Pro Bowl race

This is the final week of fan voting for February’s Pro Bowl, and several Bucs are in the running.

We asked the NFL to provide us with an update on Tampa Bay's candidates. Turns out, three Bucs are among the top vote-getters at their respective positions as of Wednesday. Ronde Barber is fourth among NFC cornerbacks with 172,210 votes; Jeff Garcia is fifth among NFC quarterbacks with 196,471 votes; and Derrick Brooks is sixth among NFC outside linebackers with 109,469 votes. Three players will be chosen at each of those positions.

However, the voting could change dramatically. Fan voting counts as just one-third of the balloting. The other two-thirds are comprised of coaches’ and players’ votes.

In the meantime, votes can be cast here through the end of this week.

Comments

[Brent]

What about Ruud? He's gotta be a chance...

[Jay]

I think Tanard Jackson, Earnest Graham, Barrett Ruud and BJ Askew also deserve to see Hawaii this year. And even though it pains me to say so after the last two years of bashing him for blown coverages, Jermaine Phillips has really shown up and proven himself this season. All of them deserve recognition for their outstanding play.

[aaron]

i know you have to take things with a grain of salt coming out of NYC but i found this tid bit interesting....
this is a healine in the new york daily news....

Bucs Kiffin could join son with Raiders?
The rumor mill is churning with potential coaching changes around the league. One to watch: Longtime Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin will be a free agent, and there's speculation he may go to the Raiders to work under his son, Lane Kiffin. How would that affect the Jets? If Kiffin goes to Oakland, it presumably would free up Raiders coordinator Rob Ryan, who is extremely close to Mangini. -- NY Daily News

[Tom]

Hey Aaron. That would be a big loss for us if Kiffin leaves. I don't think he will though. He really likes Tampa. I couldn't imagine living in the armpit of the world, Oakland, CA.

However, if he does, Raheem Morris should be the front runner for the DC job.

[aaron]

i hope he doesnt leave too. hopefully the bucs resign him.

[nick]

Hey what about Luke McCown?! He's outplayed garcia all year, plus he's cute and I love him.go bucs go!!

[Nick]

Luke, if you are reading this blog, I just want you to know that I love you with all my heart! Even though i'm a male, I still want to have you're baby!

[PaulW]

I've already done my part, voting for Ruud, Garcia and Galloway. Everyone needs to vote for them, so hurry over to the Pro Bowl voting and get on it!

[D R]

If Galloway was doing better than T.O., Fitzgerald, and Holt, Burress (with a bad ankle the entire season) I'd vote for him. 49 catches by a #1 WR is unacceptable. Don't get me wrong, he's having a good season, but I expect more receptions from a #1.
If Ruud was doing better than Willis, Fletcher, Urlacher, Barnett, and Henderson, I'd vote for him as well.
I voted for Romo and Owens and that's it. I'm not going to be biased and vote for guys who don't deserve it just because they're on my team.

[DR]

That's all i'm saying...

[NAVYMAN]

DR,
You need to be on the cowboys blog instead of the bucs everyday.

[Ecp]

Romo is a joke. He played one of the worst games ever by a Qb against the Bills. As soon as a good defense puts some pressure on him, he will fold like a cheap suit just like last year against Seattle.

[Joe Simmons (Slow Joe)]

I can't think of a single Buc that really stands out as a Pro Bowler this year. Which, I think, is a GOOD thing. It means they're playing sound team football and winning without any prima donna super stars.

[Mike]

yeah, you wouldn't want any pro bowlers on the team! Come on dude, I hope your kidding. So what did you think of the 2002 defense? There were at least 4 on that roster.

Stephen,

Is there anyway of knowing if the Bucs stay in the position they are which day they would play the first weekend of the playoffs? Or even better what time. I have looked online for this but can only find the days (Jan. 5th and 6th) but not how the seeding would work out.

THanks

[Daniel]

The Pro Bowl is a popularity contest, frequently players who are deserving are left off in favor of a big name. You are normaly recognized the FOLLOWING year of your first big year, that happened to Rhonde. Many players want to be recognized, but end up with phanthom injuries so they don't have to play in such a meaningless game at the end of the season. That normaly means undeserving players end up going in their place. The Hall of Fame looks at Pro Bowl appearamces however, so the nod is important in the long run for players seeking enshrinement.

[tj]

the cowboys play a very weak schedule and no one on their team deserves a pro bowl vote. i guess dr is a dumb dallas person

[RICH]

I think Garcia is a good choice for the Pro-Bowl in all fairness he has had a pretty good couple of seasons thus far.

[DR]

Daniel, I agree with you bro. These other guys are about as dumb as a box of footballs. Romo is no good, he folded? As a first year starter with little experience, he folded? Why was a starting QB holding snaps? No other team in the NFL was doing that. I don't fault him for that. Romo threw 5 INTs, wow!?! Whoopty F'n doo, moron! I guess Manning sucks because he threw 5 this year. Manning threw 30 INTs in one season. Favre threw 29 INTs in a season. Favre threw 6 INTs in a PLAYOFF game! He folded like a cheap suit right? I am wrong for responding to pure stupidity, but something needed to be said.

[DR]

Hate to rain on your Bucs parade but the Bucs have beaten only one team with a winning record, an AFC team. That isn't a good thing since you will be playing good winning teams in the playoffs.
The Bucs are having a good season.

[DR]

Hate to rain on your Bucs parade but the Bucs have beaten only one team with a winning record, an AFC team. That isn't a good thing since you will be playing good winning teams in the playoffs.
The Bucs are having a good season.

[RICH]

Hey mr.DR, do you live in Dallas?

[DR]

Unfortunately, I live in Tampa- obviously. I have to watch all the Bucs games and see all the Bucs fans at the bars.

[Ecp]

Comparing Romo to Brett Favre and Manning................priceless. Can't wait for him to throw late over the middle in the playoffs and blow it................

[Tom]

You "unfortunately" live in Tampa? This is a great city to live in. I lived in Dallas for many years and that is one ugly city. It's a concrete jungle. They also have the crappiest stadium in the league. I guess it suits their crappy team.

[DR]

Tom, don't get me wrong, I love the Tampa area. The "unfortunate" part is having no choice but to watch the Bucs if I stay at home. But I am forced at gun point to go to the bars and drink beers to watch good match ups along with my 'Boys. Now i'm an alcoholic. I hope the Bucs win every week for the most part, but the fans at the bars are so fair weather, it's ridiculous. They give fans a bad name. You're right about the Chucky shirt crap. I'm not one of those guys. I thought Gruden should be fired 3 years ago, and stand pat on it. If he wins a playoff game this year, i may change my mind.

[Dave in Arkansas]

DR, three words: DirecTv Sunday Ticket.

I really miss living in Tampa (Seminole, actually). But DirecTv's awesome H.D. product allows me to watch my Bucs every week from the comfort of my own living room without having to put up with the unrealistic, annoying, and largely illiterate populace here in "The Natural State".

[Stephen_Holder]

To the person who asked whether we can tell yet when the Bucs would play in the first round, the answer is no. And we won't know until the end of the regular season. They don't announce those things until the final Sunday, I believe. It could be Saturday or Sunday and at various kickoff times.

[j.k.]

DR, Romo and Owen are on your team. As for living in Tampa. That's your decision. I lived in Sarasota for 10 years and relocated. Like Dave said Direct TV sunday ticket is the best. You can watch YOUR team every week.Then Blog the Dallas papers to your hearts content. You seem bitter and jealous about the Bucs for some reason.

Stephen,

I asked the questions about when they would play and appreciate you replying even though you didn't know the answer.

Thanks,

Tampa Bay Fan