Kreutz earns fifth consecutive Pro Bowl
Advertiser Staff and Wire
For the fifth consecutive year, former Saint Louis School lineman Olin Kreutz was named to the Pro Bowl.
Kreutz, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound center for Chicago, was one of six Bears selected to the game that will be played Feb. 12 at Aloha Stadium. He has played eight years in the NFL.
Other Chicago players to be selected are: linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, safety Mike Brown, defensive lineman Tommie Harris, and cornerback Nathan Vasher.
The Bears' contingent is the largest to be chosen for the game in Hawai'i in 15 years.
Chicago and Atlanta led the NFC with six selections each, while the New York Giants and Seattle had five apiece.
The Indianapolis Colts (13-1), who have the best record in the NFL, led the AFC with seven selections.
The Colts selected were quarterback Peyton Manning, running back Edgerrin James, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, center Jeff Saturday, defensive end Dwight Freeney, linebacker Cato June and safety Bob Sanders.
An eighth Indianapolis player, offensive tackle Tarik Glenn, was originally told he made the team. Then the NFL said there was a computer error and he was fourth in the voting behind Willie Anderson, William Roaf and Baltimore's Jonathan Ogden.
"I'm happy with the guys who made it," said Colts coach Tony Dungy. "And I'm a league guy, but this is a bad, bad situation ... the less I say the better. You'll have to ask the league."
Six San Diego Chargers also were named to the team.
New York defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora were the first pair from the same team at that position since Miami's Jason Taylor and Trace Armstrong in 2001.
Another noteworthy selection was Minnesota's Koren Robinson, chosen as the NFC's kick returner. Robinson, the ninth overall pick in the 2001 draft by Seattle, has had a series of off-field problems that included a guilty plea to drunk driving and a suspension last season. He was cut by the Seahawks before the season.
"It's a funny feeling right now," Robinson said. "Looking back on everything I've been through, being in an alcohol treatment facility, I thought I burned all my bridges as far as all the organizations in the NFL were concerned."
Saturday, a first-time Pro Bowler, indicated he might take his linemates to Honolulu with him, which would mean almost all the Colts' offensive starters would attend.
"They'll be well taken care of, you can count on that," Saturday said.
"It says we're coming along, playing together, playing well," said Sanders, another first-time selection. "It's an exciting moment for us, for this family, for the whole organization."
This will be the second straight year in Hawai'i for the Barber twins, Tiki, the Giants' running back and Ronde, the Tampa Bay cornerback.
"It was special. It was nerve-racking, too many people. It was fun," Ronde said of last season's trip. "It will be another fun trip, I'm sure."
The starting lineups will be announced Jan. 7.