Polamalu named AP Defensive Player of the Year
As if the Steelers and the Packers didn’t have enough points of contention leading up to Super Bowl XLV, the Associated Press has just added another.
The 50 media members who make up the AP’s panel of judges voted Troy Polamalu as the 2010 AP Defensive Player of the Year. Polamalu beat out Packers’ linebacker Clay Matthews by 2 votes. Steelers’ linebacker James Harrison was third in the voting.
DPOY Troy Polamalu
Prior to the announcement, many believed that Clay Matthews was certain to win the award. I guess the favorite doesn’t always win. By the way, Las Vegas oddsmakers have Green Bay as the favorite to win the Super Bowl on Sunday. I just thought I’d mention that.
Frankly, I was surprised to learn that Troy had won the award. I was afraid that he would be penalized for missing two games with an injury. Fortunately, the voters recognized Troy’s value despite the missed games.
Troy’s 7 interceptions in 2010 tied his career high. He was 2nd in the NFL in that category. Ed Reed of the Baltimore Ravens had 8 interceptions.
Troy also had 63 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 18 passes defensed.
Congratulations, Troy. The award couldn’t have gone to a nicer guy.
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Congrats Troy!!!! Your the best there is………. now go and get them on Sunday, climb that stairway to seven and bring home the Superbowl to Pittsburgh!!!!!!!!!!
1The best player won and the second best player came third, so almost perfect by the AP!
2Congrats Troy. I think Clay should have won it, but I’m biased. At least it went to a good guy who is also deserving of being recognized. CM3 has plenty of hardware in his future anyway…
And Dawson – NO. WAY. is Harrison as “bad” as the Claymaker. Maybe last year. Not from this year on.
3Bearmeat, you are plenty correct about the hardware in CM3′s future. I love Greg Jennings’ ring celebration after the touchdown! What a game! I couldn’t sit down the whole day from when I woke up until an hour after the game. Wild.
4