Polamalu, Faneca selected as starters again; Hampton, Parker will fill reserve roles
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Halfback Willie Parker, having one of the most productive of seasons in the Steelers' storied rushing history, was selected to his first Pro Bowl yesterday.
Parker joins three teammates who are Pro Bowl veterans -- guard Alan Faneca, selected for the sixth time, and strong safety Troy Polamalu and nose tackle Casey Hampton, each for the third time.
Faneca will make his fifth consecutive start for the AFC in the Feb. 10 game against the NFC in Honolulu. Polamalu will make his second.
Hampton and Parker were selected as reserves.
The Pro Bowl squads were selected by a combined voting of fans, players and coaches.
Parker, an undrafted rookie from North Carolina in 2004, has put together consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons since he became the team's starting halfback last season. He set a Super Bowl record with a 75-yard touchdown run last February and is threatening Steelers records this season.
His 1,331 yards this season ranks fifth in club history, and he needs only 101 yards in the next two games to move to third. His 14 touchdowns are one short of tying Louis Lipps' 21-year old team record.
Faneca and Polamalu each led their positions in the fan voting. Faneca has been a perennial All-Pro as well and his sixth Pro Bowl berth gives him more than any Steelers guard in history.
In fact, only Andy Russell (7), Dermontti Dawson (7) and Rod Woodson (7) along with Hall of Famers Ernie Stautner (9), Joe Greene (10), Franco Harris (9), Jack Lambert (9) and Mike Webster (9) made it more as Steelers.
Polamalu leads the Steelers with three interceptions and is fifth with 69 tackles, even though he has missed the past three games with a knee injury.
Hampton, the key to the Steelers' run defense as their nose tackle, also made the Pro Bowl in 2004 and 2006. The Steelers have not allowed a 100-yard runner in the past 46 games, including the postseason.
(Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com. )
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