Five Patriots Are Voted First-Team All-Pro

Associated Press
Thursday, January 10, 2008

LaDainian Tomlinson and Randy Moss were unanimous selections to the Associated Press NFL all-pro team yesterday. So was Tom Brady -- sort of.

The league's MVP and offensive player of the year was chosen on each of the ballots from 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL. One voter, however, split the vote at quarterback between Brady and Green Bay's Brett Favre.

Still, Brady was a runaway choice at the position, and was joined by four other unbeaten Patriots on the squad: Moss, tackle Matt Light, cornerback Asante Samuel and outside linebacker Mike Vrabel.

All but Moss made the all-pro team for the first time; Moss was chosen as a Minnesota Viking in 1998, 2000 and 2003.

"To see what we've accomplished thus far is great," Brady said of his 16-0 team. "At the same time we realize that, as coach put it, there's another mountain to climb."

¿ COWBOYS: Terrell Owens still wasn't able to practice because of a high-ankle sprain, continuing the drama of whether Dallas will have its all-pro wide receiver for the playoff game Sunday against the Giants.

Coach Wade Phillips didn't even see Owens yesterday, but said he knew he was doing all he could to get healthy. And if Owens says he is ready to go at game time, Phillips will let him play.

The good news for the Cowboys was that Terry Glenn went through his most rigorous practice since coming back from two knee operations.

Glenn saw limited action in the season finale against Washington, but didn't catch a pass. Yesterday, he went through an entire team workout for the first time since training camp.

¿ FALCONS: Atlanta is interested in Southern California Coach Pete Carroll for its head coaching job.

A person familiar with the team's coaching situation told the Associated Press that the Falcons want to speak with Carroll, who is on vacation in Hawaii. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Falcons have not officially met with Carroll.

Carroll spoke with USC Sports Information Director Tim Tessalone yesterday and told Tessalone there are no developments worthy of comment.

¿ BROWNS: As a reward for Cleveland's comeback season, Cleveland plans to extend Coach Romeo Crennel's contract.

"We have every intention of doing something right by Romeo," Browns General Manager Phil Savage said.

Crennel signed a five-year deal with the Browns in 2005. He began this past season with his future in doubt and a 10-22 record to show for his first two seasons in Cleveland. But after a terrible start, the Browns went 10-6 behind an explosive offense and barely missed the AFC playoffs.

The 60-year-old Crennel, who won five Super Bowl rings as an assistant, is 20-28 in his first stint as an NFL head coach.

¿ TITANS: A Nevada judge dropped the Tennessee Titans as a defendant in a lawsuit brought by a strip club employee who was paralyzed in a triple shooting following a melee involving suspended player Adam "Pacman" Jones.

Clark County District Court Judge Jessie Walsh agreed with team lawyers who contended the Titans should not be held responsible for Jones's behavior at the Minxx Gentleman's Club in Las Vegas last Feb. 19, during the NBA All-Star Weekend.