Manning Edges McNair as All-Pro

Co-MVP Peyton Manning kept the quarterback spot on the Associated Press All-Pro Team all to himself, easily beating out the league’s other most valuable player, Steve McNair, to make the squad for the first time.

Joining the Indianapolis Colt star on the team announced Monday were Baltimore’s postseason award winners, linebacker Ray Lewis and running back Jamal Lewis.

Ray Lewis, the AP Defensive Player of the Year, led the way overall with 49 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sportswriters and broadcasters. Jamal Lewis, the AP Offensive Player of the Year, received the second-most votes, 46.

Kansas City had the most All-Pros with five: running back Priest Holmes, tight end Tony Gonzalez, guard Will Shields, tackle William Roaf and kick returner Dante Hall.

The Ravens, who lost to McNair’s Titans in the first round of the playoffs Saturday, had four All-Pros. Along with the Lewises, Baltimore tackle Jonathan Ogden and cornerback Chris McAlister made it. Ray Lewis and Ogden earned their fourth selections. McAlister and Jamal Lewis are first-timers.

“Ray is the best player in the league,” said McAlister, a former University of Arizona and Pasadena High standout. “It’s great to have all of us on the team with him.”

Jamal Lewis had the second-best rushing total in NFL history: 2,066 yards. He also set a single-game rushing mark with 295 yards against Cleveland.

Manning received 28 1/2 All-Pro votes to 16 1/2 for McNair. They tied with 16 votes apiece in the NFL MVP voting announced last week.

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Brian Westbrook, the Philadelphia Eagles’ leading scorer with 13 touchdowns, will sit out the playoffs because of a torn triceps muscle.

The Eagles had hoped Westbrook could play out the season before having surgery, but a second opinion ruled out the possibility. Dr. James Andrews will perform the operation today in Alabama.

The Eagles will face Green Bay on Sunday in an NFC divisional playoff game.

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Former Jacksonville Jaguar coach Tom Coughlin interviewed with the New York Giants for the second time.

Coughlin’s wife, Judy, said her husband arrived in the New York area Monday afternoon and was discussing the job. She said no agreement had been reached.

Signs, however, point toward Coughlin being the favorite for the job. He is the only candidate thus far to be granted a second interview for the opening created when Jim Fassel was fired after a 4-12 season.

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With the Seattle Seahawks out of the playoffs, defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes became the third candidate to interview for the Washington Redskins’ coaching job.

Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren said Rhodes departed for the nation’s capital Monday and was expected back tonight.

Rhodes is the last of the Redskins’ top three candidates to meet with owner Dan Snyder. Fassel and former Minnesota coach Dennis Green interviewed last week.

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Randy Mueller interviewed for the general manager’s job with the Miami Dolphins. The former New Orleans Saint GM met with Dolphin owner Wayne Huizenga, team President Eddie Jones and Chief Operating Officer Brian Wiedmeyer.