Top 10 NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidates

[doniceage]

The nature of football doesn't lend itself to statistical analysis with the same expediency of baseball, which features a one-on-one showdown between pitcher and batter at the heart of the sport. Because all 11 teammates on both sides of the ball are inextricably linked each play, it's impossible to extract one football player's value from his surrounding talent and coaching staff.

Advanced metrics have come a long way over the past decade, partnering with game-film analysis to allow services such as Pro Football Focus, Football Outsiders and Next Gen Stats to isolate each player's contribution on a given play. Still, context is too often missing in the numbers.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300...ear-candidates

[jplcom]

Cool to see Mack 2nd on the list and two other Bears nabbing honorable mentions

[bfd13]

Donald would get my vote, but Mack also had a great year. Funny that two of the top 10 weren't voted into the Pro Bowl.

[doniceage]

Donald would get my vote, but Mack also had a great year. Funny that two of the top 10 weren't voted into the Pro Bowl.

Leonard is probably the biggest travesty based on stats ever imo. Leading the league in tackles and your not invited come on NFL!

Don

[bakemeister52]

Can't believe Leighton Vander Esch didn't even get Honorable Mention! Pretty good selection list!