Steelers' Faneca in sixth Pro Bowl

He will be joined by Troy Polamalu, Willie Parker and Casey Hampton.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Alan Faneca was chosen Tuesday for his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl and will be joined in the AFC starting lineup by safety Troy Polamalu.
Running back Willie Parker was the only one of the Steelers' four Pro Bowl players to be chosen for the first time. Nose tackle Casey Hampton, one of the NFL's top defenders against the run, was picked for the second season in a row and the third time in four seasons.
Polamalu was selected for a third consecutive season despite missing the Steelers' last three games, all victories, with a sprained knee ligament. Faneca has been chosen every season since the Steelers moved into Heinz Field in 2001.
Parker will be one of the AFC's three running backs, joining starter LaDainian Tomlinson of San Diego and Larry Johnson of Kansas City. A non-drafted rookie free agent in 2004, Parker has rushed for 1,331 yards this season and his 14 touchdowns are one short of Louis Lipps' club single-season record set in 1985.
Parker has rushed for 2,533 yards in his first two seasons as a starter, with two games remaining this season. Parker and Jerome Bettis are the only Steelers running backs chosen for the Pro Bowl since Barry Foster in 1994.
The Steelers had five Pro Bowl players during their Super Bowl-winning season a year ago, but linebacker Joey Porter and center Jeff Hartings were not chosen this season. They had nine Pro Bowl players during their 15-1 season in 2004.
Other selections
The Chargers and Bears lead the NFL in wins -- and Pro Bowlers.
The Chargers placed nine players on the AFC squad Tuesday and the Bears had seven on the NFC team, which also includes a quarterback -- Dallas' Tony Romo -- who wasn't a starter when the season began.
San Diego's contingent includes quarterback Philip Rivers, who sat on the bench for his first two seasons behind Drew Brees. The former Chargers quarterback signed as a free agent with New Orleans in the offseason and will start for the NFC.
Also among the players representing the Chargers is linebacker Shawne Merriman, last year's defensive rookie of the year, who made it despite missing four games for flunking a steroid test.
"I'm very proud of our team and players," said general manager A.J. Smith of the Chargers, who like the Bears are 12-2. "We have a special group of players. These individuals are being recognized, but this is also a positive reflection on their teammates and the overall strength and depth of the entire roster."
The game will be played in Honolulu on Feb. 10.
Defense, special teams
Chicago's representatives demonstrate how the Bears won: with defense and special teams.
Three of the seven Bears, led by linebacker Brian Urlacher, are on defense and three are on special teams -- kicker Robbie Gould, specialist Brendan Ayanbadejo and rookie return man Devin Hester, who has shattered records with six returns for touchdowns on three punts, two kickoffs and a missed field goal.
Center Olin Kreutz, a perennial at his position, is the only Bears Pro Bowler on offense. The NFC team also includes the Barber twins -- running back Tiki of the New York Giants and Ronde of Tampa Bay. The first twins to make it together, they now become the second set of brothers to make the Pro Bowl for three straight seasons -- Shannon and Sterling Sharpe from 1993-95 are the others.
"With this being my final season in the NFL and the final time my brother Ronde and I will be teammates, the honor carries even more significance than in previous years," said Tiki Barber, who described himself as "emotional and ecstatic."
In a year of outstanding rookies, Hester is the only one to make it, although Tennessee quarterback Vince Young is an alternate.
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