NFL | Titans' Young named top offensive rookie

Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young overwhelmed one of the strongest rookie classes in NFL history to win the Associated Press offensive rookie of the year award, the news agency announced.

Young, who led the University of Texas to the 2005 national championship and was the third overall pick in last April's draft, received 23 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sportswriters and sports broadcasters.

That easily beat New Orleans wide receiver Marques Colston and Jacksonville running back Maurice Drew, who had nine votes apiece; San Diego tackle Marcus McNeill (6); and Saints running back Reggie Bush (3).

Ryans tops defensive rookies. Houston linebacker DeMeco Ryans recorded a first for his franchise yesterday when he became the first Texan to be voted the Associated Press defensive rookie of the year.

Ryans, the first pick in the second round, easily outshined top overall pick Mario Williams by leading the league in solo tackles with 126. His 156 total tackles were the most by a rookie in the last 20 years, and he also had 31/2 sacks.

He received 36 of the 50 available votes by a nationwide panel of sportswriters and sports broadcasters. Second was Chicago end Mark Anderson, who was Ryans' teammate at Alabama, with five votes. Green Bay linebacker A.J. Hawk was next with four, while Cleveland linebacker Kamerion Wimbley got two votes.

Falcons. Owner Arthur Blank and general manager Rich McKay are expected to interview Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt for the head coaching vacancy today.

Blank fired Jim Mora on Monday.

Broncos. On the day slain Denver cornerback Darrent Williams was eulogized in a private memorial service at team headquarters, Denver police zeroed in on an SUV they believed might have been used in his drive-by slaying early Monday morning.

Police spokeswoman Virginia Quinones said officers were focusing on a 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe that might have been used in the killing, in which a gunman sprayed a white stretch Hummer limousine with at least 14 bullets, one of which struck Williams in the neck.

State confidentiality laws prevent the police from saying whom a vehicle is registered to, but the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post, citing sources they didn't name, reported that the SUV belongs to a Brian K. Hicks.

The papers said the Denver resident had been jailed since Nov. 9 on charges of possessing drugs with intent to distribute and shooting at a woman who later was killed a week before she was to testify against him.

Patriots. Safety Rodney Harrison is out of Sunday's playoff game against the Jets, New England coach Bill Belichick said.

Harrison, who returned to the lineup Dec. 24 against the Jaguars after missing six games with a broken shoulder blade, has ligament damage to his right knee.

Saints. Former Eagles defensive tackle Hollis Thomas, who missed New Orleans' final four games because of a steroid-related suspension, will return for the team's second-round playoff game the weekend after next.

49ers. Defensive coordinator Billy Davis and defensive-line coach Gary Emanuel were fired after San Francisco allowed an NFL-worst 412 points and 344 yards per game this season.

Chiefs. Trent Green's sore ankle limited him in practice, but coach Herm Edwards said the struggling quarterback was still scheduled to start Saturday at Indianapolis.

Bears. Police seized about 550 rounds of ammunition from Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson's home during a raid last month, according to new court documents. Johnson was charged with six counts of possession of a firearm without a gun-owner identification card.

Lions. Detroit introduced new defensive coordinator Joe Barry - coach Rod Marinelli's son-in-law.

Marinelli said the move had little to do with family ties.

Barry, the former linebackers coach for Tampa Bay, takes over for Donnie Henderson, who was fired Tuesday.