The Baltimore Ravens' huge defensive tackle, Haloti Ngata, was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for week 9 of the NFL season. Now it seems like everyone is beginnng to find out what us Ravens fans have known for a few years, which is that Haloit Ngata is the best DT in the league. At 6'4" and 350 pounds, Ngata is big enough to plug the middle of the trenches yet nimble enough to chase down running backs and even wide receivers downfield.
Here is the Press Release from the NFL:
BROWNS RB PEYTON HILLIS, RAVENS DT HALOTI NGATA & RAIDERS KR-WR JACOBY FORD NAMED AFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 9
Running back PEYTON HILLIS of the Cleveland Browns, defensive tackle HALOTI NGATA of the Baltimore Ravens and rookie kick returner-wide receiver JACOBY FORD of the Oakland Raiders are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the ninth week of the 2010 season (November 7-8), the NFL announced today.
DEFENSE: DT HALOTI NGATA, BALTIMORE RAVENS
Ngata was a disruptive force for Baltimore’s defense, registering four tackles and one sack in the Ravens’ 26-10 win over Miami. A key cog up front, Ngata was pivotal in the Ravens holding Miami to 289 total yards.
Played a key role in pressuring Dolphins quarterback CHAD HENNE, resulting in three interceptions by the Ravens. Ngata has a career-best five sacks this season, the most among AFC defensive tackles in 2010.
The win improved the Ravens to 6-2, tied for first place in the AFC North and the best record in the NFL. In his fifth year from Oregon, this is Ngata’s first career Player of the Week Award. He is the first Ravens defensive tackle ever to win the award and the first defensive tackle to earn AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors since the Jets’ KRIS JENKINS in 2008 (Week 9).
(Click on the 'Jump' to read about the AFC Offensive & Special Teams Players of the Week)
OFFENSE: RB PEYTON HILLIS, CLEVELAND BROWNS
Hillis rushed for a career-best 184 yards on 29 attempts (6.3 average) and tied a career high with two rushing touchdowns in the Browns’ 34-14 victory over New England. Hillis’ 184 rushing yards are the second most in the NFL this season (ARIAN FOSTER, 231). His two rushing touchdowns tied for an NFL best in Week 9. Hillis totaled a career-high 220 yards from scrimmage (184 rushing, 36 receiving). He is tied for third in the NFL with seven rushing touchdowns this season. In his third season from Arkansas, this is Hillis’ first career Player of the Week Award. He is the first Browns running back to win AFC Offensive Player of the Week since ERIC METCALF in 1992.
SPECIAL TEAMS: KR-WR JACOBY FORD, OAKLAND RAIDERS
In a key AFC West matchup, Ford totaled 306 yards (158 kick return yards, 148 receiving yards), including a 94-yard kick return-touchdown in the Raiders’ 23-20 overtime win against Kansas City. Ford joined former Steelers wide receiver GARY BALLMAN (161 receiving yards, 159 kick return yards; at Washington on 11/17/63) as the only players in NFL history to have at least 140 receiving yards and 150 kick return yards in a game. Ford had career-highs in receptions (six), receiving yards (148) and kick return yards (158). His 29-yard catch with 24 seconds remaining set up a 41-yard game-tying field goal by SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI with three seconds to play. In overtime, Ford hauled in a 47-yard reception to set up a 33-yard game-winning field goal. The Raiders now have a 3-0 record in the AFC West this season.In his rookie season from Clemson, this is Ford’s first career Player of the Week Award. He is the first Raider to win AFC Special Teams Player of the Week since JOHNNIE LEE HIGGINS in 2008 (Week 12).