Seahawks’ Randle and Jones named to AFC’s Pro Bowl team

By Scott M. Johnson

Herald Writer

KIRKLAND – As he waded through the locker room after a Wednesday afternoon practice, John Randle found a group of people blocking his way.

“Watch out,” the Seattle Seahawks’ veteran defensive tackle said, “old man coming through.”

At 34, Randle might be old by NFL standards. But his inclusion on the AFC Pro Bowl squad, which had been announced earlier in the day, proves that he’s not washed up yet.

“It shows people that I’m not dead, that I’m not too old,” Randle said after learning of his seventh selection in the past nine seasons. “I may be older, but not old. I’m more mature, but I’m still playing hard. I feel good. My body feels good.”

Randle will be joined on the team by a younger teammate who might be turning into a perennial Pro Bowl player as well. Offensive tackle Walter Jones will make his second appearance, although this is the first time he’s been voted into the Pro Bowl. He attended the 1999 game as an alternate after Jacksonville’s Tony Boselli bowed out with an injury.

Jones, Lincoln Kennedy of Oakland and Jonathan Ogden of Baltimore are the three tackles selected to play in the Feb. 9 game. Starters will not be announced until next week.

“It was a goal of mine, but my main (goal) was to do whatever it takes to help this team win,” said Jones, 27. “If (winning) comes with making the Pro Bowl, that’s fine with me.”

Jones is in the final year of his current contract, and signing him will be the Seahawks’ main priority of the offseason.

Randle is making his first Pro Bowl appearance since 1998, which at the time marked his sixth such game in a row. His 11 sacks are the most on the team and the highest total for Randle since 1997.

“I really believed he could contribute to our success, and he has done that,” said coach Mike Holmgren, who signed Randle to a five-year free agent deal worth $25 million in March. “I never doubted his ability to play. He will continue to play. How long he is going to play at a certain level, we’ll see. But he can still play, and he’s proven that.”

Randle is joined by Baltimore’s Sam Adams, a former Seahawk, and Denver’s Trevor Pryce as the AFC’s defensive tackles.

Linebacker Chad Brown and punter Jeff Feagles are first alternates for the Pro Bowl, while running back Shaun Alexander is a second alternate. Brown could still make the team, as coaches are allowed to add one ”need player” that must either be a linebacker or defensive end.

Alexander has rushed for 1,191 yards while starting 11 games this season, but lost out to Jerome Bettis (Pittsburgh), Curtis Martin (New York Jets) and Priest Holmes (Kansas City).

“My year was a Pro Bowl year, but I didn’t play in all the games,” Alexander said, referring to the four games where he was used sparingly as Ricky Watters’ backup. “If I had four more games, I think I’d be there. But I didn’t make it, so there’s no use crying over spilled milk.”

Rogers honored: Return man Charlie Rogers was named the AFC’s special teams player of the week after averaging 30.4 yards on five kickoff returns Sunday at San Diego.

Rogers’ most important play was a 64-yard return that set up the game-winning field goal in the final seconds of the game.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized like that,” said Rogers, who has had a relatively quiet year and hasn’t even cracked the AFC’s top 10 in kickoff returns. “Most importantly, I’m glad that I could help our team win and keep our playoff chances alive.”

Former Seahawks quarterback Jon Kitna, now with the Cincinnati Bengals, was named the AFC’s offensive player of the week after throwing for 411 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Pittsburgh. Seattle’s Trent Dilfer received honorable mention.

Injury update: Fullback Mack Strong (ankle), cornerback Shawn Springs (hamstring), offensive lineman Chris McIntosh (stinger), defensive end Michael Sinclair (hamstring), defensive end Lamar King (calf), linebacker Marcus Bell (stinger) and cornerback Ken Lucas (knee) were held out of practice Wednesday.

King and Bell are listed as doubtful on the team’s injury report, while Lucas, Sinclair and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck are questionable. Lucas will miss today’s practice to attend the funeral of his grandmother.

Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil said the Chiefs will probably be without only one player: tight end Jason Dunn (elbow).

Quick slants: The Chiefs started the season 1-6, but have gone 5-3 since. … About 13,000 tickets remain for Sunday’s game. Although the television blackout deadline is today at 1 p.m., the team could get a 24-hour extension because of the holidays.