Colts’ Sanders is fourth safety to be named top defender

By Chris Cluff  |   Tuesday, January 08, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

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Safety Bob Sanders, the man who makes the Indianapolis defense so good, was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year, becoming just the fourth safety to win the award. He received 31 of 50 votes from media members, easily beating runners-up Patrick Kerney (Seattle DE) and Albert Haynesworth (Tennessee DT).

Commentary: Sanders' impact on the Colts' defense became obvious last season, when he was out injured for most of the year and then returned to help lead the Colts to a Super Bowl title. He was very deserving of this award -- and became just the fourth safety to win it. The others were Baltimore's Ed Reed (2004), Seattle's Kenny Easley (1984) and Miami's Dick Anderson (1973). It has been a great couple of weeks for Sanders, who also just got a big contract extension in recognition of his contributions.

Fantasy Football Impact: Running backs know Sanders' impact; the Colts went from giving up 5.3 yards per carry without Sanders in 2006 to 3.8 with him this year.

Tracking all of the awards and all of the big news all year round at RealFootball365.com.
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About Chris Cluff

Chris Cluff spent 10 years as an editor and sportswriter for The Seattle Times. He was a key figure in the newspaper's coverage of the Seahawks, particularly during their Super Bowl run in 2005. He also has written two books on the Seahawks: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Heart-Pounding, ...
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