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FALCONS-50 1/26/05
Reggie Roberts (770)
965-2761 ALLEN ROSSUM NAMED TO NFC PRO BOWL SQUAD FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Atlanta Falcons return specialist Allen Rossum was named to the NFC’s Pro Bowl squad, according to an announcement by the National Football League on Wednesday. Rossum replaces Detroit Lions return specialist Eddie Drummond, who will miss the game due to a shoulder injury. Rossum will join Falcons LB Keith Brooking, TE Alge Crumpler, DE Patrick Kerney and QB Michael Vick, who were also selected to the NFC’s Pro Bowl squad. Atlanta’s five Pro Bowl selections represent the highest number of Falcons selected to play in the NFL’s annual all-star game since 1998 when six Falcons players made the trip to Honolulu, Hawaii. “It’s a great accomplishment regardless of the situation in which it came about,” said Rossum, who earlier this season broke the Falcons team record for the most punt return yards in a career. “Although I am the one who gets rewarded with a trip to Hawaii, none of this would be possible without the guys who sacrifice themselves and open up the lanes for me to run through. “The special teams are almost like a team within a team,” continued Rossum. “(Falcons special teams coordinator) Joe DeCamillis is the best at what he does. We are all benefited by the time and dedication he puts into his schemes, which always put us in the best possible position to succeed.” Added Falcons head coach Jim Mora, “Allen Rossum had a lot to do with the success we had as a team this season. Like everything else we accomplished this season, I’d say Rossum’s season was the product of a team effort in that every time he returned a punt or a kickoff, there were 10 other guys out there whose unselfish play made it happen.” The Pro Bowl honor is the latest in what has been the best season of Rossum’s seven-year career. In 2004, Rossum finished No.2 in the NFL in average yards per punt return (12.4 yards) while also amassing the third-highest single-season totals in team history for both kickoff (1,250 yards) and punt return (457 yards) yards. Rossum’s 75-yard punt return for a touchdown at Kansas City (Oct. 24) tied the third-longest return in team history. In the Falcons 34-31 overtime victory against Carolina in Week 15, Rossum surpassed former Falcon Billy “White Shoes” Johnson (1,251 yards) as the club’s all-time leader in punt return yards. Rossum now has 1,290 punt return yards in his Falcons career. Two weeks ago, Rossum was named the NFL’s Special Teams Player of the Week, following his performance in the Falcons’ 47-17 NFC Divisional Playoff win over the St. Louis Rams. Rossum set an NFL postseason record with 152 punt return yards, including a 68-yard punt return for a touchdown. Each one of Rossum’s returns contributed to a Falcons score. The NFL Pro Bowl, which matches all-star squads from the NFC and the AFC will be played on Sunday, February 13 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Pro Bowl can be seen on ESPN. --FALCONS |