rookie of the year

The Brady Quinn era should begin soon, a Rookie of the Year frontrunner emerges and the Bears' playoff hopes just took a big hit, writes SI.com's Don Banks.

Minnesota's sputtering offense could be without its biggest star against Carolina on Sunday. Running back Adrian Peterson, the NFL's leading rusher and the 2007 offensive rookie of the year, missed practice on Thursday with a hamstring injury.

Peterson said he is hopeful he can play against the Panthers, but he took a step back one day after participating in practice on a limited basis.

The Sonics' Kevin Durant has been honored as the NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the first Seattle player to win the award - and perhaps the last.

Durant, the national college player of the year at Texas and the No. 2 pick in last year's draft, averaged 20.3 points per game.

The Sonics' Kevin Durant has been honored as the NBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the first Seattle player to win the award -- and perhaps the last.

Durant, the national college player of the year at Texas and the No. 2 pick in last year's draft, averaged 20.3 points per game.

Durant has been a bright spot during a dismal basketball season in Seattle.

The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with defensive end Jevon Kearse on Thursday. The 31-year-old was the Defensive Rookie of the Year after Tennessee made him the 16th overall pick in the 1999 draft.

He had 47.5 sacks with the Titans and made three Pro Bowl teams, but left in 2004 for a free-agent deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Philadelphia Eagles have cut Jevon Kearse. The Eagles released the former rookie of the year Thursday.

The 31-year-old defensive end failed to live up to the lofty expectations when he signed as a free agent in 2004.

Kearse recorded 3 1/2 sacks in 14 games last season and saw his playing time diminish late in the year. He missed most of the 2006 season with a knee injury.

Early in his career, Kearse was one of the NFL's most feared pass rushers. He had 36 sacks in his first three season.

The Philadelphia Eagles have cut Jevon Kearse. The Eagles released the former rookie of the year Thursday.

The 31-year-old defensive end failed to live up to the lofty expectations when he signed as a free agent in 2004.

Kearse recorded 3 1/2 sacks in 14 games last season and saw his playing time diminish late in the year.