Defense has been the identity of the Baltimore Ravens for more than a decade.

Over the years they’ve had plenty of high profile players to help carry that reputation. So choosing a defensive player of the year would seem to be a bit harder than some other categories.

Jonathan Scruggs makes the case for linebacker, Jarret Johnson.

Number 95 may not have the flash or the pizazz of some of his counter parts, but man did Jarrett Johnson have a career year. He was all of the field making plays and keeping this defense in some games where they might have been blown out.

I’ll agree with that assessment. Johnson really stepped up his game this season, in particular with his sack totals as he registered a career high. (6.0) When the defense was going through some struggles during the first half of the season, it was Johnson who was one of the few constants that held things together. In fact I agreed that Johnson was the defensive MVP for the first half of the season, as did many others.

However, this award was for the entire 2009 season and Gene Winner and myself went in a more classic direction.

There was a lot of talk during the off-season about weather or not the Ravens should re-sign Ray Lewis to his last big contract to enable him to complete his career in purple. Or maybe Baltimore should take that money and spend it on the much younger Bart Scott. I think they made the right decision.

Here’s Gene’s thoughts:

Ray Lewis continues to be a leader and a play maker. He kept the defense together when things weren’t going well. Classic Lewis plays: The stop on Sproles in San Diego and the blitz sack on Tom Brady. He plays all three downs and didn’t lose much energy even thought the rigors of the NFL season.

Even after 14 seasons, Ray Lewis hasn’t lost any of the passion or intensity that make him one of the best to ever play his position. He continues to be the emotional leader of the team and the face of the franchise.

So as usual tell us what you think. Who do you feel was the Defensive player of the year?