Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 27, 1994 TAG: 9412280017
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
Sanders made a sweep of the voting by a nationwide panel of 98 sports writers and broadcasters. The Detroit Lions' sensational running back, who led the NFL with 1,883 rushing and scored eight touchdowns, was the first unanimous selection since San Francisco's Jerry Rice in 1987.
Young got 96 votes at quarterback, with Dan Marino the choice of the other two voters. The 49ers' Young, having his best season, led the NFL in passing for the fourth straight year.
``I consider this a very high honor. To be voted a unanimous selection with so many great players in our business is special,'' Sanders said. ``It's also a tribute to how well we've played offensively this season. This is quite a compliment to my offensive line and to our entire offense.''
Joining Sanders in the backfield was Dallas' Emmitt Smith, who led the league with 22 touchdowns, tied for third in league history. Smith, the 1993 league MVP, received 93 votes.
Rice made the team for the eighth time since 1987. Like Young, he had his most prolific season and collected 94 votes. That was six more than the next receiver, Cris Carter of Minnesota, who set an NFL record for receptions this year.
Another record-setter, Ben Coates of New England, was the tight end, getting 88 votes. Coates established a single-season mark for catches by a tight end with 96.
The tackles were William Roaf of New Orleans and Richmond Webb of Miami. Roaf was one of eight players making it for the first time.
At guard were Nate Newton of Dallas and Randall McDaniel of Minnesota. The center was Dermontti Dawson of Pittsburgh.
Another Sanders was the leading vote-getter on defense. Cornerback Deion Sanders strutted his stuff so well, he received 86 votes, even though he missed three games before joining San Francisco as a free agent.
Rod Woodson, the 1993 Defensive Player of the Year, was the other cornerback, one of four Steelers on the squad. Another Woodson, Dallas safety Darren, was selected, along with Cleveland's Eric Turner at the other safety.
Up front, Charles Haley of Dallas and Bruce Smith of Buffalo made it as ends, with John Randle of Minnesota and Cortez Kennedy of Seattle at tackle.
The linebackers were Pittsburgh's Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene on the outside, San Diego's Junior Seau in the middle.
The special teams players were place-kicker John Carney of San Diego, the AFC's top scorer with 134 points; punter Reggie Roby of Washington; and kick returner Mel Gray of Detroit.
The other first-time All-Pros were Greene, Darren Woodson, Turner, Carney, Coates, Carter and Newton.
The Cowboys also had four All-Pros and the NFC had 14 players on the team. Eleven players came from the AFC, and 13 of the 28 teams were represented.
Repeaters from 1993 were Young, Rice, Emmitt Smith, McDaniel, Dawson, Bruce Smith, Randle, Kennedy, Lloyd, Seau, Deion Sanders and Rod Woodson.
(Complete team in Scoreboard)
by CNB