NEW YORK – Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens were among nine Philadelphia Eagles voted to the Pro Bowl, the most representatives for a team since 1998.
The Eagles, who already clinched home-field advantage for the NFC playoffs with a 13-1 record, easily had the most Pro Bowlers in results announced Wednesday.
Joining quarterback McNabb and wide receiver Owens, who had ankle surgery Wednesday and is out for the rest of the regular season and perhaps the playoffs, were tackle Tra Thomas, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, placekicker David Akers, special teamer Ike Reese, and three of four secondary starters: cornerback Lito Sheppard and safeties Michael Lewis and Brian Dawkins.
“You just try to encourage all the guys,” McNabb said. “It’s good to see that Lito, Mike and Ike have made it and get an opportunity to get over there and get a good feel of All-Star play and to say that they’ve been a Pro Bowler. It says a lot for this organization, it says a lot for those players and it says a lot for this team.
“We’re going to continue this thing on and continue to open up eyes.”
Pittsburgh, the league’s other 13-1 team, had the next-most selections in balloting by players, coaches and fans. The Steelers had six: linebackers Joey Porter and James Farrior, safety Troy Polamalu, center Jeff Hartings, guard Alan Faneca and wide receiver Hines Ward. That led the AFC, ahead of Baltimore and Kansas City with five each, while Indianapolis and New England had four apiece.
Green Bay, Atlanta and Dallas had four each in the NFC for the game in Honolulu on Feb. 13.
For only the third time, a set of brothers made the same Pro Bowl. Cornerback Ronde Barber of Tampa Bay and running back Tiki Barber of the Giants were selected for the NFC roster _ the first twins to make it.
The other brothers were Bruce and Clay Matthews in 1989 and 1990, Sterling and Shannon Sharpe from 1993-95.
Peyton Manning set a record in the fan voting and was a runaway choice for AFC quarterback, along with the Patriots’ Tom Brady and the Chargers’ Drew Bress.
“I certainly appreciate it,” said Manning, who is one touchdown pass short of Dan Marino’s record of 48 in a season. “I know it’s voted on by my peers, by the coaches and the fans, and I’m proud to represent the Colts there.”
The other Colts on the AFC roster were wide receiver Marvin Harrison, running back Edgerrin James and defensive end Dwight Freeney, the league’s sacks leader with 15.
On becoming first Colts defender since end John Dutton from 1975-77 to make it in two straight years, Freeney said, “You want to make it a consistent thing.”
Two consistent Pro Bowlers, Vikings wideout Randy Moss and Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, did not make it, mostly because of injuries. Also absent were such frequent Pro Bowl choices as Green Bay QB Brett Favre, St. Louis RB Marshall Faulk, Philadelphia DE Jevon Kearse and Oakland CB Charles Woodson.
Curtis Martin, the league’s leading rusher with 1,511 yards, was one of three Jets chosen, joining defensive end John Abraham and center Kevin Mawae. Martin is having one of the best seasons of a 10-year career in which he has rushed for at least 1,000 yards each time.
“It feels good to do it in your 10th year, especially at the position like running back,” he said. “There are so many other good talented running backs in the NFL, some of whom I feel have much more talent than I do. To be chosen over some of them, it feels good.”
The other AFC running back was San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson. The NFC runners were Shaun Alexander of Seattle and Ahman Green of Green Bay.
Joining McNabb as NFC quarterbacks were Michael Vick of Atlanta and Daunte Culpepper of Minnesota.
Other perennial Pro Bowlers who made the NFC roster were tackles Walter Jones of Seattle and Orlando Pace of St. Louis; guard Larry Allen of Dallas; center Matt Birk of Minnesota; defensive tackle La’Roi Glover of Dallas; and linebacker Derrick Brooks of Tampa Bay.
For the AFC, repeaters included tackles William Roaf of Kansas City and Jonathan Ogden of Baltimore; guard Will Shields of Kansas City; tight end Tony Gonzalez of the Chiefs; defensive end Jason Taylor Miami; linebacker Ray Lewis of Baltimore; and cornerback Chris McAlister of Baltimore.
Tennessee, Cleveland and San Francisco had no players selected.
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