James Harrison Named Defensive Player of the Year, Ed Reed Demands Recount

I'll admit it: I'm shocked. James Harrison has been named the NFL's 2008 Defensive Player of the Year. I certainly thought he deserved to be in the conversation, and since I'm a Steelers fan, I'm obviously happy for him. But I also fully expect the Ed Reed and DeMarcus Ware supporters to make a spirited case for why their guy got hosed.

Fair enough.

It's hard to dispute Reed's ability to blow your mind on a weekly basis, but he got off to a slow start (only one pick in the first 10 games, which, when you consider that he wasn't supposed to be playing -- maybe ever again -- is impressive in its own right), but the eight interceptions over the final six weeks of the season puts him in the mix. That he had a lot to do with the Ravens' making it to the postseason further strengthens his case.

Ware, on the other hand, recorded 20 sacks, but the Cowboys, like the rest of us, watched the playoffs from the couch last weekend. I know, I know, playing on a team not coached by Wade Phillips doesn't automatically disqualify you for Player of the Year, but there's no way Ware gets it over Harrison or Reed, two guys still playing.

Harrison (his teammates call him Deebo, no idea why) finished the 2008 regular season with 16 sacks, seven forced fumbles, one interception, and one safety. And as you've heard countless times by now, Pittsburgh and Baltimore both released him early in his career, and he served a stint in NFL Europe before finally finding a home with the Steelers.

Harrison replaced Joey Porter as the starting right outside linebacker last season, and even though Mr. Peezy had spectacular year in Miami, I'm guessing Pittsburgh's quite content with their current set-up.

Next up for Deebo: trying to slow up the Norv Turner All-Stars, a task much tougher in January, apparently.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

1-05-2009 @ 1:34PM

Ed said...

Deebo is the muscular bully character in the "Friday" movies starring Ice Cube. That's where the nick name comes from.

1-05-2009 @ 1:52PM

Kyle said...

"Just Keep that Steelers Machinery Humming!"

1-05-2009 @ 2:53PM

Andy said...

No problem, the Squealers would have cried if Harrison would not have gotten it. Over-rated like their quarterback is but all will be well next weekend when San Diego stomps their sissy boy butts!!

1-05-2009 @ 3:46PM

Michael said...

Squealers - that's SO funny Andy! And then to top it by referring to the Steelers as "sissy boys". Well, it's clear we're in the presence of comic genius.

So what are your plans for when you're out of the 5th grade?

1-05-2009 @ 7:36PM

Korey said...

Yeah, and who is your team? Dont want to hear your bs. Harrison was up for even MVP of the league by some commentators, and how the hell are they sissy boys? they had the toughest schedule in the league and still won there division.

1-07-2009 @ 8:55AM

bill said...

KEEP DREAMING !!

1-29-2009 @ 2:50AM

devotion195 said...

andy..... the chargers stomp the STEELERS??? BuaHaha BuaHaha BuaHaha BuaHaha BuaHaha.. I believe the STEELERS are going to the SUPERBOWL

1-05-2009 @ 3:06PM

lag2914 said...

ed reed.............another u thug with no class

1-05-2009 @ 4:49PM

JF said...

lag2914...try looking in the mirror....or note the finger you're pointing has 3 more pointing back at you! You don't know anything about Mr. Reed's character. You must be jealous of his tremendous success and great play on the field. By the way I understand that he is involved in doing many positive things in the community...so you must be a trash talking fool who probably couldn't even make the frosh high school team!

1-05-2009 @ 3:09PM

Sandy said...

My prediction is that he'll go the same place as the other award winners Peyton, Matt Ryan, Matt Ryan's coach, Chad Pennington....

Have fun watching the AFC Championship at home, Mr. Defensive Player of the Year.

Winning an award this year is a curse.

1-05-2009 @ 3:43PM

Adam said...

"but he got off to a slow start"

Like Peyton Manning, who somehow got league MVP?

The most irritating thing about these awards is there's nothing they're based on. Is it the best player in the league? Most important to the team? A guy who would be great on any team? Most consistent? Best stats? Most likely HOFer?

Just like the Pro Bowl, why are these given so early? It's crazy the league MVP was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The runner up for Defensive POY wasn't even in the playoffs. Doesn't winning count for anything?

1-05-2009 @ 4:52PM

Those writers must be smoking dope...The real NFL Defensive Player of the year can be described in two words: ED REED!

No doubt!

1-05-2009 @ 5:09PM

John said...

Not all football players are thugs and I will say this in defense of Ed Reed. I recently saw news footage of him at schools here in Baltimore. Ed was playing games with the children and taking the kids through football drills. And I will have to say he really looked like he was enjoying himself. This is something he regularly does throughout the year in Baltimore and I never got the impression he playing for the camera.

1-05-2009 @ 5:23PM

PFS said...

Ed Reed is one helluva football player, no doubt about it, one of the best I've ever seen play the position, but, for this year at least, I would have chosen James Harrison as my DPoY (high on my MVP list too). Reed's interceptions certainly are flashy, highlight material stuff, but Harrison is an all over the field guy, stuffing runners, sacking QBs, as well as occasional pass defense, and he was simply doing EVERYTHING well this year, all year.

The only thing D-Ware had going for him was the sack total - so we know he at least made 20 plays this year.

1-05-2009 @ 5:45PM

drobviousso said...

For reference:
Deebo: http://codeforfun.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/deebo.jpg
Harrison: http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/articlelive/content_images/c4James-Harrison.jpg

1-05-2009 @ 7:19PM

jeff said...

Harrison is an animal and is very deserving of the award. And as far as this Sunday goes I know that the Black and Gold will be moving onto the Championship then Super Bowl. The Chargers can't win in the cold LT likes it nice and warm and Rivers cant play under pressure. Both are things that the Steelers are going to bring this weekend , The only squeels you will here are from the chargers sidelines trying to deal with the pain that they will be feeling!!!!!!!!!!

1-05-2009 @ 9:25PM

Rusty said...

Its just another slap toward the Ravens. Just watch, Flacco will get nothing, Coach Harbaugh will get the same. Its always the Big 4 Indy, Steelers, Giants, and oh yes the Cowboys. No one ever speaks of the Super Bowl that the Ravens won, or all the good things. Its always how bad they are and how great everybody else is. Face it, Ed Reed got screwed. The writers suck.

1-05-2009 @ 9:59PM

Mike said...

Michael,

I believe Andy's next move when he gets out of the 5th grade will be to try to get his driver's license. Maybe his cousin/wife can take him to the DMV. Can you spell DMV Andy?

Mike

1-05-2009 @ 11:58PM

Tom said...

I would have no problem if Ed Reed did get the Defensive POY.
But it was a hard choice and I don't have a problem with Harrison getting it either. I saw him play in 11 of the Steeler games I watched and he was amazing. Well deserved. And Reed is a tremendous player too. Can't wait to see the rematch.

1-06-2009 @ 8:58AM

DJSTEELR said...

Life long Steeler fan here that lives in Tennessee. All I am hearing is why didn't Haynesworth get defense MVP.
That is a joke... but anyone of the 3 (reed, ware or harrison) would be a good pick. Harrison almost doubled the votes of Reed which makes it pretty clear that most of them thought it was clear. Ed Reed is a freak that reminds of Rod Woodson in his prime. Either one could change a game in a heartbeat.
Ravens are tough, as tough as the Steelers and the Titans have their hands full