It went from ridiculous to reality for Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo on Tuesday when he and three teammates were selected to represent the NFC in the Pro Bowl.
A few weeks ago, coach Bill Parcells said it was ridiculous for anyone to think Romo should be considered for the NFL's All-Star gathering in Hawaii.
Who knows what Parcells will say now about his young quarterback?
Maybe it is time for some anointing oil?
"Definitely not. If anything, it will only get me in more trouble in practice," Romo said before his weekly radio show at a sports bar Tuesday night. "I just really appreciate everyone who voted for me and thought I was good enough to play. It means a lot to me. It's a humbling feeling and it's really exciting."
Strong safety Roy Williams was named to his fourth Pro Bowl, and there are two first-timers in outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who was selected as a starter, and punter Mat McBriar.
Williams leads the team in interceptions (five) and is second in passes defended (14) and fourth in total tackles (73).
McBriar leads the NFC in punting with a 39.5 net average. He has 21 punts inside the 20, and he kicked a 75-yarder earlier this season. He is the first Cowboys punter selected to the Pro Bowl since Ron Widby in 1971.
"This is an honor that I wasn't really expecting," said McBriar, who played at Hawaii in college. "I'm happy for all the guys who made it and for all the success that our team has had thus far this year."
Ware has picked up the slack with outside linebacker Greg Ellis out for the season with an Achilles' injury. Ware leads the team in sacks (7 ½ ), forced fumbles (four) and tackles for losses (five).
Ware moved from defensive end to linebacker after being drafted out of Troy in 2005. He had the Cowboys' third-highest season sack total for a rookie with eight.
Now, he becomes another linebacker sent to the Pro Bowl under Parcells.
But Romo has become the biggest surprise of the season.
After only eight starts, Romo leads the NFC in passing efficiency and is second in the NFL behind Indianapolis' Peyton Manning.
His Pro Bowl selection marks the first time since 1996 that a Cowboys quarterback has reached Hawaii. Troy Aikman was the last to do so.
There were several omissions to the NFC team.
Receiver Terrell Owens leads the NFC with 11 touchdowns and is tied for fifth with 77 receptions and 1,040 yards but was denied a trip to Hawaii. After making the Pro Bowl five consecutive times, Owens hasn't made it the last two seasons.
Cornerback Terence Newman, who said earlier in the season he was hopeful of a Pro Bowl bid, also was left off the team.
Tight end Jason Witten and center Andre Gurode have played well but not well enough according to the fans, players and coaches. Witten was selected to the last two Pro Bowls.
Players can be chosen as alternates, but those names are not released.
Briefly: RB Keylon Kincade was signed back to the practice squad.
E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com
| QB COMPARISON | | How Tony Romo stacks up against the other NFC Pro Bowl quarterbacks: | | Player | Team | G-GS | C-A-I | Yds. | TD | Rating | | Tony Romo | Dallas | 14-8 | 183-276-10 | 2,440 | 16 | 98.4 | | Drew Brees | New Orleans | 14-14 | 339-517-11 | 4,240 | 25 | 98.2 | | Marc Bulger | St. Louis | 14-14 | 326-520-8 | 3,665 | 19 | 89.5 | |
| SNUBBED? | | A look at two Cowboys who were not selected and how they stack up against two other players who were: | | Player | Team | Rec. | Yds. | TD | Drops | | Terrell Owens | Dallas | 77 | 1,040 | 11 | 15 | | Anquan Boldin | Arizona | 75 | 1,027 | 4 | 4 | | Player | Team | Tack. | Int. | PBU | | Terence Newman | Dallas | 57 | 1 | 11 | | Lito Sheppard | Philadelphia | 22 | 5 | 13 | |
Note: Sheppard has played in only 11 games
