DeMarcus Ware second in Defensive Player of Year vote

BY MAC ENGEL

Dallas Cowboys’ Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware, whose 20 sacks this season rank sixth in NFL history, finished second Monday to Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison in voting for The Associated Press 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

Harrison received 22 votes. Ware got 13, and Baltimore safety Ed Reed was third with eight.

Ware’s 20 sacks were also the second-most in club history behind Harvey Martin’s 23 in 1977, before sacks were an official statistic.

Ware also had 110 tackles, third-best on the team, eight tackles for loss, 20 quarterback pressures and a fumble recovery. The Cowboys ranked eighth in the NFL in total defense, 20th in points allowed and fifth in pass defense.

Harrison finished with 16 sacks. The Steelers led the NFL in total defense, pass defense and fewest points allowed.

Ware is also one of five finalists for the 2008 GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Year award. The others are Harrison, Reed, Miami linebacker Joey Porter and Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. The award is decided by fan votes.

Two former Cowboys have been honored with similar defensive honors. Martin was named the Defensive Player of the Year by United Press International and Pro Football Weekly in 1977. Charles Haley took the same honor presented by Football Digest in 1994.

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