Cardinals teammates, coaches stump for Chandler Jones as Defensive Player of the Year

Both players and coaches believe Jones is clearly the best defensive player in the league this season.

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Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones has put together quite a season through 15 games. With 19 sacks and eight forced fumbles, including two four-sack games, he is a candidate to win Defensive Player of the Year.

Perhaps because he hasn’t gotten the attention or notoriety, he has coaches and players stumping for him to win it.

It has been both in word and in social media.

Some teammates have given their takes on social media.

Larry Fitzgerald was asked about it on Thursday by reporters. He feels the decision is obvious, although he recognizes the phenomenal seasons of cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore of the New England Patriots and Tre’Davious White of the Buffalo Bills.

“Both those guys, their teams are going to the playoffs, but I don’t think anybody’s been more dominant than Chander,” he said.

“What Chandler’s done is unbelievable,” he said, “To be on a five-win team and do what he has done is unbelievable.”

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph believes Jones should be a lock for the award if he does one thing.

“What he’s done is incredible,” he told reporters Thursday. “He’s doing it, if he gets one or two (sacks) this week, in my opinion, he’s the guy. It’s the best player on defense award, not the team award.”

He was on the Houston Texans coaching staff with J.J. Watt had 20 sacks and won the award. It was a special season, he said.

“If he gets 20 sacks, that’s rare air and that’s NFL history,” he said. “He should be player of the year.”

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Ep. 253:

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Ep. 252:

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