Posted at 12:10 p.m., Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tomlinson, Brees, Payton honored by NFL
Associated Press
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson and New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees were honored Wednesday as the NFL's players of the year, while the Saints' Sean Payton picked up another coach of the year award.Tomlinson, who won The Associated Press' MVP award by a wide margin over Brees, rushed for 1,815 yards and a league-record 28 touchdowns this season, plus he set another NFL record by finishing with 186 points and 31 overall touchdowns.
"This means a lot to me," Tomlinson said in video remarks shown at a news conference at the Super Bowl.
Brees threw for a league-best 4,418 yards in the regular season, earning him All-Pro recognition in his first year with the Saints. He helped lead New Orleans to the NFC title game, where the Saints lost to the Chicago Bears.
"It's an award that really belongs to the city as well, after everything the city of New Orleans has gone through," Brees said. "The support we were able to get this year was tremendous. ... The excitement and energy and electricity was unbelievable."
Payton, in his first year as a head coach and the AP's coach of the year winner, led the Saints to a 10-6 record, the NFC South title, and a berth in the conference championship game. He was also hailed for helping to revitalize New Orleans as it recovers from Hurricane Katrina.
"We certainly, on a week-to-week basis, feel the support in New Orleans for our team and regionally for our team," Payton said. "And it's always exciting when something is voted on by the whole country. ... I'm proud to accept this award on behalf of everyone in our organization."
