PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Simms Hints at Retirement

Phil Simms dropped a bombshell on the New York Giants, saying there was no guarantee he would play in 1994.

Simms, 38, said he would wait until after the season to consider his plans, but it marked the first time the 15-year veteran has ever mentioned the possibility of retirement.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Simms said after the Giants’ practice Thursday, in preparation for Sunday’s NFC wild-card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings. “I really haven’t thought about it. When the season is over I’ll sit down and think about it. But it’s not 100% that I would come back next year.”

*

Dan Reeves, who led the Giants to an 11-5 record, was named coach of the year by the Associated Press.

Reeves, who led the Broncos to three AFC championships in his 10 years as coach, was fired in Denver partly because of a feud with Elway. He was the third choice of Giant General Manager George Young to replace Ray Handley.

He brought stability and confidence back to a team that went from Super Bowl winners under Bill Parcells to 14-18 in Handley’s two seasons.

*

Cornerback Rod Woodson of the Pittsburgh Steelers was selected as the NFL’s defensive player of the year by the Associated Press.

A big-play specialist, Woodson had eight interceptions this season, returning one for a touchdown. He also is a punt returner.

Reggie White of the Green Bay Packers finished second with 12 votes and cornerback Deion Sanders of the Atlanta Falcons and defensive end Bruce Smith of the Buffalo Bills tied for third with nine votes each.

Sanders, who played in only 11 games, spent the first month of the season playing baseball with the Atlanta Braves.

*

Mark Collins, the best cover man in the Giants’ secondary, sprained his left knee in practice and his status for Sunday’s game is uncertain.

A release by the Giants described Collins’ injury as a mild sprain. It said he was to undergo a test Thursday night as a precautionary measure.

*

The Jacksonville Jaguars said they have sold out the renovated Gator Bowl for their first three seasons of NFL play.

David Seldin, president of the Jaguars, who made the announcement at a news conference, said the Jaguars sold 56,000 regular-season tickets in the first 30 days since the franchise was awarded.

That, added to 10,000 club seats and more than 3,000 luxury-suite tickets already sold, means that about 70,000 season tickets have been purchased.