Can Broncos pass rusher Von Miller earn Defensive POY honors in 2018?
Jul 25, 2018, 8:14 AM
Despite perennially being one of the top defensive players in the NFL since his first season in 2011, one honor has alluded Denver Broncos pass rusher Von Miller: Defensive Player of the Year.
Miller, who earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2011, has been a Super Bowl MVP, a first-team All-Pro three times, and a Pro Bowler six times.
Yet, the NFL’s top defensive award has alluded Miller, until this season, Mark Schlereth said on Tuesday.
The “Schlereth and Evans” host said a couple of factors point to Miller finally getting over the defensive MVP hump in 2018, including that he’s “Von freaking Miller.”
“He’s unbelievable. The guy is like straight out of ‘The Matrix,’” Schlereth said. “That’s how athletically gifted he is. I’ve never seen anybody lower turn the corner. I’ve never seen anybody with that size, strength, quickness, agility, fluidity … The guy is kind of a one of a kind dude, breaks the mold.”
But more than Miller’s ability alone, Schlereth said the talent with the Broncos pass rush can help Miler’s case.
“You’re talking about a situation where not only can you rush the passer in nickel situations, you can get into these NASCAR-type packages with Shane Ray, Shaq Barrett, Bradley Chubb, and Von Miller,” Schlereth said. “Come on. Give me a break.”
And with Case Keenum under center for Denver, Schlereth said the Broncos offense will be more productive, thus keeping its defense off the field and more fresh.
“You have an offense that can actually eat up some clock, stay on the field, put up some points,” Schlereth said. “That 11 sacks instantly becomes 16 or 17 sacks. And that’s where I think that Von Miller can be the MVP this year of the National Football League as far as defense is concerned.”
“Stokley and Zach” host Brandon Stokley said Schlereth made good points regarding Miller’s case for Defensive Player of the Year, but ultimately there will be too much of a spread of production on the defensive side of the ball for the Broncos for Miller to earn the honor.
“I just think that the sacks will be spread out a little bit too much for Von Miller to win the Defensive Player of the Year this year,” Stokley said. “I think he has a great year, and I think he does a great job on this defense. I think this defense as a whole does a really good job.”
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