Green Bay’s Za’Darius Smith deserves Defensive Player of The Year consideration
Amid all of Green Bay’s success this season, there came two realizations. Number one, this team no longer needs to rely on Aaron Rodgers solely to win games, and it’s shown through 15 games. Secondly, because of GM Brian Gutekunst’s strategy in free agency in the offseason, it’s paid off huge. Green Bay as a team and organization struck gold with the signings of Za’Darius and Preston Smith as well as safety Adrian Amos. I wanted to focus mostly on the first Smith, Za’Darius.
He most definitely deserves defensive player of the year consideration. Why? Both his play on the field as well as his words in the locker room and in games speak for him. Through 15 games, he’s tallied 13.5 sacks (6th), 41 solo tackles, 18 TFLs (7th), and 35 QB hits (1st). All but one of those defensive statistics are top ten in the NFL. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke about the addition of Smith to the defense and what it’s meant to him and the team at their media availability session after their MNF victory over the Vikings: “It’s the same stuff that we’ve been talking about. It’s an energy, it’s a force. He just has a great presence about him. When he talks, guys listen. He reminds me a lot of Julius [Peppers], who was so special to our success over the years. I think Z is a more willing talker, Julius was a man of not too many words but when he spoke, he carried a lot of weight. Z’s that type of player and getting him while he’s still really young in his career is pretty special. When you pair that with Preston [Smith], and Kenny [Clark], [with] those guys, it’s a formidable pass rush. I’m glad he’s on our team but he’s meant a lot more to our success in more ways than just his play on the field.”
This defense definitely is sparked by Za’Darius’ play on the field as well as his overall presence. Like Rodgers said, it’s a force. He does and says the exact right things which is what you want in a star player like Smith. Immense credit goes to general manager Brian Gutekunst as the additions of both the Smith brothers have made and continue to make an impact on the defense as a unit. This type of defensive play will pay huge dividends for them once January hits and the postseason begins. It’s time for the mass NFL media to stop glossing over it. Za’Darius Smith is a top 10 defensive player in the league and deserves DPOTY consideration, his play on the field proves that.
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