HOUSTON — will have to wait at least another year to secure The Associated Press defensive player of the year award. Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack beat the Broncos outside linebacker by one vote. Giants safety Landon Collins and Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley also received consideration.
Mack received the majority of the support, but Miller won the battle of the statistics. Miller craves the award, but won’t let it define him.
“Itap the best I could possibly do as an individual on defense. It’d be great, but if not it won’t be the end of the world,” Miller told The Denver Post on the NFL Honors red carpet minutes before the winner was announced. “I’m going to continue to grind and continue to be the same Von Miller. I’m going to continue to improve my game.”
Miller, 27, was second in the NFL with 13 1/2 sacks, trailing just Beasley (15 1/2). Mack made 11 sacks. But the stats don’t tell the whole story. No player demanded as much attention and as many double teams this season as Miller did.
However, the Broncos franchise player doesn’t lack for accolades. Miller has three first-team all-pro selections. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl in five of his first six seasons. He appears to be in his prime with Hall of Fame potential. Former Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks, agrees.
“He’s probably the top, or one of the top players in the game today. His impact since he got in the league has been tremendous,” Brooks, a Hall of Fame linebacker said. “His combination – size, speed, rush ability not only reminds me a lot of Derrick Thomas, he’s making just as big of an impact on his teammates. He makes championship moment plays.”
Hall of Fame pass rusher Richard Dent remembers his first meeting with Miller on day he was drafted. The two were riding in a car together in New York where they shared a casual chat. Dent didn’t know at that time he would be looking at a man who could challenge some of his records.
“I didn’t know that much about him then,” Dent said. “But he turned into a great ball player with great leverage. He’s going to be somebody to reckon with for sometime.”
The Broncos late-season struggles might have hurt Miller’s chances. Houston’s is the only player in the past 10 seasons to win the award while playing a non-playoff team. Miller failed to make a sack in his final four games of the season. Mack didn’t have a sack in his final six games, including the playoffs.Mack, 25, also forced five fumbles, intercepted a pass and led the Raiders to their first playoff appearance in more than a decade. He’s well on his way to following Miller’s path to a big payday soon.
Miller has a ring and MVP trophy while Mack does not, but the battle between the two likely will last for years.
Falcons quarterback was the big winner of the night taking home MVP and offensive player of the year honors. He’ll hope to add his first Super Bowl ring to his stellar year Sunday against the Patriots.
