http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9070368If you don't mind, Dunn deserves Pro BowlIf I say Atlanta Falcons, you say Michael Vick. But let me ask you this: Where do you think the Falcons be without running back Warrick Dunn?I'll tell you where: Down and out on Peachtree Street. For all the talk about what Vick means to Atlanta, Dunn means as much or more. He runs. He catches. He blocks. He leads.Yet because he shares the same huddle with Vick, he can also be overlooked.Dunn says he doesn't mind, but I do. At 30, Warrick Dunn deserves to be recognized for what he is, which is one of the top running backs in the game. For years, he's been the nice guy who helps finance new homes for single mothers and, oh, yeah, someone who happens to play football, too."That's the first thing people say when they hear my name," said Dunn. "That's the guy who gives away homes; that's the guy who does a lot of things in the community. I'm happy to be known for those things, but as a football player you want to be recognized for the things that you do on the field."Fortunately, that message seems to have been received. Of course, it took Dunn having to hammer listeners with his best season ever, but the important thing is the word is out on Warrick Dunn and, finally, people are paying attention.I know because I just checked the NFL's fan voting for this year's Pro Bowl. Through Sunday, Dunn was second to Seattle's Shaun Alexander in votes among NFC running backs and 16th overall -- outpolling people like Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger, New England's Tom Brady and, yes, even Michael Vick.Which is the way it should be.Look at what Warrick Dunn has done this year, and tell me he doesn't deserve a round trip to Honolulu. He's run for 100 or more yards five times and has 1,094 for the season. He averages 5.2 yards a carry, best among running backs with 150 or more carries. And he's on target to finish with a career-high 1,591 yards rushing -- eclipsing his previous best by 458.Granted, he's not having the season Alexander is. No one outside of San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson is. But he's right up there with the New York Giants' Tiki Barber, a back Dunn resembles with one exception: He doesn't have the New York media following him.Again, Dunn doesn't mind. But I do. Barber is deserving, no question about it. He's a superb player. He's a superb individual. And he means everything to the Giants. But let's hear it for Dunn, too, because without him I don't know what happens to Vick or the league's No. 1-ranked rushing attack."If you play for the New York Giants or New York Jets, you need to play well," said Dunn, "because that media can make people remember your name. Tiki is a great running back. He plays hard, and he plays well. And he definitely gets more notoriety because of where he is."But that's just the way it is. I've done my fair share, and I hope everything else takes care of itself. I'm not a new guy so it's not like I have to come out and say a lot of things. Over the last few years people have seen the things that I can do, and I think they're starting to notice."If you don't mind, Dunn deserves Pro BowlIt's about time. Dunn made the Pro Bowl twice in his nine-year career, but his numbers then were nowhere near what his numbers are now. And there's a reason, Dunn said: He's a better player today. "I'm much more patient, and I'm reading things a lot better," he said. "I just think I'm a better overall football player. Early in my career I used to freelance a lot. But now I believe in other guys around me."The feeling is reciprocated, and it should be. Driven by Dunn, the Falcons accumulated 200 or more yards rushing in 12 games in 2004-05 -- and they won 11 of them."Is this my best season ever?" Dunn asked. "Yes. I'm consistent, and I feel as is I'm always a factor. I believe I'm just so much better overall (than I was), and this system definitely has helped me. I go into each game expecting to make a long run or a big play. I don't wish for it now. I expect it."He should expect to make this year's Pro Bowl, too. He doesn't, but he should. The numbers speak for themselves."I definitely would disappointed if I didn't make it," Dunn said. "I feel as if I played at a high level and that I'm one of the better backs in the league. But if it doesn't happen it's not the end of the world. The most important thing is to help this team get to the Super Bowl, and that's my goal. If we get to the Super Bowl and win it, that would trump everything."Here's hoping Warrick Dunn gets what he wants. He deserves it.
I'd love to see the man go to the Probowl, but so many players battling for it against him. Will be tough
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jzrith @ Apr 13 2006, 10:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I love Warrick Dunn. </div>me toobut Dunn has always been overlooked, he never got much recognition because he was "too small" so he decided to put on some weight...which came out as the worst season of his career, announcers then said that he wasn't very good, he's deserved a probowl often, but ahs hardly ever gotten it
