Green Bay Blizzard DL JOE SYKES has been named the ADT Defensive Player of the Year, as selected by a vote of arenafootball2 head coaches members of the media.
This is his second league award as he was also honored as the Russell Athletic Lineman of the Year on Monday.
Sykes made an immediate impact for the Blizzard in 2008. The rookie from Southern University was a big reason behind Green Bay's Midwest Division title and best regular season finish ever at 11-5. The 6-4, 275-pounder led the af2 in tackles for loss (22) and sacks (19.5) during the regular season. Sykes also finished first in the league in forced fumbles (8) and tied for the league lead in fumble recoveries (5). On top of that, he ranked fourth on the team with 49 total tackles (39 solo, 20 asst). He was recently named to the American Conference All-af2 First Team.
Sykes keyed a menacing Blizzard defense in 2008 that led the league in sacks (55), total defense (200.2 yards per game), pass defense (178.7 yards per game), touchdowns allowed (75) and fumble return touchdowns (9). Green Bay's sack mark ranks as the second-highest single-season total in league history. Green Bay also finished tied for first overall in fumble recoveries with 25 and second in scoring defense, allowing opponents just 38.1 points per contest.
Sykes continued his stellar play in the playoffs as well. He had his best overall outing of 2008 in Green Bay's dominating, 65-37, first round home win against Lexington. Sykes led a record-setting Blizzard performance with 5.5 total tackles (5 solo, 1 asst) and an af2 postseason-record five sacks. His sack total shattered the old mark of 3.5 set by former Bossier-Shreveport lineman ELEX REED in 2007. As a team, Green Bay also set a new playoff record with 10 sacks against the Horsemen, doubling the old mark of five set in 2001 by the Carolina Rhinos. Sykes, who also forced two fumbles in the victory, earned ADT Defensive Player of the Week honors for his effort.
The Blizzard saw their ArenaCup hopes come to a close at home last Saturday with a 55-54 last-second loss to Manchester in the American Conference Semifinals. Despite the decision, Sykes again led Green Bay with 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He joins an impressive list of past Defensive Player of the Year winners that includes Levi Brown (Florida - 2007), Alex Wallace (Bakersfield - 2006), Dahnel Singfield (Memphis - 2005), Traco Rachel (Laredo - 2004), Kahlil Carter (Arkansas - 2003), Kelly Snell (Tennessee Valley - 2002), Earnest Certain (Tallahassee - 2001) and Cornelius Coe (Quad City - 2000).
Sykes made an immediate impact for the Blizzard in 2008. The rookie from Southern University was a big reason behind Green Bay's Midwest Division title and best regular season finish ever at 11-5. The 6-4, 275-pounder led the af2 in tackles for loss (22) and sacks (19.5) during the regular season. Sykes also finished first in the league in forced fumbles (8) and tied for the league lead in fumble recoveries (5). On top of that, he ranked fourth on the team with 49 total tackles (39 solo, 20 asst). He was recently named to the American Conference All-af2 First Team.
Sykes keyed a menacing Blizzard defense in 2008 that led the league in sacks (55), total defense (200.2 yards per game), pass defense (178.7 yards per game), touchdowns allowed (75) and fumble return touchdowns (9). Green Bay's sack mark ranks as the second-highest single-season total in league history. Green Bay also finished tied for first overall in fumble recoveries with 25 and second in scoring defense, allowing opponents just 38.1 points per contest.
Sykes continued his stellar play in the playoffs as well. He had his best overall outing of 2008 in Green Bay's dominating, 65-37, first round home win against Lexington. Sykes led a record-setting Blizzard performance with 5.5 total tackles (5 solo, 1 asst) and an af2 postseason-record five sacks. His sack total shattered the old mark of 3.5 set by former Bossier-Shreveport lineman ELEX REED in 2007. As a team, Green Bay also set a new playoff record with 10 sacks against the Horsemen, doubling the old mark of five set in 2001 by the Carolina Rhinos. Sykes, who also forced two fumbles in the victory, earned ADT Defensive Player of the Week honors for his effort.
The Blizzard saw their ArenaCup hopes come to a close at home last Saturday with a 55-54 last-second loss to Manchester in the American Conference Semifinals. Despite the decision, Sykes again led Green Bay with 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He joins an impressive list of past Defensive Player of the Year winners that includes Levi Brown (Florida - 2007), Alex Wallace (Bakersfield - 2006), Dahnel Singfield (Memphis - 2005), Traco Rachel (Laredo - 2004), Kahlil Carter (Arkansas - 2003), Kelly Snell (Tennessee Valley - 2002), Earnest Certain (Tallahassee - 2001) and Cornelius Coe (Quad City - 2000).
