TAMPA, FL (620 WDAE) - Wednesday evening the NFL announced the players selected to the 2013 Pro Bowl and included are four Buccaneers. As expected, Bucs defensive back Ronde Barber will be heading back to Honolulu for a sixth time but not as a starter; that lone honor was given to DT Gerald McCoy.
Last week, the 16-year veteran received the most fan votes at free safety which counts for one-third of the overall selection process –
leading most to believe Barber’s Pro Bowl roster inclusion was assured. What was not assured, however, was if any other Tampa Bay teammates would be joining Barber.
McCoy, the third-year three-tech who struggled with injuries his first two seasons has had a breakout year – even if the stats don’t reflect
it. Credited with 30 tackles, five sacks and a forced fumble, McCoy’s
contributions to the Bucs defense far surpassed what the numbers show. Often double-teamed, McCoy’s relentless pursuit to get into the opposing team’s backfield wreaked havoc on offensive lines, allowing defensive end Michael Bennett to rack up nine sacks and force three fumbles. McCoy has been the vocal leader and quite often the heart and soul of the Tampa Bay defense, leading the Bucs to No. 1 run defense status throughout much of the season.
Barber played his entire career at cornerback until moving to FS in the offseason and has amassed 87 tackles, four interceptions, 13 passes
defensed, one sack and a forced fumble with one game remaining in the 2012 season. Against the Chiefs in Week 6, the 37-year-old returned a Brady Quinn interception 78 yards for a score, bringing
Barber’s career pick-six total to eight. His four interceptions this season are the most since Barber recorded four in 2008 when he made his last Pro Bowl appearance.
The Buccaneers will have two more representatives joining McCoy
and Barber in Hawaii as first-season Bucs WR Vincent Jackson and RB Doug Martin will make the trip as alternates.
Jackson will make his second consecutive Pro Bowl (third overall) after signing a five-year, $55.5 million contract with the Bucs in March. During Tampa Bay's popular “Throwback” game against the division-rival New Orleans, the eight-year receiver set multiple Buccaneer records including the longest reception in Tampa Bay history (95 yards) and the most receiving yards in a single game with 216. Through 15 games, Jackson has caught 69 passes for 1,334 yards and eight touchdowns.
Rookie sensation Doug Martin was drafted by the Bucs in the first round of April’s draft after Tampa Bay traded with Denver to move backinto the opening round and select the Boise State running back 31rst overall. In a homecoming game of sorts on November 4th in Oakland, Martin ran for 251 yards and four touchdowns – both franchise records and became only the second player in NFL history to rush for over 250 yards and four scores in a game (Mike Anderson did it with the Broncos in 2000). The October Offensive Rookie of the Month has rushed for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 45 passes for 454 yards and a TD through Week 16. In over 300 combined touches, Martin has fumbled the ball just once.
