East Rutherford, NJ - The Giants' great Pro Bowl receiver drought has ended.
WR Steve Smith
will be the first Giants wide receiver to play in the Pro Bowl
since Homer Jones made the second of his two appearances in
1968.
Steve Smith, who led the NFC and shattered the Giants' single-season record with 107 catches in 2009, has been added to the conference's Pro Bowl squad as a replacement for Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald.
Smith will be the first Giants wide receiver to play in the Pro Bowl as a wide receiver since Homer Jones made the second of his two appearances in 1968 (David Tyree played in the 2006 Pro Bowl as a special team). The third-year pro was selected as a first alternate and moved onto the roster when Fitzgerald pulled out of the game because of injury.
"I'm really excited about playing in the Pro Bowl," Smith said. "It's truly an honor to be recognized by the fans, coaches and players as one of the best in the league. I realize how significant it is at the position I play, by being the first Giants wide receiver to be named to the Pro Bowl in such a long time. I plan to represent my teammates, my coaches and the entire Giants organization well, because I know I would not have made it without their support."
The Pro Bowl will be played in Miami on Jan. 31, a week prior to the Super Bowl. Center Shaun O'Hara is the only other Giant currently on the NFC team.
"It's a little bittersweet, because obviously I wish I was playing in the game a week after the Pro Bowl," Smith said. "But I know my teammates and I will work hard this offseason to put ourselves in position for a much better 2010 Giants season."
Smith had the greatest season by a wide receiver in Giants history. His receptions were 25 more than the franchise's previous single-season record-holder (Amani Toomer had 82 in 2002) and 50 more than this season's runner-up, Mario Manningham. Smith entered the season with 65 career catches.
Smith's 1,220 receiving yards were the second-highest total in franchise history. Toomer had 1,343 in 2002. Smith joins Toomer, Plaxico Burress (1,214 yards in 2005) and Jones (1,209 yards in 1967) as the only Giants with 1,200-yard receiving seasons.
In addition, Smith led the team with seven touchdown catches and he was first in the NFL with 38 third-down receptions. Smith gained 457 yards and scored three touchdowns on third down.
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