2011 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Race: Miller vs. Peterson

On the offensive side of things there are numerous players in the running for the Rookie of the Year award this season. On defense? Not so much.

At the current moment I think there are really only two players that have a legitimate shot at winning the award, but it wont be as easy to pick a winner as we might think. In fact, I think it may end up being a tougher decision picking between Denver linebacker Von Miller and Cardinal cornerback/punt returner Patrick Peterson than it will be picking out an Offensive winner.

I'll show you how the two stack up and then I'll let you decide for yourself. I may add in my own opinion as well, but I don't think we could go wrong either way in this case..

Von Miller, Denver Broncos LB–2nd overall pick

2011 stat-line: 58 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, 3 FF, 4 PD

In just 11 starts–he missed one game due to a thumb injury that he is currently trying to recover from–Miller has racked up 10.5 sacks, good enough for a fourth-place tie with Jason Pierre-Paul on the league leaders list. Miller is one of the sole reasons Denver's defense has stayed alive in games, allowing Tim Tebow to lead the offense to victory towards the end of the fourth quarter.

Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals CB/PR–5th overall pick

2011 stat-line: 52 total tackles, 2 FR, 11 PD, 2 INT; 559 PR yards, 4 TD

Peterson is as flashy as they come in this year's rookie class. He's most effective as a punt returner but he has made an impact at corner, as well, racking up the sixth-most tackles (52) on the team, picking off two passes and knocking down 11 balls. But, of course, when he gets his hand on the ball in the punt return game Peterson is money. On 32 returns this season he has racked up the most yards (559) and has tied the single-season record with 4 TDs, which was set by Chicago's Devin Hester in 2007.

Long-shot:

Ryan Kerrigan, WAS LB--55 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, 4 FF, 4 PD, 1 INT

Kerrigan has brought production to the Skins defense, as you can clearly tell from his 12-game numbers, but I don't think he's shown the leadership and flashy-ness in order for him to knock out Miller and play-making Peterson for the award.

My Winner: I would love to see Miller win the D. ROY this season, but I think because of his flashy returning and the idea that he could still break Hester's record in the final four games of the season I believe that the voters will choose Arizona's Peterson. Both very well-deserving of the award, though.

Photo credit

Peterson: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Why Players Union Should Leave NFL Hopefuls out of CBA/Lockout Situation

Despite more recent reports allegedly denying the original report that the Players' Union didn't contact the top draft hopefuls for April's 2011 NFL draft, I found it necessary to address this situation.

Less than a week ago there were several different sources saying that representatives from the NFLPA urged the top collegiate prospects, those who were expected to attend the draft and be taken in the first round, to boycott the draft and watch it at home on television.

Apparently they don't think it would be a good idea for these players to walk across the stage and shake Commissioner Roger Goodell's hand after his name is called.

I really only have one thing to say to this. I really am not taking a side in the NFL labor negotiations, I think both sides are equally to blame and that they should be able to work things out and end this lockout before the start of the season. But it isn't fair at all for these players to drag the soon-to-be-NFLers in to the situation before their name is even called.

Yes, yes, I understand that these guys are the league's future, and that they should understand exactly what is going on and side with the rest of the players. But it's incredibly selfish for the current NFL players to tell the young guys not to attend the draft. The current players obviously went through this same process several years ago and were able to attend the draft, hear his name called and walk across that stage to meet with Goodell before his picture was taken.

They got the entire draft experience, and it's an experience that these guys will never forget. It's the moment when they realize they finally made it to their destination, and reached the professional level. To take this experience away from these players--something they've worked their butts off for the last several months--would be the worst way possible to welcome these players in to the league.

If this ends up happening, which at this point it doesn't really appear as though all the players will boycott, then I will lose so much respect for the current players.

Former New England Patriot linebacker and current ESPN NFL Analyst Tedy Bruschi agreed with the other current players that they should boycott the draft, and hearing his comments on NFL Live nearly made me punch the television screen.

He says it's rookies' "duty" to skip the draft. Uh, no. I'm sorry, Tedy, but it certainly is not their duty. Their duty, ever since the college football season ended, is to prepare themselves for the draft with workouts, meetings and interviews, not to mention the Senior Bowl practice, game and NFL Combine back in February.

Not that I have much authority or say in this at all (I would love it if I did, though), but my message to rookies: ATTEND THE DRAFT IF YOU GET AN INVITE!

Photo credit

Patrick Peterson: Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Cam Newton: Joe Robbins/Getty Images