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Gannon fire rips NFC

The Raiders QB is as perfect as the Bucs players are quiet in an AFC victory in the Pro Bowl.

[AP photo] Buccaneers' Randall McDaniel, right, blocks against Denver Broncos' defensive tackle Trevor Pryce during Sunday's Pro Bowl.

By RICK STROUD

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 5, 2001

HONOLULU -- It took Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon 13 years to make his first start in the Pro Bowl.

He made sure it was worth the wait.

Three weeks after being knocked out of the AFC Championship Game with a separated shoulder, Gannon completed 12 of 14 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter to lead the AFC to a 38-17 victory Sunday over the NFC in the Pro Bowl.

The 35-year-old Gannon, flawlessly executing plays called by Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden, was named the most valuable player.

"It was just a good day," said Gannon, who led the Raiders to 13 victories before losing to eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore in the AFC title game. "I've got a lot of experience in this system, and everything fell into place for us.

"We didn't finish the season the way we wanted to. But to be recognized by your peers, the coaches and the fans is a great reward."

Gannon led scoring drives of 87 and 90 yards the first two times the AFC had the ball. He was replaced late in the first quarter by Peyton Manning, who tossed touchdowns to Colts teammate Marvin Harrison and Jimmy Smith of the Jaguars.

[AP photo] Oakland Raiders' quarterback Rich Gannon holds the Dan McGuire trophy for best player of the game.

Gannon's favorite target was Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez. Making his second Pro Bowl appearance at age 24, Gonzalez caught six passes for 108 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half.

"Defense wins championships, but in the Pro Bowl, offense is what everybody wants to see," Gonzalez said. "It's so hard to run the ball in this game with how fast everyone is, you have to throw it.

"I was pretty confident I could get open. I was getting something I don't see ever during the year and that's man-to-man coverage."

With a league-high nine Tampa Bay players in the Pro Bowl, you would think the Bucs might have a big impact on the game.

Think again.

Aside from Martin Gramatica's 48-yard field goal and an unsuccessful onside kickoff, a sack by defensive tackle Warren Sapp and some nice catch-and-runs by running back Warrick Dunn, they were quiet. Dunn finished with seven catches for 69 yards and two carries for 13 yards.

Mostly, the Bucs were part of an NFC defense that spent the day retreating.

"I think he (Gannon) was playing his offense and it showed," Bucs safety John Lynch said. "We had a couple of mix-ups on the first drive. We had two breakdowns in terms of who was on the backs. It was a mess. But I thought we settled down in the second half."

It was a particularly cruel deja vu for NFC coach Dennis Green. Counting his 41-0 loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game, the Vikings coach saw his teams outscored 58-0.

Gramatica's field goal ended the scoreless streak with 9:17 remaining in the second quarter.

The AFC scored on its first three possessions of the first half and only punted once, building a 24-3 lead.

"It's always hard in that type of game to come back," Bucs cornerback Donnie Abraham said.

Making his first Pro Bowl appearance, Vikings quarterback Duante Culpepper looked as hapless as he did in the NFC Championship Game. He completed 2 of 9 passes for 11 yards in the first half and failed to pick up a first down for the NFC. He was intercepted by the Dolphins' Brock Marion in the end zone.

Dunn caught passes of 28 and 13 yards to start the second half, setting up the NFC's first touchdown, a 17-yard pass from Donovan McNabb of the Eagles to Terrell Owens of the 49ers.

"We thought we had to come out throwing, and when we scored we thought we could catch a break. When we made it 24-10 we thought we had a chance," Dunn said.

Gramatica attempted an onside kick, but the ball was fielded by Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas, who fumbled but recovered.

"We saw them leaning every time on the kickoff so we tried it to the right," Gramatica said. "They did a good job of covering it. I don't know if I stripped the ball or not."

Culpepper (9-of-21, 81 yards) returned in the third quarter to throw a 20-yard touchdown to Rams receiver Torry Holt, cutting the AFC lead to 31-17. But Colts running back Edgerrin James answered with a 20-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.

But by far, the all-star that shined the brightest was Gannon.

"He finished the season with a serious injury, a third-degree separation," Gruden said. "For him to win 13 games and be voted to start the Pro Bowl I think says a lot about Rich Gannon."

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