European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 07, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A votes Rice Best with Ball Santa Clara Calif. A what began As a frustrating season for Jerry Rice ended up As one of his Best. The Sari Francisco 49ef wide receiver had just three touchdown receptions in the first six games but recovered to Lead the league in touchdowns 16 and receiving yardage 1,503. Early next season Rice should pass Jim Brown s nil career Mark of 126 touchdowns. Rice already the All time touchdown reception Leader with 118, has 124 career ads including six Rushing. Recognizing his durability As the game s Premier receiver and his integral role in the 49ers league leading offence a National panel of Media members wednesday selected Rice As the associated press 1993 offensive player of the year. This feels really Good because it s been awhile since i be received an award like this said Rice who also won the award in 1987, when he caught 22 touch Down passes in just 12 games. You begot to have Guys around you to comple ment you but you also have to have an inner drive in yourself to get the Job  Rice s closest Competition in voting by 81 panel members was 49er quarterback Steve Young who won the award in 1992. Rice had 28 votes to 21 for Young the league s leading passer for a third straight season. I feel like Jerry and i really got to Gether this year and developed the communication i think is important for a i -,.woocfson no. I on new York a Rod Woodson always has wanted to play on both sides of the Ball. Now that he has been selected the associated press 1993 defensive player of the year maybe hell let that dream die. Woodson the Star cornerback of the Pittsburgh Steeles was a runaway win Ner in balloting by 81 National Media members receiving 35 votes. A big play specialist Woodson had eight interceptions this season returning one for a touchdown. He also is a punt returner. Most importantly he is the Leader of the aggressive Steeles defensive unit even if he does it without shouting or making inspirational speeches. I m not comfortable doing that. I m not a Rah Rah Guy unless you get me mad on the football Field Woodson said. I just play the game and i play the game  this was Woodson s seventh season and his most impressive. He was the leading vote getter on defense for the Apall pro team his third year on that select group. Reggie White of Green Bay finished second with 12 votes. The defensive end who was the prize catch of the first True free agent Market in nil history won the award in 1987. Deion Sanders needed Only 11 games to impress nine  City s Neil Smith was fourth with seven votes. The stars and stripes january 1994 Page 32 quarterback and a receiver especially when he is such a game breaker Young said. Every time i drop Back a part of me wants to know where he  Early on in the year the two had difficulty hooking up and there was Grum bling from Rice John Taylor and Ricky Walters about their Lack of involvement in san Francisco s offence. During a 3-3 Start Rice had just three touchdown receptions. The whispers around the league were that he was about to be overtaken by a new generation of receivers represented by Dallas Michael Irvin Green Bay s Sterling Sharpe and Atlanta s Andre Rison. Earlier this week Rice was the leading vote getter for the Apall pro team. Atlle inner drive tosses offensive player of the year award to san Francisco s Jerry Rice. Reeves cited for giant step new York a Dan Reeves left an ugly situation in Denver for an other one in new York. His work in turning around the giants earned him the associated press 1993 coach of the year. Reeves who led the Broncos to three. Acc championships in his 10 years As coach was fired in Denver partly be cause of a feud with quarterback John Elway. He was the third Choice of giant general manager George boxing to re place Ray Handley. But when Tom Coughlin and Dave Wannstedt turned Down the giants Reeves was hired. He brought stability and Confidence Back to a team that went from super bowl winners under Bill Parcells to 14-18 in Handley s two seasons. To be honest Reeves said i told the players we were aiming for 9-7." they did much better and the 81 National Media members voting for coach of the year noticed. Reeves was a run away Winner with 68 votes. Dan has been in the game a whole lot and he knows what he can play with and what can do and can t do giant guard William Roberts said. This is a tribute to him. He is getting the results he wanted when he came  Jack Pardee who guided the hous ton oilers from a 1-4 Start to the acc Central title was second with six votes. Next with two votes each were Wannstedt Jimmy Johnson of Dallas and Don Shula who set the career Vic tories Mark this year. Wannstedt s bears were 7-9, while Shula s dolphins were 9-7, but lost their last five games. Johnson guided Dallas to a 12-4 record Best in the pfc. Reeves is the third giants coach to win the award. Ahie Sherman took it in 1961 and 62, while Parcells was the 1986 Choice. Last year s Winner was Bill Cowher of Pittsburgh. Reeves who will be 50 on Jan. 19, was 117-79-1 with Denver taking the Broncos to the super bowl after the 1986, 87 and 89 seasons. They lost to the giants redskins and 49ers in those games. Giants Dan Reeves. Confers with Phil Simms skins talks with Cowboy aide on hold Ashburn a. A the Washington redskins talked briefly wednes Day with Dallas Cowboy offensive coordinator Norv Turner about succeeding Richie Petitbon As coach. But the redskins will have to wait possibly until after the super bowl before getting serious with Turner. On wednesday Dallas owner Jerry Jones reversed his Field and said Turner is out of Bounds while the cowboys re main in the playoffs. With Jones permission Turner 41, and Redskin general manager Charley Casserly had arranged for Turner to Fly to Washington after the cowboys last practice of the week Friday and meet with team owner Jack Kent Cooke on saturday. This is just the Start Casserly said wednesday. 3 a j1 a 0"246850m000504