Broncos’ Anderson Named Top Rookie

Going from third string behind two 1,000-yard rushers to rookie of the year is a long shot. Then again, so is much of what Mike Anderson has achieved.

Anderson was selected Monday as the Associated Press offensive rookie of the year in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL.

The halfback rushed for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Denver Broncos after taking over for injured Terrell Davis and Olandis Gary.

“Oh, wow, I’m kind of speechless right now,” Anderson said when informed he beat Baltimore Raven running back Jamal Lewis in the balloting, 40 votes to 10. “That award, that just sums it up what kind of season it has been.”

The postseason was much kinder to Lewis, who rushed for 110 yards in 30 carries Sunday as Baltimore beat Denver. Anderson was held to 40 yards in 15 carries by the Ravens’ stingy defense. But the rookie voting only covers the regular season.

Anderson is the first Bronco player to win the award.

“I’m just happy right now,” he said. “Wow, I’m so thankful. I’m still shaking inside.”

Anderson became the starter in Week 2 versus Atlanta and ran for 187 yards against Oakland in the third game of the season.

He had 195 yards in a game against Seattle, then went for a rookie-record 251 and scored four times the next week at New Orleans. The Pro Football Hall of Fame requested Anderson’s jersey from the Saints game.

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New Orleans running back Ricky Williams is doubtful for the Saints’ NFC semifinal Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings at Minneapolis.

Williams broke a bone in his ankle Nov. 12 against the Carolina Panthers and has not played since.

Coach Jim Haslett had hoped Williams might be available for the playoffs but said Monday that he was not optimistic for Saturday’s game.

“He’s had a boot on for the last three days,” Haslett said.

Williams tried to practice last week but was having pain and tendinitis in the ankle.

“Ricky is doing exactly what he’s been doing for a month,” Haslett said. “He might run scout team [today]. It’s a day-to-day thing.”

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The Philadelphia Eagles can say all they want about how things will be different this time against the New York Giants. The Giants aren’t buying it.

They are not even reacting to the chatter coming out of Philadelphia that New York’s eight-game winning streak against the Eagles is going to end Sunday at East Rutherford, N.J.

“They’re doing a lot of talking, so let them talk,” New York defensive tackle Keith Hamilton said.

“I’m not getting caught up in that, whatever their perception of us is,” the nine-year veteran said. “They can holler about what they are going to do about this and that. We’ll see on Sunday.”

The Eagles, with two one-sided losses to the Giants in the regular season, were confident about their chances.

“Bring ‘em on, bottom line,” linebacker Jeremiah Trotter said after beating Tampa Bay in the wild-card game. “I’m ready to play now.”

The Eagles’ Brian Mitchell was even more blunt.

“I’m glad they dominated us so far,” said Mitchell, a running back and return specialist. “They’re going to go into the game with that in their mind. No matter what they say, they’re human beings. They’re going to think it’s going to be easy. But this is a much better team than the last two times we played them.”

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Former Los Angeles Ram defensive back Woodley Lewis, who led the NFL with 12 interceptions as a rookie in 1950, has died of kidney and heart problems, his wife said. He was 76.

Lewis, who died Friday in a Los Angeles hospital, played with the Rams from 1950-55 before being traded to the Chicago Cardinals. He also played with the Dallas Cowboys before finishing his career in 1961.

Lewis is survived by his wife, Mitzi; two children and one grandson.

Funeral arrangements are pending.