I would like to preface this short post by saying that I absolutely love Charles Woodson. He is my favorite Michigan Wolverine of all time. His run in 1997 was epic and I have been a huge fan of his for over a decade now. With that being said, Charles Woodson winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award was complete and utter bullshit. Charles Woodson had a great season. He did things that Revis was unable to claim. He forced more turnovers. He was slightly more help in the rushing attack. He scored more defensive touchdowns. He had a fabulous season but he is no Darrelle Revis.
When you look at the Packers schedule you'll notice some major differences between a Jets box score and a Packers box score. The first thing you'll notice is that the quality of #1 wideouts faced by the Packers throughout the pales in comparison to the quality of #1s the Jets faced and yet the Packers opponents were far more likely to have successful games. Devin Hester had 90+ 1 td. OchoCinco had 90+ 1td which you can compare to 2 catches vs. the Jets in 2 Games. Hines Ward had over 120 yards. The Vikings threw for ludicrous amounts of yardage against the Packers twice with Berrian, Harvin and Rice all having big games.*
The scenario of receivers running wild does not happen with the Jets. Darrelle Revis has locked down every receiver he's faced this season. Throughout the entire season he's been burnt deep exactly once against Ted Ginn of all people. Revis this season has faced Randy Moss two times, Terrelle Owens two times, Andre Johnson, OchoCinco, Marques Colston, Roddy White and Reggie Wayne and absolutely none of them had a big day. Revis makes the Jets #1 ranked defense possible. Without Revis the Jets are simply a run of the mill middle of the pack defense.
Darrelle Revis was truly the best defensive player of the year in 2009 and it is a shame that the people voting for the award could not see this.
*The Packers did have success in the one game Calvin Johnson played against them when they limited him to 2 catches for ten yards and a td.
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