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Brooks, Smith Make Pro Bowl Roster For Bucs

Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Derrick Brooks was named to his 11th Pro Bowl after missing out last season. He is joined by rookie return specialist Clifton Smith.

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 16, 2008

TAMPA - Derrick Brooks is going back to Hawaii on the NFL's dime and he's taking Tampa Bays Buccaneers rookie return man Clifton Smith with him.

Brooks was named a reserve to the NFC Pro Bowl squad at linebacker on Tuesday while Smith was named the NFC's kick returner.

This marks the 11th time Brooks has made the Pro Bowl but the first since 2006.

Several Bucs whom the team was hoping would be recognized for their stellar play but were not were center Jeff Faine, kicker Matt Bryant, linebacker Barrett Ruud and receiver Antonio Bryant.

Andre Gurode of Dallas and Shaun O'Hara of the Giants made the team at center; John Carney of the Giants made it as the place kicker, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin of Arizona, Steve Smith of Carolina and Roddy White of Atlanta made it at receiver and Patrick Willis of San Francisco and Jon Beason of Carolina made it at inside linebacker.

DeMarcus Ware of Dallas and Lance Briggs of Chicago made the team ahead of Brooks at outside linebacker.

The Buccaneers were also shut in the defensive backfield, where some thought second-year safety Tanard Jackson and veteran cornerback Ronde Barber might have earned spots.

The NFC's starting safeties are Nick Collins of Green Bay and Adrian Wilson of Arizona. The reserve is Brian Dawkins of Philadelphia. At cornerback the NFC will start Charles Woodson of Green Bay and Antoine Winfield of the Vikings. Asante Samuel of the Eagles is the reserve.

Neither the NFL nor the Bucs have announced the names of any players who may make the team as an alternate. Alternates are named when a starter or reserve chooses not to play in the game or cannot play in the game.

Last year Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia made the Pro Bowl roster as an alternate.

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or at rcummings@tampatrib.com.

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