Anthony Barr Named Defensive Player Of The Week For Week 8

The recognition for Vikings rookie linebacker Anthony Barr just keep piling on.  It was said today today that Barr has been named to NFL.com’s Midseason All-Rookie Team, he is up for the Pepsi Rookie of the Week, and now he can add one more accomplishment to his resume.

Anthony Barr has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for week 8 of the NFL season.

Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr (55) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

This achievement is bigger than some of the others that the number 9 overall pick in this year’s draft has earned. The competition for NFC Defensive Player of the Week includes not only rookies but every defensive player in the NFC.  Barr becomes only the 6th rookie in the last decade to win this award, joining the ranks of superstars like DeMarcus Ware, Clay Matthews, Brian Orakpo, Sean Lee, and Luke Kuechly.

While individual achievements are great and all, the Minnesota Vikings could use some team accomplishments instead.  With Anthony Barr playing at a very high level this early in his rookie year, things are looking up for this team’s chances of being competitive in the near future.

Congratulations to Anthony Barr and the Minnesota Vikings on winning the award.  There’s no reason to believe that things will slow down for the freakishly athletic linebacker in the future, so he could have more of this hardware coming in his future.