Fansided NFL’s 2011 Season Awards: Defensive Player of the Year

A group of writers around the Fansided Network, myself included, submitted ballots for 2011 NFL postseason awards. The votes have been tallied and the results are in. What NFL players came out on top in the categories of Defensive Rookie of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and the coveted NFL MVP.

Yesterday, we announced the recipient of the Fansided NFL 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year. Now, we step away from the first-year players and take a look at the veterans.

The FanSided NFL 2011 Defensive Player of the Year has gone to Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen. Allen led the NFL in sacks this season and was also named the NFC Defensive Player of the Year. Allen recorded 22 sacks this season, which has just half a sack short of the NFL record set in 2001 by New York Giants star Michael Stahan.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs came in second during the voting and was perhaps one of the league’s most well-rounded and dynamic players throughout the season. Third place belonged to New York Giants defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul, who just proved time and time again that he is an athletic freak with the nose for making a big play.

Stay tuned to NFL Spin Zone for the announcement of the FanSided NFL Offensive Player of the Year, which will come later today, and the announcement of the FanSided NFL MVP, which will be announced tomorrow.

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