7 in hunt for defensive POY, Browns have 2 of them

[OconRecon]

Ohio.com - Haden making case to claim NFL award

Along with Suh and Haden, there are these.

Here are some other rookies who have shined this season:
• Chiefs safety Eric Berry (69 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, seven passes defensed, one forced fumble);
• Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty (64 tackles, six interceptions, 19 passes defensed);
• Broncos safety Earl Thomas (64 tackles, five interceptions, 12 passes defensed);
• Titans cornerback Alterraun Verner (59 tackles, two interceptions, 12 passes defensed, two fumbles recovered);
• Browns safety T.J. Ward (92 tackles, two interceptions, nine passes defensed, one forced fumble).

92 tackles in a bad D isn't necessarily a good thing, but this is on a D who is only 1 of 3 teams in the NFL not to give up more than 30 in a game.

Not to derail my own thread, but if McCoy works out (so far so good) along with Hardesty and Lavaou, the Browns will have had a heck of a draft.

[Danamal]

Good thread Ocon and your right McCoy will work out and we had a helluva draft,just look at TJ Ward stats against Berry's.
Many including myself wanted Berry over Haden but we got them both,Ward was the steal of the draft so far,I hope Hardesty can prove he was worth the chance and if he does then this is one of the top ten all time drafts of the Browns EVER.

[hiwaygal]

I don't think I'd put a player on the short list for defensive POY who is getting a reputation of dirty play.

One who very obviously twisted the head of our QB AFTER he was already on his knees. At the time we said it was a 'rookie mistake'. Now, 13 weeks later he's still doing that kind of crap.

Any POY candidate should be rewarded for GOOD SOLID CLEAN play. Not just because they get attention.

Have any of the other candidates had as many fines or penalites???

[OconRecon]

Maybe so Hiway, but people love Suh. However, this would be the year dirty play would knock you down a notch.

Good point Danamal. We do seem to be having our cake and eating it too. Hadn't thought of it that way with Haden and Ward, but you're right.

TJ Trauma Ward and Hustling Joe Haden. But the thing I like the best is they're a tackling tandem. Mangini has to love'em.

To draft 2 starting defensive players is darn good. Add that they're not just starting, but are playing well, even better. Now throw in they're both in the defensive rookie of the year discussion, wow.

[Alo]

TJ Ward killed Jordan Shipley. I'd hope the DROY voters wouldn't hold it against him.

YouTube - TJ WARD IS A FOOTBALL PLAYER.

[hiwaygal]

Alo, I know you like Suh...but do you think there's a bit of a difference in Wards hit on Shipley (one time) and Suh's budding reputation (he got in trouble again last week, didn't he)?

[Greythan]

Apples and oranges. Love ya Alo, but its a poor comparison.

Ward's hit was in the flow of the game and would not have been a penalty until this year. By the new rules it was an illegal hit, but far from a cheap shot.

Suh, on the other hand, has taken on field actions that clearly come up to, if don't cross, the line of "cheap shot". The aforementioned head twisting of a QB's head a poignant example.

[Alo]

What are the examples of Suh being dirty? Obviously, there was the Delhomme involuntary chiropractic session, but what else? I don't know -- maybe there were others that I missed.

The Cutler shove in the back wasn't a big deal. I was surprised he got penalized for it.

[hiwaygal]

From what I can tell he has 4 personal foul penalties so far this season. And while I'm sure there are players who have more (James Harrison, I'm talking to you)...that seems like a lot for a rookie player. He seems to be making a habit of it.

He's obviously talented and has the skill and ability to be literally scary. But, and this is just my opinion of course, he needs to learn how to do it without appearing careless, undisciplined, or reckless.

I'll admit, I don't watch all the games or spend a whole lot of time reviewing other games or anything. But I do hear his name come up often in discussions (on tv) and talk about fines and/or penalties. That seems unusual to me. It also seems that many people are starting to notice. That's why I asked what kinds of penalties or fines the other candidates have had...thought it might either prove me wrong or show a trend?

[PlaygroundLegend]

I guess im the only one to think that neither the Ward or Suh plays were that bad.

If you think about it in terms of making the play, Suh diddn't need to be as aggressive as he was, but you dont know the other factors going into it, he was trying to get delhomme down, when he first grabbed him delhome wouldnt go to the ground, he tried to avoid the sack and toss the ball away, suh being a sack hungry defensive player, wants the sack, so he grabs onto whatever he can and launches delhomme in the other direction and downward to get the sack and prevent a Incompletion or a broken tackle. In the heat of the moment, players do whatever they can to get the player down

[PlaygroundLegend]

Anyway, If TJ Ward doesnt get DROTY Im gonna flip out, because he obviously deserves it. He is far ahead in statistics and I think he adds alot more to our defense than people realize. I remember that thread we had after the Steelers/Cardinals superbowl where we talked about how good playoff teams have great safeties and good QB's. I think Ward really ties it all together

I love that name, TJ Trauma Ward.... Gotta get someone to make a sweet caricature of tha like the Juggernaut hillis pic

Im thinking my next browns Jersey will be a Ward one (that is unless a miracle happens and we pick up ochocinco next year)

[nickers]

Originally Posted by Danamal

Good thread Ocon and your right McCoy will work out and we had a helluva draft,just look at TJ Ward stats against Berry's.
Many including myself wanted Berry over Haden but we got them both,Ward was the steal of the draft so far,I hope Hardesty can prove he was worth the chance and if he does then this is one of the top ten all time drafts of the Browns EVER.

Right on Danamal:

If Hardesty doesnt workout Sure I'll be disspointed but I wont feel too bad knowing the FO thought enough of this kid to draft him w/the idea he could help this team and solidify our running corps. That being said, I trust the FO in terms of bringing in the talent necessarry to get this team needs to be moreso than the sewage crew wich went gaga on useless FA's and we all know how that turned out...Atleast this regime is keen on building through the draft and making "smart" trades to bolster the roster. Pittsburgh is a great example of this although granted theres more than one road to Mecca. But thier formula for success cant be argued with. Evidence of this is a WR like Mike Wallace...wtf did this guy come from and why wasnt he on our radar?. But good post.