Vince Young looks as if he'll make the NFL his personal playground, too.
The dynamic quarterback for the Tennessee Titans won The Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year Award on Wednesday. He did it in the same fashion he turned around the Titans' season — running away from the rest of the field.
Young, who led Texas to the 2005 national championship and was the third overall pick in last April's draft, overwhelmed one of the strongest rookie classes in NFL history. He received 23 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league.
That easily beat New Orleans wide receiver Marques Colston and Jacksonville running back Maurice Drew, who had nine apiece; San Diego tackle Marcus McNeill (6); and Saints running back Reggie Bush (3).
Houston linebacker DeMeco Ryans was voted Defensive Rookie of the Year, making him the first Texan to win the honor. 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 3 1/2 sacks.
Young was the catalyst in Tennessee's rally from 0-5 to 8-8, at times looking as unstoppable for the Titans as he did with the Longhorns. A starter from Week 4, Young sprinkled all kinds of spectacular big plays with a growing maturity in joining Ben Roethlisberger (2004) as the only quarterbacks to win top rookie honors in the 49-year history of the award.
"A lot of people said it couldn't be done, especially at my position," Young said Wednesday from Houston. "I just worked hard to get to that position behind the scenes, to get to the point of getting into the race of trying to get rookie of the year."
Young became the first rookie quarterback to rush for more than 500 yards in the Super Bowl era, and his passing skills improved all year under coach Jeff Fisher and offensive coordinator Norm Chow.
FAVRE SKIPPING SURGERY: Now that the Green Bay Packers' season is over, Brett Favre is skipping town. He's also skipping the ankle surgery he was supposed to have this week. Packers coach Mike McCarthy said on Wednesday that Favre has not gone through with the arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle that originally was scheduled for Monday. And McCarthy seems to think that the three-time MVP might put the procedure off for yet another year.
"I don't know," McCarthy said. "I thought he was going to get it done Monday, but I guess this is year seven in a row that he has not gone through with it."
CHIEFS QB HURTING: Trent Green's sore ankle limited him in practice Wednesday, and there are signs Kansas City coach Herm Edwards may have his struggling quarterback on a short leash. Green is still slated to start Saturday at Indianapolis, but waiting in the wings is fan favorite Damon Huard, who was an impressive 5-3 in eight starts.
"I anticipate (Green) starting," Edwards said Wednesday. "But we'll see how far he comes along tomorrow."
HARRISON WON'T PLAY: All the Patriots were back at practice Wednesday except for one important player. Not having Rodney Harrison there is becoming painfully familiar. Even worse for New England, it won't have its hard-hitting safety for Sunday's game.
"It's always a big blow for a guy like that that brings so much intensity and leadership to the team," cornerback Asante Samuel said, "but coaches do a great job preparing the backups to be ready."