AFC-NFC PRO BOWL

There might be an influx of first-timers but the veterans are...

Long in the Tooth

KIP AOKI / KAOKI@STARBULLETIN.COM
The Pro Bowl has taken on a distinctly veteran flavor with, from left, Rod Smith, Trent Green, Robbie Tobeck and Larry Allen playing this year. All of them are 35 years old.

By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

Hawaii in February never gets old for NFL players ... even though they themselves do.

"It's a vacation for me and the family," 34-year-old Cowboys guard Larry Allen said. "It's always wonderful to be here."

Today's Pro Bowl is the 10th NFL All-Star game for Allen, who just completed his 12th season in the league, all with Dallas.

And the old guard is not the only member of the old guard represented.

Reversing a recent trend of younger Pro Bowl rosters, 18 players with at least 10 years in the league will suit up for today's 1 p.m. kickoff. The game is sold out, but will be shown live on ESPN.

Eleven from the AFC and seven from the NFC have reached double digits in years of service. Curiously, neither of the kickers -- the players with the most longevity -- are among them. Arizona's Neil Rackers and Cincinnati's Shayne Graham are in their sixth and fifth NFL seasons.

The AFC vets are quarterback Trent Green (Chiefs), cornerback Ty Law (Jets), fullback Lorenzo Neal (Chargers), safety John Lynch (Broncos), center Jeff Hartings (Steelers), guard Will Shields (Chiefs), offensive tackle Willie Anderson (Bengals), offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (Ravens), wide receiver Rod Smith (Broncos), wide receiver Marvin Harrison (Colts) and quarterback Steve McNair (Titans).

In addition to Allen, the NFC has long snapper Mike Bartrum (Eagles), linebacker Derrick Brooks (Bucs), safety Brian Dawkins (Eagles), defensive end Michael Strahan (Giants), fullback Mack Strong (Seahawks) and center Robbie Tobeck (Seahawks).

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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tiki Barber led the Giants in rushing this past season.

Many are familiar names even to casual fans, but Bartrum, Strong and Tobeck are first-time Pro Bowlers.

Strong helped pave the way for NFL MVP Shaun Alexander to rush for 1,880 yards and score 28 touchdowns in 2005. The 13-year veteran said he never gave up on the idea of making it to the Pro Bowl.

"It's always been in the back of my mind every season, thinking I might accomplish that. To be voted in by your peers, that says a lot," Strong said yesterday. "We had a lot of success as a football team, and that contributed to it, as well. It's something that's always been among my personal goals. For whatever reason, it didn't happen until now. It's great. It's been a great experience. It's been everything I thought it would be."

Lynch, another 13-year veteran, is here for his seventh Pro Bowl. He's been coming to the islands for sports even before that, since 1990, when he pitched for Stanford against the University of Hawaii. Now he comes with his family even during years he's not playing in the game.

"It never gets old. We get over here twice a year if we can, go see the other islands, tour around," Lynch said. "It's as much a trip to say thank you to them for putting up with me being gone and everything. The aloha spirit's won me over."

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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Broncos receiver Rod Smith, who is 35 years old, is playing in his third Pro Bowl.

McNair said he had his bags packed, ready to go, when he got a call during the week asking him to replace Denver's Jake Plummer, who pulled out because of injury. McNair, in his 11th year, is excited about the Pro Bowl because he was so banged up the other two he was chosen. In 2000, he had a shoulder injury and didn't play, and in 2003 he started but left after four plays (including a 90-yard touchdown pass) with an ankle injury.

"I think it's all about the individual situations people have, whether they want to play in the game or not," McNair said. "A lot of guys take it as a responsibility. But it's also a great opportunity for fun and relaxation, take a little vacation. After a long season, some of us older guys need something like this."

Brooks is here for his ninth Pro Bowl in 11 NFL seasons. He said he's been tempted to take the Pro Bowl off because of the wear and tear of the season but always decides to get on the plane to Honolulu.

"It used to be guys get hurt and can't come, so you get a younger player here. Now, for the most part, if a veteran guy's healthy he's going to participate. I can say that's been my case. I've been hurt the past few years, but now I'm healthy and participating."

Strong came to Hawaii last year to watch the Pro Bowl.

"I had a great time and definitely knew I wanted to come back and play in it at some point. I didn't know it would be the next year. Definitely a dream come true."

Allen looked around the NFC locker room when asked if he noticed the influx of players approaching the twilights of their NFL careers in this year's Pro Bowl.

"That's true, there are a lot of familiar faces around here," he said.

In the cases of Strong, Tobeck and Bartrum, familiar, but not in this environment.

"I think it's great that some of us guys are getting recognized late in our careers," Strong said. "It shows that it can happen if you just hang in there."

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DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Cowboys guard Larry Allen gave the shaka sign as he walked to the NFC's Pro Bowl practice at the Ihilani last week. Allen is in his 10th Pro Bowl this year.


Pro Bowl Through the Years

1971
NFC 27
AFC 6
Jan. 24, Los Angeles
Att.: 48,222
MVP: Mel Renfro, Dallas and Fred Carr, Green Bay

1972
AFC 26
NFC 13
Jan. 23, Los Angeles
Att.: 53,647
MVP: Jan Stenerud, Kansas City and Willy Lanier, Kansas City

1973
AFC 33
NFC 28
Jan. 21, Irving, Texas
Att.: 37,091
MVP: O.J. Simpson, Buffalo

1974
AFC 15
NFC 13
Jan. 20, Kansas City
Att.: 66,918
MVP: Garo Yepremian, Miami

1975
NFC 17
AFC 10
Jan. 20, Miami Att.: 26,484
MVP: James Harris, Los Angeles

1976
NFC 23
AFC 20
Jan. 26, New Orleans Att.: 30,546
MVP: Billy Johnson, Houston

1977
AFC 24
NFC 14
Jan. 17, Seattle Att.: 64,752
MVP: Mel Blount, Pittsburgh

1978
NFC 14
AFC 13
Jan. 23, Tampa, Fla. Att.: 51,337
MVP: Walter Payton, Chicago

1979
NFC 13
AFC 7
Jan. 29, Los Angeles Att.: 46,281
MVP: Ahmad Rashad, Minnesota

1980
NFC 37
AFC 27
Jan. 27, Game moves to Honolulu Att.: 49,800
MVP: Chuck Muncie, New Orleans

1981
NFC 21
AFC 7
Feb. 1, Att.: 50,360
MVP: Eddie Murray, Detroit

1982
AFC 16
NFC 13
Jan. 31, Att.: 50,402
MVP: Kellen Winslow, San Diego and Lee Roy Selmon, Tampa Bay

1983
NFC 20
AFC 19
Feb. 6, Att.: 49,883
MVP: Dan Fouts, San Diego and John Jefferson, Green Bay

1984
NFC 45
AFC 3
Jan. 29, Att.: 50,445
MVP: Joe Theismann, Washington

1985
AFC 22
NFC 14
Jan. 27, Att.: 50,385
MVP: Mark Gastineau, New York Jets

1986
NFC 28
AFC 24
Feb. 2, Att.: 50,101
MVP: Phil Simms, New York Giants

1987
AFC 10
NFC 6
Feb. 1, Att.: 50,101
MVP: Reggie White, Philadelphia

1988
AFC 15
NFC 6
Feb. 7, Att.: 50,113
MVP: Bruce Smith, Buffalo

1989
AFC 34
NFC 3
Jan. 29, Att.: 50,113
MVP: Randall Cunningham, Philadelphia

1990
NFC 27
AFC 21
Feb. 4, Att.: 50,445
MVP: Jerry Gray, L.A. Rams

1991
AFC 23
NFC 21
Feb. 3, Att.: 50,345
MVP: Jim Kelly, Buffalo

1992
NFC 21
AFC 15
Feb. 2, Att.: 50,209
MVP: Michael Irvin, Dallas

1993
AFC 23
NFC 20
Feb. 7, Att.: 50,007
MVP: Steve Tasker, Buffalo

1994
NFC 17
AFC 3
Feb. 6, Att.: 50,026
MVP: Andre Rison, Atlanta

1995
AFC 41
NFC 13
Feb. 5, Att.: 49,121
MVP: Marshall Faulk, Indianapolis

1996
NFC 20
AFC 13
Feb. 4, Att.: 50,034
MVP: Jerry Rice, San Francisco

1997
AFC 26
NFC 23
Feb. 2, Att.: 50,031
MVP: Mark Brunell, Jacksonville

1998
AFC 29
NFC 24
Feb. 1, Att.: 49,995
MVP: Warren Moon, Seattle

1999
AFC 23
NFC 10
Feb. 7, Att.: 50,075
MVP: Keyshawn Johnson, New York Jets and Ty Law, New England

2000
NFC 51
AFC 31
Feb. 6, Att.: 50,112
MVP: Randy Moss, Minnesota

2001
AFC 38
NFC 17
Feb. 4, Att.: 50,128
MVP: Rich Gannon, Oakland

2002
AFC 38
NFC 30
Feb. 9, Att.: 50,112
MVP: Rich Gannon, Oakland

2003
AFC 45
NFC 20
Feb. 2, Att.: 50,125
MVP: Ricky Williams, Miami

2004
AFC 52
NFC 55
Feb. 8, Att.: 50,127
MVP: Marc Bulger, St. Louis

2005
AFC 38
NFC 27
Feb. 13, Att.: 50,225
MVP: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis

National Football Conference

Players with team, position, height, weight and the number of Pro Bowl appearances:

No. Name POS. Ht. Wt. Bowls
1 Neil Rackers, Atl. K 6-1 207 1
7 Michael Vick, Atl. QB 6-0 215 3
8 Matt Hasselbeck, Sea. QB 6-4 223 2
9 Josh Bidwell, T.B. P
6-3 220 1
11 Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz. WR 6-3 221 1
17 Jake Delhomme, Car. QB 6-2 215 1
18 Koren Robinson, Minn. KR 6-1 205 1
20 Ronde Barber, T.B. CB 5-10 184 3
20 Brian Dawkins, Phil. SS 6-0 210 5
21 Tiki Barber, N.Y.G. RB 5-10 200 2
21 DeAngelo Hall, Atl. CB 5-10 197 1
28 Warrick Dunn, Atl. RB 5-9 180 3
31 Nathan Vasher, Chi. CB 5-10 180 1
31 Roy Williams, Dal. SS 6-0 226 3
37 Shaun Alexander, Sea. RB 5-11 225 3
38 Mack Strong, Sea. FB 6-0 245 1
42 Darren Sharper, Minn. FS 6-2 210 3
51 Lofa Tatupu, Sea. LB 5-11 226 1
54 Jeremiah Trotter, Phil. MLB 6-1 262 3
55 Lance Briggs, Chi. LB 6-1 238 1
55 Derrick Brooks, T.B. OLB 6-0 235 9
56 Keith Brooking, Atl. OLB 6-2 245 5
60 Chris Samuels, Wash. T 6-5 302 3
61 Robbie Tobeck, Sea. C 6-4 297 1
65 LeCharles Bentley, N.O. C 6-2 313 2
68 Mike Wahle, Car. G 6-6 304 1
71 Walter Jones, Sea. T 6-5 315 6
72 Osi Umenyiora, N.Y.G. DE 6-3 280 1
73 Larry Allen, Dal. G 6-3 325 10
76 Steve Hutchinson, Sea. G 6-5 313 3
76 Orlando Pace, St.L T 6-7 325 7
81 Torry Holt, St.L WR 6-0 190 5
82 Jason Witten, Dal. TE 6-5 261 2
83 Alge Crumpler, Atl. TE 6-2 262 3
85 David Tyree, N.Y.G. ST 6-0 205 1
88 Mike Bartrum, Phil. LS 6-4 245 1
89 Santana Moss, Wash. WR 5-10 185 1
89 Steve Smith, Car. WR 5-9 185 2
90 Julius Peppers, Car. DE 6-6 283 2
91 Tommie Harris, Chi. DT 6-3 300 1
92 Shaun Rogers, Det. DT 6-4 345 2
92 Michael Strahan, N.Y.G. DE 6-5 272 7
97 La'Roi Glover, Dal. DT 6-2 290 6

American Football Conference

Players with team, position, height, weight and the number of Pro Bowl appearances:

No. Name POS. Ht. Wt. bowls
8 Brian Moorman, Buf. P
6-0 175 1
9 Steve McNair, Tenn. QB 6-2 235 3
10 Trent Green, K.C. QB 6-3 217 2
13 Jerome Mathis, Hou. KR 5-11 181 1
17 Shayne Graham, Cin. K 6-0 197 1
18 Peyton Manning, Ind. QB 6-5 230 6
21 Bob Sanders, Ind. FS 5-8 206 1
21 LaDainian Tomlinson, S.D. RB 5-10 221 3
24 Champ Bailey, Den. CB 6-0 192 6
24 Ty Law, N.Y.J. CB 5-11 200 5
24 Deltha O'Neal, Cin. CB 5-11 190 2
27 Larry Johnson, K.C. RB 6-1 230 1
31 Hanik Milligan, S.D. ST 6-3 200 1
32 Edgerrin James, Ind. RB 6-0 214 4
41 Lorenzo Neal, S.D. FB 5-11 255 2
43 Troy Polamalu, Pitt. SS 5-10 212 2
47 John Lynch, Den. FS 6-2 220 7
51 Jonathan Vilma, N.Y.J. LB 6-1 230 1
54 Mike Schneck, Buff. LS 6-0 237 1
54 Brian Waters, K.C. G 6-3 318 2
55 Joey Porter, Pitt. OLB 6-3 250 3
56 Shawne Merriman, S.D. LB 6-4 272 1
56 Al Wilson, Den. LB 6-0 240 4
56 Derrick Burgess, Oak. DE 6-2 260 1
59 Cato June, Ind. LB 6-0 227 1
63 Jeff Saturday, Ind. C 6-2 295 1
64 Jeff Hartings, Pitt. C 6-3 299 2
66 Alan Faneca, Pitt. G 6-5 307 5
68 Will Shields, K.C. G 6-3 320 11
71 Willie Anderson, Cin. T 6-5 340 3
75 Jonathan Ogden, Balt. T 6-9 345 9
76 Jamal Williams, S.D. DT 6-3 348 1
78 Tarik Glenn, Ind. T 6-5 332 2
80 Rod Smith, Den. WR 6-0 200 3
84 Chris Chambers, Mia. WR 5-11 210 1
85 Antonio Gates, S.D. TE 6-4 260 2
85 Chad Johnson, Cin. WR 6-1 192 3
88 Tony Gonzalez, K.C. TE 6-5 251 7
88 Marvin Harrison, Ind. WR 6-0 175 7
93 Dwight Freeney, Ind. DE 6-1 268 3
93 Kyle Vanden Bosch, Tenn. DE 6-4 278 1
98 Casey Hampton, Pitt. DT 6-1 325 2
99 Marcus Stroud, Jax. DT 6-6 312 3



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