Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller was named the 2011 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year on Saturday evening. Miller defeated fellow linebacker Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers:
LB @MillerLite40 named AP Def. Rookie of the Year. 2nd Bronco ever to win award (LB Mike Croel, '91).
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) February 4, 2012
Miller was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick last April and went on to pick up 11.5 sacks, 64 tackles and 2 forced fumbles. He was slowed late in the season by an injured thumb that required a cast on his right hand. Aldon Smith finished the season with 14 sacks, leading all rookies.
Miller took 39 of 50 votes for the award. Smith took the other 11 votes.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound linebacker was likely just scratching the surface on his potential as a rookie. He be out there next season looking for bigger and better things.
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