Colts' Sanders wins AP award

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jan 8, 2008

NEW YORK -- Bob Sanders' impact on the vastly improved Indianapolis defense, not to mention his impact on opposing ball carriers, earned the Colts safety The Associated Press 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award Monday.

Sanders makes highlight films with his smash-mouth style and knack for always being near the ball. His value as a leader was just as much a factor in Indianapolis having the third-ranked unit in the NFL and allowing just 262 points, a league low.

Yes, these Colts can play dominating defense, and Sanders is the main reason.

"One of the things we talked about when he first got here was how critical this position is in this defense," said coach Tony Dungy, who has nicknamed Sanders "The Eraser."

Sanders earned 31 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL.

Next closest in the balloting were Seattle end Patrick Kerney and Tennessee tackle Albert Haynesworth with four votes each.

Also receiving votes were defensive back Antonio Cromartie of San Diego with three; linebackers Mike Vrabel of New England and DeMarcus Ware of Dallas (two); and rookie linebacker Patrick Willis of San Francisco, cornerback Ronde Barber of Tampa Bay, linebacker James Harrison of Pittsburgh, and end Mario Williams of Houston, each with one vote.

"This (the award) is a goal I set for myself every year, and for it to come so fast is something I never expected," Sanders said. "It's exciting, it's an honor, and I will cherish this moment forever."

Vick enters drug rehab

RICHMOND, Va. -- Michael Vick left Virginia on Monday to enter a drug treatment program at a Kansas prison, a move that could reduce the former NFL star's 23-month sentence on a federal dogfighting conviction.

The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback is now at the U.S. Bureau of Prisons minimum security facility in Leavenworth, his attorney, Billy Martin, said.

Vick tested positive for marijuana in September while he was on supervised release following his guilty plea.

Upon successful completion of the program, nonviolent offenders may be granted up to one year of early release, pending staff members' review of their records and behavior. If Vick were granted early release, he could be ready to play in 2009.

Owens still limping

IRVING, Texas -- Terrell Owens was still limping Monday on his sprained left ankle, and his status for the Dallas Cowboys' playoff game Sunday against the New York Giants is uncertain.

"It looks to me that it's going to be a game-time decision on him," coach Wade Phillips said. "It's Monday of game week. He probably couldn't have played today."

Owens has a high ankle sprain and was limited in a light workout Monday, the first for the top-seeded Cowboys (13-3) since learning they will play the Giants in the NFC divisional playoffs.

"It was a limp-through for him, a walk-through for us," Phillips said.

Owens has 81 catches for 1,355 yards and an NFC-high 15 touchdowns. This was the first time Owens had taken part in any team drills since he got hurt in the first half Dec. 22 at Carolina.

Owens wasn't seen in the locker room when it was open to reporters Monday. Team spokesman Rich Dalrymple said Owens didn't plan to talk until after the game.

Around the league

-The St. Louis Rams fired offensive coordinator Greg Olson and offensive line coach Paul Boudreau. A team spokesman declined to comment on reports that ex-Dolphins coach Cam Cameron was being considered as Olson's replacement.

-New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, 34, the son of longtime coach Marty Schottenheimer, became the fifth candidate to interview for the Baltimore Ravens' head coaching vacancy.

-Fearing they might lose him to a division rival, the Cleveland Browns signed offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, 39, to a two- year contract extension through 2011. He had been scheduled to interview for Baltimore's head coaching opening.

-Jacksonville linebacker Mike Peterson, who has missed the past seven games with a broken right hand, said Saturday that he is going to play this week against New England. Not so fast, coach Jack Del Rio said Monday. "I think you call that champing at the bit," Del Rio said. "We'll see. Until the doctor clears him, it's not even really a discussion."

-Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will be the second candidate to interview for the Miami Dolphins' head coaching job, following front-running candidate Tony Sparano, the Dallas Cowboys' assistant coach.

-Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson held a two-day retreat with coach John Fox and GM Marty Hurney last week to discuss next season, a strong signal that Richardson plans to retain both men.

-When Dallas quarterback Tony Romo spent the weekend lounging at a Mexico resort with Jessica Simpson, he was just doing what all the Cowboys were told, teammates said. "We used it as a vacation, got our minds off football. That's what Wade (Phillips) told us to do," said teammate Jason Witten, who along with his wife, was with Romo. "It's no different than jumping on a flight and going home like a lot of guys did."