Silver and Black Report

Third year Raiderette Anna represented the Oakland Raiders at the 2012 Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

“I’m super excited,” said Anna in December when she was given the honors. “I’m really proud and honored that I get to do it. I’m going to work my hardest to dance as well as I can and do the best for The Oakland Raiders and my teammates and everybody and make sure I represent well.”

Here are images of the Raiderette, along with others from across the NFL during Pro Bowl festivities:

Fore more images of Raiderettes and cheerleaders across the league, click here.

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Richard Seymour and Carl Nicks went toe-to-toe on Sunday evening.

SBReport.net was in attendance all weekend in Hawaii for the pro bowl and in the press box and sidelines during the AFC’s 59-41 victory.

Four Oakland Raiders donned the red all-star jerseys during the contest.

We’ll take a look at how they fared on Sunday:

Sebastian Janikowski, PK

Janikowski finished 8/8 on extra points, earning the record for most points after touchdown in the game. He also converted on his only field goal attempt from 37-yards out. “Oh, that’s what happened?” said Janikowski, exclusively to SBReport.net in the locker room after the game, surprised he had a record in his first pro bowl appearance.

Jon Condo, LS

Condo was on both punt and kickoff coverage teams and was perfect on all of his snaps. Not one incident occurred, and the long snappers name was not mentioned with seamless snaps.

Shane Lechler, P

It must’ve been nice not to see any action as a punter. The AFC never called on Lechler, as his duties were mainly as a holder for Janikowski. “I didn’t punt today, I kind of like that,” said Lechler on the field after the game.

Richard Seymour, DT

Seymour started the game and had one tackle. After the game, he talked at length about Tommy Kelly, his new head coach Dennis Allen and what it means to be in the Pro Bowl.

Denver Broncos starting safety Brian Dawkins gave SBReport.net some insight on Allen. Seymour, Janikowski and Lechler also talked after the game. To watch the video, click on this link:

RAIDERS CHAT AFTER THE PRO BOWL

Here are more images from the event:

Brandon Marshall took home the hardware, earning MVP honors with six receptions for 176-yards and a record four touchdowns in the game. The Miami Dolphins target ”You never know when you’re going to be back,” Marshall said, “and I wanted to go all out today because it could be my last Pro Bowl.”

Rookie Cam Newton ended his season with 186-yards passing, on 9-of-27, for two scores and three interceptions.

Janikowski, Condo and Lechler were inseparable all weekend.

Two hall of fame bound players sat on the bench: Ravens MLB Ray Lewis and Seymour.

Raiders DL Seymour was in pursuit in the 1st quarter.

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Despite the Pro Bowl being an offensive shootout with little opportunities for field goals, Oakland Raiders placekicker Sebastian Janikowski was able to make his mark in his first Pro Bowl appearance on Sunday as the AFC came back to defeat the NFC 59-41.

Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler watch Janikowski's field goal soar through the uprights

Janikowski, the Raiders all-time franchise leading scorer, used the shootout as an opportunity to add yet another record to his kicking résumé. After tying the NFL record with a 63-yard field goal in week one against the Broncos, Janikowski finished the 2011 NFL season going 8/8 in the Pro Bowl on extra points, earning the record for most extra points made in a game in Pro Bowl history. San Francisco 49er’s kicker David Akers previously set the record with seven made extra points in the 2010 Pro Bowl.

Janikowski also made his sole field goal attempt from 37 yards out and had five touchbacks, including one that drew “oohs” from the crowd of 48,423 as the kickoff soared over the end zone with plenty of distance to make it through the uprights.

Punter Shane Lechler appeared in his seventh Pro Bowl but did not get the opportunity to show off his strong leg as the AFC chose to go for it on three of their fourth downs. Despite not being able to punt the ball, Lechler was able to be a part of Janikowski’s record-setting performance as his holder, just as he is on the Raiders.

Another familiar piece on the AFC special teams was Raiders long snapper Jon Condo who was making his second Pro Bowl appearance. In addition to serving as the AFC long snapper, Condo also saw time on the field in both kickoff returns and kickoff coverage.

Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, HI

On two occasions, the NFC went to their bag of trickery and called an onside kick to catch the AFC off guard. After the first one was recovered with ease by the NFC, the AFC was ready for it the second time but Condo failed to fall on the ball and the NFC recovered the ball.

Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour started the game for his seventh Pro Bowl but finished with only one sack in a game that saw mostly arm tackles and over 1,100 yards of total offense.

Janikowski wasn’t the only one on the field breaking Pro Bowl records. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald tied the Pro Bowl record for most career Pro Bowl touchdowns when he hauled in his second touchdown of the day in the first quarter to give the NFC a 14-0 lead early. The touchdown reception marked his sixth career Pro Bowl touchdown, tying fellow Pro Bowler and Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall also set his own record en route to being named the 2012 Pro Bowl MVP. Marshall hauled in six receptions for 176 yards and a Pro Bowl record four touchdown receptions. The 176 receiving yards also marks the second most in Pro Bowl history.

Broncos safety Brian Dawkins gave time to let the Raider Nation know exactly who they are getting in their new head coach Dennis Allen, who was Dawkins’ defensive coordinator this season. To see the interview, along with interviews with the Oakland Raiders Pro Bowl attendees in Honolulu, watch the video below.

The 2012 Pro Bowl teams practiced in front of NFL fans for free at Aloha Stadium on Saturday under the beautiful Hawaiian sun.

A fan shows his love for the Raiders while attending 'Ohana day

Fans from all over came to Honolulu to see their favorite NFL players take the field in the annual all-star game. As tradition, the NFL offers its fans an ‘Ohana day the day before the game takes place, allowing fans to come watch both the NFC and AFC practice live in Aloha Stadium.

‘Ohana Day serves as a family day, allowing families to enter the stadium at no charge to watch and attain autographs from their favorite players. The NFL provided a “kid’s zone” where kids were able to participate in contests, win prizes, and meet the mascots from various NFL teams.

Jerseys from all 32 teams were present in the stands, and the Silver & Black was no exception. The Raider Nation, who holds a strong following on the islands of Hawaii, was well represented at Aloha Stadium as they took advantage of a chance to watch their Raider representatives: Sebastian Janikowski, Shane Lechler, Jon Condo, and Richard Seymour.

Be sure to check back for more exclusive coverage of the Pro Bowl from SBReport.net.

Shane Lechler and Jon Condo pose for a photo at the Pro Bowl.

SBReport.net was live at Pro Bowl Ohana Day Saturday at Aloha Stadium, covering the league’s festivities prior to their all-star game.

Pro Bowl Ohana Day ran from 9 a.m. till noon and was open to the public. The NFL offered fans a behind-the-scenes look at the final AFC and NFC practices.

The Oakland Raiders had a presence at the event, with four pro-bowl selections.

Richard Seymour, Shane Lechler, Sebastian Janikowski and Jon Condo donned their conference jerseys. Raiderette of the year – Anna –  represented along with other AFC cheerleading representatives.

Here’s a look at the happenings, brought to you exclusively by SBReport.net:

It was all smiles for Lechler and Janikowski during the walk-through. Both specialist kept things light, as they enjoyed their first visit to Hawaii together. In 1991, the Raiders Jeff Jaeger and Jeff Gossett were teammates at the Pro Bowl. As November wound down, I posed the question:

Oakland Raiders: Is their kicking tandem the best ever?

Seymour spent time with the NFL Network. The defensive lineman is a seven time pro bowl selection, six time All Pro and three time Super Bowl champion.

2011, Raiderette of the year Anna, shined on the sidelines.

A faithful member of the Raider Nation says, “Aloha.”

Stay tuned for exclusive images from the Pro Bowl all weekend, only at SBReport.net.

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For the first time ever, both kicker and punter combination from both conferences in the league’s Pro Bowl is comprised from two teams.

The NFL will have an all-Bay Area special teams fest, as the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders have six representatives donning the all-star jerseys.

Yes – six. Even the long snappers got a nod to Hawaii.

Sebastian Janikowski, Shane Lechler and Jon Condo will be on the AFC squad. David Akers, Andy Lee and Brian Jennings will on the NFC’s side.

“There must be something in the water,” said Lee, the 49er punter who averaged 50.9 yards per punt in 2011.

“It’s awesome to be here with my guys and to have my long snapper here,” Lee said. “For Dave to have his long snapper here, so it’s his rhythm that he’s been used to all season, it’s a really unique thing to share this with those guys that you spent all season with.”

Sebastian Janikowski kicking off in 2011.

“It’s fun,” the Raiders Lechler said, as he continued his excellent career in 2011 with a 50.8 average last campaign. “We’re going to see if one of these golf courses can let us get a six-some out here because we’re going to go play, us against them, and put a little money on the line.”

NOTES:

• Lechler is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and a nine time all-pro.
• This will be Janikowski’s first Pro Bowl. He is Oakland’s franchise leading scorer, a holder of the league’s longest field goal (63-yards) and the longest field goal in overtime history (57-yards in 2008).
• Condo is a two time Pro Bowl selection (2009, 2011).

For more Pro Bowl coverage, stay tuned to SBReport.net, as our staff will be live in Hawaii bringing you images from the annual event.

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The NFL will hold it’s annual Pro Bowl in Hawaii this weekend. For more than 20-years, the league has provided grants to Hawaiian-based non-profit organizations focused on youth education, health, and physical fitness.

In a release disseminated today, the NFL announced that thirty-six Hawaiian non-profit organizations will benefit from a total of $100,000 in grants as part of the Pro Bowl Grant Program.

Here’s a list of organizations who were given grants, along with more from the press release:

•          African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii

•          After-School All-Stars Hawaii

•          Armed Services YMCA – Honolulu

•          Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui

•          Diversity Activities National Association

•          Family Programs Hawaii

•          Friends of the Library of Hawaii

•          Friends of the Missing Child Center – Hawaii

•          Fun Day Foundation

•          Habilitat, Inc.

•          Hale Kipa

•          Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation

•          Hawaii Council on Economic Education

•          Hawaiian Kamalii, Inc.

•          Hospice of Kona

•          HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support)

•          Kaho’omiki on behalf of Niu Valley Playground

•          KAMP Hawaii

•          Keiki Kokua

•          Make-A-Wish Hawaii, Inc.

•          Making Dreams Come True, Valley of Rainbows

•          Marimed Foundation

•          Ohana Komputer

•          Pacific Big Boyz Football Conference

•          Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance

•          Palama Settlement

•          Positive Coaching Hawaii

•          Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii

•          Special Olympics Hawaii

•          Talk About Curing Autism

•          The Children’s Alliance of Hawaii, Inc.

•          Waikiki Community Center

•          Waikiki Health Center

•          Waimanalo Health Center

•          Young Women’s Christian Association of Oahu

•          YWCA of Kauai

NFL Giving encompasses the many ways that the National Football League, including its clubs, owners and players, strengthen communities nationwide. While representing the NFL’s heritage of community commitment and charitable engagement, NFL Giving encourages long-term health and wellness in communities; fosters community citizenship and philanthropy; advances sports-related medical research and education; and supports the health and well being of our former NFL players.

With the conference championship games completed last Sunday, the 2012 Pro Bowl rosters have been finalized and both teams have begun practicing in Honolulu for

Punter Shane Lechler punts the ball against the Detroit Lions in week 16

Sunday’s game.

Due to the New England Patriots playing in Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5 and numerous injuries around the league, the NFL was forced to replace a total of 16 players on the AFC roster. Unfortunately for the Raiders, none of the players invited donned the Silver & Black this season.

Earlier this month, the league named Raiders safety Tyvon Branch, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, running back Darren McFadden and fullback Marcel Reece as alternates for the Jan. 29 Pro Bowl game.

Tommy Kelly hoped to make his first Pro Bowl with Patriots Vince Wilfork going to the Super Bowl and Ravens Haloti Ngata out with an injury, instead, the league chose Cincinnati’s Geno Atkins and Miami’s Paul Soliai.

Kelly, who was also listed as an alternate for the 2011 Pro Bowl, finished the season with 41 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. Atkins finished with 47 tackles, 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles while Soliai finished with only 27 tackles and no sacks or forced fumbles.

Reece also looked to make his first Pro Bowl, most likely being the next in line had the Ravens and their fullback Vonte Leach made the Super Bowl instead of the Patriots.

Defensive tackle Richard Seymour in the week 3 game against the Jets

Reece, who played as a wide receiver at University of Washington, once again played an integral part in Oakland’s offense when on the field. Reece only played in ten games this season, starting six, but finished with 17 carries for 122 yards and 27 receptions for 301 yards and two touchdowns.

With Reece and Kelly not getting the call, the Raiders lone four Pro Bowl representatives will be punter Shane Lechler, long snapper Jon Condo, defensive tackle Richard Seymour and place kicker Sebastian Janikowski.

Lechler, playing in his 7th Pro Bowl, averaged 50.8 yards per kick this season and broke the Raiders franchise record with an 80-yard punt that went sailing over the dangerous Devin Hester when the Raiders took on the Chicago Bears in week 12.

Seymour has been named a starter for the game and is also participating in his 7th Pro Bowl of his career. Seymour played in all 16 games, often through injury, and finished the season with 29 tackles, six sacks and two kicks blocked.

Kicker Sebastian Janikowski connects from 63-yards out to tie the NFL record

Janikowski’s roster spot marks the first time that the former first-round draft pick has made the Pro Bowl in his 12-year career. Janikowski hit 31 of his 35 attempts (88.6 percent) while connecting on seven attempts 50+ yards out, including a league record-tying 63-yard field goal against the Denver Broncos in week one on Monday Night Football.

Condo earned his spot in the Pro Bowl by being named the AFC’s “need” player, an honor that also sent him to the 2009 Pro Bowl.

Be sure to check back on SBReport.net for exclusive coverage of the 2012 Pro Bowl.

Long snapper Jon Condo earned his second Pro Bowl appearance this year

Today, long snapper Jon Condo was added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster.

It marks the second time the Oakland Raiders specialist has been selected to the league’s all-star game.

Per the Raiders.com:

In 2011, Condo snapped for K Sebastian Janikowski, who tied the NFL record with a 63-yard field goal on September 12 at Denver and set a franchise record with six field goals on November 27 against Chicago. He also snapped for P Shane Lechler, who averaged 50.8 yards per punt to rank second in the NFL and boomed a franchise-record 80-yarder on November 27 against Chicago.

Condo has handled all long-snapping duties for the Silver and Black on punts and place kicks for the past five seasons, playing in 80 straight games. The 6-3, 250-pounder entered the NFL with Dallas in 2005 as a rookie free agent and played in three games for the Cowboys that year. He spent the 2006 training camp and preseason with the New England Patriots before being signed to the Raiders practice squad later that season.

Condo served as Maryland’s long-snapper and also saw action as a reserve defensive end for the Terrapins, earning the team award as “Top Special Teams Performer”—the first pure long snapper to earn the honor in Maryland history. Condo was an all-conference running back, linebacker and punter at Philipsburg-Osceola High School in Pennsylvania.

Condo becomes the fourth Raider selected to play in the 2012 Pro Bowl, joining Janikowski, Lechler and defensive tackle Richard Seymour for the January 29 game in Honolulu. Safety Tyvon Branch, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, running back Darren McFadden and fullback Marcel Reece were named Pro Bowl alternates.

The Raiders have had 180 Pro Bowl selections among 61 different players since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

Depending on who winds up in the Super Bowl, Oakland could have more representatives.

If the Ravens reach the bog-game, their fullbacks, Vonta Leach, will have to bow out, thus leading to Reece’s elevation to the AFC’s roster.

With either New England or Baltimore heading to the Super Bowl, Kelly could then take the place of Vince Wilfork or Haloti Ngata.

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The Oakland Raiders will have three representatives at the Pro Bowl this season: kicker Sebastian Janikowski, punter Shane Lechler and defensive tackle Richard Seymour.

Lechler will make his seventh appearance (’01, ’04, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11) at the league’s all-star game. He leads the NFL with a 50.7 average per punt. More importantly, he has placed 27 punts inside the 20-yard line.

This is the seventh selection for Seymour and his second with the Silver and Black. He has 6.0 sacks for the season and two season saving field goal blocks versus Kansas City last weekend.

Janikowski is going to Hawaii for the first-time. His is presently fifth in the AFC in scoring with 115 points, is the Raiders all-time leading scorer with 1,257 points and broke the team’s single-season scoring mark with 135 points last season when he was named a Pro Bowl alternate. The powerful left-footed kicker tied an NFL record with his 63-yard field goal just before halftime in the 2011 season opener at Denver.

ANALYSIS:

I stated earlier in the day that three Raiders would make the squad… and that’s what happened. Janikowski deserved his first nod; stellar all year even through an injury, as others around the league finally realized what Raider fans always knew…

That Janikowski is a very good kicker with a special leg.

Lechler is reaching elite status and in my book, is the greatest punter to ever lace ‘em up. Any other choice would have been insulting.

As for Seymour, you can argue that Tommy Kelly’s body of work was better this campaign, but as it happens often, the player with more fame and notoriety gets the call. Seymour was missing in action in a few games, was booted out of the Miami contest and was a penalty machine in other vital games. His veteran leadership is immeasurable and the team respects him highly. No doubt he will be a hall of famer, but at this juncture, Kelly may have been the right choice.

ALTERNATES

Per the Raiders: Safety Tyvon Branch, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, running back Darren McFadden and fullback Marcel Reece have all been named Pro Bowl alternates for the January 29, 2012 game in Honolulu.

ANALYSIS:

McFadden was the league’s best rusher and one of the more dynamic players in the NFL prior to his injury. At this point, Raider fans could care less if he’s healthy to play in the exhibition, rather wanting him on the field this weekend and in the coming weeks.

Branch deserved consideration, but his numbers did not stack-up with others, nor will he replace Troy Polamalu’s popularity. His game has evolved and Branch has become one the AFC’s best strong safeties. But more game-changing plays and his defense not allowing so many yards and points, especially late in collapses, will help him get to Hawaii in the future.

Reece is a fine fullback who last year made noise with his pass catching abilities. This year, he’s become a far better blocker and continued to be a threat as a target in the Oakland offense. Vonta Leach is a far superior blocking fullback and a key aspect to the Ravens ground attack. Injuries slowed him a bit, if not, Reece’s numbers would’ve trumped his total from last year and he would’ve been in.

OVERALL:

There’s nothing to gripe about  here…

Kelly surely deserved more recognition, but in the Pro Bowl, players always get in a year or two late, or stick around for a year or two too long. Oakland’s total number of pro-bowlers is just about right. McFadden would’ve been a shoe-in with a full complement of games and others like Branch, Reece and possibly Stanford Routt will have their chance in the future.

TIDBIT

In 1991, place-kicker Jeff Jaeger and punter Jeff Gossett made the Pro-Bowl together as members of the Silver & Black.

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