Harrison Is Defensive Player of Year; Tomlinson Could Be Out

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Steelers LB James Harrison was named the NFL's defensive player of the year yesterday by the Associated Press. Harrison was the leader of the league's top-ranked defense with 16 sacks and seven forced fumbles.

Harrison became the fifth Steelers player to win the award following Hall of Famers Joe Greene, Mel Blount and Jack Lambert and 2009 Hall of Fame semifinalist Rod Woodson.

Harrison received 22 votes in balloting of media members, nine more than Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware, the NFL's sack leader.

Ravens S Ed Reed finished third with eight votes. Titans DT Albert Haynesworth received five votes and Steelers S Troy Polamalu got two.

· CHARGERS: RB LaDainian Tomlinson reportedly could miss the remainder of the postseason because of his groin injury.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Tomlinson is unlikely to be placed on the injured reserve list but probably won't play. The injury probably will require surgery, the newspaper reported.

Darren Sproles would take over as the starter at tailback.

Tomlinson played in Saturday night's triumph over the Indianapolis Colts but was limited to five carries for 25 yards.

· STEELERS: QB Ben Roethlisberger participated in practice, eight days after being knocked from the regular season finale with a concussion.

Roethlisberger told reporters he expects to play in this weekend's AFC semifinal against the Chargers at Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger didn't practice last week after being taken from the field on a stretcher during the final game of the regular season. Roethlisberger had his head slammed to the turf on a hit by two Browns defenders after throwing a pass.

The Steelers are coming off a first-round playoff bye.

· PACKERS: Green Bay dismissed defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and five other assistant coaches.

Also fired were secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer, cornerbacks coach Lionel Washington, defensive tackles coach Robert Nunn, defensive ends coach Carl Hairston and strength and conditioning coordinator Rock Gullickson.

"These are difficult decisions," Packers Coach Mike McCarthy said in a written statement. "I hold each of these men in high regard on a personal level, and I want to thank them for their service to the Green Bay Packers."

· BRONCOS: Denver was scheduled to interview Raheem Morris for its head coaching job yesterday, the league-owned NFL Network reported.

The interview with the Buccaneers' defensive coordinator originally had been scheduled for tomorrow.

Morris just was promoted from secondary coach to defensive coordinator in Tampa to replace the departing Monte Kiffin.

· EAGLES: Owner Jeffrey Lurie told the Boston Globe he intends to bring back both Coach Andy Reid and QB Donovan McNabb next season.

The future of both with the organization has seemed unclear at times this season, particularly when Reid benched McNabb for the second half of a game in Baltimore.

"That's exciting," McNabb told reporters Sunday in Minneapolis. "I won't have to answer questions from you guys anymore about whether I'll be here."

· VIKINGS: President Mark Wilf told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune following Sunday's first-round playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that Minnesota will retain Brad Childress as its coach.

"To win 10 in the regular season and win the division is a start," Childress said after the game Sunday. "Obviously I don't like the way it ended in the postseason."

· RAMS: According to the league-owned NFL Network, former Giants coach Jim Fassel is scheduled to be interviewed Thursday by St. Louis for its head coaching vacancy. Fassel previously had been linked to the Raiders' head coaching job.

-- Mark Maske

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