Warrick Dunn felt gratified, though not totally satisfied.

After a season in which scouts who thought his size would limit his impact in the NFL were proved wrong, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ running back was honored Wednesday as the Associated Press offensive rookie of the year.

He was a key reason the Bucs had their best season since 1979 and made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, and his selection by a nationwide panel of sportswriters and broadcasters gave Florida State a sweep of the AP’s rookie awards.

Baltimore’s Peter Boulware, a college teammate, was the defensive rookie of the year.

Even though Tampa Bay ranked 29th in offense, the 5-foot-7, 178-pound Dunn’s contributions to the team’s first winning season since 1982 were undeniable.

The Bucs improved from 22nd to 11th in rushing, Dunn had eight plays of more than 29 yards and his seven touchdowns averaged 33 yards. A year ago, Tampa Bay had 15 plays longer than 29 yards and only one TD of at least 33 yards as a team.

“That was the big question coming into the season, whether the offense would be able to catch up with our defense,” Dunn said. “We did enough good to win 10 games. We made some mistakes, but I think the good far outweighed the bad.”

Dunn, the only rookie to make the Pro Bowl this season, was one of four running backs among the five players receiving votes. He got 28, with Corey Dillon of Cincinnati earning 13, Arizona quarterback Jake Plummer collecting four, and Buffalo’s Antowain Smith and Tiki Barber of the New York Giants receiving one apiece. One member of the 48-person panel refused to vote.

“I wish I could have scored more touchdowns and gained more yards, but I’m just a rookie,” Dunn said. “Hopefully over time, I’ll get better, my body will get stronger, mentally I’ll get stronger and wiser to the game and just move forward from there.”

Bledsoe’s experience should help

Drew Bledsoe has improved at the right time - playoff time. And he has the postseason experience to help him through another run toward the Super Bowl.

The New England Patriots lost last season’s title game, but the quarterback who led them there isn’t likely to panic as they try to get back.

“This stuff isn’t all brand new to us,” Bledsoe said. “We’re a young football team but we’ve been through this stuff now. That should help.”

The Patriots are home Sunday against the Dolphins just six days after ending the regular season by clinching their second consecutive AFC East title with a 14-12 win in Miami.

Both teams are in the playoffs for the third time in four years, although the Dolphins missed last year while the Patriots were playing three postseason games.

Miscellany

Detroit’s Barry Sanders, the third player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season, was honored as the NFC’s offensive player of the week - the first player ever to win the award four times in one season.

Other players honored were Washington cornerback Darrell Green (NFC defensive player), Tampa Bay punt returner (NFC special teams), Oakland wide receiver Tim Brown (AFC offensive player) and Cincinnati linebacker Gerald Dixon (AFC defensive player).

Sanders rushed for 184 yards and the game-winning touchdown in the Lions’ 13-10 victory over the New York Jets that put Detroit into the playoffs.

The Denver Bronocs have not won a playoff game in six years. Their last was when quarterback John Elway rallied the Broncos to a 26-24 win over Houston in a divisional playoff game on on Jan. 4, 1992. Since then, Denver has lost three straight playoff games.

And finally …

Gary Myers, New York Daily News reporter writes: “The Pack is going back-to-back. You can have the 49ers, even with the home field. Or the Chiefs, who won 13 games. Or the Broncos, who are looking to make up for last year’s disappointment. Or the Steelers, who have persevered despite major free-agent losses, or the Tuna-less Pats.”