NFL Defensive POY -- James Harrison

[outofplace]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hAgAxyE0WeXvBWpXKE3vxftAxoMwD95H402G0

James Harrison of the Steelers was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Trey Beamon posted this on the NFL Divisional round thread, but I thought the award deserved its own thread. Perhaps there is a fanboy element in it, too. so be it.

I've been arguing that Harrison should be up for the award most of the season, but I really thought DeMarcus Ware was going to get it because he led the NFL with 20 sacks. Harrison had 16 in 15 games, but he was much more of a force against the run than Ware or Joey Porter. Obviously, it helped that Harrison played on a defense that led the league in yardage and points allowed.

I am curious if others disagree with the choice. I have even heard Steelers fans argue that Polamalu is more deserving. Ed Reed and Ware obviously belonged in the discussion. Anybody else?

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

The anti-Steelers fanbois just let out a collecivte groan.

 

[bostonbred]

Harrison's the correct choice.

 

[outofplace]

Harrison's the correct choice.

I agree, though I am surprised that the correct choice was made. The voters actually had to look beyond the sack total on this one.

 

[Hammer Pants]

Albert Haynesworth and Ed Reed are the two best defensive players in football, in my opinion. I think Haynesworth should have won the award, but Harrison isn't a bad choice.

 

[nmmetsfan]

IMO Ed Reed should have won. Although Harrison (and Ware) have legitimate claims to it. Any of the three were worthy.

 

[Hammer Pants]

IMO Ed Reed should have won. Although Harrison (and Ware) have legitimate claims to it. Any of the three were worthy.

No love for the best player at the most critical non-QB position on the field?

 

[outofplace]

Albert Haynesworth and Ed Reed are the two best defensive players in football, in my opinion. I think Haynesworth should have won the award, but Harrison isn't a bad choice.

Reed does not have an impact on nearly as many plays as Harrison does. He absolutely belongs in the top five, but behind Harrison, Haynesworth, Ware and Polamalu.

Harrison and Haynesworth are tougher to compare, though both are playmakers who open up opportunities for their teammates simply by their presence on the field.

I had the advantage of watching Harrison every week. The Steelers have had playmakers at that spot, but they were often guys like Joey Porter who took great advantage of **** LeBeau's schemes with their speed. Harrison can do that, too, but he can also beat tackles one-on-one, which allows LeBeau to be a little less aggressive and still get a pass rush.

I only sat down and watched most of a Titans game twice. Once was the ugly loss to the Jets. The other time, I saw the Titans' defensive front destroy the Steelers without Haynesworth. That same game, Harrison was hurt early. He played parts of the game after he was hurt and got the Steelers' only sack of the day, but he wasn't 100 percent and the run defense wasn't at its usual levels without him.

I can see the argument for Haynesworth, but I think Harrison was better this year.

 

[Hammer Pants]

Albert Haynesworth and Ed Reed are the two best defensive players in football, in my opinion. I think Haynesworth should have won the award, but Harrison isn't a bad choice.

Reed does not have an impact on nearly as many plays as Harrison does. He absolutely belongs in the top five, but behind Harrison, Haynesworth, Ware and Polamalu.

Harrison and Haynesworth are tougher to compare, though both are playmakers who open up opportunities for their teammates simply by their presence on the field.

I had the advantage of watching Harrison every week. The Steelers have had playmakers at that spot, but they were often guys like Joey Porter who took great advantage of **** LeBeau's schemes with their speed. Harrison can do that, too, but he can also beat tackles one-on-one, which allows LeBeau to be a little less aggressive and still get a pass rush.

I only sat down and watched most of a Titans game twice. Once was the ugly loss to the Jets. The other time, I saw the Titans' defensive front destroy the Steelers without Haynesworth. That same game, Harrison was hurt early. He played parts of the game after he was hurt and got the Steelers' only sack of the day, but he wasn't 100 percent and the run defense wasn't at its usual levels without him.

I can see the argument for Haynesworth, but I think Harrison was better this year.

Haynesworth is usually the best player on the field when he wants to be the best player on the field. That's been the case in college and the NFL, but his motor has improved with age. He routinely plows through double teams and simply caves in the pocket by himself. He and KVB are a really, really good duo.

I'd really like a DT to win this award. I wish there was a way to get linemen more awards (anyone watch Bama in the Sugar Bowl without Andre Smith???).

But, like I said, Harrison is damn good, too. I have no problem with him winning the award.

 

[outofplace]

Albert Haynesworth and Ed Reed are the two best defensive players in football, in my opinion. I think Haynesworth should have won the award, but Harrison isn't a bad choice.

Reed does not have an impact on nearly as many plays as Harrison does. He absolutely belongs in the top five, but behind Harrison, Haynesworth, Ware and Polamalu.

Harrison and Haynesworth are tougher to compare, though both are playmakers who open up opportunities for their teammates simply by their presence on the field.

I had the advantage of watching Harrison every week. The Steelers have had playmakers at that spot, but they were often guys like Joey Porter who took great advantage of **** LeBeau's schemes with their speed. Harrison can do that, too, but he can also beat tackles one-on-one, which allows LeBeau to be a little less aggressive and still get a pass rush.

I only sat down and watched most of a Titans game twice. Once was the ugly loss to the Jets. The other time, I saw the Titans' defensive front destroy the Steelers without Haynesworth. That same game, Harrison was hurt early. He played parts of the game after he was hurt and got the Steelers' only sack of the day, but he wasn't 100 percent and the run defense wasn't at its usual levels without him.

I can see the argument for Haynesworth, but I think Harrison was better this year.

Haynesworth is usually the best player on the field when he wants to be the best player on the field. That's been the case in college and the NFL, but his motor has improved with age. He routinely plows through double teams and simply caves in the pocket by himself. He and KVB are a really, really good duo.

I'd really like a DT to win this award. I wish there was a way to get linemen more awards (anyone watch Bama is the Sugar Bowl without Andre Smith???).

But, like I said, Harrison is damn good, too. I have no problem with him winning the award.

No argument regarding talent. Haynesworth does have more ability, but he doesn't show up all the time and Harrison does.

 

[Hammer Pants]

Also, I'm not aware of Harrison ever stepping on a dude's face with his cleats.

 

[Big Circus]

Also, I'm not aware of Harrison ever stepping on a dude's face with his cleats.

That you know of.

 

[outofplace]

Also, I'm not aware of Harrison ever stepping on a dude's face with his cleats.

True, though he was arrested for assault and criminal mischief related to a domestic dispute this offseason. Those charges were later dropped after he went through an anger management course.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08094/870237-100.stm

 

[Goldeaston]

Albert Haynesworth and Ed Reed are the two best defensive players in football, in my opinion. I think Haynesworth should have won the award, but Harrison isn't a bad choice.

Reed does not have an impact on nearly as many plays as Harrison does.

That sentence displays your complete fundamental lack of understanding of football.

Reed is the best player in football, hands-down. It's not even close.

 

[Hammer Pants]

Albert Haynesworth and Ed Reed are the two best defensive players in football, in my opinion. I think Haynesworth should have won the award, but Harrison isn't a bad choice.

Reed does not have an impact on nearly as many plays as Harrison does.

That sentence displays your complete fundamental lack of understanding of football.

Reed is the best player in football, hands-down. It's not even close.

He might be the best defender in football. Hell, he might be the best player.

But no one player in the NFL is that much better than the rest of the pack.

What about Randy Moss? He might be the toughest receiver to defend in the history of football.

What about Manning? Brady? Haynesworth? Gates? Steve Smith?

 

[Goldeaston]

I meant defensive. My bad.

 

[Hammer Pants]

I meant defensive. My bad.

I think you'd be surprised how many GMs would take a dominant DT over a dominant safety.

But Reed's return ability is simply ridiculous. What an X-factor...

 

[Goldeaston]

Certainly GMs would take a dominant DT over a dominant safety, because they are rarer. But Reed is involved in so many more plays than a DT -- Harrison or anyone else -- it's comical to suggest otherwise. And yes, his return ability is sick.

 

[outofplace]

Certainly GMs would take a dominant DT over a dominant safety, because they are rarer. But Reed is involved in so many more plays than a DT -- Harrison or anyone else -- it's comical to suggest otherwise. And yes, his return ability is sick.

No, your inability to recognize how much more of an impact Harrison makes in defending the run than Reed does shows your inabilty to give any member of the Steelers any credit for anything. That is really the source of your argument.

 

[Big Circus]

Is anyone else getting the "Are you smarter than Hines Ward?" ad?