Actually,........ I think last TWO years.
I first thought it would be done for friday announcement but they are waiting until MONDAY so as NOT to steal attention from the guys trying to make the team. TJ may cost a lot this year but like many have said......... in a coule of years it will be a steal.
Salute the nation
I'm convinced Watt would have won the award (not that he shouldn't have) last year if he managed to pick up that fumble vs. Washington and run it back for score. Had he have done it, Steelers win that game, go 12-0 and secure the AFCN. These voters love "splash" plays. Consistent and dominant as he was, he did not have an explicit play that was either late in game or led to defensive TD. Closest was the sack vs. Colts in their red zone which led to our only 1st half score and 7-7 game, but was only in 1st quarter.
Harrison literally changed the outcomes of 2 games with sacks by generating defensive scores in 2008, strip sacking Flacco led to Woodley TD, safety was margin in 11-10 win vs. Chargers - add to it sack ended Jaguars chance of comeback and pair of strip sacks broke a close game vs. Patriots into blowout win.
Polamalu in 2010 impacted the outcome of 5 games. Ended 2 drives with redzone INTs, ensured OT with INT on Matt Ryan with minute left, sealed AFCN with strip sack on Flacco that led to TD and pick 6 broke open a tough scoring day vs. Bengals - bittersweet play if ever was one, because he injured his Achilles on that dive for TD, costing him next 2 games and wasn't same rest of year.
Fact remains, Aaron Donald had no signature plays either and vanished in December - so it was the "anti-Steelers" bias at it again. We've already had more DPOY winners than anyone else, so some voters already made up their mind before the season ended.