Brees nominated for award

• Compiled from news release and The Associated Press
• Published: Oct 15, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:52 a.m.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is one of three finalists for the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week Award for his performance in the Saints’ 34-3 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Fans can vote online at www.NFL.com until 10 a.m. Friday.

Brees completed 26 of 30 passes (86.7 percent) for 320 yards and touchdowns of 2, 8 and 15 yards in the blowout of the Raiders in the Superdome. He was sacked just once and had a career-high passer rating of 144.1 — which was also the third-highest in NFL history for a player with a minimum of 30 attempts in a single game.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, a New Orleans native who threw three TDs in his team’s win over the Baltimore Ravens, is also a nominee for the air award.

Also, Baton Rouge native Warrick Dunn is a candidate for the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week honor. Dunn, a Catholic High graduate, rushed for 115 yards on 22 carries in the Tampa Bay Bucs’ 27-3 rout of the Carolina Panthers.

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints on Tuesday terminated the contract of wide receiver Terrance Copper and re-signed defensive end Jeff Charleston, who was released before Sunday’s game with the Oakland Raiders.

Copper, a five-year veteran, had been with the Saints since being claimed off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys just before the 2006 season opener. In 35 regular-season games with the Saints, Copper caught 38 passes for 511 yards and five touchdowns. He also had 15 tackles on special teams.

Charleston, a 6-foot-4, 265-pounder, is in his second season. He played in 13 regular-season games with the Indianapolis Colts last season — making three starts. Charleston has 42 career tackles, one sack, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Cowboys trade for WR Roy Williams

IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have acquired wide receiver Roy Williams from the Detroit Lions.

The Cowboys on Tuesday traded a first-round pick in 2009, plus a third- and sixth-rounder that year for Williams and a seventh-round pick in ’09.

Williams’ best season was 2006, when he went to the Pro Bowl after catching 82 passes for 1,310 yards and seven touchdowns. He has 17 catches for 232 yards and a score this season for the winless Lions.

The fifth-year receiver was drafted in the first round by Detroit out of the University of Texas. He has 262 career catches for 3,884 yards with 29 touchdowns.