Why Troy For Def MVP?!

[berad]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1296567992' post='630052']
[b]Well, guess what. Me and 17 AP voters didn't see it that way.
[/b]
Though I already said, anyone one of the three would have been the right choice.
[/quote]

Yup, which is why my opinion counts for nothing until I can grab an AP vote maybe I could murder one and get their vote? It's worth a shot.

[Clutch Ravens]

When I think of DPOY I think of the player, based on what they've done this season, that I would most like to build a defense around.

In this case it's Clay Matthews. Not trying to knock Polamalu, but based on this season alone there is NO defensive player I'd take over Matthews.

[FlaStlrfan]

Wow, you guys are into some serious homerism - Troy Polamalu should have won this award years ago to begin with. He's not a flash in the pan one-hit-wonder. It's an award that is voted on and the fact of the matter is Polamalu has earned this by proving time and time again how good he is.

You guys are on here criticizing things you just don't understand - with no concept of what Troy is asked to do. The Steelers don't take out their LBs in nickel packages and that leaves mismatches when a LB is matched against a WR. But the player that balances that out is Troy, because of how he roames the QB doesn't know where he is going to be and thus cannot as easily anticipate where the opening is. Troy is so good at it that he can close in and take an opening and just like that, close it.

He often gets asked to go into coverage -- which means he is taking away the biggest play WR on the opposition. Was there a Bolden sighting in the playoffs? Your most dangerous offensive player didn't make a single impact in the playoff game - because Troy was taking him out due to coverage. Yet, you geniuses talk about how he isn't making plays in playoff games. It's the exact same thing with Ed Reed - Roethlisberger avoided whereever he was and always does. That's IMPACTING the game, no matter how you cut it.

Anyone who does not think Polamalu is undeserving of the DPOY Award simply is a homer or an absolute idiot who doesn't know a thing about football.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='FlaStlrfan' timestamp='1296585686' post='630319']
Wow, you guys are into some serious homerism - Troy Polamalu should have won this award years ago to begin with. He's not a flash in the pan one-hit-wonder. It's an award that is voted on and the fact of the matter is Polamalu has earned this by proving time and time again how good he is.

You guys are on here criticizing things you just don't understand - with no concept of what Troy is asked to do. The Steelers don't take out their LBs in nickel packages and that leaves mismatches when a LB is matched against a WR. But the player that balances that out is Troy, because of how he roames the QB doesn't know where he is going to be and thus cannot as easily anticipate where the opening is. Troy is so good at it that he can close in and take an opening and just like that, close it.

[b]He often gets asked to go into coverage -- which means he is taking away the biggest play WR on the opposition. Was there a Bolden sighting in the playoffs? Your most dangerous offensive player didn't make a single impact in the playoff game - because Troy was taking him out due to coverage. Yet, you geniuses talk about how he isn't making plays in playoff games. It's the exact same thing with Ed Reed - Roethlisberger avoided whereever he was and always does. That's IMPACTING the game, no matter how you cut it.[/b]

Anyone who does not think Polamalu is undeserving of the DPOY Award simply is a homer or an absolute idiot who doesn't know a thing about football.
[/quote]

You accuse others of not knowing what they're talking and this is your argument?

Boldin wasn't a big part of the Ravens' offense most of the second half of the season, primarily because of misuse. I'd say him not having an impact against the Steelers was more due to what the Ravens failed to do than what Polamalu did.

On the two balls that were actually thrown Q's way, Polamalu wasn't even in the vicinity. I can bring numerous other plays where Troy wasn't covering Boldin either but Joe didn't throw him the ball for whatever reason.

Troy is a great player and [i]does[/i] deserve the award but let's not pretend he's everywhere, all the time.

[bpytnjr58]

Why is that person even on this board this time of year...he should be on the Packers board spewing.

[BloodRaven]

Idiot.

Maybe Brian Dawkins should win next year, for all the stuff he's done in the past as well.

[Shammy]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1296572877' post='630124']
I'd reconstructing one's hip in the off-season, returning in the 7th game of the season obviously still not 100% and leading the league in INTs is actually a [i]big deal[/i].

It's pretty difficult to make much of an impact when you're at least 20 yards off the ball most of the time.

[/quote]

polamalu has been injured aswell

[Shammy]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1296572877' post='630124']


He made some huge plays this season but let's not pretend Ed didn't either.
[/quote]

never said he didnt and as you said 43 was non exsistent in some games just as reed was (atlanta , houston) everyone has their view .. imma give credit where credit is due from my perspective though ..

[XxSizzleXx]

If I voted it would of been a tough decision between Peppers and Harrison for me.

[Purple Punishment]

Matthews definitely deserved DPOY. I LOVE Ed Reed, but Clay Matthews has something inside of his tank that only a few in the league have and he was hammering the hell out of QBs.

[xen-uno]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1296526115' post='629733']
Troy is great, yes, but when they say he made "game changing plays", all they're talking about is his sack on Flacco ...
[/quote]

You watched all the Steeler games then?

[hawkprey]

[quote name='xen-uno' timestamp='1296599314' post='630552']
You watched all the Steeler games then?
[/quote]

I think if he'd made another game-changing play I would've heard about it. What other plays were there? Oh yeah, his seven interceptions. But every time we mention how Reed has eight, suddenly "stats don't matter". I've seen about half of the Steeler games and I can tell you that for every INT or tackle behind the LOS Troy made, he let up a first down or a TD in coverage.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1296599922' post='630566']
I think if he'd made another game-changing play I would've heard about it. What other plays were there? Oh yeah, his seven interceptions. But every time we mention how Reed has eight, suddenly "stats don't matter". I've seen about half of the Steeler games and I can tell you that for every INT or tackle behind the LOS Troy made, he let up a first down or a TD in coverage.
[/quote]


Clay had 60 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 1 int, 2 FF and 1 TD.
Troy had 63 Tackles, 1 sack, 7 ints, 1 FF and 1 TD.

Quite comparable if its stats we're discussing.


Troy deserved it. Clay did too and so did James Harrison. 50 people voted individually and 17 thought Troy deserved it more. That's the way it goes. I have no issues with Troy getting it. I would have had not issues if Clay had gotten it either. Ed Reed? I might have a problem. He had three mutli pick games and no TD's (which I'm told is what he's best at). He also only had 37 tackles.



Since you know how many tackles Troy Polamalu missed, perhaps you can share with us how many Clay missed. I don't recall Clay taking over a game like Troy did this year.

[Jamal]

If you think Reed deserves the MVP more than Troy you need to wake up form the homerism.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1296603654' post='630628']
Clay had 60 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 1 int, 2 FF and 1 TD.
Troy had 63 Tackles, 1 sack, 7 ints, 1 FF and 1 TD.

Quite comparable if its stats we're discussing.


Troy deserved it. Clay did too and so did James Harrison. 50 people voted individually and 17 thought Troy deserved it more. That's the way it goes. I have no issues with Troy getting it. I would have had not issues if Clay had gotten it either. Ed Reed? I might have a problem. He had three mutli pick games and no TD's (which I'm told is what he's best at). He also only had 37 tackles.


Since you know how many tackles Troy Polamalu missed, perhaps you can share with us how many Clay missed. I don't recall Clay taking over a game like Troy did this year.
[/quote]

Ngata had 46 tackles but no one's doubting his ability. Clay is double-teamed or avoided on so many plays because of his 6 sacks to start the season. I think it's safe to say he took over those two games.

I think Harrison should have gotten it if not Clay, but Harrison has guys to complement him that make it easier.

(Remember Ed did lateral to Dawan Landry who scored a TD.)

[thewarden86]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1296606891' post='630684']
Ngata had 46 tackles but no one's doubting his ability. Clay is double-teamed or [b]avoided on so many plays [/b]because of his 6 sacks to start the season. I think it's safe to say he took over those two games.

I think Harrison should have gotten it if not Clay, but Harrison has guys to complement him that make it easier.

(Remember Ed did lateral to Dawan Landry who scored a TD.)
[/quote]

I'm fairly confident in saying that Troy is too. What's more amazing is that if you listen to Matt Ryan, he actually thought he [b]was[/b] avoiding Troy, but Troy came out of nowhere.

[purple.n.black]

Gonna get flamed for this but at least I'm honest... If Reed played at least 2 more games with some nice plays I think he would practically be certain. I think he still deserved it a good bit though. I think two guys that really deserved it though are Ngata and Wake. They had great seasons, continuously played relentless and great. I think more than DPOY Troy deserved MVP. Not saying he DOES deserve the MVP, just saying I think he was more of a "valuable player" to his team than a "great defensive player", although he did have a great defensive season. Reason being, he made the right plays at the right time, and he is almost as responsible for their success than anyone else. Like that play on Flacco, although I hate it, that essentially gave them a 1st round bye. THAT BEING SAID, there are guys that also deserve MVP more, like Brady, Rodgers, and maybe even Rivers. Definitely some others, but those 3 guys really made their teams and battled through a lot to get where they were, even though the latter's team did not make the playoffs.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Shammy' timestamp='1296589814' post='630375']
polamalu has been injured aswell
[/quote]

He was. I don't think his strained Achilles hobbled him as much as Ed's hip and ankle did though. But that's just speculation on my part.

[quote name='Shammy' timestamp='1296590371' post='630385']
never said he didnt and as you said 43 was non exsistent in some games just as reed was (atlanta , houston) everyone has their view .. imma give credit where credit is due from my perspective though ..
[/quote]

Speaking specifically to the games you mentioned, Ed gave up TDs in both of them but at least he intercepted a two-point conversion attempt by against the Falcons and broke up a pass against the Texans.

I feel Troy deserves the award as well. Just voicing my opinion on some finer(probably less relevant) issues.

[RavensAllTheWay]

Troy gets a lot of picks for s STRONG safety and Ed makes a lot of tackles near the line of scrimmage for a FREE safety. But the Steelers defense did have a much better pass rush than ours for most of the season, creating more bad throws.

That argument right there is not homerism, it's fact. And if some of you don't like what I'm saying, I just wanna let you know this doesn't revolve solely around safeties. Me mentioning their superiority in pass rush is NOT an exucse for US, it's giving credit to rest of the Steelers D.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='purple.n.black' timestamp='1296608030' post='630702']
Gonna get flamed for this but at least I'm honest... If Reed played at least 2 more games with some nice plays I think he would practically be certain. I think he still deserved it a good bit though. I think two guys that really deserved it though are Ngata and Wake. They had great seasons, continuously played relentless and great. I think more than DPOY Troy deserved MVP. Not saying he DOES deserve the MVP, [b]just saying I think he was more of a "valuable player" to his team than a "great defensive player",[/b] although he did have a great defensive season. Reason being, he made the right plays at the right time, and he is almost as responsible for their success than anyone else. Like that play on Flacco, although I hate it, that essentially gave them a 1st round bye. THAT BEING SAID, there are guys that also deserve MVP more, like Brady, Rodgers, and maybe even Rivers. Definitely some others, but those 3 guys really made their teams and battled through a lot to get where they were, even though the latter's team did not make the playoffs.
[/quote]
And there you have it.

[RavensAllTheWay]

Just letting you guys know, I don't think Troy would've won if the Steelers weren't in the SB. And you might say well what about Matthews?

Troy is the gold in black and gold. I won't deny he's more valuable to them than Reed is to us or Clay is to the Pack, just that whether or not he's the best defensive player in the league right now is in question, which I THOUGHT is what they mean't by DPOY.

[purple.n.black]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1296610158' post='630735']
Just letting you guys know, I don't think Troy would've won if the Steelers weren't in the SB. And you might say well what about Matthews?

Troy is the gold in black and gold. I won't deny he's more valuable to them than Reed is to us or Clay is to the Pack, just that whether or not he's the best defensive player in the league right now is in question, which I THOUGHT is what they mean't by DPOY.
[/quote]
Yes that is what I said. But it did happen, so nothing can be done now except write the voters hate mail.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='purple.n.black' timestamp='1296611210' post='630751']
Yes that is what I said. [b]But it did happen, so nothing can be done now except write the voters hate mail.[/b][/quote]
Yes sir, unfortunately.

[purple.n.black]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1296622209' post='630856']
Yes sir, unfortunately.
[/quote]
Be glad that at least he did deserve it somewhat, having a great defensive season. Others just deserved it a lot more.

[Jamal]

You could make the argument that someone deserved it more than Troy, but no one can make the argument that someone deserved it [b]a lot[/b] more than Troy.

[bpytnjr58]

The Media Talking Heads have spoken and they chose him. He made some key plays during the season and without him on the field they are not the same team. The subject will always be debated year after year on who is selected and there always will be unhappy fans.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='bpytnjr58' timestamp='1296669169' post='631037']
The Media Talking Heads have spoken and they chose him. He made some key plays during the season and without him on the field they are not the same team. The subject will always be debated year after year on who is selected and there always will be unhappy fans.
[/quote]

The team not being the same without him on the field however is not what the DPOY is about. That is what the MVP is about. DPOY is about the best consistent defensive player of THIS entire season. Not what he's done over the course of his career, not if he deserved it X amount of seasons ago and didn't receive it, not what his team does or does not do without him on the field.

While I could argue a few seasons where he deserved this award and was snubbed, this season is not one of them. That does not mean that he did not make good plays, even game changing plays throughout this season, but he fell off to the point of missing key tackles late in the season (yes, I know it was due to injury but that doesn't come into it either) and was pretty much quiet in many games as well.

Matthews production fell off later but he was not a non-factor to the point that Troy became. It is what it is I know but let's be honest about it.

[berad]

Polamalu's most memorable play involved giving up a touchdown - not to mention his numerous missed tackles. Harrison made more news spouting off at the mouth during the week, rather than making plays. Clay Matthews forced a pivotal fourth quarter turnover that led to the Packers scoring their winning points.

One of them deserved it over the other two...

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1297087551' post='634645']
Polamalu's most memorable play involved giving up a touchdown - not to mention his numerous missed tackles. Harrison made more news spouting off at the mouth during the week, rather than making plays. Clay Matthews forced a pivotal fourth quarter turnover that led to the Packers scoring their winning points.

One of them deserved it over the other two...
[/quote]

Well, Clay proved that he was more deserving in the Super Bowl.

[Purple Nurple]

When I saw that ball pop up, I had a horrible flashback of Ray Rices' fumble in our last game. That, and the Steelers fourth down pass attempt last night, I was screaming "feel my pain!"