DALLAS — St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh were named The Associated Press 2010 NFL offensive and defensive rookies of the year Friday.
The first overall selection in last year’s draft, Bradford guided the Rams from the embarrassment of a 1-15 record to a 7-9 mark. He threw 590 passes, completing 60 percent for 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He earned 44 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league. Only two other players received votes: Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Williams earned four, and Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey had two.
Suh, the second pick of the draft, earned 48 votes; New England Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty drew the other two votes.
Detroit won its final four games to finish 6-10, triple the number of victories the Lions managed in the previous two seasons combined. Suh was a major reason with 10 sacks, the most at the position, veteran or rookie, and 66 tackles.
Suh is the first Lion win the award since former Colorado State athlete Al Baker won in 1978, while also with the Lions.
• Washington Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth has been accused of assault in what police said was a case of road rage.
Fairfax (Va.) County police spokeswoman Shelley Broderick said a 38-year-old man told investigators he was driving a Honda Civic in suburban Washington when he saw a pickup truck tailgating him and made a hand gesture.
The driver of the truck, later identified as Haynesworth, got out of his car when the two vehicles stopped and reportedly assaulted the other driver. Haynesworth has not been formally charged.
• The NFL players union has discussed a boycott of the scouting combine this month with player agents. The union suggested keeping potential 2011 draft picks away from the combine in Indianapolis and from other draft-related activities while there is no collective bargaining agreement. Such a boycott could jeopardize the draft status of those players, who are not yet members of the union. And with CBA negotiations including a possible rookie wage scale, such a move could be detrimental to college players entering the league.
Drew leaves North Carolina
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina point guard Larry Drew II, who lost his starting job to freshman Kendall Marshall within the past week, announced he is leaving the Tar Heels program.
“It’s in my best interest to continue my education and basketball career elsewhere,” said Drew, who was averaging 4.4 points and 3.9 assists as a junior.
• Duke freshman Kyrie Irving is no longer wearing a hard cast on his right foot, but the point guard remains out indefinitely with the injury to his big right toe.
Footnotes.
Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters will play Melanie Oudin in the Fed Cup today, when Belgium faces the United States in the best-of-five series in Antwerp, Belgium.
• Cleveland Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson left the team for personal reasons.
