According to team spokesman Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12 on Twitter) rookie linebacker Von Miller has been named the AP defensive rookie of the year. Miller is the first Bronco named defensive rookie of the year since linebacker Mike Croel in 1991.
For the second straight year, the first two players selected in the draft have been named AP offensive and defensive rookies of the year (Sam Bradford, Ndamukong Suh, Cam Newton, Miller).
Miller had an excellent start to his NFL career with 64 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles. Miller was a force all year long and one of the best players in the entire NFL regardless of rookie or veteran status, and he earned a trip to the 2012 Pro Bowl where he sacked Cam Newton twice.
He is primed to be a superstar in this league. He is as complete a player as I've seen and the scary thing is, he basically did what he did this season purely because of talent with virtually no offseason training with the team that drafted him.
He finished behind only DeMarcus Ware and Jason Pierre-Paul in tackles for loss this season, and according to Pro Football Focus, he didn't miss a single tackle.
Wrap your mind around that.
Despite finishing the season with an injured thumb, Von was able to make an impact on the Broncos' defense that helped them win six straight games. Congratulations to him on a fantastic season on and off the field, Miller is a true class act who will be an impact defender for years to come.
9 recs | 44 comments
CONRATULATIONS VON!
You had a sick year! I can’t even imagine what your numbers would have been like for a full healthy season! Guess we’ll see next year.
MILEHIGHMILLER - February 4, 2012
Awesome! He's going to be the next LT.
tiderfootball09 - February 4, 2012
He's going to be the next VON MILLER!!!
Automatik41 - February 4, 2012
So LT was the last Von Miller?
intramural sport bench coach - February 4, 2012
except I don't think Von needs cocaine
the new Bradfather - February 4, 2012
lmao
Mike Agnew - February 5, 2012 via mobile
I really wish he didn't have that cast though.
Just think how good of a year he could have finished with.
You could tell he severely struggled in comparison when he got that cast, as most any LB would.
intramural sport bench coach - February 4, 2012
Yeah man, Congrats Von.
And the no missed tackle stat is nuts, all with a cast on his right hand for 1/4 of the year.
Automatik41 - February 4, 2012
Nice, he deserves it!
the new Bradfather - February 4, 2012
OUSTSTANDING Von! OUSTANDING PICK by EFX.
However, comparisons to L.T. should be tempered. Von needs to get bigger/stronger/meaner. Von’s a speed guy like Derrick Thomas. I’d like to see Von around 250-260lbs,then he’d be a menace to the gridiron…..and he will be!
Hogblog - February 4, 2012
Meant OUTSTANDING Von!
Hogblog - February 4, 2012
I hope he lasts longer than Croel.
Digger24 - February 4, 2012
there is no comparison between the
two other than having great sack years as a rookie. Von is a much better football player than Croel ever was.
rubincarterrocks - February 4, 2012
off topic
but the Patriots RELEASE Tiquan Underwood, literally less than 24 hours before the Super Bowl, if that’s the Patriot Way, you can shove it up your rear end for all I care, cheating and screwing, that’s what Belichick’s legacy is
the new Bradfather - February 4, 2012
Wow is all I have to say.
Automatik41 - February 4, 2012
You said it Brad
broncofaninIL - February 4, 2012
Only a Sith deals in absolutes
Destroy the Sith we must!
CH74 - February 4, 2012
Wow, that is seriously messed up.
weazel - February 4, 2012
He wears 58 well
Elway saw D. Thomas nightmares in Von. He was right. This kid is special. Quality person, freakish talent, and only going to get better. He’s going to keep a lot of O-Line coaches awake at night trying to figure out how to stop him. Looking forward to that.
shasta77 - February 4, 2012
Congratulations Von!!!
What a GREAT start for the new regime!!!!
broncofaninIL - February 4, 2012
Great job Von..
bfree2bronc - February 4, 2012
Marcel who?
EFX got that one right. Now, go get us a pocket smashing DT and Jack Del Rio will get our D in the top 10!
CH74 - February 4, 2012
I think a lot of us questioned the pick at first.
But it was beyond a doubt a great decision.
Teboner - February 4, 2012
Good job Von you make us proud to be fans!
Tired of that bend but don’t break mentality. Nice to see us getting back to smash mouth, in your face, going to break you off a little something defense again!
OrangeRhino - February 4, 2012 via mobile
Great job Von!
Great to see his impact recognized, and I hope everyone realizes that it is primarily an impact on a franchise. He could have gotten hurt in training camp and called a bust right out of the gate, but for once it seems like a #1 pick might shake out with some starpower.
Stay healthy, Von!
Jeremy Bolander - February 4, 2012
Good young man
Great a start to something good. He will only improve as long as he isn’t a Cushing. I believe he has more integrity than that. A healthy Warren and a few good aquisitions will put us on the path to success.
MajorG - February 4, 2012 via Android app
Congrats Miller!!!
He busted his tail and earned every bit of this…..well deserved. Awesome draft pick and so glad he is in orange and blue.
weazel - February 4, 2012
No missed tackles.....freaking unbelievable!
Grats VON! I’m really glad that sacks didn’t rule the day for the DROY….although Aldon Smith is sorely missed by my TIGERS!
Broncotodd - February 4, 2012
Awesome.
There was more than one instance where Von came through with a big play to keep the team in the game. Big time players make big plays when it’s crunch time. And a rookie? Great pick by EFX.
Oregon Crush - February 4, 2012
No tackles missed.
That is astonishing. Congrats on DROY, Von! You will be the best LB in the NFL soon, if you aren’t already.
postpunk27 - February 4, 2012
no tackles missed...and one handed. astounding
Calikula - February 5, 2012
no tackles missed ... WTF ... is that even possible?
Surely they must have been missing in the bathroom and missed him missing a tackle
dustfan - February 5, 2012
I can't even do that in Madden.
WTF is right.
postpunk27 - February 5, 2012
Very well deserved
Calikula - February 5, 2012
Nice!
Now we need another DROY in this years draft!
ThorpeBroncosfan - February 5, 2012
i'd rather a....
Offensive ROY….
did someone say Joe Adams??? 8-)
TrainDriverIvan - February 5, 2012
Perhaps a RB?
I’d be cool with that.
postpunk27 - February 5, 2012
Much deserved!
Atta be Von!
Matt In Canada - February 5, 2012
Del Rio is going to help Von Miller even more
Miller isn’t close to reaching his ceiling yet, which is awe-inspiring.
NYCBronx - February 5, 2012
any 49ers fans who aldon smith should have won
Will hopefully shut up now. You have a part time pass rusher compared to a full time starting probowl linebacker. No comparison.
Mike Agnew - February 5, 2012 via mobile
think*
Mike Agnew - February 5, 2012 via mobile
SweeT. its all coming together nicely.
CenCalBronco - February 5, 2012 via mobile
Love it...
And this is why this year’s new #58 Miller jersey is my first new jersey since Elway….
cjfarls - February 6, 2012
Wow and congratulations to Von! No missed tackles is scary-weird potential on display.
Arctic Bronco - February 11, 2012
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