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Brooks: Return To The Pro Bowl

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By ROY CUMMINGS

rcummings@tampatrib.com

Published: December 17, 2008

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

Brooks, who didn't make the NFL all-star team for the first time in 10 seasons last year, was named Tuesday to the NFC's 2009 Pro Bowl squad as a reserve linebacker, while Smith earned a berth as the conference's kick returner.

"I thank God, because I really worked hard this offseason to take my game back to the upper level I thought I could play at," said Brooks, whose 11 Pro Bowl berths are one shy of the NFL record for a linebacker.

"I am extremely grateful that our team, as well as our division, received the respect it was due, because we did not receive any voted selections last year."

The Bucs' lone representative in the 2008 Pro Bowl was quarterback Jeff Garcia, who made the team as an alternate after Brett Favre, then with Green Bay, backed out.

Brooks made the 2009 squad behind starting outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware of Dallas and Lance Briggs of Chicago. Smith, meanwhile, is the second Buc to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie (Warrick Dunn) and the first to make it as a returner.

"I am extremely humbled by the selection; it is a great accomplishment," Smith said. "But we have a lot of our season remaining, that hopefully includes the playoffs, and the ultimate goal of playing in the Super Bowl in Tampa.

"I wish I could share the Pro Bowl experience with all of my teammates, because all of the credit goes to them. To come into the league as an undrafted free agent and be selected to the Pro Bowl is an incredible honor."

Smith wasn't on the Bucs' active roster when the season began. It was only after second-round draft pick Dexter Jackson failed to impress as the return man that Smith got his chance .

Since then, Smith has appeared in seven games and has consistently provided the Bucs with the boost they have yearned for from their return man, averaging 15 yards per punt return and 27.3 yards per kick return.

Brooks, meanwhile, leads the Bucs with six tackles for loss this year, and he is second on the team in total tackles with 97, trailing only linebacker Barrett Ruud.

The Bucs hoped Ruud, center Jeff Faine, place-kicker Matt Bryant and receiver Antonio Bryant also would earn consideration, but they weren't selected in voting by fans, players and coaches.

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

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