Patriots quarterback Brady runs away with AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award
Wins award for second time; Vick runner-up
DALLAS – Tom Brady tore up the NFL with his precision passing and dynamic guidance of the New England Patriots’ offense.
That was in 2007, when he ran away with The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.
Ditto for 2010.
Brady won the honor Tuesday for the second time in four seasons. The record-setting quarterback, who had a string of 355 passes without being intercepted, received 21 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league. He easily beat Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick, who got 11 votes.
“To me it comes down to the mental toughness and determination of the players and coaches,” Brady said.
A unanimous choice for the All-Pro team, Brady threw for 36 touchdowns while being picked off just four times. When he won the award in 2007, Brady set an NFL mark with 50 touchdown passes as New England went undefeated in the regular season.
Oddly, the Patriots did not win the championship in either of those seasons, but have won it three other times.
Brady doesn’t sense much difference in the guy who took New England to a 16-0 mark back then and a league-best 14-2 this season.
“I feel our team really grew together over the course of the season. It was a privilege to be a part of this team,” he said. “My only disappointment is that we couldn’t take advantage of our opportunity in the playoffs, but hopefully we learn from that and use it as motivation toward accomplishing our goals for next season.”
Brady led the NFL with a 111 passer rating. His 65.9 completion percentage was second to Philip Rivers of San Diego – by .1. Vick’s comeback season led him to the Pro Bowl. He was fourth in passer rating with a career-best 100.2, had 21 TD passes and just six interceptions. Vick rushed for 676 yards and nine TDs.
Also receiving votes were Houston running back Arian Foster with seven; Rivers with five; Atlanta receiver Roddy White, Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers, and Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson with two each.