Does Von Miller need MVP-level season to justify deal with Broncos
Sep 7, 2016, 11:50 PM | Updated: 11:51 pm
Super Bowl champion? Check.
Super Bowl MVP? Check.
Mega-sized contract extension worth $114.5 million over six years? Mega-check.
Defensive Player of the Year?
That’s the top-flight pass rusher next logical step, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said this week.
But does Miller need a Defensive Player of the Year-type season to justify that mega-sized contract extension? Mike Evans, co-host of “Schlereth and Evans,” says yes.
Assuming 16 games out there, Von Miller has to be Defensive Player of the Year to justify what they’re paying him,” Evans said Wednesday, as part of Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan’s “World’s Longest Pregame Show.”
Evans said that, assuming good health (knock on wood), a 16-game season for Miller should yield a Defensive Player of the Year award.
“Surrounded by the people he’s surrounded by, and with reputation he’s now built, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be defensive MVP,” Evans said. “That should be where the bar is set for him.”
It might not be so easy, however, said former Broncos tackle and 104.3 The Fan analyst Tyler Polumbus.
Not only does Phillips need to continue giving Miller the freedom to “do what he wants to do” on defense, Polumbus said, but also the pass rusher could have a top-end season and still fall short of Defensive Player of the Year honors.
“I get why that expectation is there. I’m just telling you, a guy can have a really good year and not be Defensive Player of the Year,” Polumbus said. “That’s probably not a fair expectation of Von Miller. It can be a challenge. When you’re the guy, teams start locking in on you.”
Offseason hardware or not, however, should Miller falter early in the season, the jeers from the stands no doubt will fly.
“If Von Miller comes out of the gates slow, there’s going to be all talk about his offseason,” Polumbus said. “Did he work hard enough? Was he doing to many things out there in Hollywood? Did he prepare the same way he has in the past?
But, Polumbus said to have patience should Miller hit a slump, which he’s prone to have from time to time, because the linebacker’s motivation is in the right place.
“… I think this guy is very motivated to prove the Broncos right. I really do,” Polumbus said. “I expect Von Miller to come out of the gates swinging.”
Follow 104.3 The Fan digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.
