Big Ten Football: Midseason All-Big Ten Defense
Defense is kind of like offensive line. While there are statistics, by themselves they only mean so much. The overall team statistics are so much more valuable than any individual players' numbers.
After all, look at Purdue. They boast the player with the most sacks and TFL in the conference. Yet, they also have the eighth-worst scoring defense and the eighth-worst total defense.
On the other hand, Ohio State boasts the best total defense and the second-best scoring defense in the Big Ten. Nevertheless, they don't have a single individual player amongst the top 10 in tackles or sacks.
In the end, it takes 11 players to make a defensive unit, and the only stat that really matters is how many points said defense allows.
However, there are players that particularly shine for any given defense, as well as awards—however arbitrary and meaningless— to give out.
Defensive Line
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First Team: There is not a more disruptive Big Ten defensive player, let alone lineman, than Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan. Kerrigan currently leads the conference in sacks and TFL. He also has more tackles than any other defensive linemen, boasting eight more than the nearest player.
The lineman with the second-most tackles in the conference is Wisconsin's J.J. Watt. The Badgers are starting three new linemen along with Watt. In effect, the junior was needed to step up in a big way, and he has delivered.
Along with his 30 tackles, he is also second in the conference in TFL, and tied for sixth in pass breakups.
Meanwhile, Northwestern defensive end Vince Browne is making Wildcat fans forget about recently graduated All-Big Ten end Corey Wootten.
In six games, Browne is second in the conference in sacks with five. He is also tied for third in TFL, to go along with 21 tackles and a forced fumble.
Finally, it can't come as any surprise that Iowa has at least one lineman in this group. What is surprising is that it is junior Mike Daniels, who didn't even start last season.
Nevertheless, he has worked himself into the rotation to the point that coach Kirk Ferentz calls him his "fifth starter."
After five games, Daniels is tied for third in the conference in both sacks and TFL.
Second Team: Mike Martin (Michigan), Adrian Clayborn (Iowa), Devon Still (Penn State), Nathan Williams (Ohio State)
Linebacker
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First Team: At the top of this list is last season's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Greg Jones. Jones has been the starting Michigan State middle linebacker since 2007, and just when you think he can't get any better, he does.
This season, he is not only one of the conference's top tacklers, as usual, but he also has contributed two interceptions; the first two of his career. On top of that, he has five TFL, three forced fumbles and one sack.
So, obviously the gameplan against MSU would be to keep away from Jones. The problem with that is the other Spartan senior linebacker, Eric Gordon.
Due to Jones, Gordon has gotten less notice and accolades than he might otherwise get. However, he is still one of the best linebackers in the conference as evidenced by his 10th-best tackles-per-game. Along with that, he has accumulated 2.5 TFL and a sack.
Meanwhile, also no surprise is the play of Ohio State linebacker Ross Homan. Homan leads the league-best (total defense) Buckeye D with 37 tackles. Along with that, he has one interception, two TFL and a sack.
Finally, the return of Martez Wilson couldn't have come soon enough for Ron Zook and his Illini. Wilson missed the majority of last season with a neck injury. In no small part, due to Wilson's absence, the Illini had the worst total and scoring defense in the conference in 2009.
However, with Wilson back, they currently boast the third best total and scoring D in the conference.
Wilson leads his team with 46 tackles. He also has five TFL, two sacks, and one forced fumble.
Second Team: Brian Rolle (Ohio State), Ian Thomas (Illinois), Gary Tinsely (Minnesota), Jonas Mouton (Michigan).
Safety
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First Team: Not that much has gone right for the Penn State defense this year. They have, at times, lost seemingly half their squad to injuries. There have been suspensions. And frankly, healthy or not, this bunch has not been up to normal Linebacker U standards.
However, at safety, junior Nick Sukay has been a boon to the Lions. In his second year as a starter, he is tied for the conference interception lead with three.
Along with that, he has one forced fumble and has the sixth most tackles on his team.
Meanwhile, in Champaign, junior college transfer Trulon Henry is seeing his first action as a starter for the Illini.
He is one of the few that has maintained his starting position in the Illinois backfield, which has been decimated by injuries.
Nevertheless, he has earned his place there. In five games, Henry has 27 tackles, one TFL and two of the Illini's three interceptions on the year.
Second Team: Jermale Hines (Ohio State), Drew Astorino (Penn State)
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Cornerback
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First Team: Coming into the season, the biggest question on the Buckeyes' defense seemed to be in the backfield, and specifically at cornerback.
Most notably, senior Chimdi Chekwa had a solid 2009, but he lacked a nose for making game changing plays. In 13 games last year, he only snagged one interception.
This year, he appears to have turned a page. He is the same solid tackler that he has always been, but he has also grabbed two picks in six games. This has been despite the fact that over the last three weeks, he has been playing through nagging back spasms.
Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes weren't lacking for playmakers in their backfield. Nevertheless, after five games, the player with the most interceptions is not either of Iowa's ball-hawking safeties, but their true junior cornerback, Shaun Prater.
Moreover, Prater returned one of his two picks for a touchdown.
Second Team: Johnny Adams (Michigan State), Antonio Fenelus (Wisconsin).
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
