Seven Ram and Four Raider Players Are Chosen for Pro Bowl Game Feb. 1

The Rams placed seven players and the Raiders four in the National Football League’s Pro Bowl, to be played Feb. 1 at Honolulu.

Rams making the NFC team were running back Eric Dickerson, guard Dennis Harrah, tackle Jackie Slater, center Doug Smith, cornerbacks LeRoy Irvin and Jerry Gray, and inside linebacker Carl Ekern. Gray and Ekern were picked for the first time.

Raiders chosen for the AFC squad were cornerback Mike Haynes, tight end Todd Christensen, defensive end Howie Long and running back Marcus Allen.

It will be the fifth Pro Bowl appearance for Harrah and the third time each for Dickerson, Slater and Smith. Irvin made it for the second time.

It was the ninth selection in 11 seasons for Haynes, and the fourth in a row for both Christensen and Long. Allen also will be making his fourth appearance.

Gray, who played safety in college but replaced the injured Gary Green at cornerback for the Rams this season and leads the team with eight interceptions, said he was surprised to learn of his selection. “At the beginning of the year, there were questions whether I would even be able to play the position,” he said.

Ekern waited 10 years for the selection. “It’s a big honor, kind of shocking,” he said. “I’m happy and kind of proud of it.”

The Raiders’ Long said: “It’s a great honor. I’m thrilled, even if I may not look it. There aren’t so many positives now (with the team probably out of the playoffs). It’s mass depression around here.

“It’s been a tough year physically. I haven’t been healthy since the Miami game and that was eight weeks ago. It’s not something you like to talk about during the course of the season. I tried to do the best I could.”