Despite top D, Bucs shut out

Tampa Bay is the only division winner not represented in voting for the Pro Bowl.

By JOANNE KORTH
Published December 19, 2007

Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks has been to the Pro Bowl each of the past 10 seasons.
	[Brendan Fitterer | Times]

Apparently, there is a decided drawback to the Bucs attributing so much of their success this season to the surprising contributions of largely no-name players.

No votes.

Despite winning the NFC South and having the league's No.1-ranked scoring defense, Tampa Bay did not have a single player voted to the 2008 Pro Bowl. Shut out for the first time since 1995, the Bucs are the only division winner not represented.

Announced Tuesday, the AFC and NFC rosters were chosen by a combined vote of fans, players and coaches. The game is Feb.10 in Hawaii.

Though Tampa Bay could have players selected as alternates, the snub could end linebacker Derrick Brooks' team-record streak of 10 consecutive appearances. Brooks played in 2007 as an alternate.

Cornerback Ronde Barber has played four Pro Bowls, including the past three.

"It's shocking that we're the No.1 scoring defense in the NFL, I think No.2 passing defense, and definitely No.1 in yards in the NFC and get nobody on the list," Barber said on his radio show on 620-AM. "But that's the way this thing works sometimes.

"And there's probably many, many reasons why, not least of which is that not a whole lot of people know about the guys on our football team. They will, obviously, once the playoffs start."

The Bucs are tied with the Steelers for the league's stingiest scoring defense, allowing 15.5 points per game. But beyond veterans Brooks and Barber, the unit is short on star power.

The team's leading tackler, middle linebacker Barrett Ruud, is in his first season as a starter. Strong safety Jermaine Phillips, who has a team-high four interceptions, rebounded from a bad season. And end Greg White, who leads the team with 8.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles, was in the Arena League four months ago.

"We all know it's a lobbying effort, popularity contest with the Pro Bowl every year," Barber said on the radio. "It can define you in the long run, but to me, year to year, it doesn't always say who the best players are."

Brooks and Barber continue to anchor one of the league's best units, but have not made the individual splash plays that typically get voters' attentions.

Brooks, 34, has three forced fumbles, but does not have an interception or fumble recovery.

Barber, 32, has two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Two of his returns were for touchdowns, but the second came Sunday, after voting was closed.

In the NFC, the starters at outside linebacker are Seattle's Julian Peterson and Dallas' DeMarcus Ware, with Chicago's Lance Briggs named the reserve. Though technically a linebacker, Ware is as much a stand-up end in the Cowboys' 3-4 scheme.

At cornerback, the NFC starters are Green Bay's Al Harris and Seattle's Marcus Trufant, backed up by Dallas' Terence Newman.

Also ignored by voters was Bucs receiver Joey Galloway, who is 15 yards shy of 1,000 and leads the league with eight catches of 40 or more yards this season. Galloway, who surpassed 10,000 receiving yards this season, has never been to a Pro Bowl in his 13-year career.

Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald and Dallas' Terrell Owens are the starters, Green Bay's Donald Driver and St. Louis' Torry Holt the reserves.

Overall in the NFC, East division winner Dallas led with 11 players selected, including Owens and quarterback Tony Romo. West winner Seattle had six players named. North winner Green Bay had four including starting quarterback Brett Favre.

The NFC will need at least one alternate at free safety, where the Redskins' Sean Taylor was voted the starter posthumously. Taylor, who died Nov.27 after being shot during a burglary in his South Florida home, was having an outstanding season, among the leading vote-getters before his death.

In the AFC, East division winner and undefeated New England had eight players selected, including quarterback Tom Brady and receiver Randy Moss. West champ San Diego also had eight selected, led by running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

Jacksonville, 10-4 and in line for an AFC wild-card berth, did not have a player named. Fred Taylor, who has never been to the Pro Bowl despite more than 10,000 career rushing yards, was left off in favor of Tomlinson, Indy's Joseph Addai and Pittsburgh's Willie Parker.

[Last modified December 18, 2007, 23:24:12]