Joe Soriano
O.J. LewisSportGreat's Defensive Player of the Year-DeMarcus Ware.
SportGreats Defensive Player of the Year for the 2008 NFL Season is Demarcus Ware. DeMarcus had an NFL leading 20 sacks. He also had 84 tackles, 69 of which were solo. He forced six fumbles and recovered one. He was a terror to opposing offenses throughout the year, and he recorded a sack in every game, except against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles. Demarcus received tough competiton from one individual, James Harrison of the Pittsburg Steelers, who may receive the nod over Demarcus from the "Award Givers." Harrison had 101 tackles, 67 of which were solo. He had 16 sacks, seven forced fumbles and one interception. Ware and Harrison are two great football players. I chose Ware over Harrison using the following simple formula. I took their solo tackles, assists are too vague and in many cases not significant. I then added their sacks, forced fumbles, and interceptions. Using this formula, Ware's number was 69 20 6 0=95. Harrison's number was 67 16 7 1=91, so by a slim margin of four points, Demarcus Ware is SportGreats Defensive Player of the Year. It may be not be the best way to make a choice, but unlike most sport authorities who deliver the "Real" awards, I at least give you my logic for making my decision.
