Getty ImagesBall skills usually aren’t part of the requirements to play defensive tackle in the NFL.
But for Dolphins defensive tackle Randy Starks, it’s become a niche.
Starks intercepted his third pass in two seasons in last week’s 17-13 win at Cincinnati, the most for any defensive lineman over that span.
Along with three tackles, half a sack and two passes defensed, that also led to AFC defensive player of the week honors.
Starks also keys a defense which allows a league-low 61.4 rushing yards per game.
In another sign of how rare a commodity he is, he’s the first Dolphins lineman to win player of the week honors since Jason Taylor in 2006.
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Well done Randy- keep it up.
I’d wager there’s a few teams who have had zero Defensive Player of the Week honors and quite a few more who have not had a D lineman named since JT was last honored while playing for the Fins.
His pick was one of the best ints I’ve seen in a long time… Regardless of position
Nice! Makes up for Hartline missing out
It’s a joke that JJ.Watt didn’t win this award. I guess a player can’t win it every week!?
JJ. Watt caused an INT and had a sack. He was an absolute force and should have won. However when the Fins are playing defense like they have recently its nice the NFL threw em a bone. Well played!
Yeah, Watt tipped 3 passes, one of which led to INT in the red zone and one of which ended the game. He also a 1 sack to keep his lead in that department and a TFL.
Not to mention he was ALL over teh field making plays and wreaking havoc.
But as you said, he can’t win the award EVERY week.
*sigh* Sanchez threw 2 of those 3 during week 17 last year. That game was brutal.
If Miami can sustain this level of play on defense… it’s not unrealistic to think that they could win 8 or 9 games and finish 2nd in the AFC East… especially if the offense continues to progress like it is.
Randy Starks deserved the award they way he played. The NFL doesn’t need to throw the Fins a bone, they deserve it the way they are playing defense. It’s easy as a Texan to expect Watt to win every week, but that’s not the way it works.
Phins Fact:
The Dolphins haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher for 19 consecutive games!
Given the lack of talent the Dolphins have – well documented in this site – I am shocked!
Watt may have been good but the int Starks made was near impossible. The ball was coming out of Daltons hand full speed and barely traveled 5 yards before Starks timed his jump not to block the pass but intercept it while lineman were in his face.