The faceless voters who cast ballots for the NFL’s annual year end awards finally got one right in naming Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year.

The Silverback collected 101 tackles this year, 16 of which were sacks ( a new team record).  He also forced 7 fumbles with his patented tomahawk chop and even picked off a pass for good measure.  Pretty good for an undrafted free agent who was on Baltimore’s practice squad then sent to NFL Europe before finding a home with the Steelers.

Harrison also tied for 4th in the MVP voting, an award he should have also won if not for the ignorant and shortsighted media types who select these things.  He tied with Adrian Peterson, who fumbles if a stiff breeze blows through.  They trailed one behind Chad Pennington, the noodle-arm last seen flinging wounded ducks to Raven defenders and whose qualifications seem to be winning three less games than us in a worse division with a last place schedule.  Clearly, Peyton Manning won the award on reputation alone as he basically didn’t show up the first six weeks of the season and has a head shaped like a #2 pencil.

Oh well, hope that underserved award keeps you warm at night, Pey-Pey, as you watch the rest of the playoffs from the comfort of your home.  As usual.