Ellington

The Associated Press is reporting that AP has named New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees its 2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year:

Brees threw for 5,084 yards, 16 fewer than Dan Marino's 1984 mark and only the second time someone has eclipsed 5,000 yards passing in a season. [...]

Although the Saints were 8-8 and didn't make the playoffs, Brees performed so well he earned 22 votes in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. That easily beat Peyton Manning, the NFL Most Valuable Player for the third time for Indianapolis, and Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson. They tied for second with nine votes each.

San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers received six votes, and Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams (2), Atlanta running back Michael Turner (1) and Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith (1) also got votes.