SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers endured
another historic shutout loss Wednesday. For the first time since
1980, they don't have any players headed to the Pro Bowl.
At the tail end of what could be the worst season in franchise
history, the 49ers (2-12) still were mildly surprised by the snub
Wednesday from fans, fellow players and coaches. Only San
Francisco, Cleveland and Tennessee failed to get any players into
the postseason all-star game in Honolulu.
"It's just an indication of where we're at," general manager
Terry Donahue said. "When we had players like Jeff (Garcia) and
Terrell Owens and Ron Stone, obviously we had a much more mature
and developed team than we have now ... but we'll get some Pro
Bowlers out of here."
Others in the 49ers' locker room weren't so charitable.
Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich couldn't contain his displeasure when he
saw Philadelphia's Jeremiah Trotter and Carolina's Dan Morgan as
the inside linebackers on the NFC roster.
"Jeremiah Trotter and Dan Morgan? You've got to be kidding
me," said Ulbrich, who leads the 49ers with a career-high 144
tackles, according to the club's statistics.
"It's a joke. It's whoever is on 'SportsCenter,' whoever the
media wants to pump up. It's unbelievable. I don't understand it.
... The Pro Bowl is a joke, it really is a joke."
Ulbrich thought Derek Smith, his longtime teammate and the
49ers' defensive leader, has been a better middle linebacker this
season than Trotter or Morgan. He knew the 49ers' miserable record
plays a role in individual honors -- but he also blamed players and
coaches for allowing the media to influence their votes.
"I just know that the way (roster selection) works now, the
guys that get voted in are just a joke," he said. "You look at
the guys that are making it, they're getting the most nationally
televised games. They're getting the most 'SportsCenter' clips."
But if injuries affect the NFC squad, San Francisco might sneak
at least one player onto the final rosters in February. Tight end
Eric Johnson and fullback Fred Beasley are first alternates for the
team. Beasley, a first-time Pro Bowl player last season, lost his
spot to Green Bay's William Henderson.
Johnson, who already has set franchise records for receptions
and yards receiving by a tight end, would be sent to the Pro Bowl
if Dallas' Jason Witten or Atlanta's Alge Crumpler can't go. Though
he has emerged as a superb receiver, Johnson's reputation as a
less-than-stellar blocker might have affected his chances.
"I can't help but be a little disappointed not being on that
first team, but it gives me incentive for next year," Johnson
said. "It leaves a lot to work for, to really inspire me to push
my game to the next level."
Defensive tackle Bryant Young and special teams standout Arnaz
Battle were third alternates to the NFC team.