Holmes voted NFL's top offensive player

Priest Holmes accomplished in 14 games what many players can't in two full seasons. His reward: The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.

The dynamic running back for the Kansas City Chiefs was on pace to shatter several NFL records before a deep hip bruise sidelined him for the final two games of 2002. Still, Holmes set 10 team records, including 1,615 yards rushing and 21 TDs. He also had three scores as a receiver, and the 24 TDs were two short of Marshall Faulk's league mark.

Holmes' 2,287 yards from scrimmage fell 142 short of Faulk's NFL record. And in 383 touches, Holmes had only one fumble.

Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil researched Holmes' total yards from scrimmage and found it was the most ever in a 14-game span.

"After I missed the last two games, I wasn't even thinking about any honors or awards or anything," Holmes admitted Thursday after receiving 20 1/2 votes from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. "I really appreciate this."

"But I'm grateful to my offensive line and coaches more than anything for what they did for me."

Holmes' line, featuring Pro Bowl selections William Roaf at tackle and Will Shields at guard, was intact the entire season.

Holmes rushed for more than 100 yards nine times. He scored four touchdowns in a win over Cleveland in the opener and had three TDs in two other games. Holmes gained 307 yards against Seattle (197 rushing, 110 receiving).