January 01, 2009 08:38 am Jerod Mayo wasted no time showing he could be an NFL star. Now he's biding his time until he becomes the leader of the Patriots' defense. In between, there's more he wants to accomplish: defensive player of the year and, more importantly, a Super Bowl championship. But he certainly appreciates winning The Associated Press 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Now, about that NFL title. "My main focus coming to here (was) I wanted to win the Super Bowl as a rookie," he said after earning the award. "I thank the AP for the award, but I would trade it in for a Super Bowl any day." New England isn't even going to the playoffs and is only the second team to miss out with an 11-5 record since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978. Mayo led the Patriots in tackles and was at the top of the NFL rookie class, receiving 49 of 50 votes from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Cincinnati linebacker Keith Rivers received the other one. Mayo is the sixth straight linebacker to win the award, following Patrick Willis of San Francisco in 2007. His toughest adjustment was learning the team's complicated defensive playbook. Pro football: Singletary drops two more assistants Mike Singletary knows what he wants to see from the San Francisco 49ers' offense, and thinks he'll need mostly new coaches to create it on that side of the ball. The no-longer-interim head coach announced two more adjustments to his coaching staff, firing quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner and running backs coach Tony Nathan. Singletary dismissed offensive coordinator Mike Martz on Tuesday after one season with the 49ers. Nathan also was in his first year with the team, while Tollner had two stints with the club during the past decade. While Singletary's defensive staff apparently will stay in tact under coordinator Greg Manusky, the moves are all part of Singletary's plan to build the 49ers' offensive approach behind a relentless running game. More pro football: In need of change, owner says bye to BFF Shanahan They were best friends as much as employee and boss. Nothing told that story better than the tears in the eyes of Pat Bowlen and Mike Shanahan as they talked about their sad farewell. "This is as tough as it gets," Bowlen said, his eyes moist, as he explained his day-old decision to fire the coach who finally brought the Super Bowl trophy to Denver. "These are tough decisions, but that's what leaders do," Shanahan said, also trying to choke back tears. Pro baseball: Angels agree to terms with Fuentes Free-agent reliever Brian Fuentes and the Los Angeles Angels reached agreement on a two-year, $17.5 million deal, giving the AL West champions a replacement for record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez. Fuentes gets $8.5 million next season and $9 million in 2010. There's a club option for $9 million in 2011. More pro baseball: Cubs agree with infielder Miles The Chicago Cubs and infielder Aaron Miles agreed to a two-year, $4.9 million contract. The switch-hitting Miles batted .317 with four homers and 31 RBIs in 134 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last season. "We expect Aaron to provide significant versatility and flexibility to our roster," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. Last season Miles played mostly at second base with 85 appearances. He also played short, third and all three outfield positions. In 643 major league games, the 32-year-old Miles has a career average of .289. He has also played with the White Sox and Rockies. More pro baseball: Indians acquire INF DeRosa to play third After some debate and a trade, the Cleveland Indians have decided not to shift their infield. The club acquired versatile infielder Mark DeRosa to place third base, trading three minor leaguers to the Chicago Cubs. They dealt pitchers Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Gaub for DeRosa, who played six different positions for the NL Central champions. In Cleveland, he'll be the club's everyday third baseman and fill in occasionally in the outfield. "We're going to take advantage of his versatility," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. "As the season unfolds, that's one of the many assists he can bring to the table." The 33-year-old DeRosa hit a career-high 21 homers and drove in 87 runs last season in 149 games. Pro basketball: Barkley arrested on suspicion of DUI Charles Barkley was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol early yesterday. An officer with a task force that targets drunken driving saw the former NBA star run a stop sign about 1:30 a.m., Gilbert police Lt. Eric Shuhandler said. Barkley was in Scottsdale's Old Town area, a trendy spot in the Phoenix area. "I am disappointed that I put myself in that situation," Barkley said in a statement to The Associated Press. "The Scottsdale police were fantastic. I will not comment any further as it is a legal matter." The 45-year-old Barkley, now an NBA television commentator, failed field sobriety tests after the officer smelled alcohol on him, and he was arrested. Barkley declined to submit to a breath test but was given a blood test. The results weren't immediately available. College football: Saban says Smith could return to Alabama Alabama coach Nick Saban didn't rule out the possibility of All-America left tackle Andre Smith returning for his senior season. An NCAA spokeswoman, meanwhile, said the governing body has spoken with university officials and determined that it is an internal matter. Saban suspended the Outland Trophy winner for tomorrow night's Sugar Bowl against No. 7 Utah after alleged dealings with a sports agent. "Andre Smith is a fine young man and he did a great job here for us," Saban said in his first public comments since announcing the suspension in a statement Monday. "He may be doing a great job for someone else in the future or he may be doing a great job for us in the future. That decision has not yet been made." Auto racing: SMI completes purchase of Kentucky Speedway Speedway Motorsports Inc. purchased Kentucky Speedway, clearing the way for SMI owner Bruton Smith to try and bring a coveted NASCAR Sprint Cup race to the 1.5-mile tri-oval in northern Kentucky.
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