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Jerry Rice was the 14th member of the San Francisco 49ers to be named into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Prior to the announcement of his selection, several former teammates and coaches spoke to us about Rice’s legacy and what they remembered most about the franchise’s greatest wide receiver.

FORMER 49ERS HEAD COACH GEORGE SEIFERT

“I don’t think there’s an argument that he’s the best wide receiver to play the game, but he might also be one of the best overall football players to have played the game. The thing that made him most special was that he had the God-given abilities and he went beyond those abilities because of the way that he worked and his dedication to perfecting his game. There was often talk about being the best you can be. He probably carried that to the height of the statement. The way he interacted with the players and coaches – he was somebody that took to coaching and wanted to be the best. That’s one of the reasons – or, that’s the main reason – I think he’s the great player that he was.”

FORMER 49ERS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/QB COACH MIKE HOLMGREN

“Jerry was the most complete wide receiver ever to play the game.  Talent, combined with an incredible work ethic, allowed him to be the best at his position.”

FORMER 49ERS QUARTERBACK JOE MONTANA

“Jerry’s the best to ever play the position. His numbers will probably never be reached. I watch the league all the time and there’s no one who compares to his consistency, and the first thing is catching the football. He was just so good, and then John Taylor came along and made it hard for teams to double Jerry. And I can tell you, it’s impossible to cover Jerry Rice one on one. Jerry got to the post more than anyone in history. I know if I was coaching and I was playing against the 49ers, I would tell my safety to play deep and stay there, and don’t let Jerry Rice get behind you. If he does, you can just keep on running to the locker room. Somehow he always got behind the safety. I don’t know how he did it, but I was happy he did.”

FORMER 49ERS QUARTERBACK STEVE YOUNG

“Jerry was a supreme route runner. The way he moved was somehow predictable and he really made it easy for me to throw the football. He was just so consistent in his motion and movement that I always knew where he was going to be. We all know that he worked hard, but it wasn’t just that he worked hard. There are a lot of hard workers who just peter out. Jerry was a hard worker for 40 years. He outworked everyone. He outworked free agents and even the guys who all they had was work ethic, he outworked them. And he was a star. He rose to every occasion. The bigger the moment the better he played. The playoff games, the Super Bowls, the Monday Night games. If there was a record to break, he would do it that day with the lights shining. His specialty was precision and you can’t cover precision. And people questioned his speed. There were plenty of fast guys who would slow down when they put the helmet and pads on, Jerry got faster in uniform. He carried the equipment better than anyone who has ever played. On the street he might not be the fastest, but on the field he was faster than everybody.”

FORMER 49ERS GUARD RANDY CROSS

“I happen to think that he’s one of the Top 5 players to ever play the game, regardless of the position. Besides the obvious physical attributes he was born with, he had the rare combination and ability to press his God-given talents even further than he probably knew they could be pressed. He was always in just unbelievable shape. He learned from a guy like Roger Craig what it meant to have an offseason, what it meant to put those workouts together where you ran the trails in the morning and you lifted in the mid-day, and then you ran sprints at Stanford in the afternoons. He and Roger were doing stuff like that well before most everybody else got around to it.”

FORMER 49ERS OFFENSIVE TACKLE STEVE WALLACE

“Living back in Atlanta, there are a lot of great NFL players in this area. When guys out here talk about the greatest player ever, it only lasts about a minute. Everybody says Jerry Rice, hands down. Having played with great quarterbacks in Joe Montana and Steve Young, this guy is on planet Pluto. He’s beyond the Pro Bowl and Hall of Fame. He’s the only guy that dominated a position so far beyond anyone else.”

FORMER 49ERS FULLBACK TOM RATHMAN

“He was a true pro in all senses. He was very dedicated to his craft and was a great team player. Obviously, we all know what he did as far as the numbers and everything. I think that all speaks for itself.”

FORMER 49ERS SAFETY RONNIE LOTT

“Jerry was so explosive off the line and had the ability to always finish plays like no one else before or after. One thing he had was an insatiable appetite to get an edge and be the best.”

FORMER 49ERS GUARD RAY BROWN

“Jerry was a perfectionist. He really wanted the football. I guess all receivers do. At the end of the day, he gave you the results. I think I’ve been real fortunate to play with some great players that are in this organization, like Steve Young and those guys who are in the Hall of Fame. You would just think, Steve is in there, so the guy he’s throwing a lot of balls to, he merits Hall of Fame consideration. I wish all those guys get in, especially ex-Niners.”

At the end of January, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith sat down with Comcast SportsNet’s Minidi Bach for an exclusive interview. But there’s more footage to be seen. As of last week, Comcast released bonus video clips that were cut in the editing process.

You can see all the bonus footage by clicking here.

Smith will also appear on the British Broadcasting Corporation’s Super Bowl 44 coverage breaking down the matchup between the Colts and Saints.

Miami, site of Super Bowl 44 and last week’s Pro Bowl is also home to the largest proportion of Haitians living in the United States.

Like their homeland, the Haitian community in South Florida was greatly impacted by the earthquake in Haiti. The Little Haiti community in Miami was especially affected; many lost family members and friends in the disaster. Now, families in Little Haiti are taking in orphans and others who were injured in the earthquake.

To help support the Little Haiti community, NFL players including 49ers defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois visited with community members this past Wednesday at the Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center in Miami. The NFL also presented the Center with a donation to those families most in need.

The players spent time with students speaking of their experiences on and off the football field. In addition the players toured the Center to get an update of how South Florida’s community has been impacted by the earthquake and how they’re responding to it.

The issue was especially important to Jean Francois, who is of Haitian decent.

Jean Francois had never visited his father’s homeland, but had a trip planned before the devastation hit Haiti.

“I want to give back to my people because my whole dad’s side of the family is over there. I’ve never had a chance to see them and finally when I had planned to go see them the disaster happened.

“I want to give all the support I can to make sure people continue to support Haiti with whatever they can, whether its food, money, or any support possible. We need to continue to give to help the country get better.”

Click here to help donate to the Red Cross’ Haitian Relief Fund.

After 20 seasons as a guard in the NFL and three seasons of coaching in the pro game, former 49ers offensive lineman Ray Brown has returned to the 49ers as the team’s assistant offensive line coach. 

Brown played for the 49ers from 1996-2001 and made his only Pro Bowl in his final season in San Francisco. Brown’s only All-Pro season also happened in 2001.Brown spoke with the Bay Area media in a conference call and sounded excited to be back with the 49ers organization.

On why coming back to the 49ers was attractive:

“Just what happened in Buffalo, I was looking for an opportunity because the staff got let go. I have the bug. I love the game. I enjoy being around it in this capacity. On a very personal level, I’ve got some things in this building that are going to make me fit here because I played here and there are people who have touched my life in this building. I feel good about making this decision.”

On what he hopes to accomplish as an assistant offensive line coach:

“I want to teach. I want to help guys get better because I think I have something to offer in that capacity from just having played the game. I’ve always been a film guy and a pencil and note taker-type player. So, I can share that. I really do feel like I can impact this team in a positive way. I’m very appreciative of [head coach] Mike Singletary and [offensive line coach] Mike Solari to let me come over and be a part of this staff.”

On whether he was a coach-on-the-field in Washington when he was playing at age 43:

“I think you may be in the right neighborhood with that one. I think once you become, probably, a seven-to-10 year guy, you pretty much know a lot about what teams are doing offensively. For me, it’s all about sharing what people shared with me because I know that allowed me the opportunity to stay as long as I did. I just only try to reciprocate that, share things and pass off things that I’ve heard and things that I’ve learned. Really, that’s who I am. I’m very grateful for the coaches and teachers that I had prior to getting in this profession.”

On what he thinks about the 49ers offensive line group:

“I’m still getting a look at it, trying to get a finger on what guys can and can’t do. So, I’m really in the observation stage. I’m kind of in the hole a little bit, watching the film. We’re also going over the offensive playbook. So, I’ve got a look at guys, but it hasn’t been a real in-depth look, and we’re starting to watch cut-ups. So, the further I go, or, the further I’m along being on the job, the more familiar I’ll be with the players.”

On his recollection of offensive line Coach Mike Solari and his feelings about him when he was a player:

“He was a tight ends assistant and o-line coach when I was here for a year. One thing I remember about Mike is he believes hard work, and he believed in technique and footwork. And, for a guy like myself who played a long time, those types of things really kept me in the league, being able to play low, being powerful, being assignment correct – those types of things. I’ve learned quite a bit from Mike because you get to see more when you’re upstairs in the meetings with him. Just from my experience having played for him when he was coach here, I know he is a good man, and that has proved itself even while I’ve been on the staff.”

On how long he has been in Santa Clara:

“Monday morning I started. Today’s Thursday. I’m still here and I’m loving it.”

On whether he had known head coach Mike Singletary prior to coming here:

“Other than playing against him, not much. I remember doing a pro athletes outreach group that he and his wife give gave a testimony. I knew him in that way but not on a personal level where it’s name-to-name basis. I guess you know NFL players, but I would probably know him more as an opponent. Just through the process, the interview process, getting to know him, his leadership style – it’s very attractive. As an ex-player, he got me excited. I know I want to be a part of this thing that he’s got going on, and he sells a good message. I think more than anything, he lives a great message, and I’m excited to be a part of that.”

On how many times he faced Singletary as a player:

“I think my first football game we played against the Bears. It became a big brawl. That’s the one thing I do remember about it. Cardinals and Bears in 1986.”

On whether he traded any punches with Singletary:

“Not me. At that time, I’m not going to leave the sideline and lose that big, rookie, 8th-round signing bonus. I had some sense about myself then.”

On whether becoming a head coach or athletic director down the line is a goal for him:

“I want to grow in this game. I think as a player, my career sort of took a while to get off. But, once you get in, you start learning more. I just want to grow. Eventually, I would like to be an offensive line coach. I like the personnel side of it. I like a whole lot of aspects of the game, wherever those opportunities lead me. I feel like if I’m in the building, I’ll do the job. Your talents and your skills will be recognized. Obviously, it comes out in winning and losing. I know I want to help this team win football games and eventually win championships.”

On whether he will have any input on whether the team will draft an offensive lineman:

“I think I will just be along just like other staff. Whatever input that coaches have, you’ll be limited to that. That’s not really my area of expertise right now. I’m just really here right now to learn the playbook and learn our players. I’ll be a part of that draft evaluation of prospects. That’s pretty much where I’ll be limited to contributing in who we’re going to pick.”

On whether there are still a lot of the tenets that former 49ers offensive line coach Bobb McKittrick taught that are still applicable to today’s game:

“I think very much so – being smart, being tough, being physical, knowing what to do, knowing your assignments. All of those things are going to apply to modern-day football. It’s never going to change. It’s going to be about leverage. It’s going to be about being physical. It’s going to be about being a good man. I think that has a lot to do with whether you’re successful or not. We’ve got some good people in this organization. We’ve got some young players that need some grooming and growing. We’ve got some great teachers on staff. I think those combinations will lead us to being a much better football team this season.”

On his memories of McKittrick:

“Very much a thing of respect. He gave me a lot of confidence because I came in as a big guy who – I wasn’t used to the cutting and used to the sweeps and those kinds of things. Bobb told me some things on  a real personal level that gave me confidence. Knowing that and having won a couple of awards that represent his name and who he’s about, you better believe that’s going to make me want to do this job even more on a personal level and it’s going to make me want to also do it for the organization because I had six great years here, not only for myself, but also for my family. I still have friends in this area. I just wish I would have kept my house.”

On his matchups with former 49ers and Cowboys DE Charles Haley’s and his Hall of Fame prospects:

“You’d be nervous whenever you had Charles Haley on your schedule. I think he’s had a wonderful career. I think it does merit Hall of Fame consideration. He will have my vote because I know that from experience. I really hope he gets in. Charles was one of those strange guys in the league. He’s kind of testy sometimes, but I got to know him as a teammate, got to know him as a coach when he coached in Detroit. It was real refreshing to see what kind of guy he was away from the game field. I think what he’s done on the football field is what it’s going to be based on, and I think he’s had a Hall of Fame career.”

On what it was like to be a teammate of Jerry Rice’s:

“Jerry was a perfectionist. He really wanted the football. I guess all receivers do. At the end of the day, he gave you the results. I think I’ve been real fortunate to play with some great players that are in this organization, like Steve Young and those guys who are in the Hall of Fame. You would just think, Steve is in there, so the guy he’s throwing a lot of balls to, he merits Hall of Fame consideration. I wish all those guys get in, especially ex-Niners.”

With a new format that bumped the game up one week before the Super Bowl, the 2010 Pro Bowl was an instant-success in American households. According to the ratings released Monday morning, 12.3 million fans tuned in to watch the Pro Bowl on its new date.

Furthermore, it was the most-watched All-Star game in cable TV history, with 40 percent more viewers tuning into ESPN’s telecast than last year’s game which happened after the Super Bowl.

It was the most viewers for a Pro Bowl since 2000, when 13.2 million viewers watched the game on NBC.

The game also had 70,697 fans in attendance, the most for a Pro Bowl since 1959.

The NFL’s recently released ninth All-Decade Team has two former 49ers among the 53 players selected.

Interestingly enough, both players selected were commonly known by their initials, “T.O” and “L.A.”

Wide receiver Terrell Owens (1996-2003), and guard Larry Allen (2006-2007), were the only players with ties to the 49ers to make the list of the NFL’s best players of the 2000s.

Owens scored 71 of his 144 career touchdowns with the 49ers. During his time with the 49ers in the 2000s, Owens posted 13, 16, 13 and nine touchdowns from 2000-2003. Last season, Owens caught 55 passes for 829 yards and five touchdowns in his first season with the Buffalo Bills.

Allen started in 27 games in two seasons with the 49ers after playing 12 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He also appeared in the 2006 Pro Bowl as a member of the 49ers, capping a streak of 11 consecutive Pro Bowl selections. Allen retired from football after the 2007 season.

Every 10 years, the NFL’s All-Decade teams are selected by members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee.  The team is comprised of two quarterbacks, four running backs, one fullback, four wide receivers, two tight ends, four offensive tackles, four guards, two centers, four defensive tackles, four defensive ends, six linebackers, four cornerbacks, four safeties, two kickers, two punters, two kick returners, two punt returners and two head coaches.

NFL’s All-Decade Team 2000s

Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning

Running Backs: Shaun Alexander, Jamal Lewis, Edgerrin James, LaDainian Tomlinson

Wide Receivers: Marvin Harrison, Torry Holt, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens (1996-2003)

Tight Ends: Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez

Fullback: Lorenzo Neal

Offensive Tackles: Walter Jones, Jonathan Ogden, Orlando Pace, William Roaf

Offensive Guards: Larry Allen (2006-2007), Alan Faneca, Steve Hutchinson, Will Shields

Centers: Olin Kreutz, Kevin Mawae

Defensive Ends: Dwight Freeney, Julius Peppers, Michael Strahan, Jason Taylor

Defensive Tackles: La’Roi Glover, Warren Sapp, Richard Seymour, Kevin Williams

Linebackers: Derrick Brooks, Ray Lewis, Joey Porter, Zach Thomas, Brian Urlacher, DeMarcus Ware

Cornerbacks: Ronde Barber, Champ Bailey, Ty Law, Charles Woodson

Safeties: Brian Dawkins, Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed, Darren Sharper

Punters: Shane Lechler, Brian Moorman

Kickers: David Akers, Adam Vinatieri

Punt Returners: Dante Hall, Devin Hester

Kick Returners: Joshua Cribbs, Dante Hall

Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Tony Dungy

Do you agree or disagree with the selection committe’s final 53-man roster for the 2000s? Explain your reasoning in the comments section below.

The NFC fell 41-34 to the AFC in South Florida in a highly entertaining Pro Bowl.  Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub won the game’s MVP award after completing 13 of 17 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns.  Several of the 49ers players shined as well.

Vernon Davis made an impact early in the game, hauling in a pass from Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers for 36 yards.  He finished with three catches for 67 yards.  Justin Smith also saw some significant playing time, finishing with three tackles and a sack.

I caught up with our players after the game.  Watch below or visit our YouTube page.

For all of our coverage of the Pro Bowl, visit our Pro Bowl Central page.

Whew, I made it!  Getting into the stadium wasn’t the easiest thing I’ve ever done, but I’m all set up in the press box now to give you updates on how Vernon Davis, Andy Lee, Frank Gore and Justin Smith perform in today’s all-star game.

Earlier today, I posted a photo gallery of our Pro Bowl cheerleader, Amy.  I would also like to thank Brandon Vaccaro of Brandon Vaccaro Photography and Nick Scurfield and Jeremy Stewart of HoustonTexans.com for their help this week.  All of our photo galleries from Pro Bowl week were a combined effort by all of us.  I posted galleries from Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday practices so make sure to check out all of the content from this week on our Pro Bowl Central page.  If you know anyone who may be a Texans fan, make sure to check out Nick Scurfield’s blog as well.

Right when I got in, I headed out to the Tailgate party where Amy and the rest of the cheerleaders perrformed.  Doug Flutie also made an appearance and took some photos with fans.

Stay tuned to this blog throughout the game.  I’ll be keeping tabs on our players and how often they’re playing tonight.

The temperature at kickoff is 67 degrees with a light rain.  It’s been gorgeous all week long and then right when the game is about to start, it rains.

FIRST QUARTER:

The AFC got the ball to start the game and Josh Cribbs had a nice return of 21 yards out to the 35.  No 49ers players are in to start the game for the NFC defense.  Patrick Willis was named a starter, but will not play because of a minor injury.  Matt Schaub hit Chris Johnson on a swing pass for a 1st down on the first play of the drive.  Johnson was involved on the next two plays as the AFC marched down to the NFC 36-yard line.  2nd and 6, Shaub hit Antonio Gates for a gain of 3.  3rd and 3, Shaub hit Andre Johnson for a 33-yard touchdown.  Asante Samuel didn’t exactly have tight coverage on the play as Johnson didn’t have a defender within 10 yards.  Justin Smith was in the game on the play.  Smith bull rushed Faneca and threw him on his backside.  The two looked to be joking with one another after the play.  Faneca had to give Smith some credit on the play.

AFC 7 – NFC 0

No 49ers are in on the kickoff return team.  You can tell these players aren’t used to being in on special teams, Johnny Knox took the ball out to the 32.  Aaron Rodgers hit Miles Austin, but was hit immediately for a loss of 1.  2nd and 11, Rodgers hit Vernon Davis who was all alone on a deep crossing route for a gain of 46.  1st and 10, Rodgers looked for Davis again on a go route.  The pass was long and incomplete.  2nd and 10, Adrian Peterson plunged ahead for a gain of 4.  3rd and 6, Rodgers pass for Jackson was incomplete as Jackson couldn’t get his feet in.  Andy Lee came on to hold for David Akers’ 46-yard field goal attempt.  Lee must have done his job just fine as Akers connected on the kick.  Davis was in on all 5 plays on the drive.

AFC 7 – NFC 3

No 49ers players were in on the kickoff as Cribbs took the kick out to the 35.  1st and 10, Schaub rolled out and his pass felt incomplete intended for Chris Johnson.  2nd and 10, Johnson plunged up the middle for a gain of 6.  3rd and 4, Shaub hit Andre Johnson down the left sideline.  The NFC might want to start covering him.  It was a gain of 30.  1st and 10 from the 28, Cribbs took the handoff and pitched to Johnson.  The trickery netted 5 yards.  2nd and 5, Schaub hit Brandon Marshall on the slant for the score.  Justin Smith was in on the final play of that drive.

AFC 14 – NFC 3

Vernon Davis is making his special teams debut on the NFC kickoff return team.  I didn’t get to see how he did blocking on the return as the ball was downed for a touchback. 1st and 10, Rodgers dumped it off to Peterson for a gain of 5.  2nd and 5, Rodgers rolled to his left and hit Jason Witten for a gain of 8.  Davis was the deep option on the play and looked to have pretty good separation.  1st and 10, Rodgers bought some time and tried to hit Peterson but the Viking running back couldn’t haul it in.  2nd and 10, Rodgers hit DeSean Jackson on the WR screen.  Davis and others had nice blocks on that side to assist in the 7-yard gain.  3rd and 3, Rodgers hit Miles Austin for 7 yards and a first down.  1st and 10, Rodgers hit Austin for a short gain.  Davis was lined up as a receiver on the play.  2nd and 5, Rodgers hit Steve Smith of the Giants for a 45-yard touchdown.  Smith beat the coverage of Champ Bailey for the score.  Davis was in for 5 plays on that drive.

AFC 14 – NFC 10

Cribbs showed some toughness, breaking several tackles and gaining extra yardage out to the 29.  Justin Smith is in to start the drive and starting joking with former Bengals teammate Chad Ochocinco before the play.  1st and 10, Young hit Rice on a screen that went backwards for a loss of 8.  2nd and 18, Samuel had good coverage on Ochocinco, deflecting Young’s pass before it arrived.  3rd and 18, Young hit Rice short fora gain of 11.  That’s right, we have a punt!  A defensive stop in the Pro Bowl?  Vernon Davis was in on the punt return team as Jackson gained only a few yards on the return.

1st and 10 for the NFC from their own 22, Davis was in as a blocker and Rodgers hit Witten down the right sideline down to the AFC 45.  1st and 10, Rodgers hit Roddy White quick to the left side for a gain of 6.  2nd and 44, Jackson took the end around and his pass was well behind Mile Austin.  It was not a pretty looking pass.  3rd and 4, Mario Williams hit Rodgers for the sack and a loss of 3.  That’s the end of the first quarter.

In the first quarter, Vernon Davis was in on 13 plays (11 offense, 2 special teams), Justin Smith was in on five plays by my count and Andy Lee was on to hold twice.

SECOND QUARTER:

4th and 7 from the AFC 42, Rodgers hit DeSean Jackson who got just beyond the first down marker.  1st and 10, Rodgers tried to find Williams on a short cross, but the Panthers running back could make the grab.  2nd and 10, Rodgers hit White quick to the left for a gain of 3.  he was pushed out by Champ Bailey.  3rd and 3, Davis lined up in the slot on Rogers hit him on an out route for a gain of 9.  1st and 10 from the AFC 14, Rodger hit Witten on out route for a gain of 8.  2nd and 2, Williams tried to find some room inside, but went backward for a loss of 1.  3rd and 3, Rodgers hit Jackson to the left side on a screen pass for a 7-yard score.  Give an assist though to Davis who came out quickly to seal off Champ Baily and open that side for Jackson.

NFC 17 – AFC 14

Cribbs took the kick out to the 29.  1st and 10, Ray Rice got the inside carry and picked up 9.  2nd and 1, Rice got the ball again and ran hard for a gain of 23.  1st and 10 from the NFC 39, Young hit Ochocinco on a comeback for a gain of 10.  1st and 10, McClain picked up 3 on the carry.  2nd and 7, Rice gained 4, dancing around as he searched for a hole.  3rd and 3, Young scrambled and was brought down by Dockett short of the marker.  Why not go for it on 4th and short?  The AFC does and Rice gains 3 to ove the chains.  1st an 10, the NFC defense swarmed to bring down Rice for a loss of 4.  2nd and 14, Young hits Gates crossing and he got down to the 12.  3rd and 5, Young’s pass was too short for Vincent Jackson.  A good throw would have resulted in a score as Jackson had created space.  Dan Carpenter tied the game up with a 30-yard field goal.  The crowd was pleased to see their hometown kicker connect.

NFC 17 – AFC 17

Knox got around the right side, down to the 27.  1st and 10, McNabb hit Williams out of the backfield for a nice gain of 15 yards.  Ngata nearly deflected the pass at the line.  1st and 10, McNabb threw the ball right to Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell who couldn’t pick it off.  2nd and 10, Davis was wide open down the middle of the field and a bad pass by McNabb fell way short.  3rd and 10, McNabb called his own number and got just enough for the first down.  1st and 10, McNabb threw the ball right to LaMarr Woodley who returned it all the way, but flags were all over the field.  The AFC had 12 men on the field so that may have helped.  Davis was called for a facemask so that crazy play will simply be played again.  1st and 10, Frank Gore got his first touch and took the handoff around the left side for a gain of 2.  2nd and 8, McNabb threw too high for Knox.  It has not been a good series for the Eagles quarterback so far.  3rd and 8, McNabb scrambled for a gain of 5.

The two-minute warning provided some entertainment as the mascots played a game of musical chair.  With just one chair, it quickly became a dog pile.

4th and 3, Gore got the carry from the shotgun formation and looks to be just shy of the first down.  Turnover on downs.  Garrard hit Kassim Osgood on a crossing route for 18 yards.  1st and 10, Garrard looked for Vincent Jackson in the end zone.  Mike Jenkins had good coverage to break up the pass.  2nd and 10, Garrard’s pass is again incomplete for Jackson.  3rd and 10, Garrard scrambled and was brought down from behind by Peppers.  With the AFC looking to go for it, the NFC calls timeout.  4th and 8, Garrard threw too high for Gates.  Smith made a nice spin move to apply pressure right as Garrard threw.  That’s a turnover on downs and the NFC will have 54 seconds to work with before the end of the half.

1st and 10, McNabb’s pass is too long for Jason Witten.  2nd and 10, McNabb avoided the low tackle of Vanden Bosch and got out of bounds after a gain of 4.  3rd and 6, McNabb’s pass was well behind Gore.  Wow! Lee is on for his first ever Pro Bowl punt.  Cribbs fielded it on the goal line and brought it all the way back to the NFC 35.

1st and 10, Garrard hit Ochocinco on a cross down to the 18-yard line.  Carpenter game on for the field goal, but the kick is no good.  The score stay all ties up at 17-17 as we head to halftime.

I’ve been doing my best to chart our players’ snaps.  Through two quarters, Davis has been in on 24 plays (21 offense, 3 special teams), Gore has been in on 7 offensive plays, Smith has had 13 snaps and Lee has had one punt and 3 holds for field goals and extra points.

THIRD QUARTER:

I hadn’t even returned to my seat at the press box after running down to the field to get photos.  I did see McNabb hit Jackson though for a 58-yard touchdown.  I was still in the elevator at the time.

NFC 24 – AFC 17

The AFC will start their drive at the 43 after a nice return by Cribbs.  1st and 10, Garrard hit Jackson for a gain of 9.  2nd and 1, Garrad hit Jackson again.  Jackson found a hole in the defense and then took off and outran everyone, diving for the end zone and getting the touchdown.  Looked like he may have stepped out of bounds early, but no review.

NFC 24 – AFC 24

Knox took the kick back 21 yards out to the 25.  1st and 10, McNabb’s pass wasn’t close to TE Jason Witten.  It was easily picked off by Dawkins.  He lateraled the ball to Bailey who lateraled it to Revis who fumbled the ball which was then recovered by the man who originally picked it off, Dawkins.  Great work by the press box PA announcer just to get all of that straight.

1st and 10 for the AFC from the NFC 43, Garrard hit Jackson along the left sideline for a gain of 20.  1st and 10, Garrard’s screen pass attempt was too high for Jones-Drew.  2nd and 10, nice coverage by Rolle to break up the pass intended for Gates in the end zone.  Unsportsmanlike conduct on the NFC though for illegal defense and the AFC will get the first down plus half the distance to the goal.  1st and 10 from the 11, Jones-Drew gets the carry up the middle for a gain of 7.  2nd and 3, Jones-Drew got a great push from his offensive line and walked in for the touchdown.

AFC 31 – NFC 24

The NFC drive starts at the 25.  Peterson got the handoff on first down and got around the left side for a gain of 12.  1st and 10, Peterson rumbled to the right side and picked up just 1.  2nd and 9, McNabb’s pass was too high for Witten and the boos start to rain down for the Eagles quarterback.  3rd and 9, McNabb scrambled, but will be short of the first down.  McNabb is just 3 of 10 for 78 yards, one touchdown and one interception.  Lee’s second ever Pro Bowl punmt was downed at the 21.

1st and 10, Garrard scrambled, but was chased by Dockett and had to throw it away.  2nd and 10, Garrard hit Ochocinco on a deep cross for a gain of 40.  1st and 10, Garrard connected with Jackson for an 18-yard gain and then hit Ochocinco again for a gain of 13.  1st and 10, Rice got the carry and was tackled by Smith for a short gain.  2nd and 8, Ochocinco nearly made a spectacular touchdown grab, but was hit hard and couldn’t hang on.  3rd and 8, Garrard scrambled and was eventually brought down by Justin Smith for a sack and a loss of 1.  Carpenter is good this time from 26 yards.

AFC 34 – NFC 24

Carpenter’s kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.  1st and 10, Jackson got the quick pass and again followed a block by Vernon Davis for a gain of 11.  That’s several times now that they’ve run that play.  1st and 10, Romo hit White over the middle for a gain of 16.  1st and 10, they go with the quick screen with Davis as the blocker yet again.  This time the pass was to White and gained 5.  2nd and 5, Romo hit Davis on a deep cross for a gain. 1st and 10, Romo hit Jackson short for a gain of 6.  2nd and 4, Romo hit White down the right sideline to the 7-yard line.  1st and goal, Williams took the carry up the middle for the touchdown.

AFC 34 – NFC 31

Cribbs returned the kickoff 37 yards out to the 40.  1st and 10, Rice picked up 7 yard on the inside run.  2nd and 3, Young’s pass skips short of Ochocinco.  3rd and 3, Young checks down to Rice who made a quick move for the first down.  That’s it for the third quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER:

1st and 10, Young floated it for Ochocinco.  Samuel had good position, but Ochocinco leaped over him and nearly came down with a great grab.  2nd and 10, Young hit Miller over the middle for a gain of 13.  1st and 10, Young’s pass intended for Ochocinco was knocked down by Samuel.  2nd and 10, Young’s pass was well off the mark and picked off by Samuel who returned it from the 4 out to the 39.

1st and 10, Romo hit White who outran the secondary down to the 26.  An illegal defense penalty will move the ball half the distance to the goal.  1st and 10 from the 13, Romo looked for Witten, but the pass was incomplete.  2nd and 10, Romo hit White quick to the left side for a loss of 3.  3rd and 13, Romo was hauled down by Mario Williams – his 2nd sack.  Lee on to hold for the 39-yard field goal attempt which is good.

NFC 34 – AFC 34

The kickoff bounced in the end zone and Cribbs still took it out to the 24.  1st and 10, Schaub hit Jackson over the middle for a gain of 17.  1st and 10, Schaub was chased by Allen and he had to get rid of it.  I have to start getting packed up and ready to go down to the field.  We’ll have photo galleries and more coverage though after the game so stay tuned!!

The NFC and AFC squads wrapped up their week of practice on Saturday.  The practices were held at Lockhart stadium in Ft. Lauderdale and were open to the public.

Take a look at our photo gallery from Saturday’s practice.  It was a lighter, abbreviated session that featured the NFL cheerleaders.  NFC coach Wade Phillips was also miked up during practice and that sound was played over the stadium’s speakers so that all the fans could hear the interaction between Philips and the players.

Patrick Willis was replaced on the NFC roster by Panthers linebackers Jon Beason after he decided not to play because of a minor injury.

With the week of practice concluding, players will get the rest of the day off and resume preparation on Sunday for the 7:20 ET kickoff of the NFL’s all-star game.

There hasn’t been much adjustment for players like Jason Witten.  The Cowboys tight end didn’t have to learn anything new this week since the Cowboys coaching staff is heading the NFC squad.

“I think there are going to be some good plays,” Witten said.  “I know this offense pretty well so I’m excited about it and I look forward to playing tomorrow.”

49ers punter Andy Lee looks around at the rest of teammates and can only feel optimistic about his team in tomorrow’s game.

“The only thing I can say is I like our chances,” Lee said.  “We’ve been practicing well so we’ll see how it all goes tomorrow.”

This will be Lee’s second Pro Bowl.  He was selected to the team in 2007, but the only time he was on the field in that game was to hold on field goal kicks.

“I didn’t punt the last time, so I don’t know if I really learned anything from that game that will help me tomorrow,” Lee joked.  “I just have to go out there, do my job and show why I was chosen.”

Lee ranked 1st in the NFC in 2009 with a 47.6 gross punt average so he’ll definitely be an asset for his team if called upon on Sunday.  However, Lee laughed and said that he wants to be even more involved.

“I don’t think we have a fake in, who knows,” Lee said.  “We could throw something in, but we’ll see if I’ll have to actually punt this time around.”

It’s been an enjoyable week for Lee who was able to bring his wife Rachel as well as some of his family out to South Florida along with him.

“Yesterday was great,” said Lee.  “I went out to eat with the family and hung out by the pool.  The place we went to eat was called Truluck’s.  I got this big Alaskan crab from Dutch Harbor.  That what they have on the show Deadliest Catch.  It was great.”

For all of our coverage of the Pro Bowl, visit our Pro Bowl Central page.

Friday started off early at the team hotel as the AFC and NFC teams suited up for their team photos.  It’s a great opportunity for the teams to get photos of all their players together as a group for a quick photo.

Once again, Donovan McNabb provided all the needed comic relief during the NFC photo.  One of the photographers was wearing a full Florida State warmup suit.  His clothes, combined with his gray hair made him look exactly like former FSU coach Bobby Bowden…minus his famous hat of course.

“Hey Bobby!” McNabb yelled.  “You’ve had a great career Bobby, sorry to see you go.”

Some of the players were then asked to come over as a team and speak with members of the armed forces on a live teleconference.  The Vikings and the 49ers both spoke for the NFC.  One of the members of the military asked Adrian Peterson why they fumbled six times in the conference championship game against the New Orleans Saints.

“Man, tough crowd,” Jared Allen responded.

Allen was then asked how it was to play with the oldest quarterback in the NFL, Brett Farve.

“It’s great,” Allen said.  “We get discounts at the movie theaters.”

Take a look at our photo gallery from picture day.  It was truly quite a show, highlighted by McNabb sporting a police officer’s uniform and riding around on the officer’s scooter.

One sentimental sight at this week’s practices was Patrick Willis’ former high school coaches Rod Sturdivant and Jack McGee.  The two surprised Willis, making the trip from Bruceton, Tennesse to Miami.

“Coach Sing said, ‘I’m going to ask two other people to come.’  And he didn’t tell me who he was going to ask,” Willis said.  “When I saw them I was really excited because those are the guys who really helped me get to where I am today.”

As much as Sturdivant and McGee impacted Willis’ career, Willis also left quite an impression on his coaches while he was in high school.

“He was a man amongst boys,” Sturdivant said.  “As you can see now with where he’s gone, in our league he was head and shoulders above everyone else.  He was a leader by example.  He’s a quiet individual, but we really saw his great work ethic in everything he did, his schoolwork and also on the field.”

Playing in a small town like Bruceton, the competition level may not have been as high as some of the larger football divisions.  That didn’t hinder Willis, it made him work that much harder.

“I had ambitions, I had dreams,” Willis said.  “I wanted to get to where I am now.  This is my third Pro Bowl and I’m grateful.  I thank God every day.”

For Sturdivant and McGee, seeing their former pupil in the NFL’s all-star game for the third time in three years is rewarding.

“It’s unbelievable and it couldn’t happen to a more deserving young man,” Sturdivant said.

The turning point for Willis occured in his first year with Sturdivant and McGee.  Willis was only a Freshman, playing on the kickoff return team when a short kick headed straight for him.  Willis bobbled the kick and it was recovered by the opposing team.

“I felt so bad, but coach McGee said, ‘You know what, forget about this.  I want you to get in there and play defense,”’ Willis recalled.  “From that point I went out and played defense lights out.  To this day, that’s why I love to play defense as much as I do.  That was the start of it.”

Though Willis’ team when on to lose that quarterfinal game, the advice certainly benefited him and the rest of the defense Willis will be playing with during Sunday’s Pro Bowl.  The NFC boasts an imposing linebacker corps with the likes of Brian Orakpo of the Redskins, DeMarcus Ware of the Cowboys and Clay Matthews of the Packers.

“I got to know Patrick before the draft a little bit and he’s a great guy,” Orakpo said.  “He’s a playmaker and that’s what I like – guys who make plays, but who are still very humble in their football careers.  Hopefully there’s still plenty more Pro Bowls to come for him.”

Here’s my entire interview with Willis after Friday’s practice.

For all of our coverage of the Pro Bowl, visit our Pro Bowl Central page. And for more videos like the ones above, check out our new YouTube page.