Defense award goes to Sanders

Bob Sanders’ impact on the vastly improved Indianapolis defense, not to mention his effect on opposing ballcarriers, earned the Indianapolis 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 giving up 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.

“This [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.”

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 cornerback Ronde Barber of Tampa Bay, linebacker James Harrison of Pittsburgh, rookie linebacker Patrick Willis of San Francisco, and end Mario Williams of Houston, each with one vote.

Last year’s winner was Miami defensive end Jason Taylor.

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Terrell Owens was still limping on his sprained left ankle and his status for the Dallas Cowboys’ playoff game next weekend was uncertain.

Coach Wade Phillips said Owens was limited in a light workout Monday, the first for the top-seeded Cowboys (13-3) since learning they will play the New York Giants in the NFC divisional playoffs Sunday -- and the first for Owens since he sustained a high ankle sprain Dec. 22 at Carolina.

“It looks to me that it’s going to be a game-time decision on him. It’s Monday game week. He probably couldn’t have played today,” Phillips said. “It was a limp-through for him, a walk-through for us.”

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The St. Louis Rams removed Greg Olson as offensive coordinator and fired offensive line coach Paul Boudreau a little more than a week after a 3-13 season in which the offense ranked near the bottom of the league in several categories.

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.

Smith also declined to comment on reports that Cam Cameron, fired as head coach at Miami after the Dolphins finished 1-15 in his only season there, was among the candidates being considered as Olson’s successor.

The Rams were considered by some to be a playoff contender prior to the season. But the Rams ranked 24th in total offense (297.5 yards), 28th in points (16.4) and 27th in touchdowns (27).

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Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier arrived in South Florida to be the second candidate to interview for the Miami Dolphins’ head coaching job.

The bulk of Frazier’s interview will take place today.

Last weekend, the Dolphins interviewed Tony Sparano, who is the Dallas Cowboys’ assistant head coach.

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New York Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum says he thinks Chad Pennington will remain with the team next season and compete for the starting quarterback job.

Pennington, benched in favor of Kellen Clemens midway through the season, has expressed his desire to be a starter -- whether it’s in New York or elsewhere.

“He’s under contract,” Tannenbaum said. “I expect him to be back. I expect him to compete with Kellen, and certainly, if opportunities come along, we’ll look at them and try to get Chad’s reaction.”

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Fearing they might lose him to a division rival, the Cleveland Browns signed offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski to a two-year contract extension through 2011.