Rookies Bush, Ryans, Hester among NFL Players of the Week

Dec 6, 2006 - 6:35 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) - Reggie Bush has been rewarded for delivering the finest performance of his young career.

Bush on Wednesday was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week while fellow rookie DeMeco Ryans earned the AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor.

Chicago Bears rookie return specialist Devin Hester was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard, Atlanta Falcons safety Lawyer Milloy and Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas also were honored for their efforts in Week 13.

After winning the Heisman Trophy at Southern California, Bush was drafted second overall in April's draft and entered the NFL drawing comparisons to the legendary Gale Sayers.

While he has excelled as a receiver, Bush came into the New Orleans Saints' 34-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers with one rushing touchdown and one punt return for a score in his first 11 games.

But Bush turned back the clock, rushing for three touchdowns and catching another score to help the Saints (8-4) remain in first place in the NFC South Division.

Bush became the fourth player in NFL history to score three rushing TDs and and have at least 100 receiving yards in a single game. He finished with nine catches for 131 yards and rushed for 37 yards on 10 attempts.

It was the second weekly award for Bush, who captured special teams honors in early October.

The Houston Texans made headlines last spring when they selected defensive end Mario Williams instead of Bush with the No. 1 overall pick. Although he has shown flashes of potential, Williams has been overshadowed by Ryans, a second-round pick who has excelled at the linebacker position this season.

Ryans recorded a team-leading 15 sacks and made several huge plays in Houston's 23-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

On a day when the Texans managed just 124 yards of total offense, Ryans picked up the slack on the other end of the field, recording a sack, an interception and three passes defensed while forcing a fumble and recovering another.

Hester also energized a struggling offensive team, collecting 138 kick return yards and a TD in Chicago's 23-13 triumph over the rival Minnesota Vikings. The top punt returner in the NFL, Hester opened the scoring last Sunday with a 45-yard punt return for a TD.

It was the league-leading fourth return for a score this season for Hester, who also captured this award for Week 10. He averaged 35.0 yards per punt return and 22.7 yards per kickoff return for the Bears (10-2), who clinched the NFC North Division title despite committing five turnovers.

Garrard helped the Jaguars stay alive in the AFC playoff race, throwing two touchdowns in Sunday's 24-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins. He completed 16-of-22 passes for 229 yards and rushed for 24 yards on six carries for Jacksonville (7-5).

Milloy spearheaded Atlanta's terrific defensive effort in a 24-14 triumph over the Washington Redskins on Sunday. The veteran safety had 12 tackles and two passes defensed for a Falcons defense which forced three turnovers and five punts over the Redskins' final eight possessions.

Bironas booted a game-winning 60-yard field goal to lead the Titans to a 20-17 upset of the Indianapolis Colts. It was the second game-winner in as many weeks for Bironas, who drilled a 49-yarder to lift Tennessee to a 24-21 triumph over the New York Giants on November 26.

In his second season, Bironas converted the longest field goal in franchise history. The 60-yarder also is tied for the fourth-longest kick in NFL history.