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Next up in the 2014 POD Awards is the category for the Detroit Lions' Special Teams Player of the Year. Here are the nominees:
LB Tahir Whitehead
Whitehead became a starter on defense in 2014, but that didn't prevent him from contributing on special teams. According to Pro Football Focus, Whitehead led the Lions with 10 special teams tackles this season. To put that in context, Jed Collins and Isa Abdul-Quddus tied for second with only five special teams tackles each.
K Matt Prater
Prater joined the Lions six weeks into the season after a disastrous start for the Lions' kickers. He had some rust early on, but Prater ended up finishing with 21 made field goals on 26 attempts. Also, he made all 21 of his extra-point attempts.
P Sam Martin
Martin averaged 46.1 yards per punt (13th in the NFL) and had a net average of 40.1 yards per punt (ninth in the NFL). Also, he finished eighth in the NFL with 29 punts downed inside the 20-yard line, and according to Pro Football Focus, he was fifth in the league with an average distance of 71.2 yards on his kickoffs.