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FOR USE AS DESIRED COLTS RB EDGERRIN JAMES, PATRIOTS S
RODNEY HARRISON & Running back EDGERRIN JAMES of the Indianapolis Colts, safety RODNEY HARRISON of the New England Patriots and punter SHANE LECHLER of the Oakland Raiders are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the second week of the 2004 season (September 19-20), the NFL announced today. OFFENSE: RB EDGERRIN JAMES, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS In a 31-17 fourth-quarter comeback victory at division rival Tennessee, the Colts’ James rushed for 124 yards on 21 carries (5.9 average), including a pair of touchdown runs of four and 30 yards. James broke off both scoring runs in the final quarter to power Indianapolis to victory for the third consecutive time against the Titans. The 6-0, 214-pound running back from Immokalee, Fla., now has 34 100-yard rushing games in 67 career games played. In his sixth season from Miami, this is James’ fifth career Player of the Week Award and his first since 2000 (Week 15). DEFENSE: S RODNEY HARRISON, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS New England’s Harrison helped the 17-win-in-a-row Patriots reach a 2-0 record on the young season in a 23-12 victory at Arizona. The 11-year veteran from Western Illinois notched seven solo tackles, including 2.0 sacks for 21 yards in losses, defensed a pass and forced a fumble. New England has a bye this week and will attempt to tie the NFL’s all-time longest string of victories on October 3 in Buffalo. Harrison has earned Player of the Week honors twice before (Wk. 2, 1995; Wk. 5, 1999), but this marks his first award with the Patriots. SPECIAL TEAMS: P SHANE LECHLER, OAKLAND RAIDERS In a 13-10 home victory against Buffalo where the battle of field position was vital, the Raiders’ Lechler kicked five punts for a 49.8 average. The Bills started their drives on or inside their 20-yard line after four of Lechler’s five punts. In addition, Buffalo was only able to return two punts for a total of nine yards. Through two weeks, Lechler leads the NFL with a 47.6 punting average. For his career, the Raiders’ punter owns a 45.7-yard average, which is the NFL’s all-time best with a minimum of 250 punts. In his fifth season from Texas A&M, this is Lechler’s third career Player of the Week Award.
2004 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Other nominees for AFC Offensive Player of Week 2 were: New England running back COREY DILLON, who rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries (4.9 avg.). Dillon’s 32 rushes were the most by a Patriot in more than seven seasons. Kansas City running back PRIEST HOLMES, who posted a 4.1-yard per carry average on 16 rushes and one touchdown in a 28-17 loss to Carolina. Baltimore running back JAMAL LEWIS, who ran for two touchdowns and 62 yards on 24 carries in a 30-13 home win against AFC North rival Pittsburgh. New York Jets running back CURTIS MARTIN, who registered two scoring runs and tallied 119 rushing yards on 32 carries along with six receptions for 25 yards in a 34-28 win at San Diego. Martin became the Jets’ all-time leading rusher (8,158) in the first quarter, surpassing FREEMAN MC NEIL (8,074). New York Jets quarterback CHAD PENNINGTON, who completed 22 of 29 attempts (75.9 percent) for 258 yards with a pair of touchdowns without an interception for a 125.4 passer rating. Pittsburgh wide receiver HINES WARD, who caught six passes for a touchdown and 151 receiving yards, including a long reception of 58. His 25.2-yard average on the day was the three-time All-Star’s second-highest single game mark. Other nominees for AFC Defensive Player of Week 2 were: Oakland linebacker DANNY CLARK, who notched 11 tackles (nine solo), including 1.0 sack for an 11-yard loss. Clark helped the Raiders defense allow only 67 yards rushing and 243 total net yards on the day. New York Jets rookie safety ERIK COLEMAN (No. 143), who recorded an interception, recovered a fumble and posted an additional pass defensed. Baltimore cornerback CHRIS MC ALISTER, who led the Ravens’ secondary with seven tackles and racked up two passes defensed, including a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown. Pittsburgh safety TROY POLAMALU, who chalked up 14 solo tackles. Cincinnati linebacker BRIAN SIMMONS, who in a 16-13 victory against Miami recorded a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown along with nine tackles. Other nominees for AFC Special Teams Player of Week 2 were: Kansas City punter STEPHEN CHEEK, who punted four times for a 40.4-yard average. Baltimore kicker MATT STOVER, who was three-for-three in field goal tries of 35, 27 and 34 yards. New England kicker ADAM VINATIERI, who made all three of his field goal attempts from 29, 28 and 24 yards.
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