NFL unveils new award: Protector of the Year

The NFL on Wednesday announced a new end-of-year annual honor that will be awarded to the league's best offensive lineman, called Protector of the Year.

NFL executive Troy Vincent announced the award and credited Buffalo Bills four-time Pro Bowl lineman Dion Dawkins and retired two-time All-Pro Andrew Whitworth for pushing the idea.

"Recognize the big fellas," Vincent said Wednesday at the NFL owners meetings in Eagan, Minn.

The winner will be decided by a panel that includes a number of former greats who played on the offensive line, Vincent said.