Saints’ Drew Brees named NFL offensive player of year

Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner will interview Eagles GM Tom Heckert.

NEW YORK (AP) — Drew Brees understood what breaking a record set by Dan Marino would mean to the New Orleans Saints.

So coming up 15 yards short was disappointing to the Saints quarterback, who won The Associated Press 2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award Tuesday.

Brees threw for 5,069 yards, 15 fewer than Marino’s 1984 mark and only the second time someone has eclipsed 5,000 yards passing in a season.

“The only reason I still even think about it is because I know how much it would have meant to the offensive line and the skill position guys,” Brees said. “Those guys were 10 times more upset than I was about not getting the record. I just feel like they really, especially down the stretch, looked at that as something that, for all the heartache and all the ups and downs we had this season, that was something they hang their hats on.

“So that’s who I wanted to get it for, so that’s why I’m still upset. I’m over it, for myself, but I guess I’m not over it for them.”

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 MVP 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. Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams (2), Atlanta running back Michael Turner (1) and Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith (1) also got votes.

“I don’t come out from week to week and say I have to throw for 300 [yards],” Brees said. “It’s really about what I can do to help this team win.”

Brees tied with Rivers, his former teammate with the Chargers, with a league-leading 34 touchdown passes. Brees was fourth in passer rating (96.2) and led the league in attempts (635) and completions (413).

Browns

CLEVELAND — Their coaching search on hold and seemingly locked on Eric Mangini, the Browns plan to interview Philadelphia Eagles general manager Tom Heckert for their GM opening.

The meeting between Browns owner Randy Lerner and Heckert, who has been with the Eagles since 2001, has not yet been scheduled. The Eagles are getting ready for Sunday’s playoff game against the New York Giants, but it is not known if Lerner will sit down with Heckert before or after the game.

Heckert has been the Eagles’ GM since 2006 after originally joining the team as the director of player personnel. In May, he received a contract extension through 2011. Last year, he interviewed for Atlanta’s GM job, a position that went to Thomas Dimitroff.

With the Eagles, the 41-year-old Heckert works with coach Andy Reid in all player personnel matters while overseeing the scouting and personnel departments. Heckert spent 10 years with the Miami Dolphins before joining the Eagles.

In Heckert’s first draft with Philadelphia, he selected Lito Sheppard, Michael Lewis, Brian Westbrook — three future Pro Bowlers.

Lerner has also interviewed Scott Pioli, New England’s director of player personnel and T.J. McCreight, the Browns’ director of player personnel, to replace Phil Savage.

Lerner also intends to speak with George Kokinis, Baltimore’s pro personnel director, but he has to wait until after the Ravens’ playoff game with Tennessee.