The Redskins won’t forget Sean Taylor any time soon. Nor, it appears, will the rest of the league.
The players and coaches followed the lead of the fans and voted the late Taylor as a starter for the Pro Bowl. Taylor, who reached the game as an alternate after last season, was having his best season in 2007. After missing two games with a knee injury, Taylor died Nov. 27 after being shot the previous morning. Through nine games, Taylor led the NFC in interceptions with five and had 46 tackles and a forced fumble.
Meanwhile, Redskins tight end Chris Cooley earned his first trip to Hawaii while left tackle Chris Samuels was named to the squad for the fifth time. Both players will be reserves.
Fullback Mike Sellers was named a first alternate. Kick returner Rock Cartwright (second), running back Clinton Portis (second), linebacker London Fletcher (third) and safety LaRon Landry (third) also are alternates.
Cooley started slow this season, with only 27 catches in the first seven games. But then he got hot. In the next six games, Cooley caught 35 passes and established himself as Washington’s most consistent offensive threat. Cooley caught a combined 14 passes in consecutive games against Dallas and Tampa Bay.
For the season, Cooley has caught 60 passes for 711 yards and seven touchdowns.
“It’s the best season I’ve had in my career,” Cooley said last week.
He’ll play behind Dallas’ Jason Witten, who has 88 receptions for 1,068 yards.
Samuels will be making his third consecutive trip to Hawaii. He’ll play behind Dallas’ Flozell Adams and Seattle’s Walter Jones at tackle.
Minnesota’s Tony Richardson is the lone fullback.
For Fletcher, the disappointment over the Pro Bowl continues. Despite solid career numbers, he’s never earned a berth. He appeared on pace this season, leading the league in tackles only a few weeks ago. However, he had stiff competition and his play also leveled off, with his tackles per game approximately 1.5 less over the last six games than in the first eight.
Seattle’s Lofa Tatupu and San Francisco rookie Patrick Willis earned the first two inside linebacking spots.
Five local players also earned a spot on the team. Seattle linebacker Julian Peterson(Crossland High), Philadelphia running back Brian Westbrook (DeMatha), San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman (Frederick Douglas), San Diego defensive tackle Jamal Williams (Carroll) and Cleveland wide receiver/kick returner Josh Cribbs (Dunbar) all made the team. Peterson, making his fourth trip, will start at outside linebacker for the NFC, while Cribbs, first appearance, will be the AFC’s kick returning specialist.
