Tag: defensive player of the year

Celts’ Smart, Brown, Tatum rate high in survey of NBA’s best defenders

Marcus Smart was one of three Boston Celtics rated highly in an anonymous survey of NBA coaches and assistant coaches on the best defenders in the NBA.

Marcus Smart is one of several Boston Celtics to garner some attention in The Athletic’s anonymous NBA GM survey on the league’s best defenders released by Jon Krawczynski and Josh Robbins on Wednesday.

The survey write-up features three Celtics, of which Smart is held in highest regard along with shooting guard Jaylen Brown and swingman Jayson Tatum.

33 coaches were polled with identities withheld, presumably so answers might be more honest if anonymity allowed for more freedom to speak one’s mind with any potential tampering fines alleviated while to avoiding “upsetting their own players or the opponents they have to game-plan against.”

Krawczynski and Robbins also polled 23 coaches and assistant coaches on who should get the 2019-20 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, noting that coaching staff often have a much better idea of who the league’s best defenders are over media because of the latter’s over-reliance on stats over live action.

Smart made All-Defensive First Team in the anonymous poll, along with the Utah Jazz’ Rudy Gobert, Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons and Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Krawczynski and Robbins noted “Smart’s name was often mentioned first by coaches when they were asked about their All-Defensive First Team. He is an intense, rugged, determined defender who can guard multiple positions,” with one respondent calling him their “first pick without hesitation.”

Another related how they “really love his intensity, his willingness to guard anybody,” making sure to note his 6-foot-3 stature.

“You’ve got to admire somebody like [Smart] who sacrifices his body and takes charges. When there’s a loose ball, and if it’s our player or another player that’s going to get it, I’m sorry, Marcus Smart is coming away with that ball.”

While no other Celtics made the Second Team, both Tatum and Brown received votes — the former five Second Team votes and the latter a First Team vote and two Second Team votes.

No Boston players did well in the Defensive Player of the Year polling, though Smart placed a distant 12th.

All in all it shouldn’t surprise to see several Celtics in the results given the team managed to hold down a top-five defense for much of the season ahead of the shutdown.

But it’s certainly nice to see them getting the respect they deserve for it from their peers.

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Prescott, Lamb, McCarthy among Cowboys primed for strong 2020, say oddsmakers

An online sportsbook has released odds for end-of-season awards, naming several Cowboys as having favorable odds in their categories.

Football fans looking to put their money where their mouths are should probably start with the biggest gamble of them all right now: namely, whether there will even be a 2020 NFL season. Assuming the league moves forward and finds a way to play some semblance of a season, though, there will be plenty to wager on for those so inclined.

Even for those who don’t have monetary skin in the game, though, looking at the official odds has always been a way to gauge who’s favored to do what come gameday. And Cowboys fans itching for a sneak peek at how some of their guys will do in 2020 may find a good deal of encouragement in the latest set of numbers.

The sportsbook BetOnline has released odds on the league’s end-of-year awards, and the Cowboys are well-represented, an indicator that those in the know are projecting potentially strong campaigns from several Dallas notables.

In the regular season MVP race, quarterback Dak Prescott currently has the third-best odds to bring home the hardware. Only Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson are more likely to be named the league’s Most Valuable Player, according to the site. Prescott is tied with Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson, and Tom Brady. Argue over the exact figures there, but that’s fine company for the Dallas passer to find himself in, and could point to the likelihood of a stellar season.

Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey is the first non-quarterback on the list, at 14th. Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott is the fourth non-passer ranked, with the 26th-best odds overall. Among running backs, Elliott is behind McCaffrey, Derrick Henry (21), and Saquon Barkley (25).

DeMarcus Lawrence finds himself 13th on the list of candidates to win Defensive Player of the Year, with the same odds as Minnesota’s Danielle Hunter. Other Cowboys defenders listed with odds to win the award are Jaylon Smith (32), Aldon Smith (35), Leighton Vander Esch (37), and Gerald McCoy (67).

For those curious, recently-departed Byron Jones sits 27th. Current wish-list players Jadeveon Clowney and Jamal Adams are 14th and 19th, respectively.

Defensive Rookie of the Year? There are fifteen names ahead of Trevon Diggs. But, speaking to the promise of the Cowboys’ defensive rookie class of 2020 as a whole, Bradlee Anae and Neville Gallimore are also given DRoY odds; they rank 37th and 45th.

CeeDee Lamb holds the No. 7 spot among Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates and is the highest-ranking wide receiver on the list. He beats out Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy, both of whom were drafted ahead of Lamb in April.

Comeback Player of the Year is always a fascinating one. In 2019, Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill was named the award’s recipient, despite the astonishing return of Cowboys center Travis Frederick, who had spent the previous year battling a rare neurological disorder that left him barely able to walk. For the 2020 season, new Cowboys defensive end Aldon Smith is listed 10th by the oddsmakers, behind names like Ben Roethlisberger, Rob Gronkowski, Cam Newton, Nick Foles, and JJ Watt. Interestingly, the new backup passer in Dallas, Andy Dalton, is ranked 13th.

Mike McCarthy is given the second-best odds of winning 2020’s Coach of the Year award, behind Bill Belichick and Bruce Arians, currently tied with the best chances. If he does go on to win the honor, McCarthy would be the second Cowboys coach to earn the title in the past five years; Jason Garrett won Coach of the Year in 2016.

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Three Vikings players with Defensive Player of the Year potential 

This is a different Vikings defense than the ones in the past, but there are still excellent players who have the potential to win DPOY.

The Vikings defense is going to look a lot different in 2020. With the losses of players such as Linval Joseph, Xavier Rhodes, Mackensie Alexander, Trae Waynes and the uncertain future of Everson Griffen, the defense is going to have to rely on some new faces. 

Since Mike Zimmer took over as the head coach in 2014, the Vikings defense has been the team’s strong suit. The main reason for the defense performing so well year over year was mainly because of continuity, but that is set to change this upcoming season. 

The team added Michael Pierce in free agency to attempt and replace Joseph but the team’s secondary is going to be full of new and unproven players. Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler will be paired up with Mike Hughes and Holton Hill, giving Zimmer a lot of young talent at the cornerback position. 

It’s unlikely that the Vikings will have a cornerback up for Defensive Player of the Year, and due to the lack of reps, other players who have been in the system longer will have to step up. Here are three players on the Vikings roster that have the potential to be named Defensive Player of the Year at the end of the 2020 season. 

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Joseph Ossai on watch list for defensive IMPACT player of the year

Texas junior Joseph Ossai is expected to become one of the nation’s top defensive players in 2020.

Joseph Ossai is expected to become one of the nation’s top defensive players in 2020 under new defensive coordinator Chris Ash. Continue reading “Joseph Ossai on watch list for defensive IMPACT player of the year”

Adam Schein makes bold prediction for Chargers player in 2020

The Los Angeles Chargers made the NFL analyst’s bold prediction list for the 2020 season.

Coming off an outstanding rookie season, the expectations were at an all-time high for Chargers safety Derwin James. Unfortunately, his campaign was put to a halt after he sustained a foot injury right before the season that kept him out for the majority of the year.

Even though the defense was still solid, his absence was evident. Upon returning to the action, his impact was felt immediately. James, the chess piece on the defensive side of the ball, made plays in coverage, against the run and as an additional blitzer.

In just five games, he posted 34 tackles, three tackles for loss and one pass deflected.

Now healthy heading into his third season, James will be looking to repeat the same type of success in Year 1 plus more. The former Florida State product will be a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year, but Defensive Player of the Year is not out of reach.

NFL Media’s Adam Schein listed his bold predictions for the upcoming season and one of them included James earning the honors of being named the best defensive player in the league in 2020.

The league is loaded with talented defensive players, which include Rams’ Aaron Donald, 49ers’ Nick Bosa, Steelers’ T.J. Watt, Bills’ Tre’Davious White, Patriots’ Stephon Gilmore, among others. But only with two years under his belt, James has proven to be in that same tier.

“To me, James is already the best safety in the NFL. With a Swiss Army Knife skill set, he makes plays and wrecks games. And I envision him taking his game to a whole other level in Year 3,” Shein said.

The sky is the limit for the former Seminole.

Marcus Smart ties for third in The Athletic’s 2020 NBA DPoY award

Boston Celtics veteran guard Marcus Smart was ranked third overall in The Athletic’s 2020 NBA Awards.

The man deserves to win the real NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, but getting the nod from the folks at The Athletic isn’t so bad, either.

Boston Celtics veteran guard Marcus Smart recently tied for third place in The Athletic’s Defensive Player of the Year, tied for that position with Milwaukee Bucks big man Brook Lopez behind Los Angeles Laker big man Anthony Davis in second and Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in first.

Giannis won the award handily in the in-house poll with over 70 % of the vote, AD a distant second with 20 %, and Lopez and Smart each with just over 3 %.

The argument for handing the win to the Greek Freak is a simple one, related by The Athletic’s Michael Lee:

“Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the NBA in defensive win shares, defensive rating, defensive rebounds. And he’s doing it all on the league’s best defense. Only four other players have won both MVP and DPOY in their careers – Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Kevin Garnett. Jordan and Olajuwon did it in the same season.”

Of course the team-oriented aspect of most defensive metrics make it difficult to tell exactly how much is the player and how much is the team, but the eye test supports such a lofty casting of Antetokounmpo.

That Smart is in the conversation at all despite being the sole nominee not playing in the frontcourt is an accomplishment in itself, current Los Angeles Clipper Kawhi Leonard being the last non-big man to win the award in 2015 — and one of the only in the modern era.

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Von Miller is yet to achieve a very big goal

Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller has a goal of leading the NFL in sacks and taking home Defensive Player of the Year honors.

After becoming the Broncos’ all-time leader in sacks and earning Super Bowl MVP honors in the 2010s, outside linebacker Von Miller was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team this week.

“I never dreamed of making the All-Decade Team,” Miller said during a conference call with reporters on April 6. “You think about Super Bowls and Walter Payton Man of the Year. It’s incredible to achieve this honor that’s so hard to get that you never really even think about it. It’s incredible to be here. It’s incredible to receive this honor.”

Though he was excited about making the All-Decade Team, Miller made it clear that he still has another big goal in mind.

“Going forward I have to lead the league in sacks, get a Defensive Player of the Year,” Miller said. “I have to figure out a way to do that. I feel like sacks and the Defensive Player of the Year Award go together. If I can lead the league in sacks, I think they just go hand in hand. It was about sacks before and it’s still about sacks now. It’s about sacks and winning games. Coaching some of the young guys up now, coaching some of the new players that I’m with now.”

Miller has had a decorated career but he is yet to take home a DPOY award. He has the seventh-best odds (18/1) to win the award this season. Now 31 years old, Miller is probably running out of opportunities to lead the league in sacks so the pressure is on to have a big year in 2020. His career high for sacks in a single season is 18.5 (2012).

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Broncos OLB Von Miller has 7th-best odds to win Defensive Player of the Year

Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller has the seventh-best odds (18/1) to win Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2020.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller has won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors (2011), eight Pro Bowl nods (2011, 2012, 2014–2019), seven AP first- or second-team All-Pro honors (2011-2012, 2014-2018) and a Super Bowl MVP award (Super Bowl 50, 2016).

Miller is the Broncos’ all-time leader in sacks and he was named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team this week. Despite all his accolades, Miller is yet to win a coveted award: Defensive Player of the Year.

Could that change in 2020? Miller has the seventh-best odds to win DPOY this season, according to the oddsmakers at BetMGM. Here’s a look at the ten favorites for the award:

Player Odds
1. A. Donald +750
2. K. Mack +1000
3. N. Bosa +1300
T-4. Gilmore +1500
T-4. TJ Watt +1500
6. JJ Watt +1700
7. V. Miller +1800
8. D. James +2000
T-9. B. Wagner +2300
T-9. D. Hunter +2300

With 18/1 odds, a $100 bet on Miller would win $1,800 if Miller claims the award this season. Gilmore (’19), Donald (’17-’18), Mack (’16) and JJ Watt (2012, ’14-’15) have won seven of the last eight DPOY awards.

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Michael Thomas named NFL’s 2019 Offensive Player of the Year

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas was named the NFL’s 2019 Offensive Player of the Year, and was presented by Drew Brees.

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New Orleans Saints superstar Michael Thomas became just the second wide receiver in NFL history to be named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year, joining Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Jerry Rice (who did it twice, in 1987 and 1993). Thomas was presented with the award at the NFL Honors ceremony in Miami, and was introduced by none other than his quarterback, Drew Brees (who won this recognition in 2008 and 2011).

Thomas broke the NFL’s all-time single season record for receptions (149), while also leading the league in receiving yards (1,725). He caught 9 touchdown passes in 16 games, ultimately playing 942 of 1,063 snaps on offense — the most of any Saints player besides the offensive linemen. He posted the second-best catch rate of his career (80.5%) and appears to already be on a Hall of Fame-bound trajectory. It’s going to be fascinating to see where his Saints career goes next.

Here are how all of the 2019 NFL Honors awards shook out:

  • Offensive Player of the Year: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas
  • Defensive Player of the Year: New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, while the
  • Comeback Player of the Year: Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
  • Offensive Rookie of the Year: Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray
  • Defensive Rookie of the Year: San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa

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TBT – Luke Kuechly’s Oddly Consistent Production vs. Notre Dame

Kuechly and Boston College went 0-3 in three games against Notre Dame between 2009 and 2011.  However, Kuechly’s stat-line in those three games was incredibly consistent.

The biggest story in the NFL this week aside from preparation for the AFC and NFC Conference Championship games has been the sudden decision by Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly to retire.

Kuechly was a terror for the Panthers, twice leading the league in tackles while averaging 136.5 per season for his eight year career, intercepting 18 passes in his career and averaging more than half a tackle-for-loss each game he suited up for.

His NFL resume includes seven Pro Bowl selections, five appearances as a first-team All-Pro, three Butkus Awards and he was the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year.

It’s easy to forget but in no way a surprise, Kuechly was a monster on an otherwise entirely-forgettable Boston College team that went 19-19 in his three seasons in Chestnut Hill (2009-11).

During his time at BC, Kuechly walked away with the 2011 ACC Defensive Player of the Year award, as well as the Bronco Nagurski, Butkus, Lombardi and Lott Trophy Awards the same season.  To boot he was a two-time Consensus All-American.

Kuechly and Boston College went 0-3 in three games against Notre Dame between 2009 and 2011.  However, Kuechly’s stat-line in those three games was incredibly consistent.

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2009:  Notre Dame 20, Boston College 16 at Notre Dame Stadium
Kuechly – 14 tackles (7 solo, 7 assists), 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended

2010:  Notre Dame 31, Boston College 13 at Alumni Stadium
Kuechly – 14 tackles, (7 solo, 7 assists), 1 tackle for loss

2011:  Notre Dame 16, Boston College 14 at Notre Dame Stadium
Kuechly – 14 tackles (7 solo, 7 assists), 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended

I’m not a mathmatician but it’s pretty easy to figure out his averages in those three games.  So easy in fact that I’ll let you do it yourselves.

Congrats on one helluva career, Luke.