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PWTRPWR
Buccaroo
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Joined: 27 Sep 2007
Posts: 987
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:40 pm Post subject: Bucs shutout from Pro Bowl |
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Dec 18, 2007 - If any Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing football in February, it will be in Glendale, Arizona, not Hawaii.
Though the Buccaneers are NFC South Division champs and, at 9-5, tied for the third-best record in the conference, they will not be represented in this year’s AFC-NFC Pro Bowl. The Pro Bowl teams were announced on Tuesday, and for the first time since 1995, the Buccaneers were completely shut out.
Tampa Bay is one of seven teams that did not have a player elected to the 2008 Pro Bowl. The others: Atlanta, Carolina, Detroit, Jacksonville, New Orleans and the New York Jets. Incredibly, not a single player from the entire NFC South division made the conference’s roster.
The Pro Bowl will be held on February 10 in Honolulu, one week after Super Bowl XLII is contested in Glendale’s University of Phoenix Stadium. Of the eight teams left out of the Pro Bowl this year, the Bucs are the only one that has already clinched a playoff spot and a shot at winning a Super Bowl berth. Jacksonville, however, can claim a very similar fate, as the Jaguars are 10-4 and likely to win one of the two AFC Wild Card berths.
Obviously, the Buccaneers believe they have players worthy of all-star recognition, but they could also view the snub as another indication of the outstanding depth and unity that has carried the club to the playoffs.
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" We are very proud of each player's performance this year."
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Even with the presence of such multiple Pro Bowl attendees as Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber, Jeff Garcia and Kevin Carter, this is not a star-driven team. The Buccaneers, who are ranked third in the league in overall defense, tied for first in points allowed and 10th in rushing yardage, would have a hard time identifying a runaway team MVP candidate. Many of the team’s most productive performers this year (e.g. Earnest Graham, Jovan Haye, Greg White, Donald Penn) are players who were not in prominent roles – or prominently featured in the national spotlight – when the 2007 season began.
There are on the other hand, several Buccaneers among the league leaders in different statistical categories in the NFC. Quarterback Jeff Garcia is third in passer rating (93.6) and first in interception percentage (1.3). Graham is sixth in rushing yards (877) and second in rushing touchdowns (10) despite not inheriting the starting job until Week Six. Wide receiver Joey Galloway is ninth in receiving yards (985) and first in yards per catch (17.6). Among defensive tackles, Jovan Haye is sixth in sacks (5.0) and first in fumble recoveries (5). White is tied for 10th among defensive ends in sacks (8.0).
The weight of those statistics were not enough, apparently, to put any one Buccaneer individual in the Pro Bowl, but they have combined to produce one of the better seasons in team history…and a still-alive shot at the Super Bowl.
“We are very proud of each player's performance this year,” said Head Coach Jon Gruden.
The Bucs’ shutout means the end of two lengthy all-star streaks. Linebacker Derrick Brooks, one of the most decorated players in league history, had made each of the last 10 Pro Bowls. Cornerback Ronde Barber was riding his own streak of three straight, and four in the last six years.
The Buccaneers had three players in last year’s Pro Bowl: Barber, Brooks and long-snapper Dave Moore. The Bucs were represented by at least two men every season from 1997-2006, with a high of nine in 2000.
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fan4ever
Buccaroo
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Joined: 28 Sep 2007
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Location: Central Florida
2001
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I hope they know the fans are proud of them anyway!!
Some of those votes are probably gotten in the same way as those click for cans votes!
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BF57
General Manager
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Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 376
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| With "America's Team" and the Packers doing good this was to be expected. |
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ilbuc
Buc Waterboy
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Joined: 17 Nov 2007
Posts: 82
Location: In the mirror
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:49 pm Post subject: |
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That's fine by me. This Bucs team is a COHESIVE unit...no "superstars" to speak of, but a LOT of GREAT players. I've never thought much of the Probowl anyways...matter of fact, I don't think I've watched a Probowl since I was 14 or 15 (for those who don't know me...that's 20+ years)
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fan4ever
Buccaroo
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Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 596
Location: Central Florida
2001
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| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:15 am Post subject: |
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LOL...I never watch it, either!
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OldBucsFan
Buc Waterboy
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Joined: 07 Nov 2007
Posts: 158
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| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:57 am Post subject: |
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| I'm going to Hawaii next year, but not for the pro bowl. I'm going in September on vacation. |
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RAI biglift
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Joined: 19 Dec 2007
Posts: 12
Location: Lakewood Ranch
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| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Well, that just goes to show respect... |
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