http://www.usatoday.com
December 15, 2010
Pittsburgh's James Harrison, left, and Troy Polamalu could both be contenders for Defensive Player of the Year. (Mitch Stringer, US Presswire)When it comes to league MVP candidates, there is New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and everybody else.
But when it comes to defensive MVP, there's a compelling debate building among two Pittsburgh Steelers playmakers — five-time Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu and linebacker James Harrison, the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year.
Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's zone-blitz unit is allowing 15.2 points per game, covering for a struggling Steelers offense that has scored two touchdowns in its last 30 possessions.
"It's the consistency of their performance that's very noticeable week in, week out," LeBeau said Tuesday, referencing Polamalu and Harrison. "They both have such great football instincts, that's their common characteristic."
Polamalu's two interceptions in Sunday's 23-7 blowout of Cincinnati ties him for second in the league with six pickoffs.
As punctuated by his game-changing strip sack of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco in Pittsburgh's 13-10, Week 13 win that put the Steelers in the AFC North driver's seat, it's not only the plays Polamalu makes, but when he makes them.
"Troy was (AFC) Defensive Player of the Week' last week and it wouldn't surprise me if he's named again because his plays were just outstanding against Cincinnati," LeBeau said.
Then, there is the pro-Harrison debate.
Steelers radio analyst Tunch Ilkin finds it remarkable that despite paying a player-high $125,000 in fines as part of the league's enforcement against dangerous hits, Harrison has put up eye-popping numbers.
"James Harrison has 10 sacks, 22 quarterback pressures, he's caused six fumbles and has two interceptions," Ilkin said. "The real unfortunate part of all this fining stuff, it's overshadowing the fact he's having a monster year.
"Not only is James Harrison the best defensive player in the game today. He's the most feared."
LeBeau also praises Harrison's unseen impact such as changing blocking schemes.
"He's always near the top in sacks, in caused fumbles and pressures in the league," LeBeau said. "What more can you do?"
There are several other deserving candidates led by Green Bay Packers disruptive force Clay Matthews, Jr., second in the league with 121/2 sacks.
There is also Miami Dolphins league sack-leader Cameron Wake, the former CFL standout with 14 sacks and three forced fumbles, Atlanta's John Abraham, Kansas City's Tamba Hali (11 sacks each) and Osi Umenyiora of the New York Giants with 10 sacks and a league-high eight forced fumbles.
Would it be poetic justice if it wound up that Polamalu and Harrison were named co-defensive MVPs when the Associated Press balloting among a panel of 50 sportswriters and league analysts is held at season's end?
"It absolutely would be fitting," LeBeau said. "I love them both.
"I love them all. But these two have really produced."
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