[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by illdefined

this is a great poll. a lot of great players with great instincts. i never seen that crucial 'swarm' everyone talks about with the skins until this year. even Smoot became a surefire tackler. thats when you know it's bigger than one man. when everyone improves.

but i give it Pierce without hesitation.

all those guys are talented and tenacious, but Pierce was the 'QB' of the defense. he was the one telling everyone where to be, and the fact that third stringers and no-names made plays and/or filled in without missing a beat all year long means Pierce was placing these guys dead-on. he doesn't get a radio in his helmet w/Williams, it's was all him all year. general on the field.

unlike Springs, Griffin, Taylor, Smoot or Washington, none of it was expected of him. he was a backup, not to meantion a longtime Skin. no question really.

Exactly why I, too, placed my vote for Pierce.