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Cromartie corners first Pro Bowl invitation
By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer
NFL's interception leader among eight Chargers selected | ∞
SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers' elite eight are headed to the Pro Bowl. The player with 10 picks is among them.
Cornerback Antonio Cromartie, a second-year pro, was selected to his first Pro Bowl on Tuesday in voting by players, coaches and fans. Cromartie collected his NFL-high 10th interception ---- setting a Chargers' single-season record ---- in Sunday's win over the Lions.
Other Chargers selected were running back LaDainian Tomlinson (fifth time), tight end Antonio Gates (fourth), linebacker Shawne Merriman (third), defensive tackle Jamal Williams (third), left guard Kris Dielman (first)İand Kassim Osgood (second) as the special teams' pick.
Cromartie was house-hunting when informed by a Chargers official that he was an all-star. The 2006 first-round pick was quick to share credit for the accomplishment.
"It's a great thing,'' Cromartie said at a press conference. "For me coming in as a rookie, the biggest thing was to try to follow the footsteps of the older guys and learn how to play and how to go about practice.
"This year paid off with the new coaching staff coming in. Everybody is clicking together in our secondary. My biggest help was having (cornerback) Quentin Jammer by my side and also having coach Kevin Ross and coach Bill Bradley by my side. Having those guys around as mentors really helped me out a lot."
Cromartie, a starter for only six games, is the first Chargers cornerback since Ryan McNeil in 2002 to make the squad. He said he'll take Ross, Bradley and Jammer with him to Honolulu.
"What he has done this year really proves he is an elite corner in this league,'' Tomlinson said. "Any time you get 10 picks, that is special. He is an exciting player.''
Cromartie also has scored three touchdowns: on an interception return, a fumble recovery and an NFL record 109-yard return of a failed field goal.
Dielman will head to Hawaii for the first time, too. Dielman, who nearly left the Chargers for Seattle as a free agent last offseason, has shined despite a painful knee injury. The Chargers tend to run the ball to the left side, with Dielman often clearing a path.
Dielman's rugged style isn't lost on his opponents.
"I just know that I'm not making many friends out there when we're playing,'' Dielman said. "This is an honor to be in this. I have to thank my O-line coaches and my teammates in that O-line room. I did a lot of hard work with Hal (Hunter) and Jack (Henry). I'm extremely honored. This is great."
Tomlinson, Gates and Neal were named AFC starters.
Tomlinson, the NFL's reigning MVP, leads the league with 14 rushing touchdowns and is second with 1,211 rushing yards.
Gates has 68 catches for 898 yards and nine touchdowns; no other tight end has more touchdowns.
Merriman, who led the NFL with 17 sacks last year, has 11 1/2 this year. That ties him for the most among linebackers. Merriman might miss his second straight game Monday with a knee injury.
Neal's Pro Bowl availability is in question after he broke his leg about two weeks ago.
"The Pro Bowl, I have no doubt,'' he said. "The playoffs, I'm just day-to-day. Today I was able to walk, and I'm walking without the boot and doing some other exercises. I'm optimistic. I really think that I have a legitimate chance of playing the first or second week of the playoffs, without a doubt.''
Punter Mike Scifres was selected as a first alternate. Center Nick Hardwick and left tackle Marcus McNeill -- Pro Bowlers lastİseason -- and returner Darren Sproles were named second alternates.
-- Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.
Name; Pos.; Pro Bowls
Antonio Cromartie; CB: one
Kris Dielman; LG; one
Antonio Gates; TE; four
Shawne Merriman; LB; three
Lorenzo Neal; FB; four
Kassim Osgood; ST; two
LaDainian Tomlinson; RB; five
Jamal Williams; NT; three
BoltDan wrote on Dec 19, 2007 8:37 AM:Great job Cro!!! You deserve it... How many times has our #1 Corner Jammer gone to Hawaii??? I forget??? Anyway finally a Corner with some skill. Play that way in the post season Cro and who knows... One note: If we get to the Patsies and you intercept Tom Brady with the game on the line... FALL TO THE GROUND...Thanks.
glock34 wrote on Dec 19, 2007 9:06 AM:Antonio Cromartie needs to be on the offense as a wide receiver for the playoff games. The playoff games will no doubt be very physical with injuries to some wide receiver players. We need Cromartie ready for the SUPERBOWL!!!
Jaque wrote on Dec 19, 2007 9:36 AM: Cromartie is well deserved of such regard, but Gates is going in for what??
Mark wrote on Dec 19, 2007 10:46 AM:Hey Jaques, Can you read English? The article above states that Gates, despite playing 2 games with a severely bruised back, LEADS THE NFL IN TOUCHDOWNS by a tight end and is closing in on 1,000 yards in receptions. Oh, you proably don't know what a touchdown is so you're exused. I'm sure Cromartie will thank you in his acceptance speech because he couldn't have done it without your undying support for the Chargers throughout the year. Oh by the way Jaque I hope you have wiped all the EGG OFF YOUR FACE after your STUPID prediction about the Chargers losing to the pussy cats last week and not being able to score points. Are you on the bandwagon yet?
to mark wrote on Dec 19, 2007 11:38 AM:"Nice comments,I love it,LETS GO BOLTS!"
BoltDan wrote on Dec 19, 2007 11:54 AM:Poor Jaque... he or she is just cynical and I can't blame anyone for being that way... Years of Leaf... winning and then losing in the play-offs... it is enough to drive people to be Pessimistic... Now is the time to dream Jaque... live your life out by following the Bolts and cheering for them... Yes most of us dislike Norv but you have to go for the underdog... when and IF we win it all it will be that more satisfying. GO BOLTS.
Mark wrote on Dec 19, 2007 12:17 PM:Thank you sir. The mission for the Chargers now is to secure the 3rd seed without any major injuries. Kick the Donkeys, AGAIN!
Sam wrote on Dec 19, 2007 1:54 PM:Jacque, Gates? 4th in the league in TE receptions...3 behind Winslow...Gates has 4 more TD's and no fumbles...Winslow has two. Gates is tied with Dallas Clark with 9 TD's (most for TE's) Witten leads the league...Gonzales has fourteen more than Gates...less touchdows and guess what...Gonzales is all the Chiefs got and gets a lot of his receptions because the other team is always in prevent...and they don't have LT, or Chambers as other options... THAT'S WHY HE'S IN THE PROBOWL! Do a little research before you open your mouth. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW...YOUR IGNORANCE IS ASTOUNDING! DUDE, SHUT UP ALREADY!
ktchargers wrote on Dec 19, 2007 2:19 PM:If jaque's always have negative about chargers..I can't imagine he's a fin fan
Jimbo wrote on Dec 19, 2007 4:14 PM:Gates is the best WR on the Chargers. And more productive than a lot of WRs on other teams. That says a lot considering he lines up at TE.
Jaque wrote on Dec 19, 2007 4:50 PM:BOLTDAN, have you been reading my diary of a charger fan?
Merry Men wrote on Dec 19, 2007 9:33 PM:The pro bowl has become nothing more than a popularity contest. There are other players who did more with less talent around them.
Pats Fan wrote on Dec 19, 2007 9:47 PM:look at all these lil chargers "fan" arguing with eachother haha. last time i came on one of these site was when Titans let you win, i did say you was going to be in the 4th seed but now it look like you're going to be the 3rd. so nice way to dodge us..sorry if you do make it to the championship game we just have to crush your dream again..theres always next year loser...the Rivers dry the GATES close and the CHAMBERS crumble
Rob wrote on Dec 19, 2007 10:15 PM:Congrats too all the chargers who made the pro bowl, good job...... NOW ITS TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE BRONCOS! One game at a time.
Rob wrote on Dec 19, 2007 11:56 PM:Hey Pats Fan, what brought you to our websites? Fear? are you worried? If you had so much faith in your team, you wouldnt be here!
BoltDan wrote on Dec 20, 2007 8:55 AM:Don't pay attention to the Patsie fan.. they go to other peoples sites when they are winning... can't find them when they are losing... not even on their own websites... It must be an East coast thing.. they all do it... I have to admit though the Patsie fans must be happy that we are the 3rd seed because I think they do fear us most of all the play-off teams.
ktchargers wrote on Dec 20, 2007 9:54 AM:Pats Fan have to digged on people site Just like the head coach have to cheat. If the Titans let us win then clearly the refs let you Pat won on Baltimor game
Pats Fan wrote on Dec 20, 2007 5:07 PM:fear? fear of who? i think you forgot what happen in week 2 plus you beat 2 team with winning record, Colts which Vinatieri miss a 23 yard r wateva to win the game and Titans who let you come back in da 4th. So no its not fear of you scrubz haha plus i go on every playoffs team site cus it get boring when your on TOP alone.No need to respond i have to go now 3rings on my finger make it hard to type LOL
ktchargers wrote on Dec 20, 2007 5:21 PM:Yep three rings which one is the honest one? which one that Pat won fair and sq How do we know all those Superbowl that you guys won did not cheat?
Rob wrote on Dec 20, 2007 9:13 PM:Thanks BoltDan, But I just got to say something to the PatFan... Week 2 was a long time ago.
jaysen wrote on Dec 21, 2007 12:00 AM:Patsfan, Have you been watching any football this year. The charger team that you Patsies played in week 2 is not the same team. Don't get your hopes up, CryBrady showed he was human against a bad Jets team. Just be prepare for a let down, Jags will beat you in the second round after they beat the Steeler's in the wildcard game. I'm not a jags fan, thats just a prediction. Chargers and Jags in the AFC championship in Dago. You heard it here first.
jaysen wrote on Dec 21, 2007 12:18 AM:ktchargers, One of those rings they got was by the tuck rule that no one even knew exist. I have a feeling that Patsfan became a fan in 2001 like most of the rest of them. I hate the Raiders as much as any normal Charger fan, but I even thought they were jipped in that game.
BoltDan wrote on Dec 21, 2007 8:31 AM:I truly believe that Boston the whole city made a deal with the devil... they have had supreme luck or something on their side since last year... Baseball, football, basketball, even their stinkin hockey team is playing well... (Oh and college football too)... so when do they all ave to pay with their souls?? Oh well it will come down to us upseting them and them crying over some rule or break they didn't get...ha hah ahahahahah. Go Bolts.
RiversrunthroughIT17 wrote on Dec 21, 2007 12:38 PM:I have to agree. That was week 2 and every single coach was new. As for the Pansys they're not playing the same football in the first 8 weeks. They almost lost to a bad Baltimore team, and bad Philly team, and a bad Jets team. I will sit here and predict that the Fins beat the Pats next week because they have nothing to lose. Better put those players up on the shelf or you may not be at full strength for your play off run.
San Diego All Day wrote on Jan 9, 2008 9:49 PM:who thinks the chargers are going to kick the colts ass i know i do
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