Peterson voted NFL Offensive Rookie of Year

Peterson voted NFL Offensive Rookie of Year


Adrian Peterson is impressed, and not so much because he ran away with The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting the same way he surged past tacklers. What has gotten the attention of the Vikings running back is the company he keeps.

"It's a great honor to join a list with names like those," Peterson said yesterday when told that Jim Brown, Emmitt Smith, Eric Dickerson and Billy Sims also won the award. "They are guys that I looked up to growing up."

Adrian Peterson set a record with 296 rushing yards against San Diego and ran for 224 against Chicago. The key to Minnesota's improvement to an 8-8 record, he led the NFC with 1,341 yards rushing.

Adrian Peterson received 46 1/2 votes from 50 media members who cover the NFL. Browns tackle Joe Thomas got the other 3 1/2 votes.

Martz fired

The Lions fired Mike Martz, ending his fractious two years as their offensive coordinator. Martz will be replaced by Jim Colletto, who will keep his position as offensive line coach and call plays. Receivers coach Kippy Brown will be a co-coordinator, the Detroit Free Press, Booth Newspapers and ESPN.com reported.

Around the league

Titans quarterback Vince Young (quadriceps) practiced on a limited basis but lost one of his favorite targets when tight end Bo Scaife was placed on injured reserve with a lacerated liver ... The Dolphins hired Cowboys executive Jeff Ireland as general manager ... Duke coach David Cutcliffe made Jets assistant coach Mike MacIntyre his defensive coordinator ... Mike Nolan will return to the 49ers despite going 16-32 in his first three years ... The Chiefs fired offensive coordinator Mike Solari and three other assistants ... The Bengals fired defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan and linebackers coach Ricky Hunley.

[www.newsday.com]