The Californian from Temecula, California • 44

Yhe Californian 04 FRIDAY, December 19, 2003 Patriots, Eagles snubbed in voting Assl'iciated Press PROIBOWLISELECTIONS Spuciil Tanner Ada hus Thomas, Baltimore. Associated Press Alex Rodriguez, who is still with the Texas Rangers, makes an appearance on NBC's Today Show in New York on Thursday. NFC Offence Wide Receive re Anquan Boldm, Arizona; Tony Hoi, St Lous, Randy Moss, Minnesota, Jar- ret Owens, San Francisco. Tackles Flozell Adams, Dallas; Walter Jones, Seattle; Orlando Pace, St Lous Quart Larry Allen, Dallas, LeChartes Bent- ley; New Orleans; Marco Rivera, Green Bay 4 Canters Matt Birk, Minnesota; Oftn Krautz, i Cheapo. i Tight Ends AlgeCrumpter, Atlanta; Jeremy i Shockey, New York.

Quarterbacks Daunte Culpepper, Mnneso- ta; Brett Favre, Green Bay, Dcnovan McNabb, i Philadelphia 1 Running Becks Stephen Davis, Carolina; Ahman Green, Green Bay; Deuce McAlister, New -Orleans. Fullback Fred Beasley, San Francisco, Detenet I Ende Leonard Little, St, Lous; Simeon Rice, i Tampa Bay, Michael Strahan, New Ybrk. Interior Linemen La'Roi Glover, Dallas; Kris Jenkins, Carolina; Warren Sapp, Tampa i Bay. It Outside Unebaekere LaVar Arrington, Washington; Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay, Julian Peterson, San Francisco. 5 Inside Linebackers Keith Brooking, Atlanta; Brian Urtacher, Chicago.

Comerbacks Champ Bailey, Washington; Dre Bly, Detroit; Troy Vincent, Philadelphia, Strong Safety Corey Chavous, Minnesota Free Sataty Aeneas Williams, St. Louis; Roy Williams, Dallas. Specialists 1 Punter Todd Sauerbrun, Carolina. 1 Placeklcker Jeff Wtkina, SI. Louis.

Kick Return Specialist Jerry Azumah, Chicago. Special Teamer Alex Bannister, Seattle. One player clearly overlooked was LaDainian Tomlinson of the 3-11 Chargers. Tomlinson leads the NFL in combined yardage. But he finished behind Jamal Lewis of Baltimore, Clinton Portis of Denver and Priest Holmes of Kansas City for running back spots on the AFC team.

Several players who have not had strong years made the game, most notably Dallas Larry Allen, troubled all year by injury and inconsistency. He was chosen because seniority is a huge factor in offensive line voting if you make it once, youre liable to make it forever, and this is Allens eighth Pro Bowl. Others chosen most likely wont play because of injury. Jeremy Shockey of the New York Giants, who leads NFC tight ends with 48 receptions, hasnt played since injuring a knee on Nov. 9.

Baltimore and Kansas City had the most Pro Bowlers, eight each. The Chiefs large contingent made coach Dick Vermeil nervous. Now weve got to win, because we have good football players, said Vermeil, whose team is 12-2, a tiebreaker behind the Patriots in the AFC. I have no place to hide. If we dont win, its poor DEAL Continued from C-l This seasons Pro Bowl voting demonstrates why football is a team game.

The New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, leaders in the AFC and NFC, each had only two players voted into the leagues all-star game, which will be played Feb. 8 in Honolulu. You are a little deflated for a few minutes, but then you move on, John Harbaugh, the Eagles special teams coach, said Thursday. We have bigger and more important things to be concerned with. The Eagles and Patriots arent the first winning teams to be snubbed in the voting by fans, players and coaches.

Last season, Tennessee had no Pro Bowlers and used the snub as motivation and made it all the way to the AFC title game. This season, the Titans got four, led by quarterback Steve McNair, who was selected for the first time. The Patriots and Eagles seem to be doing the same as they point to those bigger and more important things the playoffs. It is kind of bittersweet, because even though we have one of the best records in the league, we only had two guys get selected, said The rosters tor the Feb 6 Pro Bowl at Honolulu. Starters will be announced Jan 3: AFC Offense Wide Receivers Marvin Harrison, Indf-, anapotis; Chad Johnson, Cincinnati; Derric Ma-, son, Tennessee; Hmes Wart, Pittsburgh.

Tackles Willie Anderson, Cincinnati; 1 Jonathan Ogden, Baltimore, WWie Roal, Kansas City. Guards Ruben Brown, Buffalo; Alan Faneca, Pittsburgh; Will Shields, Kansas City, Centers Kevin Mawae, New York; Tom i Nalen, Denver. Tight Ends Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City; Todd Heap. Baltimore. Quarterbacks Trent Green, Kansas City; Peyton Manning, Imkanapobs; Steve McNair, Ten-nessee.

Running Backs Priest Holmes, Kansas City; Jamal Lewis, Baltimore; Clinton Portis, Den-jt ver. Fullback Tony Richardson, Kansas City S' Defense Ends Shaun Ellis, New York; Dwight i Freeney, Indianapolis; Adewale Ogunleye, Miami. Interior Linemen Casey Hampton, Pitts-; burgh; Richard Seymour, New England; Marcus Stroud, Jacksonvlto. Outside Unebaekere Peter Boulware, Balti-i more, Keith Bulluck, Tennessee; Takeo Spikes, Buffalo. Inside Unebaekere Ray Lewis, Baltimore; Zach Thomas, Miami.

I Comerbacks Ty Law, New England; Chris McAlister, Baltimore, Patrick Surtaln, Miami. Strong Safety Ed Reed, Baltimore, Free Safeties Brock Marion, Miami; Jerome Woods. Kansas City, Special lets r- Punter Placaklcker Mike Vanderjagt, Indianapolis. Kick Return Specialist Dante Hall, Kansas City. I -V V.

cornerback Ty Law of the Patriots, whose only other Pro Bowler is defensive lineman Richard Seymour. Its sort of a shame, and it just goes to show you how we still have so little respect across the league. Quarterback Donovan McNabb and cornerback Troy Vincent were the only Eagles on the NFC squad. CHARGERS Continued from C-l less cash than they have previously demanded from Boston. The Rangers wanted $5 million per year for each of the final five years remaining on Ramirezs contract.

One published report Thursday afternoon said in the waning moments before the deadline, the Rangers offered to accept less cash from Boston to make the deal work. Hart denied any such compromise. To my knowledge, there has not been a change in that area, he said. Tom has made it clear what he wants. Asked how the deal could get done otherwise, Hart said: That would be something between ownership.

Tom has a certain agenda. The Rangers and Red Sox reopened talks in earnest on Monday and agreed to a deal that would send Ramirez and a prospect thought to be 19-year-old pitcher Jon Lester to the Rangers for Rodriguez. The deal, however, was contingent upon the Rangers getting financial considerations and Boston being able to renegotiate with Rodriguez to lessen its financial burden. Rodriguez, who appeared on NBCs Today show Thursday handing out Christmas gifts, met with union and Red Sox officials in New York on Wednesday. The shortstop agreed to the Red Soxs proposal, but the union rejected it.

Rodriguez could not be reached for comment Thursday. Its unfortunate that the Players Association felt it nec-essary to take a legal position which prevented the player and at least two teams from effectuating an agreement that they felt was beneficial, MLB president and chief operating officer Bob Dupuy said in a statement. And so the biggest trade in baseball history withered Thursday. At least for a night. My last conversation with (owner) Tom Hicks indicated that in all likelihood it is dead, but Im sure there will still be some conversations between Tom and the Red Sox.

This talk has been going on since the end of the World Series. At some point, its going to be time to move on. Hicks did not immediately return calls from The Dallas Morning News. Boston Red Sox president Larry Lucchino was more succinct: Reports that negotiations are continuing and shall continue are inaccurate. The Red Sox and Rodriguez had agreed on a deal that would have reduced the guaranteed money in his contract by $28 million, but would have given him additional opportunities to elect free agency.

The Players Association rejected the contract, allowing for only $12 million in give-backs in exchange for earlier free agency. Rodriguez, according to a source close to the negotiations, initially agreed to give back the higher amount, but later yielded to Players Association officials. That leaves the Rangers with two options to make the deal. Either one means the Rangers will have to accept financial compromise. Doing so would likely mean giving up on the teams stated goal of saving at least $100 million over the final seven years of Rodriguezs contract.

The team could work on restructuring Rodriguezs contract, but to gain approval by the Players Association, the contract would probably have to reduce the Rangers savings. The other option: The Rangers could simply accept Tomlinson and Edwards went over the water for the first time last year, as did Neal, then with the Bengals. This year? Not one Charger says aloha to one of the NFLs biggest honors. Tomlinson was so bummed he didnt anticipate going if the other backs are unable to play. Right now, I doubt I even would, said Tomlinson, who speculated this is his best NFL season.

To me, if youre not good enough to make it the first time around, and someone gets hurt or steps out of it, they want to call you to come play in someones spot? Thats not the way I like to be considered as a player who made the Pro Bowl. I think all those guys deserve to be there, but do I think they are better than me? Nope. Edwards was left behind in favor of the Ravens Peter Boulware, the Titans Keith Bulluck and the Bills Takeo Spikes. The Chiefs Tony Richardson went instead of Neal. Coach Marty Schotten-heimer said regardless of the vote, Tomlinson is an all-star.

Whether he makes the Pro Bowl or not doesnt define L.T., Schottenheimer said. L.T. is as fine as player as there is in the National Football League today. CHARGERS NOTES LB Ben Leber's hit on Packers QB Brett Favre came with a price. The NFL fined him $7,500 on Thursday for using his helmet when striking Favre under the chin, which drew a roughing-the-passer penalty.

The NFL also revealed It fined WR Reche Caldwell $5,000 for his taunting penalty In the Detroit game on Dec. 7, and It hasn't ruled on Terrence Kiels appeal of his $25,000 fine for running into an official on Oct, 19 In Cleveland. Caldwell was unable to finish practice because of a strained hamstring. The team didn't know his status for Sunday In Pittsburgh. LT Damion McIntosh (ankle) went through his second straight practice and will start on Sunday.

in, Tomlinson said. Tomlinson, a third-year pro, has 13 touchdowns (nine rushing and four receiving) and played behind a front line that has been derailed by injuries. But that, as well as the Chargers wretched 3-11 mark, didnt help his cause. Its a (crock), offensive lineman Solomon Page said. Its a (crock).

Added left tackle Damion McIntosh: Its politics. Hes had a Pro Bowl year for us, so its a shame that hes one of the top three backs in the league and not in the Pro Bowl. They got their favorites, I guess. I dont know what else he has to do. The Chargers must wonder what they did.

They cut three players from last years 8-8 squad with 15 cumulative Pro Bowl appearances linebacker Junior Seau (12 selections), safety Rodney Harrison (two) and defensive back Ryan McNeil (one). Of course, Instead, the Ravens Jamal Lewis, the Chiefs Priest Holmes and the Broncos Clinton Portis had their tickets punched for the Feb. 8 game in Hawaii. I knew I wasnt going to make it because Jamal Lewis (1,747 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns) has had a great year, as has Clinton Portis (1,591 yards, 14 TDs), Tomlinson said. It came down to Priest (1,315 yards, 22 TDs) and myself.

And I said they would take Priest because he is Priest Holmes. So Tomlinson knew he didnt have a prayer. But that didnt lessen the sting. It hurts, because this is about respect to me and obviously, I feel like people may respect me, but not more than the other three guys that got Padres bring back Hitchcock, sign Valdes Press BASEBALL KENNEDY Continued from C-l the Boston Red Sox during a playoff game in Boston during the fall. Et cetera YANKEES: Two days after he was traded from the Montreal Expos, the agents for RHP Javier Vasquez started talks with New York on a longterm contract.

New York made another trade, sending out-of-favor left-hander Chris Hammond to Oakland for two minor leaguers, RHP Edwardo Sierra and INF J.T. Stotts. And while there was no announcement, the Yankees finalized their $7.25 million, two-year contract with RHP Tom Gordon and their $6.4 million, twoyear deal with RHP Paul Quantrlll, adding both to the team's 40-man roster. The moves leave the Yankees payroll at about $150 million for 20 signed players, MARLINS: Ivan Rodriguez feels Honda's offer to retain him (three years, $24 million) was unfair since he made $10 with the team last year Rodriguez asked for a $40 million, four-year contract He was released on Dec. 7.

Hitchcock was selected MVP of the 1998 NLCS after beating the Atlanta Braves twice. Hitchcock, who had reconstructive elbow surgery in 2000, returns to San Diego after pitching for the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals the last three seasons. Left-hander Sterling Hitchcock, who led the Padres into the 1998 World Series, rejoined the team on Thursday after agreeing to an $800,000, one-year contract. I litchcock can make an additional $700,000 in performance bonuses based on starts and innings pitched.

The Padres also agreed to an $800,000, one-year deal with right-hander Ismael Valdes, a former division rival with Los Angeles who pitched the last three seasons in the AL. He has the same bonus opportunities as I litchcock. Yanks charged Yankees Jeff Nelson and Karim Garcia and a Fenway Park groundskeeper were charged with assault and battery Thursday for brawling in New Yorks bullpen after the groundskeeper cheered for homers, 49 RBIs and a teamleading 22 stolen bases in 143 games with the Angels last season his fourth with the team. 1 Ie has a career batting average of .277 with 36 homers, 229 RBIs and 73 stolen bases in 613 games. Stoneman cited Kennedys improvement on defense as a key factor in the decision to sign him for three years.

I'm not sure he has a peer in terms of his defensive abilities, Stoneman said. Hes become such a very good defender. Hes certainly a guy who helps us offensively, too. I le can hit the ball out of the park. Kennedy showed that ability when he became the fifth player to hit three homers in a postseason game as the Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 13-5 in the fifth and final game of the 2002 AL championship series.

lie was selected MVP of the series despite going l-for-10 without an RBI in the first four games. Kennedy hit .312 with seven homers, 52 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 2002 in helping the Angels win their first World Series. The second baseman can earn an additional $150,000 in performance bonuses over the term of the contract. Its pretty special to be able to have your family there every single day, said Kennedy, who grew up in Riverside and lives in Yorba Linda. Very few guys in all the major leagues get to do that.

Mr. Stonemans been great ever since I got there. Im very satisfied with the deal. I dont think it would have been finished if both sides werent pretty satisfied with it. Taking your chances in arbitration year to year is risky.

This takes away the risk for the next three years. Stoneman agreed that theres doubt when a player goes to arbitration. When does a guy get too expensive? You start to squirm a little bit, Stoneman said. So we avoid that in this case. Kennedy, who turns 28 next month, hit .269 with 13 Saturday Sorvico Sam 4pm! Weekday Service 7am 6pm KBs tax VJIU j) to 5qts.

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