AROUND THE NFL : Carrier Tops Off Year With Defensive Rookie Award

If Mark Carrier feels like thumbing his nose at the critics who questioned his being selected sixth in the 1990 NFL draft, he has more ammunition today--the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.

Carrier, who led the NFL with 10 interceptions, was chosen by the Chicago Bears and immediately signed a five-year, $4.2-million contract.

The selection was criticized by many observers who said Carrier, a safety from USC, belonged in the lower part of the opening round. The Bears even admitted a major reason for drafting Carrier so high was his willingness to sign immediately.

But Carrier proved those naysayers wrong as he easily won the balloting by 80 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. He got 72 of the votes, while linebacker James Francis of Cincinnati received 7 and linebacker Junior Seau of San Diego got 1.

“Individually, it is one of the greatest awards I can receive, outside of being named to the Pro Bowl,” said Carrier, who did, indeed, get voted to the Pro Bowl by his peers, a rare honor for a rookie. “If someone had mentioned this earlier in the season, I’d have been surprised. At this point, I’m not surprised. I knew when the season was over I had a good chance.”

The Washington Redskins today switched reserve quarterbacks, releasing veteran Gary Hogeboom and reactivating Stan Humphries from the injured reserve list.

Hogeboom had not seen any playing time for the team.

On the season, Humphries, out of Northeast Louisiana, has 91 completions out of 156 attempts for 1,015 yards and three touchdowns. He also has thrown 11 interceptions.

Humphries also gained 106 yards in 23 rushing attempts, with two touchdowns.

He started four games in mid-season when Mark Ryupien suffered a knee injury in the third week of the season.