Thursday, February 7, 2002
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Patriots’ Pro Bowlers At some point, Troy Brown might want to become anonymous again. But for now, the New England Patriots wide receiver will enjoy his time on center stage.
get super reception
Tired, but happy, 4 New England stars
Rams stay in the game
get noticed at their first day of practice
Pro Bowl event schedule
Pro Bowl NotebookBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com
Brown and the other three Patriots in Saturday's Pro Bowl made their first practice appearance at Aloha Stadium yesterday. Their teammates for a week on the AFC squad gave them newfound recognition.
"After eight years of going unnoticed it's kind of nice," Brown said. "I say, 'What's up? I'm Troy.' They say, 'I know, congratulations.' "
Yesterday's sun-splashed practice was short -- and very sweet for the Patriots, who beat the St. Louis Rams 20-17 on Sunday in New Orleans for one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history.
Hundreds of fans yelled for Brown, defensive backs Ty Law and Lawyer Milloy and quarterback Tom Brady. It was quite a different scene than Tuesday in Boston, where over a million fans braved freezing temperatures to show their appreciation of the Pats.
They flew in late last night on team-owner Robert Kraft's private jet.
"The adrenaline is still going," said a bleary-eyed Brown, who is in Hawaii for the first time. "The parade was great, but we wanted to get to the warmth."
Law said a part of him still doesn't comprehend that the Patriots won.
"I'm drained right now," he said. "I'll believe it when I have that big ring on my finger."
New England has a small but loyal following in Hawaii, the home state of former All-Pro Patriots Russ Francis and Mosi Tatupu.
Even more rewarding than the love of their fans here was the acknowledgment of a job well done from their colleagues.
Jets running back Curtis Martin, who played his first three seasons for the Patriots, was overjoyed for his former teammates.
"I'm very happy for them," said Martin, who is here for his fourth Pro Bowl. "They worked really hard and deserve it."
Milloy said many players congratulated him yesterday.
"I think we do have the respect of our peers," Milloy said. "It's the professional thing to do. But we know that in the back of some of their minds they're thinking it coulda been, shoulda been them playing in the game. But up front it's been all well-wishing."
He's looking forward to next season, when the challenges will come from all angles.
"People will still doubt us," Milloy said. "We're going to get everyone's best shot next time."
The next time the Patriots get together, the team that says it won because of unity will likely have at least a few changes.
Supplanted starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe and his big salary will probably be gone.
Also, just two days after their Super Bowl victory, the Patriots and their fans were reminded the game is really a business. The championship family could be breaking up soon, as Willie McGinest, Ted Johnson, Charles Johnson, Terrance Shaw and Matt Stevens were exposed to the Feb. 18 expansion draft.
It's a cruel blow to a group that considered every win a team victory. But the Patriots Pro Bowlers have been around long enough to understand it's just part of being in the NFL.
"I don't know what to say about that, because it's out of my control," Brown said. "We have to deal with free-agency issues all the time, so you get used to it. No team stays intact."
All Milloy could do was shrug and say it's a sad reality.
"We all know it going in, that it doesn't last forever, the team is always changing," he said. "At least the guys got to be part of something really special, and we'll have that special bond and connection the rest of our lives."
For now, though, the Patriots can enjoy being on top, and being in paradise.
"I'm happy to be here," Brown said. "Being the best in the league, and among the best in the league, it's a great feeling."
Pro Bowl schedule
Today
10 a.m.: AFC practice at Aloha Stadium
Noon: Hall of Fame inductees press conference, Fort DeRussy, Topps NFL Experience tent
Noon to 9 p.m.: Topps NFL Experience, Fort DeRussy
1 p.m.: Pro Bowl Beach Bowling Bash, Hilton Hawaiian Village Lagoon
2 p.m.: Cheerleading and dance competition, Topps NFL Experience, Fort DeRussy, (tickets available at the gate)
7-9 p.m.: Pro Bowl Hawaii Night, Fort DeRussy
Tomorrow
10 a.m.: NFC practice at Aloha Stadium
1-10 p.m.: Topps NFL Experience, Hawaii, Fort DeRussy
3-5:30 p.m.: Military Day & NFL Military Challenge, Topps NFL Experience, Hawaii at Fort DeRussy (Special price for any military and a special competition among the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy)
7-10 p.m.: Pro Bowl Bash at the NFL Experience, Fort DeRussy
The game
Saturday, 11:30 a.m.Source: NFL.com
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Almost enough players have backed out of Saturday's Pro Bowl to play their own game -- 18 at last count. It's gotten so bad even designated replacements have sent in their regrets. Banged-up Rams
By Dave Reardon
stay in the game
dreardon@starbulletin.comKurt Warner could have made it 19 and it would be hard to blame him. The St. Louis Rams quarterback and NFL MVP aggravated a thumb injury in his team's Super Bowl loss to the Patriots on Sunday, and the entire world saw it.
He had the perfect excuse.
But excuses aren't what Warner is about.
"It's still a tremendous honor (to be voted to the Pro Bowl)," he said yesterday at the NFC practice at Ihilani. "I feel it's important to show respect to the game."
"It's still a little sore, still black and blue," Warner said. "It will probably be for another couple days."
Eagles' coach Andy Reid, the NFC's head man, knew Warner wouldn't find a reason to skip out on the Pro Bowl. Many others have in the past, especially after losing the Super Bowl.
"The kind of guy he is, you know he's coming. He's all right, said he feels all right," Reid said.
NFL players can afford to come here on their own and not have to practice and play a game.
All noble motivations aside, Warner said he likes spending a week in Hawaii in February. The thought of it.
"A lot of guys could take this or leave it, but I really do enjoy it," he said. "Spending time with the family, getting to know the other players."
Warner's teammate Marshall Faulk could have begged off, too. But despite a creaky knee, the player generally considered the league's best all-around running back decided to play, too.
"It's a great pleasure, always has been," said Faulk, who has had great games at Aloha Stadium, going back to his rampages against Hawaii as a San Diego State star. "Someone has to do it, and I'm not complaining. My knee's been bothering me a little bit, so I'll just try to get through practice and play the game.
"It's tougher when you're not playing (in the Super Bowl) to come out," he said.
Players whose teams don't make the Pro Bowl have about a month off between the end of the regular season and the Pro Bowl.
Warner still felt the sting yesterday of being upset in the Super Bowl three days prior.
"It was disappointing. But we don't need to hang our heads," Warner said. "It keeps you hungry."
Hungry enough to play one more game.
"I love it here," Faulk said. "I know Kurt loves it here, too."