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GMC Defensive Player of the Year outlook
NFL.com
Miami's Jason Taylor won a hotly contested competition for Defensive Player of the Year last season, edging out Denver's Champ Bailey. Taylor earned 22 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL, Bailey got 16, San Diego's Shawne Merriman received six and Chicago's Brian Urlacher four.
Here is a look at what made those four the top defensive players of 2006:
Eliot J. Schechter / Getty Images
Jason Taylor was the first member of the Dolphins to win Defensive Player of the Year since defensive end Doug Betters in 1983.
1. Jason Taylor, DE, Miami Dolphins: The veteran defensive end enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in his 10th year. He led the fourth-ranked defense in the NFL with 13.5 sacks and also notched 60 tackles. Showcasing his all-around athleticism, he snared two interceptions and scored two touchdowns -- the first of his career. He also recorded eight passes defensed and held the team together after a 1-6 start that threatened to tear it apart.
2. Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos: In his eighth season, the shut-down corner enjoyed the best season of his career. Despite not being challenged very often because of his superior coverage skills, he still nabbed a career-high 10 interceptions and made 85 tackles. On the rare occassions he did not pick off a pass thrown his way, he knocked it down, collecting 21 passes defensed. He also anchored the league's eighth-ranked scoring defense and scored a touchdown.
3. Shawne Merriman, LB, San Diego Chargers: The second-year linebacker delivered a thunderous start to the season. In Week 1 on Monday night, Merriman tallied three sacks and six tackles against the rival Raiders. He never let up and finished the season with 17 sacks and 62 tackles, even though he missed four games due to a mid-season suspension. On top of the sacks and tackles, Merriman also had one interception, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
4. Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears: The 2005 Defensive Player of the Year, Urlacher continued his individual brilliance last season but this time also enjoyed more team success as the Bears won the NFC. He amassed 141 tackles, three interceptions and nine passes defensed. He also played the crucial middle linebacker position in Chicago's Cover 2 defense and helped young stars such as defensive lineman Mark Anderson emerge for the NFL's fifth-ranked defense.
While the above four players certainly can be expected to compete for the honor of top defensive player again, here are five more who seem primed for a run at the honor. Which do you think has the best chance? Vote in the GMC Defensive Player of the Year poll.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: FIVE CANDIDATES FOR 2007
Panthers DE Julius Peppers
Entering his fifth season in Carolina, Peppers accumulated a career-high 13 sacks last season and had 57 tackles. He also had three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and six passes defensed. Peppers has all the tools to compete for a Defensive Player of the Year award, and this could be the year. Ravens FS Ed Reed
The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year, Reed is always a candidate to gain the honor for a second time. Last year he had another strong season, pulling down five interceptions and scoring a touchdown for the league's top-ranked defense. He also had 59 tackles and formed a potent safety tandem with Dawan Landry.
Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware
The third-year linebacker appears poised for a breakout season with the Cowboys. Last year he tallied 11.5 sacks, 71 tackles and an interception. He also demonstrated his big-play ability with five forced fumbles and two TDs. With his reputation now esablished, Ware could be a candidate for the award by building on last season. 49ers CB Nate Clements
The 49ers made Clements the highest-paid player at his position in NFL history during the offseason. He has the ability to respond with a season worthy of Defensive Player of the Year candidacy. Last season, Clements filled up the stat sheet with 70 tackles, three INTs, one TD and 19 passes defensed.
Kevin Williams, DT, Minnesota Vikings:
The linchpin of the league's top-rated run defense last year, Williams clogs the middle like few others today in the NFL. With 31 career sacks, he has shown he can also get to the quarterback. The Vikings have a strong secondary, so Williams figures to have the time to rush the quarterback and collect big plays.
This season, the NFL will select the GMC Defensive Player of the Week, culminating in the GMC Defensive Player of the Year award. Fans can vote on NFL.com after Monday Night Football each week.
GMC Defensive Player of the Year outlook
Who do you think has the best shot at winning 2007 GMC Defensive Player of the Year? 36%
Julius Peppers36%
DeMarcus Ware32%
Ed Reed19%
Nate Clements7%
Kevin Williams5%
Total Votes: 22627
GMC Defensive Player of the Year outlook
NFL.com
Miami's Jason Taylor won a hotly contested competition for Defensive Player of the Year last season, edging out Denver's Champ Bailey. Taylor earned 22 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL, Bailey got 16, San Diego's Shawne Merriman received six and Chicago's Brian Urlacher four.
Here is a look at what made those four the top defensive players of 2006:
Eliot J. Schechter / Getty Images
Jason Taylor was the first member of the Dolphins to win Defensive Player of the Year since defensive end Doug Betters in 1983.
1. Jason Taylor, DE, Miami Dolphins: The veteran defensive end enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in his 10th year. He led the fourth-ranked defense in the NFL with 13.5 sacks and also notched 60 tackles. Showcasing his all-around athleticism, he snared two interceptions and scored two touchdowns -- the first of his career. He also recorded eight passes defensed and held the team together after a 1-6 start that threatened to tear it apart.
2. Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos: In his eighth season, the shut-down corner enjoyed the best season of his career. Despite not being challenged very often because of his superior coverage skills, he still nabbed a career-high 10 interceptions and made 85 tackles. On the rare occassions he did not pick off a pass thrown his way, he knocked it down, collecting 21 passes defensed. He also anchored the league's eighth-ranked scoring defense and scored a touchdown.
3. Shawne Merriman, LB, San Diego Chargers: The second-year linebacker delivered a thunderous start to the season. In Week 1 on Monday night, Merriman tallied three sacks and six tackles against the rival Raiders. He never let up and finished the season with 17 sacks and 62 tackles, even though he missed four games due to a mid-season suspension. On top of the sacks and tackles, Merriman also had one interception, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
4. Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears: The 2005 Defensive Player of the Year, Urlacher continued his individual brilliance last season but this time also enjoyed more team success as the Bears won the NFC. He amassed 141 tackles, three interceptions and nine passes defensed. He also played the crucial middle linebacker position in Chicago's Cover 2 defense and helped young stars such as defensive lineman Mark Anderson emerge for the NFL's fifth-ranked defense.
While the above four players certainly can be expected to compete for the honor of top defensive player again, here are five more who seem primed for a run at the honor. Which do you think has the best chance? Vote in the GMC Defensive Player of the Year poll.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: FIVE CANDIDATES FOR 2007
Panthers DE Julius Peppers
Entering his fifth season in Carolina, Peppers accumulated a career-high 13 sacks last season and had 57 tackles. He also had three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and six passes defensed. Peppers has all the tools to compete for a Defensive Player of the Year award, and this could be the year. Ravens FS Ed Reed
The 2004 Defensive Player of the Year, Reed is always a candidate to gain the honor for a second time. Last year he had another strong season, pulling down five interceptions and scoring a touchdown for the league's top-ranked defense. He also had 59 tackles and formed a potent safety tandem with Dawan Landry.
Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware
The third-year linebacker appears poised for a breakout season with the Cowboys. Last year he tallied 11.5 sacks, 71 tackles and an interception. He also demonstrated his big-play ability with five forced fumbles and two TDs. With his reputation now esablished, Ware could be a candidate for the award by building on last season. 49ers CB Nate Clements
The 49ers made Clements the highest-paid player at his position in NFL history during the offseason. He has the ability to respond with a season worthy of Defensive Player of the Year candidacy. Last season, Clements filled up the stat sheet with 70 tackles, three INTs, one TD and 19 passes defensed.
Kevin Williams, DT, Minnesota Vikings:
The linchpin of the league's top-rated run defense last year, Williams clogs the middle like few others today in the NFL. With 31 career sacks, he has shown he can also get to the quarterback. The Vikings have a strong secondary, so Williams figures to have the time to rush the quarterback and collect big plays.
This season, the NFL will select the GMC Defensive Player of the Week, culminating in the GMC Defensive Player of the Year award. Fans can vote on NFL.com after Monday Night Football each week.
GMC Defensive Player of the Year outlook
Who do you think has the best shot at winning 2007 GMC Defensive Player of the Year? 36%
Julius Peppers36%
DeMarcus Ware32%
Ed Reed19%
Nate Clements7%
Kevin Williams5%
Total Votes: 22627
