2011 NFL Rookie Of The Year Award: Broncos' Von Miller Nominated

Denver Broncos rookie linebacker Von Miller has been great this year. You all know that. And, because he has been so great he's up for the Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Year Award that can be voted on by the fans! That's right, Miller needs your vote and support to try and win the award that also features nominations of: Cincinnati Bengals Andy Dalton; Carolina Panthers Cam Newton; Arizona Cardinals Patrick Peterson and San Fransisco 49ers Aldon Smith.

Just in case you forgot how awesome Miller, here's what his nomination profile says:

"(Miller) started all 15 games he played and tied Denver’s single-season rookie sack record with a team-high 11.5 sacks, placing him second among all rookies in 2011 and tied for third overall in the AFC. He was one of six NFL players to record a half sack in at least 10 games. He totaled 64 tackles (50 solo) and led the team with 19 tackles for a loss in addition to ranking second on the club with two forced fumbles. He was selected as a starting outside linebacker for the AFC squad for the 2012 Pro Bowl."

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2011 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year: Aldon Smith A Serious Challenger To Von Miller

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller has had his path to the 2011 NFL Rookie Defensive of the Year Award interfered with as a result a cast on his hand to protect a thumb he injured against the San Diego Chargers. As such, he has just 11.5 sacks with one game left to play in the regular season. He looked ready to shatter the rookie record of 14.5 that Jevon Kearse set in 1999.

But his main competition, Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers, isn't going to destroy the record, either. Oh, he might break it on Sunday since he has 14 entering the game, but it won't be far out of reach for a future rookie to break in the years ahead.

Over at ESPN, Matt Williamson has been ranking the rookies each week and he dropped Von Miller as his top rookie this week, elevating Cam Newton in his place. Miller comes in at No. 2 ahead of the No. 3 Smith. However, Williamson writes that he is leaning toward Smith being the top defensive rookie. It is certainly an eminent and defensible position.

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Von Miller, Aldon Smith Still Battling For NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year Award

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller certainly has competition for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award with San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith on a swifter pace to set the rookie sack record. Before Miller went down with a thumb injury and missed the Minnesota Vikings game, he was on pact to break Jevon Kearse's 14.5 sacks from 1999. Now, Miller had 11.5 through 14 games.

Smith, though, has played in all 14 games and recorded 13 sacks. The NFL Network's Albert Breer believes Smith is still the pick for the end-of-the-year award:

Had Aldon Smith as my half-season DROY. Some folks got me to hedge a little with Von Miller of late. But I think I'll stick with Smith.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 20, 2011

But Miller has been a clear leader on defense for the Broncos while Smith isn't an every down player for the 49ers. Will the voters start taking intangibles into account when they vote?

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Von Miller, Aldon Smith Are Top Candidates For NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year

The last time the Denver Broncos had a layer named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year was in 1991 when linebacker Mike Croel, the No. 4 overall pick out of Nebraska, won it. He recorded 10 sacks as a Broncos rookie. Von Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in 2011, is the front-runner for the award, having 10.5 sacks through the first 12 games of the season. He missed last Sunday's game with an injured thumb, but he appears ready to play against the Chicago Bears.

If he has an actual competitor for the award, it is the San Francisco 49ers' Aldon Smith, who has 9.5 sacks so far this season. As ESPN's Mike Sando points out, Smith actually has a better sacks per play average, but that's only because Smith plays on passing downs. Miller plays against the run as well, providing him with over 300 more game situations.

Plus, Miller is already one of the team leaders on defense for the Broncos. Smith isn't quite there  yet. Miller won't quite be a unanimous selection for defensive rookie of the year, but he won't need to sweat out the results when they are revealed.

For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more on the league.

Von Miller Playing Way Into NFL Defensive Player Of The Year Award, Writes ESPN's Adam Schefter

The Denver Broncos have gotten everything and more out of rookie linebacker Von Miller, whom they drafted with the No. 2 overall pick. Through 11 games, Miller has sacked opposing quarterback 10.5 times and is on pace to breaking Jevon Kearse's rookie record of 14.5 (set in 1999). He's certainly on his way to winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award (he was November's Defensive Rookie of the Month winner).

But what about NFL Defensive Player of the Year? It's actually not a bad bet, if we follow Adam Schefter's line of thinking:

Miller has an NFL-high 18 quarterback hits. He has 26 quarterback hurries and, maybe as impressive as any stat, he has not missed a single tackle all season.

He concludes that Miller has had the biggest impact on a team defense than players such as Patrick Willis and Darrelle Revis. With numbers like those, it appears hard to argue. Miller is certainly well on his way to becoming a player in the caliber of Derrick Thomas or Lawrence Taylor.

Miller is questionable for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings after having surgery on his thumb. He'll likely find anyway he can to make it into the game. He wants to terrorize Christian Ponder.

For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more on the league.

Von Miller Named AFC Defensive Player Of The Week

Von Miller Reaches 9-1/2 Sacks Through 10 Games, Seeks Rookie Record Of 14-1/2

One of the bright spots that has emerged during the Denver Broncos' recent win streak has been the solid play of the defense. Rookie linebacker Von Miller has been key to this happening. For weeks, Miller has been chasing the rookie sack record, set by Jevon Kearse with 14-1/2 during the 1999 season, with some fanfare. But after Thursday night's victory over the New York Jets, Miller is definitely in position to break the record, having 9-1/2 through 10 games.

Miller split a sack with Elvis Dumervil early in the game and then picked up a huge sack all by himself on the final drive. He also had four quarterback hits hits on Sanchez, including this one that likely will draw a fine from the league offices. Overall, Miller was the top defensive player on the field. He had 10 total tackles (nine solo), three tackles for loss and one pass defended.

With the exception of the season opener against the Oakland Raiders and then the 45-10 loss to the Detroit Lions, Miller has recorded at least a half of a sack in eight of his first 10 games.

For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more on the league.

Von Miller Records Two Sacks; Could He Break Rookie Sack Record?

In Sunday's game against the Packers, rookie linebacker Von Miller quietly continued his solid season. Amidst the failure of the team to cover any receiver, Miller was able to pressure Aaron Rodgers during the game, picking up two more sacks. Miller dropped Rodgers for a total of 12 lost yards. Miller now has four sacks.

Miller has recorded at least one sack in his last three games after having zero against the Oakland Raiders to start the season. He had the first two in games that Elvis Dumervil was not on field with him, while the other two came with Dumervil back on the defensive line. It seems as though we should expect more of the latter should Dumervil and Miller continue to team up.

ESPN's Bill Williamson is already wondering if Miller could break Jevon Kearse's rookie record of 14.5 sacks in 1998. That certainly seems like a possibility if Miller's recent performance trend continues.

For more on Miller and the Broncos, please visit Mile High Report.