New England’s Belichick Named Coach of the Year

Bill Belichick, who led the New England Patriots to the NFL’s best regular-season record, was honored Saturday as the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year.

Belichick led New England to a 14-2 record. The Patriots, fighting off injuries almost from the start of the season, won their final 12 games, setting franchise records for longest winning streak and victories in one season.

Although seven head coaches either were fired or resigned, there was admirable work done by Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati, Bill Parcells in Dallas, Andy Reid in Philadelphia, John Fox in Carolina, Tony Dungy in Indianapolis, Brian Billick in Baltimore and Dick Vermeil in Kansas City.

Belichick, with 35 1/2 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL, easily beat Lewis, who received seven votes. Parcells was next at 6 1/2 and Reid received one.

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Steve McNair, Jamal Lewis and Ray Lewis, all NFL postseason award winners, were picked to start for the AFC in the Pro Bowl on Feb. 8 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

McNair, who shared the Associated Press Most Valuable Player award with Peyton Manning, was chosen to start at quarterback. McNair guided the Tennessee Titans to a 12-4 record and a wild-card playoff berth.

Jamal Lewis, who rushed for 2,066 yards this season, second most in NFL history, was one of three Baltimore Ravens to win AP awards. The Offensive Player of the Year will start at running back. Ray Lewis, the AP Defensive Player of the Year, will start at inside linebacker.

Four Dallas Cowboys were chosen to start for the NFC: tackle Flozell Adams, guard Larry Allen, defensive tackle La’Roi Glover and safety Roy Williams. The Minnesota Vikings will have three starters: quarterback Daunte Culpepper, wide receiver Randy Moss and strong safety Corey Chavous.

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Indianapolis Colt strong safety Mike Doss practiced Saturday, but it will not be decided until game time whether he can play against Denver in today’s AFC wild-card game.

Doss is listed as questionable with a sprained left ankle. Colt Coach Tony Dungy said Doss will go through some drills before the game. If he can’t play, rookie Donald Strickland will start.

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Arizona Cardinal running back Damien Anderson was injured early Saturday in a rollover accident while driving off a freeway.

Anderson was hospitalized after surgery at Phoenix’s Maricopa County Medical Center, state Department of Public Safety spokesman Frank Valenzuela said.

According to Valenzuela, Anderson steered his Ford Expedition toward an Interstate 10 off-ramp in Chandler. He lost control, and the vehicle rolled down an embankment and came to rest on its roof.

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Former New York Giant coach Jim Fassel interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, 24 hours after finishing two days of meetings with the Washington Redskins.

After visiting with Cardinal owner Bill Bidwill, vice president Michael Bidwill and football operations vice president Rod Graves, Fassel said he would interview next for the openings in Chicago and Buffalo.