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This is odd.

For the first time since the award was first given out in 1967, The Associated Press has decided to have its voters decide again which player should be named the 2009 NFL defensive rookie of the year.

Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing won the award but recently was suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season after violating the league's steroid policy. His positive test reportedly happened in September.

Cushing is eligible to win the award again. Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd finished second in the original voting (six votes), followed by Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (three) and Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo (two).