Peppers named AP NFL defensive rookie award winner

UNDATED - Despite missing four games of the season on suspension, Julius Peppers is The Associated Press N-F-L Defensive Rookie of the Year. <br> <br> Peppers missed the last four games of the season for violating the league&#39;s drug policy when he took a dietary supplement that contained a banned substance. <br> <br> The Carolina Panthers&#39; defensive end was the second player picked in last spring&#39;s draft. Over the 12 games he played, he had 12 sacks. Indianapolis Colts end Dwight Freeney led all rookies with 13 this season, but he played the full season. <br> <br> Votes for the award were cast by a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who cover the N-F-L. <br> <br>