Lions’ Sanders Collects Honor, Passes Out Thanks

Barry Sanders is smart as well as quick. That’s why he gives most of the thanks for his success to the Detroit Lions’ offensive line. Recently, he’s been thanking them a lot.

Less than a week after joining the 2,000-yard rushing club, Sanders was chosen Friday as The Associated Press’ NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Sanders rushed for 2,053 yards this season, second only to Eric Dickerson’s 2,105 in 1984. Sanders also scored 11 touchdowns and had 33 receptions for 305 yards and three scores in leading the Lions to an NFC wild-card playoff berth.

“I am just lucky that I am the one carrying the ball,” said Sanders, who also won the award in 1994, when he ran for 1,883 yards, his previous career high. “I also am so fortunate to stay healthy and do the things that I do. Timing, preparation and talent all has to come together to make this happen.

“But this was a team effort. That is reflected in the statistics. We all pull for each other and that shows every Sunday.”

The linemen have a high regard for Sanders. Many treat him like their favorite little brother. As a result, they take pride in his success.

“It’s something we can hang our hats on and be extremely proud of for the rest of our lives,” center Kevin Glover said. “I think it might be more important to us than it is to Barry.”

In balloting by a nationwide panel of 48 sports writers and broadcasters, Sanders received 37 votes. Terrell Davis of Denver, who led the AFC in rushing with 1,750 yards and scored 15 TDs, was second with 7 and Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre finished third with three.

Davis was the 1996 winner and Favre won in 1995.

Groin is Martin’s biggest worry

If Curtis Martin plays on Sunday for the New England Patriots, it’s because he can run and overcome a nagging groin injury.

Yes, injured groin.

The Patriots have said Martin missed New England’s last three games because of a right shoulder separation he suffered against the Indianapolis Colts Nov. 30.

“He’s got a groin thing that’s been bothering him all year that has kind of continued to be a real problem,” coach Pete Carroll disclosed.

As for the shoulder, Carroll said, “We’re not worried at all about him taking hits. He’s in great shape there.”

The groin injury, he said, has been there “since the start of the season, but as the season’s progressed it’s become more of a problem. Right now, we have to see him run full speed and look good running, and then he’ll play.”

Giants’ turnaround came suddenly

The odyssey that carried the New York Giants from worst to first could not have been more clearly defined. It was as if they drew a line in the AstroTurf after that awful Week 4 loss in St. Louis.

That’s when they slipped to 1-3 under new coach Jim Fassel, when all the preseason predictions of doom seemed to be coming true, when linebacker Corey Miller called one of those team meetings to clear the rancid air.

“That was the turning point,” Miller said, thinking back to a 13-3 loss to the Rams on Sept. 21. “Everybody was challenged. We didn’t want to prove the critics right. We didn’t want to be 5-11, 6-10.

“We got a new coach. We said that (the old coach) was the problem. We got a new staff, and now it’s on our shoulders. That was the point that was made. We’ve got to step up.”

What a giant step it was, too. From last place in the NFC East to a 10-5-1 division champ. It was only the 15th time in NFL history a team had made the worst-to-first trek, and just the 11th since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.

Randle still a terror

John Randle still feels uncomfortable after two games at right defensive end. Imagine how left tackles and quarterbacks feel.

Randle, chosen to start his fifth straight Pro Bowl at tackle, has been on a rampage since the Minnesota Vikings moved him outside in a wholesale defensive shakeup.

He had five sacks in the last two regular-season games, giving him a career-best 15 and his first NFL sacks title. Randle will stay at right end today when the Vikings try and snap their six-game playoff losing streak in a first-round game against the New York Giants.

Randle says he’s still feeling his way on the outside. His production suggests otherwise.

“I’ve only been there two weeks, and my timing is off,” he said. “I’m still feeling a little uncomfortable. There’s not as much action.”