Faulk, Pace on Pro Bowl roster

ST. LOUIS -- Injury-plagued seasons and a sub-.500 record couldn't keep Rams running back Marshall Faulk and offensive tackle Orlando Pace out of the Pro Bowl.

The team landed the two stars Thursday in the Feb. 3 game in Honolulu, Hawaii. Offensive guard Adam Timmerman is a first alternate, wide receiver Isaac Bruce is a second alternate and wide receiver Torry Holt is a third alternate.

Not bad for a 6-8 team with two games left to play.

"When you have a mediocre season, things like that happen," Faulk said.

Last year, the Rams sent seven players to the Pro Bowl in a 14-2 season that ended with a Super Bowl upset loss to the New England Patriots.

"The last couple of times I've been over there it was a Rams fest," Pace said. "That made the whole deal a lot more fun.

"This time it'll be just me and Marshall, but it'll still be fun."

Coach Mike Martz held a brief team meeting after practice, with each Pro Bowler getting short bursts of applause. Martz said he's learned never to be surprised on Pro Bowl day.

"I gave up a long time ago on the Pro Bowl when Isaac (Bruce) had 119 catches and he didn't make it," Martz said. "I don't know what they base it on. They're obviously deserving."

Pace missed three games with a torn calf muscle and will miss his third straight game with a pulled hamstring Sunday at Seattle. Faulk will miss his sixth straight start on Sunday with a high ankle sprain, although he's played as a reserve the past three games and will do so again this week.

"It just shows when I am healthy and when I was out there, people watch and they take notice," Faulk said. "What happens with me doesn't just mean I'm successful, it has to do with other guys who are out there also."

Faulk, who needs 103 yards the last two games for his sixth straight 1,000-yard rushing season, wasn't sure if he would play in the Pro Bowl. Pace is hopeful he can play in the Pro Bowl after missing the game last year.

"I'd hate to miss it two years in a row," he said.

"I know I didn't go last year, so if I'm healthy I'd like to play in the game."

Pace has been named to the Pro Bowl four times and Faulk has been named seven times in nine seasons, including all four with the Rams.

A day before the Pro Bowl balloting was announced, Pace wasn't optimistic.

"It was a rough year, not only for the team but for myself," Pace said. "I played in enough games, I guess, to at least be nominated."