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Saturday, February 5, 2000
Make way Marino, Young and
NFC: St. Louis' championship aura.
Aikman; here come the NFL stars
of the new millennium
AFC: Short on vets, but loaded with vigor.
Depth charts: Who's playing at each position.
Stats & Rosters: History & who's represented.
Parking & shuttle service By Paul Arnett
Star-BulletinThere aren't many old familiar faces in the 50th annual Pro Bowl. No Steve Young. No Jerry Rice. No Troy Aikman.
In their place is a collection of young guns who are developing their own brand of staying power as the National Football League moves not only into a new millennium, but a different era of superstars as well.
Granted, Emmitt Smith is here wearing the familiar Dallas Cowboys star.
San Diego's Junior Seau was a late arrival. And Bruce Matthews of the Houston Oil..., no, Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings' Randall McDaniel are living proof that if you want longevity in the NFL, best be an offense linemen.
Between them, they have played in 22 Pro Bowls and suited up for 29 NFL seasons. They don't explain or complain. They just keep coming back to Honolulu each year to have a little fun in the sun.
But if you're coming to tomorrow's 20th Pro Bowl sellout in 21 years at Aloha Stadium, buy a program at the gate, because there are 20 newcomers on the NFC and 21 first-timers on the AFC in one of the younger Pro Bowl gatherings in recent memory.
The average age of the 22 starters on the NFC is 27 years, eight months.
Kickoff!
What: 50th Pro Bowl
On the AFC, that age is even lower at 26 years, four months. League and Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner is in his first Pro Bowl in only his second season. So is AFC starting quarterback Peyton Manning.
Indianapolis teammate Edgerrin James will get carded at any local 7-Eleven.
The 21-year-old is in his first Pro Bowl as is fellow rookie Jevon Kearse of Tennessee. Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson is making his second Pro Bowl appearance in as many seasons. So is wide receiver Randy Moss.
"A changing of the guard is how it is in every job, the young guys come in and take over for the veterans," Smith said. "Somebody younger is going to take your job some day. That's just how it is."
Smith is making consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. Last year he scored his first touchdown in the NFL all-star game. This year, he was the subject of an ESPN story, which asked several of the new kids in town what they can learn from Smith.
Respondents Marshall Faulk and Stephen Davis were predictably complimentary. But you got the idea they wanted to make some footsteps of their own in the island sands. And if it meant gently pushing aside a veteran of Smith's caliber, then so be it.
"It's great to see a star like Emmitt Smith playing around out here with the rest of us," Washington Redskins running back Davis said. "You can learn a lot from an All-Pro like him if you just listen and watch."
None of the quarterbacks has such a mentor. Oh sure, the NFC's Brad Johnson and Steve Beurlein played 13 and eight seasons, respectively, before landing their first Pro Bowl gig.
Young Manning is joined by Jacksonville's Mark Brunell and Rich Gannon.
Gannon knocked around a dozen seasons before finally catching a plane to Honolulu. It's one of the least experienced group of quarterbacks to ever play in the game.
"I'm sure we're going to get a little nervous under center," Washington quarterback Johnson said. "A lot of us have a lot of experience in the league, but just like some of the young players, we're Pro Bowl rookies."
NFC head coach Tony Dungy is coaching in his first Pro Bowl. AFC counterpart Tom Coughlin is making his second appearance. One thing about this game for the coaches, you don't want to be coming here too often. It means you got close, but no Super Bowl cigar.
"I'd rather be home celebrating being in the Super Bowl," Coughlin said. "Free agency begins soon, so you want to be spending time evaluating who's out there.
"We're going to have fun on Sunday. But we're also going to try to win a football game. These men are the best at what they do. They like to compete. And they like to win."
Dungy, who fired his offensive coordinator on Wednesday and openly said his offense needs improvement, may learn a thing or two watching the four offensive starters of the St. Louis Rams.
"Coming here gives you an opportunity to exchange ideas with different players," he said. "Certainly, we're out here to enjoy ourselves. But I think this will be a very competitive game, especially if the outcome is undecided by the fourth quarter."
Pro Bowl fans will be allowed to park on Ford Island beginning at 7 a.m. tomorrow. Parking / shuttle service available
The cost is $3, the same as the fee charged at Aloha Stadium .No tailgating will be allowed on Ford Island.
Fans will be shuttled across the bridge and dropped off at the entrance to the bridge road near Kamehameha Highway. The gate through Richardson Field will be open to accommodate pedestrians; the shuttle return spot is the same as the drop-off point.
The stadium's HOV lane for cars with four or more persons will be open for parking on the lower lot at 7 a.m. The main gate for the upper parking lot will open at 9:30 a.m.
The game is a sellout. There will be 300 fewer parking spaces due to the Topps Pro Bowl Experience and Card Show across from Gate 5.
