Season Awards: Defensive MVP

A lot more to choose from on this side of the ball, that's for sure

Here's the nominees, the tackle #'s are from NFL.com, so keep in mind since tackles aren't an official stat you might see different numbers elsewhere

Pierce: 112 tackles, 1 sack, 2 fumble rec, 2 INT
Washington: 107 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 fumble rec
Taylor: 76 tackles, 1 sack, 4 INT
Griffin: 70 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 fumble rec
Springs: 64 tackles, 6 sacks, 5 INT
Smoot: 59 tackles, 1 fumble rec, 3 INT

I went with other because it's so hard to just pinpoint one guy. I think the defense as a whole was not only the defensive MVP, but the MVP in general. I'd hate to imagine what our record would've been without them.

Thank you God for Gregg Williams......

It's pretty much a toss up between Pierce, Griffin, and Springs. They're all so important to the defense. Pierce has got to be one of the smartest and fastest middle linebackers in the league. Springs covered and stuffed the run as well as Bailey for a lot less money. Griffin added enormous talent to a talent-deficient d-line - he also had as many tackles as a lot of linebackers in this league.

I give the defensive MVP to Griffin by a nose.

I could make a case for any of these guys.

Springs was a great all around player, leading the team in sacks and INT's is pretty impressive.

Pierce came outta nowhere and quickly established himself as a heady, nose for the ball kinda MLB.

Griffin's impact on the defensive line was immediate. As much of an impact Gardener was for us a few years ago, Griffin was even more impressive because he was consistently good week in and week out.

Taylor started off very slowly but by the end of the season he seemed to always be wherever the ball was. He's primed for a breakout year in '05.

Washington was a great pickup for us, a very underrated LB who's starting to become a household name.

Smoot took his game to the next level and showed he can still be an outstanding corner without Bailey across from him.

In the end my vote goes to Pierce, with Springs and Griffin #2 and #2a.

Griffin gets my vote... he had me from hello. :biggthump

Everything starts with defensive tackles in the NFL. If the can disrupt, demand double-teams, or even just occupy their blockers, it frees up the middle linebackers, allows them to blitz, which in turn pressures the QB, which in turn, helps the DBs to not have to cover so long.

It's been soooooo long since we had a CONSISTANTLY disruptive DT (Gardener was good, but not every game), since Dave Butz dare I say? We have been longing for d-line help for YEARS, so of course that sways my vote a little... FINALLY getting someone to cheer for in there.

Springs definitely number 2, followed by Pierce.

I went with other. My vote is for the entire deffensive unit. This is a team sport and they played very well as a unit with whoever was filling in. On every play it seemed there were four or five players in on the tackle. If one man missed the ball carrier had another three or four tacklers to deal with. Our defence would have easly been ranked #1 if we would have had any offence this year. With that said maybe my vote should go to Williams.

I went w/ Other, and I'm gonna say Gregg Williams. The guy is just a genius, I'm actually excited to see what he can do next year, if we dont resign a guy like Smoot. I think he can still succeed wiht players who arent of the same caliber. I like the idea of the "Redskin No Names" like we had a few guys call us this year.

Maybe I should eliminate the 'other' choice in these polls and force you guys to make a decision, LOL.

Williams is an obvious choice but hold that off for another poll ;)

I'm gonna say Springs, but its a tough call between him and Griffin. Springs wins I think because no one expected him to have as good a year as he did...he's really revived his career, and 6.5 sacks for a corner...that's pretty dang good. I don't remember Champ getting into any quarterback's face.

I went with Pierce. His leadership and smarts out on the field have been incredible. He always gets guys into the right spot. He is Gregg Williams in uniform.