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Saturday, February 5, 2000
AFC short on veterans,
Changing of the Guard
but loaded with vigor
NFC: St. Louis' championship aura.
Depth charts: Who's playing at each position.
Stats & Rosters: History & who's represented.
Parking & shuttle service By Paul Arnett
Star-BulletinAfter Denver's back-to-back Super Bowl titles and the American Football Conference winning four of the past five Pro Bowls, it appeared this league had finally beaten back its dominant NFC brothers.
That changed a bit last week, however, after the St. Louis Rams hung on to a 23-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans ending the AFC's win streak at two. Now, with the help of the resurgent Rams, the NFC would like to knock off the AFC this weekend just to complete the point.
Enter tough-minded Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin. His no-nonsense approach is evidenced by the two contrasting practice styles. The NFC has conducted its workouts in business-like fashion, while the intensity on the AFC side has burned a little brighter.
"You want to win the game, which is what you would expect from the league's best competitors," starting AFC quarterback Peyton Manning said. "You feel honored to be selected for something like this. You want to be at your best."
Manning had the best quarterback rating in the AFC. He threw for 4,135 yards and 26 touchdowns. He has two of the game's most exciting wide receivers to look for in Jacksonville's Jimmy Smith and the Colts' Marvin Harrison. They combined to catch 231 passes for 3,299 yards and 18 touchdowns.
"Who wouldn't like to throw to guys like that," Manning said. "You can't help but feel good about your chances with guys like that catching the football. It's going to be a lot of fun out there."
Much like the NFC, there aren't that many crusty veterans still hanging around with the younger players. Titans guard Bruce Matthews is the granddaddy of the Pro Bowl parade. This is the 11th selection for the 17-year veteran.
The only AFC player close is San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau. His late selection marked the ninth time in 10 years he has played in this game. Not voted in by his peers, Seau replaced Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.
Early in the week, Lewis' arrest for double murder cast a pall over the Pro Bowl camp. Players and friends on both sides of the line of scrimmage couldn't believe Lewis was involved.
His fellow Baltimore teammates -- there are three playing in tomorrow's Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium -- have remained in Lewis' corner. So did Miami (Fla.) teammate Warren Sapp.
"I know he didn't do it," Sapp said. "That will be the one thing that comes out in the end."
Much like the NFC, there has been a changing of the guard in the AFC with some old guys leading the way. New York Jets punter Tony Tupa is an 11-year veteran playing in his first Pro Bowl. It took a dozen years before Oakland's Rich Gannon finally got the call and 10 seasons before Kansas City's Tim Grunhard got picked.
"It's something that means a lot to me," Gannon said. "I've watched this game on TV and have seen all the guys enjoying themselves in Hawaii. It's a great feeling to finally be here yourself."
On the other end of the spectrum, Colts running back Edgerrin James is making his first appearance as a rookie. The only other first-year player in the Pro Bowl is Jevon Kearse of the Titans.
"It's a great honor to be among all these tremendous athletes," said James, who led the NFL in rushing with 1,553 yards. "This is a dream come true."
