Rodgers wins second MVP award
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the MVP of the 2014 season.
Rodgers, who also won the award in 2011, was one of three two-time winners in voting results revealed at the “NFL Honors” on Saturday night in Phoenix.
Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals was named coach of the year for the second time and Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt was selected defensive player of the year for the second time as well.
Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray was voted offensive player of the year, New York Giants rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was named offensive rookie and St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was voted defensive rookie.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was named comeback player of the year.
Todd Bowles, Arians’ former defensive coordinator in Arizona, was selected assistant coach of the year. Bowles recently became coach of the New York Jets.
Mavs rule out Rondo for Monday
Dallas Mavericks point guard Rajon Rondo reportedly will not play Monday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a facial injury.
League sources told ESPN that Rondo, who suffered the injury in the first quarter of Saturday night’s win in Orlando, was scheduled to be evaluated Sunday by the Mavericks’ medical staff to establish how long he will be sidelined.
The injury occurred when Rondo tripped and was accidentally kneed in the face by teammate Richard Jefferson. Jefferson did not see Rondo on the floor as he started to sprint down the court on a fast break.
With blood pouring out of his nose, Rondo stayed down on the court for about a minute before being escorted to the locker room by the Mavs’ athletic training staff.
Manning may decide to return soon
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who said Friday he hasn’t made up his mind about playing in 2015, could decide as early as this week that he is returning for an 18th season, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.
Sources said Manning has been persuaded to play under new head coach Gary Kubiak, who has said he is willing to fit his scheme for the quarterback’s strengths.
Manning attended the 50th Gatorade party late Friday night with several athletic icons, including New York Yankees great Derek Jeter. But the report said Manning will not announce he will be having a farewell season in 2015 because that’s not his style and he does not want to lock himself into a final year just yet.
“I’m still trying to take some time to evaluate some things,” Manning said Friday after receiving the Bart Starr Award in Phoenix. “I’m not interested in making this a lingering thing. I’d like to make a decision soon.”
Manning said he has met and had dinner with Kubiak and will make his decision based on a number of issues, especially whether he can “help the team” win.
Manning said he also plans to sit down with general manager John Elway when he returns from vacation.
NFL investigating Falcons for fake crowd noise
The NFL is investigating the Atlanta Falcons’ use of artificial crowd noise in the Georgia Dome over the past two seasons, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
According to Sunday’s report, the offense is expected to result in discipline, with the Falcons being fined and possibly losing a draft choice.
“We were informed during the season that the league office is looking into crowd noise during our games,” a Falcons team spokesman said. “We have cooperated fully with them, and we’re awaiting the outcome.”
The report said the Falcons have been accused of piping in the noise while the opposing team was huddling to call its play.
The Falcons went 3-5 at the Georgia Dome this season, including being routed by the Carolina Panthers 34-3 in the season finale for the NFC South Division title.