Colts’ Darius Leonard wins AFC DPOTW again

Darius Leonard has had an absolutely stellar rookie campaign. He wrapped up his regular season by collecting yet another award.

Darius Leonard has had one of the most productive rookie seasons in NFL history. He leads the league in tackles by double digits, after missing a game because of injury. And now he has done something only Marvin Harrison and Edgerrin James has done as a Colt.

Leonard was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. It is the second time this season that he has won the award. Only Harrison and James have also won the award twice in the same season as a rookie. Leonard is in some rarified air in that regard.

He won the award by recording 8 tackles, 2 pass breakups and an interception in the Colts’ regular season finale against the Titans. He was all over the field, just like he has been all season long. But now his challenge gets steeper as the playoffs approach.

The Colts are going to need Leonard to keep playing at this high level if they want to make some noise in the playoffs. The defense has been playing some great football for the Colts the last couple of months, with Leonard leading the charge.

This will be Leonard’s first taste of the playoffs as a rookie. He will be eager to make an impact and win games. If the Colts do get knocked out of the playoffs though, don’t expect it to be because of a lack of production from Leonard. He has cemented himself as a star in this league already.

Leonard will tell you that this award is good and all, but it doesn’t mean much without wins attached. He only wants what is best for the team on any given gameday. What’s best for the team is for him to keep doing what he’s doing.