By BARRY WILNER
AP Pro Football Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kansas City’s Marcus Peters is the first cornerback in 17 years to win The Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Safety Eric Berry, who missed 10 games the previous season battling lymphoma, then returned to the Chiefs to become an All-Pro, has won The Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
Peters, a first-round selection (18th overall) out of Washington, was a key to the Chiefs’ 11-game winning streak this season that helped them to the divisional playoff round. He tied Cincinnati’s Reggie Nelson for the NFL lead with eight interceptions. Peters returned two for scores, one covering 90 yards. He also had a pick in the postseason.
That performance earned Peters 45 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who regularly cover the NFL. Buffalo CB Ronald Darby was next with four votes, and one ballot went to Jets lineman Leonard Williams.
Oakland’s Charles Woodson was the previous cornerback to win the award, which was presented Saturday night as part of NFL Honors.
Berry’s inspirational story and superb performance on the field earned him 38 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who regularly cover the league. Berry was a mainstay on a Kansas City defense that sparked a 10-game winning streak during the regular season.
He easily outdistanced Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer, who came back from knee surgery to lead the Cardinals to a 13-3 regular season. Palmer received six votes.