PHOENIX — The NFL announces its awards for the 2014 season Saturday night and Odell Beckham Jr. is expected to win the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award. If he does — he’s the overwhelming favorite — he will become the first Giants player to do so. Lawrence Taylor won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 1981 — he also, remarkably, won the AP Defensive Player of the Year award that year.
Beckham’s competition is Cowboys guard Zack Martin, Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, Bengals running back Jeremy Hill, Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and Bills receiver Sammy Watkins. Martin is the only player in that group to be named All-Pro, but no offensive lineman ever has won the rookie award.
Beckham also likely will win the Bridgestone Performance Play of the Year for his spectacular, leaping, one-handed catch against the Cowboys, a play that sent shock-waves reverberating through the Twitter world.
But in a surprise, Beckham did not win the Pepsi Rookie of the Year award, which Friday went to Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The award is based on fan voting. The AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award is based on voting results from a panel of NFL writers.
Pats coach: Ineligible receiver debate ‘not my job’
The matter of how the Super Bowl officiating crew will handle the Patriots’ use of eligible and ineligible receivers — a source of contention in the playoff game against the Ravens — was asked Friday to both Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick, seated side by side.
“Well, I’ll start and say that’s not my job,’’ Belichick said. “Whatever the officials do, that’s their protocol and their mechanics.’’
Carroll did not sound concerned.
“I don’t have any problem with the way we expect it to be handled,’’ he said. “Bill’s done a job of challenging me with some really unique and innovative ideas in how to move people around. They do have to be on their toes, but they’re ready to do that and they’ll do a great job. I don’t think there’s going to be any issue with that in terms of this game at all.”
Chancellor late addition to injury report
Seahawks S Kam Chancellor was added to the injury report after he slipped and fell near the goal line, was helped up and missed he final play of practice. He walked off the field without a limp but did have his left knee wrapped. … Belichick said his entire family will be at the game, and a minute later amended that statement. “I have one correction on that,’’ he said. “My 84-year-old mom won’t be here. She’s in Annapolis. I know she’ll be yelling at the TV set all game. But I do miss that she won’t be here.”
Let’s hear it for the geezers. Carroll, 63, and Belichick, 62, are the second and third-oldest head coaches in the NFL. Only Tom Coughlin (68) is older. This is the first Super Bowl matchup of head coaches age 60 or older.
For the first time all season, Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis was listed as limited in practice Friday, with the reason given “rest.’’
Among those who attended Friday’s Seahawks practice: Former owner John Nordstrom, former Seattle QB Jim Zorn and musician Snoop Dogg.
Some teams decide to change hotels the night before the Super Bowl, but the Seahawks will remain in the Tempe resort they’ve been in all week.
Former Seahawks safety and Ring of Honor member Kenny Easley will serve as the honorary captain for the Seahawks for the coin toss.