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Saturday, February 3, 2001

Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis, the MVP of
Super Bowl XXXV, is appearing in his fourth
Pro Bowl. The 25-year-old is from Miami.

AFC looking to
continue success
from Super Bowl

Isles, bowl great for each other
Mawae revisits isle ties
NFC: Bucs, newcomers

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Official Pro Bowl site

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By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

The American Football Conference produced its third Super Bowl champion in four years and can arguably claim to have three of the best teams in the league.

Besides the Baltimore Ravens, which beat up on the New York Giants six days ago in Super Bowl XXXV, the Oakland Raiders and the Tennessee Titans are near the top of the food chain as well.

Tennessee has seven players taking part in tomorrow's Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. So do the Miami Dolphins, who are also one of the powerhouses in the AFC.

The Super Bowl champion Ravens have five players on the squad, with Oakland and Buffalo each sporting four.

The AFC has 16 first-time players in the game, including 12-year veteran Trace Armstrong of the Dolphins, 11-year place-kicker Matt Stover of the Ravens and eight-year quarterback Elvis Grbac of the Kansas City Chiefs.

"This is where you want to be in February," Grbac said. "I've been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Some guys get selected all the time. Others have to wait. But it's a big thrill for me to be playing this Sunday."

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He'll be backing up Rich Gannon of the Oakland Raiders, who is in his second consecutive Pro Bowl.

Like Stover and Armstrong, the 13-year veteran had to wait a long time to get his chance. He will be the starting quarterback in the Pro Bowl for the first time.

"That's something special for me," the 35-year-old Gannon said. "This whole week has been so much fun. It's relaxing. The weather's great. You can't beat an opportunity like this one."

The top targets for the AFC quarterbacks are Jacksonville's Jimmy Smith, Denver's Rod Smith, Eric Moulds of Buffalo and Marvin Harrison of Indianapolis.

"I'll be looking out for him if we're in there together," Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said of his teammate. "You kind of know what the other guy can do, so it's an advantage."

The quarterbacks will also have plenty of opportunities to hand off the football. Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George of Tennessee, Cincinnati's Corey Dillon and the Colts' Edgerrin James are among the best backs in the game.

"It's always an honor to be picked for this game," said George, who is making his fourth appearance in five years. "There are a lot of great running backs around the league. To make it here, you've got to have a good season."

The AFC defense may keep the offense on the field more than it likes. Led by Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis, down lineman Sam Adams and safety Rod Woodson, the Ravens are well-represented on that side of the football.

"I'm glad these guys are on my side this week," AFC head coach Jon Gruden said, who is only two years older than Armstrong, Gannon and Woodson. "We're going to have some fun in the game. But we're also going to play to win."

Pro Bowl 2001