Roethlisberger unanimous choice for top offensive rookie
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" width="1" type="block"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Roethlisberger unanimous choice for top offensive rookie</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" width="1" type="block"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports Writer
January 5, 2005
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Jan 5, 3:49 am EST</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Hours away from his first NFL start, Steelers rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was hunkered down in a powerless Miami hotel as Hurricane Jeanne swirled about, dumping an ocean's worth of rain and scaring players and coaches alike.
Roethlisberger knew he would be in the eye of a storm as a highly scrutinized first-round draft pick. He never realized it would occur so literally, in a dark, scary setting more suited to a Stephen King novel than any depicted in an NFL playbook.
``Talking about getting thrown into the fire,'' Roethlisberger said, using a slightly twisted analogy, following the Steelers' 12-3 victory on Sept. 26. ``Playing in a hurricane and against that (Dolphins) defense.''
Roethlisberger showed the Steelers a lot that night while subbing for the injured Tommy Maddox: poise, patience, a commanding on-field presence and the qualities of a leader. He kept displaying them during the most successful season ever by a rookie quarterback, one that was rewarded Wednesday with his unanimous selection as The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by a national panel of writers and broadcasters.
Though his entire season has been a whirlwind of success, Roethlisberger wasn't ready to celebrate despite being the first quarterback chosen since the award was initially presented in 1957.
The list of those who didn't win -- Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Brett Favre -- makes up a mini-Hall of Fame of its own. ``It's one of those awards that is nice to accept today and we can look back on it and reflect on it after the season, but, right now, it's,`Thank you,' and let's move on,'' Roethlisberger said.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" width="1" type="block"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Manning easily wins first Offensive Player award</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" width="1" type="block"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By BARRY WILNER, AP Football Writer
January 5, 2005
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Jan 5, 2:50 pm EST</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>NEW YORK (AP) -- Peyton Manning was a runaway winner of The Associated Press 2004 NFL Offensive Player of the Year -- as if there could be any doubt.
The Indianapolis Colts' star quarterback had perhaps the greatest passing season in league history. He broke Dan Marino's 20-year-old record with 49 touchdown passes and had a passer rating of an almost unfathomable 121.1, shattering Steve Young's mark of 112.8 set in 1994. Manning threw only 10 interceptions and led the Colts to the AFC South title with a 12-4 record. Manning earned 35 votes from a nationwide panel of 48 writers and broadcasters who cover pro football. He easily outdistanced Eagles receiver Terrell Owens and Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who each got four votes. He also turned two of his previously unaccomplished receivers, Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley, into threats almost on a par with Manning's favorite target, perennial Pro Bowler Marvin Harrison. All caught at least 10 touchdown passes and went over 1,000 yards in receiving -- an unprecedented combination for three teammates. ``I feel more comfortable than I did last year,'' said Manning, who was co-MVP in 2003 along with Steve McNair of Tennessee. ``My goal every year has been to be a better player every year than the year before, and I really fell I've done that. I feel I am a better player this year than last year.''
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" width="1" type="block"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Roethlisberger unanimous choice for top offensive rookie</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" width="1" type="block"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports Writer
January 5, 2005
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Jan 5, 3:49 am EST</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Hours away from his first NFL start, Steelers rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was hunkered down in a powerless Miami hotel as Hurricane Jeanne swirled about, dumping an ocean's worth of rain and scaring players and coaches alike.
Roethlisberger knew he would be in the eye of a storm as a highly scrutinized first-round draft pick. He never realized it would occur so literally, in a dark, scary setting more suited to a Stephen King novel than any depicted in an NFL playbook.
``Talking about getting thrown into the fire,'' Roethlisberger said, using a slightly twisted analogy, following the Steelers' 12-3 victory on Sept. 26. ``Playing in a hurricane and against that (Dolphins) defense.''
Roethlisberger showed the Steelers a lot that night while subbing for the injured Tommy Maddox: poise, patience, a commanding on-field presence and the qualities of a leader. He kept displaying them during the most successful season ever by a rookie quarterback, one that was rewarded Wednesday with his unanimous selection as The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by a national panel of writers and broadcasters.
Though his entire season has been a whirlwind of success, Roethlisberger wasn't ready to celebrate despite being the first quarterback chosen since the award was initially presented in 1957.
The list of those who didn't win -- Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Brett Favre -- makes up a mini-Hall of Fame of its own. ``It's one of those awards that is nice to accept today and we can look back on it and reflect on it after the season, but, right now, it's,`Thank you,' and let's move on,'' Roethlisberger said.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" width="1" type="block"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Manning easily wins first Offensive Player award</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" width="1" type="block"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By BARRY WILNER, AP Football Writer
January 5, 2005
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2><TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>
<SMALL>AP - Jan 5, 2:50 pm EST</SMALL>
More Photos</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>NEW YORK (AP) -- Peyton Manning was a runaway winner of The Associated Press 2004 NFL Offensive Player of the Year -- as if there could be any doubt.
The Indianapolis Colts' star quarterback had perhaps the greatest passing season in league history. He broke Dan Marino's 20-year-old record with 49 touchdown passes and had a passer rating of an almost unfathomable 121.1, shattering Steve Young's mark of 112.8 set in 1994. Manning threw only 10 interceptions and led the Colts to the AFC South title with a 12-4 record. Manning earned 35 votes from a nationwide panel of 48 writers and broadcasters who cover pro football. He easily outdistanced Eagles receiver Terrell Owens and Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who each got four votes. He also turned two of his previously unaccomplished receivers, Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley, into threats almost on a par with Manning's favorite target, perennial Pro Bowler Marvin Harrison. All caught at least 10 touchdown passes and went over 1,000 yards in receiving -- an unprecedented combination for three teammates. ``I feel more comfortable than I did last year,'' said Manning, who was co-MVP in 2003 along with Steve McNair of Tennessee. ``My goal every year has been to be a better player every year than the year before, and I really fell I've done that. I feel I am a better player this year than last year.''
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