Raiders' Gannon helps AFC win shootout with NFC, 38-30
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
Decorated like a birthday cake, Aloha Stadium was bustling with activity yesterday.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
Eager collectors filled out credit card applications to get free bobble-head dolls. Groups of jersey-clad fans chowed on chili and hot dogs along the concourse. Pop stars Sugar Ray and Jessica Simpson performed live to the delight of every MTV-watching teenager.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon completed 8 of 10 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns.
And somewhere in the middle of all this commotion was a football game.
In the second highest-scoring game in NFL Pro Bowl history, the AFC outplayed the NFC for the second consecutive year, 38-30, in front of a sell-out crowd of 50,301.
The NFC got off to a quick start. A bad pitch by Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon resulted in a fumble at the AFC 11 that Philadelphia's Hugh Douglas recovered and returned to the AFC 2.
On the next play, Ahman Green of the Packers ran it into the end zone just 27 seconds into the game.
The NFC scored again on its next drive on a 29-yard field goal by the Eagles' David Akers.
But Gannon, a 14-year veteran in the league, quickly recovered to lead the AFC to paydirt three times in the first quarter, completing 4-of-6 passes for 98 yards and one touchdown. It was the highest scoring first quarter in Pro Bowl history with a combined 34 points, as the NFC led 21-13.
It only took one more drive in the second quarter to convince voters Gannon deserved to be named the game's MVP for the second straight year. After a 54-yard kickoff return by Ravens return specialist Jermaine Lewis, Gannon completed 4-of-4 passes, including an 18-yarder to Colts tight end Ken Dilger for a touchdown to give the AFC a 28-13 lead.
"It's a great honor just to be recognized," said Gannon, who completed 8-of-10 for 137 yards and two touchdowns, "especially with the start I got off to, putting the ball down on the first play of the game. But I'll tell you what, it's fun to play with these guys. It was really a team effort today. I thought the offensive line, the backs, the receivers made some big plays, and the defense came up with some big turnovers. So it was really a fun day for everybody, and I'm just happy we won the football game."
Among the quarterbacks who played yesterday, Gannon was the sure MVP.
"The guy just knows what to do on the field," said 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia, who completed 11-of-19 passes for 111 yards for the NFC.
Added Pro Bowl rookie and Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady of the Patriots: "He does such a great job of seeing the whole field. That's something I'm trying to pick up on."
The AFC played a more balanced game than the NFC, with 201 of its 398 total net yards coming on the ground. The NFC rushed the ball for just 36 yards. The Rams' Marshall Faulk couldn't find openings in the AFC's massive front line, recording just 12 yards on five carries.
Defense played a big part in the AFC win.
The Broncos' Deltha O'Neal picked off a Warner pass in the first quarter in his Pro Bowl debut to set up a two-play, six-yard touchdown drive. To start the fourth quarter, Eagles' quarterback Donovan McNabb's shovel pass went into the hands of Chargers linebacker Junior Seau. And to seal the win, the Patriots' Ty Law picked off McNabb and ran 31 yards before giving the ball to the Ravens' Ray Lewis, who muscled his way into the end zone to push the AFC ahead, 38-23. The NFC scored one last time on a McNabb pass to 49ers' running back Garrison Hearst with just under two minutes left.
"(The game) put the icing on the cake of a world championship season," said Law, who had three tackles and an interception against the NFC. "To have an interception for a return in the Super Bowl and to come here and pretty much ice the game on that play, it feels great. It's a season I'll always remember."
With game-specific rules to keep players from getting hurt and an atmosphere of fun, the Pro Bowl is about celebrating the end of another season, honoring outstanding athletes and having a good time.
But it is a lot more competitive than it seems.
"I take (this game) very seriously," Gannon said. "When I step on the field, I want to play my best and obviously I want to help my team win. I think everybody takes it seriously."
And players feel a certain pride about their conference as well.
"You want to be the best conference in the league," said Patriots wide out Troy Brown. "And we had the best players. That's what it's all about. Every time you step onto the field, you're a competitor ... It's a fun game all around, but you definitely want to leave the field as winners."
