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Colts' Sanders Wins Defensive MVP

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The Associated Press

Published: January 8, 2008

Updated: 01/08/2008 12:12 am

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 - the Peyton Manning of the Colts' defense, if you will - 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."

"Donnie Shell went to five Pro Bowls, and John Lynch went to I don't even know how many Pro Bowls. You get asked to do a lot of things in this defense, and it's rare to find someone who can do those things."

Sanders did enough to earn 31 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL. That was particularly impressive because it was a strong season for individual defensive performances.

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

Sanders was a huge factor in the Colts' surge to the Super Bowl title last year. He missed most of the regular season, got healthy for the playoffs, and suddenly teams couldn't run or pass effectively on Indy.

With Sanders in the lineup for 15 games this season, the Colts were superb defensively on their way to a 13-3 record and the AFC South crown.

Not that Sanders laid back in an attempt to stay healthy.

"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 TRANSFERRED: Michael Vick left Virginia and was transferred to a Kansas prison to serve the rest of his 23-month sentence on a federal dogfighting charge.

The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback is at the federal prison camp in Leavenworth, Kan., said Traci Billingsley, a spokeswoman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Vick plans to enter a drug treatment program at Leavenworth, and a successful completion of the program may allow him to be released after serving 12 months, Yahoo! Sports reported.

BROWNS: Signed offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski to a two-year contract extension through 2011.

COWBOYS: Terrell Owens was still limping on his sprained left ankle and his status for Dallas' playoff game next weekend 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 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 Cowboys (13-3) since learning they will play the New York Giants in the NFC divisional playoffs Sunday.

DOLPHINS: Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier arrived in South Florida as the second candidate to interview for Miami's head coaching job.

The bulk of Frazier's interview will take place today. Last weekend the Dolphins interviewed front-running candidate Tony Sparano, the Dallas Cowboys' assistant head coach.

FALCONS: Philadelphia general manager Tom Heckert interviewed in Atlanta's ongoing search to restructure its front office.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank would like to hire a replacement for Rich McKay, his GM since December 2003, before deciding on his next coach.

McKay could remain as team president through 2010, but he has yet to sign a two-year contract extension Blank offered on Friday.

PANTHERS: Team owner Jerry Richardson held a two-day retreat with Coach John Fox and General Manager Marty Hurney last week to discuss next season, the strongest signal yet that Richardson plans to retain both men.

"Mr. Richardson has been extremely supportive throughout," Hurney said Monday. "He's also an extremely competitive person that wants to win more than anybody. He understands the makeup and the elements that go into winning football teams. It was a very constructive and detailed conversation."

RAMS: Fired offensive coordinator Greg Olson and offensive line coach Paul Boudreau following a 3-13 season.

Rams spokesman Rick Smith said that Olson could be reassigned to another position with the Rams, but is also free to look for another job. He also declined comment on reports that Cam Cameron, fired as coach of the Miami Dolphins, was among the candidates being considered as Olson's replacement.

RAVENS: New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer became the fifth candidate to interview for Baltimore's head coaching vacancy.

Schottenheimer met for several hours Monday with team officials, including owner Steve Bisciotti, general manager Ozzie Newsome and president Dick Cass.

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