Kreutz NFC Pro Bowler for fourth time

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Chicago Bears center Olin Kreutz, a former Saint Louis School standout, yesterday was named to the NFC Pro Bowl team for the fourth time.

Kreutz

Kreutz was drafted in the third round of the 1998 draft out of the University of Washington.

The Pro Bowl will be played at Aloha Stadium on Feb. 13.

Division leaders Philadelphia and Pittsburgh led the way in Pro Bowl nominees.

Quarterback Donovan McNabb and wide receiver Terrell Owens were among nine Eagles chosen for the game, the most representatives voted in from one team since 1998.

The Steelers placed six on the Pro Bowl roster.

"You just try to encourage all the guys," McNabb said. "It's good to see that Lito, Mike and Ike have made it and get an opportunity to get over there and get a good feel of All-Star play and to say that they've been a Pro Bowler. It says a lot for this organization, it says a lot for those players and it says a lot for this team.

"We're going to continue this thing on and continue to open up eyes."

The Eagles have already clinched home-field advantage for the NFC playoffs.

Pittsburgh owns the AFC North crown and had the second-most selections in balloting by players, coaches and fans. The six Steelers to make the Pro Bowl are linebackers Joey Porter and James Farrior, safety Troy Polamalu, center Jeff Hartings, guard Alan Faneca and wide receiver Hines Ward. Baltimore and Kansas City with five each, while Indianapolis and New England had four apiece.

"We do have a good team and our individual success is a direct reflection of our team," Farrior said.

Green Bay, Atlanta and Dallas landed four each on the NFC squad.

For only the third time, a set of brothers made the same Pro Bowl. Cornerback Ronde Barber of Tampa Bay and running back Tiki Barber of the Giants were selected for the NFC roster — the first twins to make it.

The other brothers were Bruce and Clay Matthews in 1989 and 1990, Sterling and Shannon Sharpe from 1993 to 1995.

Indianapolis' Peyton Manning set a record in the fan voting and was a runaway choice for AFC quarterback, along with the Patriots' Tom Brady and the Chargers' Drew Brees.

"I certainly appreciate it," said Manning, who is one touchdown pass short of Dan Marino's record of 48 in a season. "I know it's voted on by my peers, by the coaches and the fans, and I'm proud to represent the Colts there."

The other Colts on the AFC roster were wide receiver Marvin Harrison, running back Edgerrin James and defensive end Dwight Freeney, the league's sacks leader with 15.

On becoming first Colts defender since end John Dutton from 1975-77 to make it in two straight years, Freeney said, "You want to make it a consistent thing."

Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks made it for the eighth consecutive time, joining four others — Jack Lambert, Lawrence Taylor, Mike Singletary and Reggie White — who have won a Super Bowl, Defensive Player of the Year and eight straight trips to Hawai'i.

"You take it in stride," Brooks said. "You always want to be humble by the selection. ... I'm still at the top of my game. I appreciate the league recognizes that."

Curtis Martin, the league's leading rusher with 1,511 yards, was one of three Jets chosen, joining defensive end John Abraham and center Kevin Mawae.

Tennessee, Cleveland and San Francisco had no players selected.

DOLPHINS

LSU's Saban offered coaching position

The Miami Dolphins offered their coaching job yesterday to LSU's Nick Saban, the favorite for the position since Dave Wannstedt resigned last month.

LSU athletic director Skip Bertman said Saban told him of the offer late yesterday afternoon, but did not divulge details of the deal or indicate if he planned to accept.

"They made him an offer. I don't know what it is," Bertman said. "I didn't even ask him. Now he has a decision to make, and it's a tough decision. ... My feeling is it's 50-50."

Saban has previously said he'd prefer to have the situation resolved by Christmas Day, when LSU travels to Orlando, Fla. for its bowl game against Iowa.

Saban was the first of three candidates the Dolphins have interviewed. Former Oakland Raiders coach Art Shell interviewed Monday, and interim Miami coach Jim Bates met with owner Wayne Huizenga on Tuesday.

NOTES

Eagles: Dr. Mark Meyers, who performed surgery yesterday on Terrell Owens' injured ankle, refused to rule out the wide receiver's return for the Super Bowl, but it remains a long shot — if Philadelphia makes it that far. "While it is not unreasonable to hope that he returns to play in six weeks, it is not something we would expect," Myerson said.

Jaguars: Jacksonville safety Donovin Darius probably will appeal the league's $75,000 fine for his clothesline hit that temporarily paralyzed Green Bay receiver Robert Ferguson. Darius hinted yesterday that he would appeal, but declined to say for certain.

Bears: Brian Urlacher was placed on injured reserve by Chicago yesterday, officially ending an injury plagued season for the star linebacker. Urlacher pulled his left hamstring Dec. 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, forcing him to leave the game early and to miss Sunday's 24-5 loss to the Texans.

Lions: Detroit put kick returner Eddie Drummond on injured reserve yesterday, the same day he was chosen to play in the Pro Bowl. Drummond, who injured his shoulder against Indianapolis on Nov. 25, said he only would play in Hawai'i if he was 100 percent healthy.