Blue 88: Why Clay Matthews should have won the NFL’s Defensive POY award
Feb 1, 2011, 1:21 PM | Updated: Apr 4, 2011, 7:52 pm
MyNorthwest.com staff
In Tuesday’s Blue 88, Brock Huard explained why he thinks Packers linebacker Clay Matthews should have won the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year Award, which was given to Steelers’ safety Troy Polamalu on Monday.
Despite missing two games, Polamalu had seven interceptions and 63 tackles to beat out Matthews for the award by two votes.
Matthews’ resume includes 60 tackles, an interception return for a touchdown and 13.5 sacks, which ranked fourth in the NFL.
Here is why Brock thinks Matthews (in AP photo) is more deserving than Polamalu:
“It’s because of Clay Matthews’ impact down the stretch. You look at Troy Polamalu, (he had) seven interceptions this year and (was) active in the pass game and in the run game, but he also missed two games. Over the last five games, two of which he missed, his production level: eight tackles. Eight tackles in five games.
“The last five for Clay Matthews — every one of them a playoff game, a win-or-go-home for the Packers — what did he do? 20 tackles, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble. I thought Clay Matthews impacted the game not just in his pass rush, 54 solo tackles this year as well.
“Troy Polamalu — obviously you can justify it with the seven picks and the difference with the record of the team when he’s in there. For me, I would have voted Clay Matthews this year.”
Brock also discussed how incoming WR Kasen Williams will change the Huskies’ offense and why Jake Locker should still be drafted ahead of Christian Ponder, who stood out in the Senior Bowl last weekend. You can listen to the entire segment here.
