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October 29, 2009

Byrd named NFL's top defensive rookie

Bills safety Jairus Byrd, whose five interceptions rank second in the NFL, has been named the league's defensive rookie of the month for October. The only other Bills players to receive this honor were cornerback Leodis McKelvin (November, 2008), safety Donte Whitner (September, 2006), middle linebacker Sam Cowart (October, 1998) and outside linebacker Gabe Northern (November, 1996).

It's easy to see why the NFL chose Byrd, whose five interceptions in the month are the most by a rookie since Chicago's Mark Carrier did it in 1990. Byrd has two interceptions in each of the last two games, making him the first rookie to do that Dallas cornerback Everson Walls all the way back in 1981.

The Bills were hoping Byrd would eventually become a starter when they drafted him in the second round out of Oregon, but it's safe to say they didn't expect this kind of production so soon. Now it looks like he'll be in the starting lineup for a very long time.

---Allen Wilson

Comments

Ellison got hurt in the first half...........did anyone notice! Didn't think so!

Everybody knows that the Byrd is the word!

Jauron has announced that Jarius Byrd will be switched to Outside Linebacker on the weak side this Sunday against the Texans.

yeah. now mauron will bench him.

They have two more Defense playmakers in Nic Harris and Aaron Maybin if the would just play them at OLB. Good job Byrd, you deserved this honor. Keep it up.

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