In down year, Barber stands tall

Early edition: The cornerback is the lone Buc named to the Pro Bowl. Derrick Brooks’ streak ends.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published December 19, 2006

TAMPA — The Bucs have had so little to celebrate this season, one of the franchise’s worst.

But that changed, if only for a moment, on Tuesday when cornerback Ronde Barber was named an NFC starter for the Pro Bowl. It was Barber’s third straight season being selected for the NFL’s all-star showcase and his fourth overall.

But that welcome news was offset by a disappointing development for the Bucs: Barber was the only  player chosen, meaning linebacker Derrick Brooks will likely have his streak of nine straight Pro Bowl trips snapped.

Brooks, the player of the game in last season’s Pro Bowl, likely was a victim of his slow start and his team’s poor record (3-11 with two games remaining).

Brooks’ streak was a franchise record and ranks fourth in league history among linebackers, putting him in elite company. At the position, only Junior Seau (11 straight), Mike Singletary (10) and Lawrence Taylor (10) can boast of more consecutive Pro Bowl selections.

Now, Brooks’ only chance to return to Hawaii for the Feb.10 game is as a replacement. He was chosen as a first alternate at outside linebacker, meaning he would get the call only if one of the three selected players is unable or unwilling to play.

Chicago’s Lance Briggs, Seattle’s Julian Peterson and Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware are the NFC’s outside linebackers.

Voting for the Pro Bowl combines coaches, players, and about 70-million fans, with each group’s votes counting one-third toward the total. Coaches and players are not permitted to vote for players on their own teams.

The Bucs had two other alternates: cornerback Torrie Cox is a first alternate on special teams and Mike Alstott is third alternate at fullback.

For Barber, his selection to the Pro Bowl this season might be his most unlikely, considering the team’s record and the inconsistent performances of the defense.

Still, Barber shined under difficult circumstances.

He surpassed 100 tackles  for a fourth straight season and provided perhaps the season’s most stunning individual performance with his pair of interception returns for touchdowns in a win against Philadelphia in October.

“Any time the fans, players and coaches recognize what you do every Sunday, it is very humbling and a great honor,” Barber said in a prepared statement.

“I am fortunate to be surrounded by a great group of teammates and coaches that allow me to do what I love at a high level. I look forward to representing the organization and all of the Buccaneers fans at the Pro Bowl.”

Barber’s solo trip marks the first time since 1996 Tampa Bay will have only one representative. The Bucs narrowly avoided their first shutout in the game since 1995, when they finished 7-9 under coach Sam Wyche.

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at 813-226-3377 or sholder@sptimes.com.

[Last modified December 19, 2006, 20:46:18]