Sanders defensive player of the year
Bob Sanders' impact on the vastly improved Indianapolis defense, not to mention his impact on opposing ball carriers, earned the 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 -- the Peyton Manning of the Colts' defense, if you will -- was just as much a factor in Indianapolis having the third-ranked unit in the NFL and allowing just 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.
Sanders was a huge factor in the Colts' surge to the Super Bowl title last year. He missed most of the regular season, got healthy for the playoffs, and suddenly teams couldn't run or pass effectively on Indy.
With Sanders in the lineup for 15 games this season, the Colts were superb defensively on their way to a 13-3 record and the AFC South crown.
His teammates were celebrating right there next to him.
"His presence makes us better," linebacker Gary Brackett said. "He's a game-changer. But his presence gives us a comfort level, knowing he's going to be back there to clean up for us."
Vick moved to Kansas prison: Michael Vick left Virginia on Monday to enter a drug treatment program at a Kansas prison, a move that could reduce the former NFL star's 23-month sentence on a federal dogfighting conviction.
The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback is now at the U.S. Bureau of Prisons minimum security facility in Leavenworth, his attorney, Billy Martin, said.
"Mr. Vick hopes to participate in programs offered at that facility, including the Bureau of Prisons drug treatment program," Martin said in a statement.
Vick tested positive for marijuana in September while he was on supervised release following his guilty plea. The residential drug treatment programs at Bureau of Prisons institutions take place in units set apart from the general prison population, lasting at least 500 hours over six to 12 months, according to Bureau of Prisons policy.
Upon successful completion of the program, nonviolent offenders may be granted up to one year of early release. Staff members review the inmates' records and behavior to determine if they are eligible for early release.
If Vick was granted early release, he could be ready to play in the 2009 football season, though he is currently suspended without pay by the NFL.
Browns extend coordinator: 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 on Monday.
Chudzinski, who transformed the Browns' offense into one of the NFL's top units in his first season, had been scheduled to interview for Baltimore's head coaching vacancy.
However, Browns general manager Phil Savage stepped in before Chudzinski had a chance to meet with the Ravens and awarded the 39-year-old the extension which will keep him on Romeo's Crennel's staff.
Extra points: The St. Louis Rams fired offensive coordinator Greg Olson and offensive line coach Paul Boudreau on Monday following a 3-13 season. The Rams ranked 24th in total offense (297.5 yards per game), 28th in points (16.4 per game) and 27th in touchdowns (27). … New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum 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.