while benefiting from steroids.And we've already covered how ill-informed you are on how steroids work, so I guess it's pointless to once again point out that just because you stop taking steroids on Monday does not mean that you're back to normal on Tuesday...but I'll point it out again anyway.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Regardless of Taylor winning the award, it's quite obvious to most observers that Merriman is more dominant. So while Taylor can take solace in adding a trophy to his collection, every time he looks at it hopefully he'll remember that the only reason he won it was b/c the better player missed 4 games.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Regardless of Taylor winning the award, it's quite obvious to most observers that Merriman is more dominant. So while Taylor can take solace in adding a trophy to his collection, every time he looks at it hopefully he'll remember that the only reason he won it was b/c the better player missed 4 games.

tommy's homerism is legendary around these parts. I can't say that Merrimen is more dominant as Taylor since I don't know when I've seen Merrimen play without the benefit of steroids.

 

[simsarge]

Not knowing the science behind how long that stuff stasy/effects the body, but if Merriman has been tested and the steriods are still effecting him, wouldn't they still show up? Or are the Leagues retests looking for some sort of gradually diminishing ammount?

And does the league test every player? If not, is it possible Taylor and for that matter Bailey were juiced all year just not caught?

:(

 

[Two Deep]

I agree with those who penalize Merriman for not being on the field for 25% of the games - just like it's difficult to give a player who missed significant time due to injury MVP or DPOY, Merriman was only able to impact 75% of Charger game this season, while Taylor and Bailey were able to impact 100% of their teams games.

But penalizing Merriman for moral reasons in bunk. He paid the price, and sat out 4 games. He has been tested multiple times per week for months now, and is clean.

Pretty sure that is why he didn't win.But the steroid thing does make him a cheater and I'm not sure that anybody wants to give an award to somebody who broke the rules, what kind of message would that send?

 

[parasaurolophus]

Taylor deserved it regardless in my opinion. IF Merriman had actually played those 4 games and recorded even better stats, it may have been a different story.

Good point. It would be hard for me to vote for a guy (most valuable anything) when he was unavailable to play for four games because of not complying with basic league rules.

I think if you looked at those game logs as zeros, and didnt allow them to taint your thoughts by knowing why they were zeros, you would still look and say, Damn he didnt even get one tackle in 25% of the games. Next candidate for review please.

 

[UCLAGIE]

Regardless of Taylor winning the award, it's quite obvious to most observers that Merriman is more dominant. So while Taylor can take solace in adding a trophy to his collection, every time he looks at it hopefully he'll remember that the only reason he won it was b/c the better player missed 4 games.

 

[corpcow]

Look at the voting people - I don't think Taylor's comments can account for the extremely low number of votes Merrimen got. People had their own opinions - it's silly to think Taylor has that much influene.

I agree...but I also think Taylor's comments at least reminded everyone of Merriman's suspension.

Do you seriously think it was going to be forgotten if Taylor hadn't "reminded" everyone?

He just framed it and made the relationship between the suspension and DPOY voting more explicit.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I agree with those who penalize Merriman for not being on the field for 25% of the games - just like it's difficult to give a player who missed significant time due to injury MVP or DPOY, Merriman was only able to impact 75% of Charger game this season, while Taylor and Bailey were able to impact 100% of their teams games.But penalizing Merriman for moral reasons in bunk. He paid the price, and sat out 4 games. He has been tested multiple times per week for months now, and is clean.

I don't think it's a "moral reason" to say that Merrimen racked up his stats while benefiting from steroids.And we've already covered how ill-informed you are on how steroids work, so I guess it's pointless to once again point out that just because you stop taking steroids on Monday does not mean that you're back to normal on Tuesday...but I'll point it out again anyway.

It's my understanding that Merriman has been clean since the positive test in August. Obviously he'll continue to reap the rewards of steroid use for some time after he quit, but for how long? And how much did he benefit?Will you be saying the same thing next season when he sets a new single season sack record?

 

[radballs]

Regardless of Taylor winning the award, it's quite obvious to most observers that Merriman is more dominant. So while Taylor can take solace in adding a trophy to his collection, every time he looks at it hopefully he'll remember that the only reason he won it was b/c the better player missed 4 games.

Don't worry Tommy. Merriman's a young stud who will most likely rack up a small handful of these over his career. It's amazing to think that he's only going to get better over the next 5 years.

 

[PatsWillWin]

I agree with those who penalize Merriman for not being on the field for 25% of the games - just like it's difficult to give a player who missed significant time due to injury MVP or DPOY, Merriman was only able to impact 75% of Charger game this season, while Taylor and Bailey were able to impact 100% of their teams games.But penalizing Merriman for moral reasons in bunk. He paid the price, and sat out 4 games. He has been tested multiple times per week for months now, and is clean.

I don't think it's a "moral reason" to say that Merrimen racked up his stats while benefiting from steroids.And we've already covered how ill-informed you are on how steroids work, so I guess it's pointless to once again point out that just because you stop taking steroids on Monday does not mean that you're back to normal on Tuesday...but I'll point it out again anyway.

It's my understanding that Merriman has been clean since the positive test in August. Obviously he'll continue to reap the rewards of steroid use for some time after he quit, but for how long? And how much did he benefit?Will you be saying the same thing next season when he sets a new single season sack record?

No. I might crack a joke or two, but if Merrimen sets the single season sack record next year, I'll gladly support him for DPOY. I really hope we get a New England @ San Diego game this year.

 

[tommyGunZ]

All I'm saying is that Merriman had more tackles and more sacks than Taylor despite playing 4 fewer games.

It's quite obvious who the most dominant defensive player in NFL is, and it isn't Jason Taylor.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Regardless of Taylor winning the award, it's quite obvious to most observers that Merriman is more dominant. So while Taylor can take solace in adding a trophy to his collection, every time he looks at it hopefully he'll remember that the only reason he won it was b/c the better player missed 4 games.

Don't worry Tommy. Merriman's a young stud who will most likely rack up a small handful of these over his career. It's amazing to think that he's only going to get better over the next 5 years.

Yeah, and he was the youngest player in the NFL last season. Wow.

 

[radballs]

All I'm saying is that Merriman had more tackles and more sacks that Taylor despite playing 4 fewer games.It's quite obvious who the most dominant defensive player in NFL is, and it isn't Jason Taylor.

 

[PatsWillWin]

All I'm saying is that Merriman had more tackles and more sacks that Taylor despite playing 4 fewer games and on steroids.

It's quite obvious who the most dominant defensive player on steroids in NFL is, and it isn't Jason Taylor.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I really hope we get a New England @ San Diego game this year.

I don't. Go Jets.

 

[radballs]

All I'm saying is that Merriman had more tackles and more sacks that Taylor despite playing 4 fewer games and on steroids.

It's quite obvious who the most dominant defensive player on steroids in NFL is, and it isn't Jason Taylor.

This schtick is tired.

 

[PatsWillWin]

I really hope we get a New England @ San Diego game this year.

I don't. Go Jets.

There's a better chance the Sox trade Manny Ramirez for Scott Linebrink than the Jets winning this week.

 

[PatsWillWin]

All I'm saying is that Merriman had more tackles and more sacks that Taylor despite playing 4 fewer games and on steroids.

It's quite obvious who the most dominant defensive player on steroids in NFL is, and it isn't Jason Taylor.

This schtick is tired.

It's schtick to suggest that a player's statistics are affected when a player takes steroids?

 

[radballs]

All I'm saying is that Merriman had more tackles and more sacks that Taylor despite playing 4 fewer games and on steroids.

It's quite obvious who the most dominant defensive player on steroids in NFL is, and it isn't Jason Taylor.

This schtick is tired.

It's schtick to suggest that a player's statistics are affected when a player takes steroids?

No, it is when you qualify ALL of a player's statistics to a failed test that occurred months ago. This is a circular argument that won't get resolved until we see his play next year so at this point we'll just agree to disagree. But, his steroid use is not as large a factor as to his on field performance as you're implying imo.

 

[parasaurolophus]

I agree with those who penalize Merriman for not being on the field for 25% of the games - just like it's difficult to give a player who missed significant time due to injury MVP or DPOY, Merriman was only able to impact 75% of Charger game this season, while Taylor and Bailey were able to impact 100% of their teams games.But penalizing Merriman for moral reasons in bunk. He paid the price, and sat out 4 games. He has been tested multiple times per week for months now, and is clean.

I don't think it's a "moral reason" to say that Merrimen racked up his stats while benefiting from steroids.And we've already covered how ill-informed you are on how steroids work, so I guess it's pointless to once again point out that just because you stop taking steroids on Monday does not mean that you're back to normal on Tuesday...but I'll point it out again anyway.

It's my understanding that Merriman has been clean since the positive test in August. Obviously he'll continue to reap the rewards of steroid use for some time after he quit, but for how long? And how much did he benefit?Will you be saying the same thing next season when he sets a new single season sack record?

I would concede that steroids had little effect on him if you would be willing to admit that if he has a worse year next year than this year, that clearly his great play was because of steroids. I dont even mean per game, I mean total. If his stats for 16 games next year are worse than 12 this year, I think thats a fair assumption, no?

 

[PatsWillWin]

All I'm saying is that Merriman had more tackles and more sacks that Taylor despite playing 4 fewer games and on steroids.

It's quite obvious who the most dominant defensive player on steroids in NFL is, and it isn't Jason Taylor.

This schtick is tired.

It's schtick to suggest that a player's statistics are affected when a player takes steroids?

No, it is when you qualify ALL of a player's statistics to a failed test that occurred months ago. This is a circular argument that won't get resolved until we see his play next year so at this point we'll just agree to disagree. But, his steroid use is not as large a factor as to his on field performance as you're implying imo.

No, it can get resolved right now because you're not making any sense. Forget the pre-steroids/post-steroids test stats - I'll even concede that and assume that Merrimen was "normal" when he came back from his month suspension - something that I don't really believe, but let's toss is out since it's not the point anyway.His totals for the season were affected by steroids. It doesn't matter if 7 games were but the laat 5 weren't - I'm talking about his totals, which was in response to tommygunz using his season totals being higher than Jason Taylor's season totals as a supporting factor of Merrimen's dominance.

His 2006 totals have an (*) next to it because he tested positive for steroids.

Now you can respond if you want with your opinion as to how that isn't so, and I'll extend to you the courtesy of not simply dismissing it as "schtick".