Quarles added to Pro Bowl

The Bucs LB, in Hawaii already, replaces Atlanta's Keith Brooking.

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 1, 2003

[AP photo] Bucs running back Mike Alstott, right, and Saints special-teams Pro Bowl pick Fred McAfee chat at practice.

He made an exception this year, then discovered Friday he was here for the right reason.

Quarles, the Bucs middle linebacker, was added to the NFC squad Friday when Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking was forced to pull out after straining a hamstring during the lineman challenge competition Thursday.

The fact that Quarles and his wife, Damaris, already were in Honolulu as guests of Derrick Brooks turned out to be sheer serendipity.

"We just talked about that last night," Brooks said. "We were out and we were talking about (Warren) Sapp not playing, and he was like, 'Hey, man, I'll put on some pads and come play.' "

As the NFC team practiced at Aloha Stadium, Quarles was being informed he had been added to the roster -- and Quarles already being in Hawaii did not factor into the appointment. He was the first alternate behind Brooking.

"It's great news," Quarles said. "I had always told my wife the only time I'd go is if I make it to the Pro Bowl team. We decided to break that rule when Derrick gave us an opportunity to come out here. I was kind of reluctant but we decided to come out, spend some time with him and celebrate his year. And I would up coming for the right reason, anyway. I guess God had a different plan."

Quarles became the seventh Buc to be named to the NFC team, the most for Tampa Bay since it had nine players after the 2000 season.

[AP photo] Bucs quarterback Brad Johnson, named as a Pro Bowl replacement after Brett Favre and Michael Vick pulled out, practices for the NFC.

Sapp pulled out Wednesday to have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

The addition of Quarles delighted his teammates, who thought he was overlooked after moving to middle linebacker last offseason.

"That is so well-deserving, too," safety John Lynch said. "That is awesome. That is terrific news. ... I think everyone in Tampa appreciated him, but I think he really got the recognition he deserved because the guy was phenomenal this year."

Quarles had career highs in tackles (159), interceptions (two) and passes defensed (five). Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher will start for the NFC with Quarles as his backup.

"I definitely thought I would be effective playing middle linebacker," Quarles said. "My biggest concern was not letting down any of our guys on the team. I picked up the position quickly and I thought I played pretty well.

"I'd never won anything in football until this year. To get to this point in my career and to have won the Super Bowl, I guess this was the next step on the ladder, even if I was added because of an injury."