AP to Re-Vote on 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

The Associated Press has decided that it will re-vote on the 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing won the original vote by a wide margin, earning 39 of 50 votes, 33 ahead of second-place finisher Jairus Byrd, a safety for the Buffalo Bills. Gren Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (3) and Washington Redskins linebacker/defensive end Brian Orakpo (2) rounded out the voting.

Cushing was suspended by the National Football League for violating the league's steroid policy. Subsequent reports are that Cushing tested positive in September, and lost his appeal during a hearing at the Scouting Combine in February.

Cushing is the third NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year to be suspended for steroids the following season, joining San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman (2005) and then-Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers (2002).

Despite the re-vote, Cushing is still eligible for the award. Byrd is expected to be the favorite in this second-round of voting, which will include a re-vote for the All-Pro team, which Cushing received five votes on initially. Matthews may benefit from additional exposure during the 2009 NFL Playoffs, where negating his pass-rushing ability was a priority of the Arizona Cardinals protection schemes.

These awards are meant to be based on regular season performance, but as I wrote earlier, the 2007 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award voting shows that the process occasionally bypasses common sense.

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