AFC beats NFC 41-34 in Pro Bowl
MIAMI (AP)—In its new role as a warmup to the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl becamea series of wind sprints.
Long gains were the rule and hard hitting was the exception as the AFC beatthe NFC 41-34 on Sunday night.
Light showers fell for much of the game, stirring memories of a rainy SuperBowl in Miami three years ago. But uniforms remained mostly spotless, with morepushing and shoving than tackling.
“It’s different. It was like 7 on 7,” NFC linebacker Brian Orakpo(notes) said.“Everybody came out here trying not to get hurt and give the fans a good show”
Miami Dolphins safety Yeremiah… AP – Jan 31, 11:14 pm EST ![]()
Houston Texans quarterback Mat… AP – Jan 31, 11:12 pm EST ![]()
Houston Texans quarterback Mat… AP – Jan 31, 11:06 pm EST ![]()
Philadelphia Eagles' Jon D… AP – Jan 31, 11:06 pm EST ![]()
Houston Texans quarterback Mat… AP – Jan 31, 11:06 pm EST ![]()
Houston Texans quarterback Mat… AP – Jan 31, 11:06 pm EST ![]()
Houston Texans quarterback Mat… AP – Jan 31, 10:48 pm EST ![]()
Tennessee Titans running back … AP – Jan 31, 10:38 pm EST ![]()
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiv… AP – Jan 31, 10:00 pm EST ![]()
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver M… AP – Jan 31, 10:00 pm EST ![]()
Jacksonville Jaguars running b… AP – Jan 31, 9:57 pm EST ![]()
San Diego Chargers wide receiv… AP – Jan 31, 9:36 pm EST ![]()
Philadelphia Eagles quarterbac… AP – Jan 31, 9:36 pm EST ![]()
San Diego Chargers wide receiv… AP – Jan 31, 9:36 pm EST ![]()
New Orleans Saints' Darren… AP – Jan 31, 9:34 pm EST ![]()
New Orleans Saints' Drew B… AP – Jan 31, 9:33 pm EST ![]()
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker… AP – Jan 31, 9:33 pm EST ![]()
AFC team coach Norv Turner is … AP – Jan 31, 9:33 pm EST ![]()
Philadelphia Eagles quarterbac… AP – Jan 31, 9:17 pm EST ![]()
Philadelphia Eagles wide recei… AP – Jan 31, 9:16 pm EST ![]()
Arizona Cardinals defensive en… AP – Jan 31, 9:16 pm EST ![]()
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker… AP – Jan 31, 8:50 pm EST ![]()
Tennessee Titans quarterback V… AP – Jan 31, 8:50 pm EST ![]()
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ton… AP – Jan 31, 8:46 pm EST ![]()
Green Bay Packers quarterback … AP – Jan 31, 8:45 pm EST ![]()
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker… AP – Jan 31, 8:37 pm EST ![]()
Cleveland Browns' Joshua C… AP – Jan 31, 8:35 pm EST ![]()
New York Giants wide receiver … AP – Jan 31, 8:30 pm EST ![]()
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mike… AP – Jan 31, 8:29 pm EST ![]()
Denver Broncos wide receiver B… AP – Jan 31, 8:29 pm EST ![]()
New York Giants wide receiver … AP – Jan 31, 8:29 pm EST ![]()
Tennessee Titans running back … AP – Jan 31, 8:28 pm EST ![]()
Oakland Raiders kicker Shane L… AP – Jan 31, 8:21 pm EST ![]()
Houston Texans quarterback Mat… AP – Jan 31, 8:05 pm EST ![]()
Fans watch as players are intr… AP – Jan 31, 8:04 pm EST ![]()
New Orleans Saints quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:04 pm EST ![]()
Indianapolis Colts quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:03 pm EST ![]()
Green Bay Packers safety Nick … AP – Jan 31, 8:03 pm EST ![]()
Indianapolis Colts quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:03 pm EST ![]()
New Orleans Saints quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:03 pm EST ![]()
Indianapolis Colts quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:03 pm EST ![]()
Green Bay Packers quarterback … AP – Jan 31, 8:02 pm EST ![]()
Indianapolis Colts quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:02 pm EST ![]()
Indianapolis Colts quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:02 pm EST ![]()
Oakland Raiders kicker Shane L… AP – Jan 31, 8:01 pm EST ![]()
New Orleans Saints Drew Brees(… AP – Jan 31, 8:01 pm EST ![]()
New Orleans Saints quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:01 pm EST ![]()
Cleveland Browns' Joshua C… AP – Jan 31, 8:00 pm EST ![]()
New Orleans Saints quarterback… AP – Jan 31, 8:00 pm EST ![]()
Cleveland Browns' Joshua C… AP – Jan 31, 8:00 pm EST ![]()
A fan takes some pictures befo… AP – Jan 31, 8:00 pm EST ![]()
Former Miami Dolphins player N… AP – Jan 31, 6:11 pm EST ![]()
Former Miami Dolphins quarterb… AP – Jan 31, 5:57 pm EST ![]()
Former Miami Dolphins head coa… AP – Jan 31, 5:56 pm EST ![]()
Former Miami Dophins head coac… AP – Jan 31, 5:53 pm EST ![]()
Former Miami Dolphins head coa… AP – Jan 31, 5:53 pm EST ![]()
Fans arrive at Sun Life Stadiu… AP – Jan 31, 5:18 pm EST ![]()
A vendor holds up a program ou… AP – Jan 31, 5:04 pm EST ![]()
Olivia Fay, 9, of Miami spins … AP – Jan 31, 5:02 pm EST ![]()
FILE – This Sept. 20, 2009, fi… AP – Jan 31, 4:30 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 59; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb16402010412.pro_bowl_football_pb164.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=92&yc=1&wc=228&hc=253&q=70&sig=8Bovmas.VfCAhQY76sQc_g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb16002010406.pro_bowl_football_pb160.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=83&yc=1&wc=246&hc=273&q=70&sig=3MGLuFW0Edk124bNRAcY0Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb16202010406.pro_bowl_football_pb162.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=260&hc=289&q=70&sig=BW3A5r8poY3kvTGx93bQVg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb15902010406.pro_bowl_football_pb159.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=76&yc=1&wc=259&hc=288&q=70&sig=qgITmL.OSRjqNNqq94duyw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb16102010406.pro_bowl_football_pb161.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=308&hc=342&q=70&sig=I3ze8A7Z_xFEr8lNJIIeGA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb15802010348.pro_bowl_football_pb158.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=92&yc=1&wc=228&hc=253&q=70&sig=CJ9awB1Wrm_RcBEkIZ47WA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb15702010338.pro_bowl_football_pb157.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=304&hc=338&q=70&sig=JyBjDSsgPE71Og4VG0DONw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb15602010300.pro_bowl_football_pb156.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=44&yc=1&wc=323&hc=359&q=70&sig=wE6izNR5fV0Z7t116n.eMQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb15502010300.pro_bowl_football_pb155.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=260&hc=289&q=70&sig=8o2G6a3TLT50AhK9oElE2g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb15302010256.pro_bowl_football_pb153.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=82&yc=1&wc=248&hc=275&q=70&sig=Sy6hJn_j1RVMjU3L5XVvJg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb15202010236.pro_bowl_football_pb152.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=58&yc=1&wc=296&hc=329&q=70&sig=v0ePFJn0zDK0_b7ktPq0gw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb15002010236.pro_bowl_football_pb150.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=298&hc=331&q=70&sig=Q5yLFCha7pZH.3lNQQcQQA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb15102010236.pro_bowl_football_pb151.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=254&hc=282&q=70&sig=qNhF7H075wBNkt8kNndTbw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb14702010233.pro_bowl_football_pb147.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=279&hc=310&q=70&sig=nsBwA3YMdb_ASUHCUDmu2g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb14802010233.pro_bowl_football_pb148.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=75&yc=1&wc=262&hc=291&q=70&sig=EY5_DTum1wM._8XtvLtrgA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb14602010233.pro_bowl_football_pb146.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=364&hc=404&q=70&sig=RnVBJ2o2L0W0tLm.UyEzpQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb14502010233.pro_bowl_football_pb145.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=85&yc=1&wc=240&hc=267&q=70&sig=WE.kmuNYHpWrM7944Be.1A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb14402010216.pro_bowl_football_pb144.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=89&yc=1&wc=233&hc=259&q=70&sig=SOoc7ZwvCItj.zWsnvMfAg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb14302010216.pro_bowl_football_pb143.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=300&hc=333&q=70&sig=rYGlfiE.y_caf7d6K.D2Kw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb14202010216.pro_bowl_football_pb142.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=314&hc=349&q=70&sig=XRrza.rVVp6fiGAJ79iflg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb14102010150.pro_bowl_football_pb141.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=84&yc=1&wc=245&hc=272&q=70&sig=DHOcddpbK8vopVPRV8I82Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb14002010150.pro_bowl_football_pb140.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=93&yc=1&wc=227&hc=252&q=70&sig=FTgGYQzOEw9DEalRDvNYmA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb13902010145.pro_bowl_football_pb139.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=285&hc=317&q=70&sig=XTanI0L0lCnybAIoRVUe5g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb13802010145.pro_bowl_football_pb138.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=93&yc=1&wc=227&hc=252&q=70&sig=PBx6xHFzHh.yGveMO.ALHQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb13702010137.pro_bowl_football_pb137.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=105&yc=1&wc=202&hc=224&q=70&sig=Mp4LuDdiU7ceCMc5_fbx8A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb13602010135.pro_bowl_football_pb136.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=82&yc=1&wc=247&hc=274&q=70&sig=_oRxhPpGzCvuOWbc3t1Xhg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb13502010130.pro_bowl_football_pb135.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=76&yc=1&wc=260&hc=289&q=70&sig=wrLk.7A_mWUhmUFklA.HcA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb13202010129.pro_bowl_football_pb132.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=58&yc=1&wc=295&hc=328&q=70&sig=gG7mJZVOBE4zYNEZhRg5OQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb13102010129.pro_bowl_football_pb131.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=310&hc=344&q=70&sig=VFfvhM5BuIhwvtxRS6RRVQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb13302010129.pro_bowl_football_pb133.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=360&hc=400&q=70&sig=EZOKfjsJtOAc_EbqveLmdA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb13002010128.pro_bowl_football_pb130.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=340&hc=378&q=70&sig=a2qOzKt79Gf0i1bgTcGzFw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.824a56088d2a47d2a098048aa9adc60e.correction_pro_bowl_football_pb116.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=58&yc=1&wc=294&hc=327&q=70&sig=jzl06kvpurJ59C2fVHdUWA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb12902010104.pro_bowl_football_pb129.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=211&hc=234&q=70&sig=O4oKOrcNZUVWWw5jzGT8IA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb12802010104.pro_bowl_football_pb128.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=83&yc=1&wc=246&hc=273&q=70&sig=5mP6RcPydO3GMYzwIRoTsw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb12702010103.pro_bowl_football_pb127.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=291&hc=323&q=70&sig=wtC9plXP3xliFvml4ncTVQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb12502010103.pro_bowl_football_pb125.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=70&yc=1&wc=272&hc=302&q=70&sig=afpEMA_ok7R0quqHIWwZ_w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb12602010103.pro_bowl_football_pb126.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=83&yc=1&wc=246&hc=273&q=70&sig=3lN6cJVP_oRD2EqAKUINeQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb12402010103.pro_bowl_football_pb124.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=343&hc=381&q=70&sig=zvFBGumw4fMDjuazEp9hzQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb12302010103.pro_bowl_football_pb123.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=367&hc=408&q=70&sig=czy1RY4Eyy20bxlYbnpUbg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb12202010103.pro_bowl_football_pb122.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=57&yc=1&wc=299&hc=332&q=70&sig=BsqOY11v_40tkYEdRaGRGg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb11902010102.pro_bowl_football_pb119.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=95&yc=1&wc=221&hc=246&q=70&sig=tfNw0OgRf1KhC83o.56C.Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb11702010102.pro_bowl_football_pb117.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=293&hc=326&q=70&sig=xzxlDPrTAshbZ0pZQQiCXw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb11802010102.pro_bowl_football_pb118.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=53&yc=1&wc=305&hc=339&q=70&sig=gYdABw0vzL8yqw9PJUDk7w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb11602010101.pro_bowl_football_pb116.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=58&yc=1&wc=294&hc=327&q=70&sig=wwSxVPDiCARLsWBkKIApkQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb11502010101.pro_bowl_football_pb115.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=334&hc=371&q=70&sig=sBm5ISzrVfj4zoiiovuZqA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb11402010101.pro_bowl_football_pb114.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=66&yc=1&wc=281&hc=312&q=70&sig=zrtZzt2GYYge6RBws1QyNQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb11102010100.pro_bowl_football_pb111.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=52&yc=1&wc=307&hc=341&q=70&sig=WPxwhPAFhM_mR3gBH7vyyw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb11202010100.pro_bowl_football_pb112.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=89&yc=1&wc=234&hc=260&q=70&sig=Na__MnOBSeBUX5g3qJPmnw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb11002010100.pro_bowl_football_pb110.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=78&yc=1&wc=255&hc=283&q=70&sig=vi7Gy7QYFiEjYRlZFAIbTw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100201/capt.pb10902010059.pro_bowl_football_pb109.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=220&hc=244&q=70&sig=tDJJLyadEAuWTDMUzyfwuw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100131/capt.pb10801312311.pro_bowl_football_pb108.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=53&yc=1&wc=306&hc=340&q=70&sig=ybC8vIp7Wscrzknj_92EZg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100131/capt.pb10701312257.pro_bowl_football_pb107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=57&yc=1&wc=299&hc=332&q=70&sig=6auLx2lSC3LdFe7.GEYVwQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100131/capt.pb10601312256.pro_bowl_football_pb106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=294&hc=327&q=70&sig=RZ0TiMDpkq.N01g72fCgAg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100131/capt.pb10501312253.pro_bowl_football_pb105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=53&yc=1&wc=306&hc=340&q=70&sig=lPuoL1ySZUAcQH7Qvi9Exg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100131/capt.pb10401312253.pro_bowl_football_pb104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=242&hc=269&q=70&sig=9._zZskcMdjF19uFPoZFyg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100131/capt.pb10301312218.pro_bowl_football_pb103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=35&yc=1&wc=342&hc=380&q=70&sig=1vQkR5U325EvdIYMYEWsng--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100131/capt.pb10201312204.pro_bowl_football_pb102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=80&yc=1&wc=251&hc=279&q=70&sig=1Ep1BaojFrHPmKL2rQuUmw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100131/capt.pb10101312202.pro_bowl_football_pb101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=82&yc=1&wc=248&hc=276&q=70&sig=l1KvgqqMNT6D.APnBqa5yQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100131/capt.90715c94cad44ae8886ce3954a3a5909.pro_bowl_mckinnie_football_ny150.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=273&hc=303&q=70&sig=23NfU22LD_QC0HYsASeyUw--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 60 NFC-AFC Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();
Matt Schaub(notes) of the Houston Texans threw for 189 yards and two AFC scores,and was chosen the most valuable player.
“It’s a game you watch growing up as a kid and wonder if you could ever bein,” Schaub said. “To actually be a part of it is incredible.”
Aaron Rodgers(notes) also threw two touchdown passes, and NFC teammate DeSeanJackson(notes) had two scoring catches.
From the standpoint of ticket sales, this year’s new venue and slot on theleague calendar was a success. The crowd of 70,697 was the largest for a ProBowl since 1959 in Los Angeles.
Spectators included Peyton Manning(notes), Drew Brees(notes) and other Pro Bowl playersfrom the Super Bowl teams. Manning and the Indianapolis Colts will face Breesand the New Orleans Saints on the same field next Sunday in the biggest game ofthe season.
The NFL sought to transform the Pro Bowl into a bigger game by playing itbefore the Super Bowl for the first time. In a one-year experiment, the leaguealso moved the game from Honolulu, its home since 1980.
The stadium was half empty by the third quarter, perhaps partly because ofthe rain and temperatures in the 60s. It was sunny and 82 in Honolulu at gametime.
Did the weather dampen the players’ enthusiasm for Miami?
“It’s beautiful. It’s paradise,” NFC receiver Steve Smith said. “Too badit’s not Hawaii.”
Eager to host more big events, the Dolphins have proposed adding a roof thatwould cover fans as part of stadium improvements that could cost $250 million ormore. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the upgrades are needed if SouthFlorida is to remain competitive in bidding for future Super Bowls.
Nearly 40 percent of the players originally selected for the game didn’tplay. One of the AFC replacements, David Garrard(notes), threw for 183 yards, includinga 48-yard touchdown to Vincent Jackson(notes).
“It’s so awesome,” Garrard said. “One of my goals coming into the gamewas to just be relevant and show all the people who said, `What is he doing inthere? The Pro Bowl has dropped off a few pegs,’ that I do belong.”
Vincent Jackson made seven catches for 122 yards. Chad Ochocinco(notes) had a40-yard reception but didn’t do any kicking after practicing placements andpunts for the AFC during the week.
“That’s OK. It was fun anyway,” Ochocinco said.
DeSean Jackson scored on a 7-yard pass from Rodgers and a 58-yard pass fromDonovan McNabb(notes), his regular quarterback with the Eagles.
“I’m just out here having a great time,” Jackson said. “And at the sametime I’m trying to put out a little effort.”
There were plenty of other big plays. Joshua Cribbs(notes) caught a punt at thegoal line and returned it 65 yards. A penalty negated LaMarr Woodley’s(notes)64-interception return for a touchdown.
“I slowed up to get a little camera time,” Woodley said.
The AFC totaled 517 yards and the NFC 470. Both teams threw for more than400 yards.
Redskins linebacker London Fletcher(notes), a 12-year veteran playing in his firstPro Bowl, found the AFC’s offensive approach exhausting.
“They came out with a bunch of screens and had us running around,”Fletcher said.
But there were no complaints from Fletcher’s teammate on defense, first-timePro Bowler Justin Smith(notes) of the 49ers.
“The pace is nice,” Smith said. “You don’t have to worry about workingtoo hard.”
The game will return to Honolulu in 2011 and 2012, but the league hasn’tdecided whether to hold those games before or after the Super Bowl. The Pro Bowlsite for 2013 and beyond hasn’t been determined.
Comments
