Colts Lead League With 7 Pro Bowl Selections

Peyton Manning was one of a league-high seven Indianapolis Colts who made the group of 42 Pro Bowl players from each conference announced Wednesday; the seven befit the Colts’ 13-1 record. San Diego, which handed Indianapolis its first loss Sunday, had six, including linebacker Shawne Merriman, one of two rookies to make it.

Houston kick returner Jerome Mathis was the other first-year player.

Chicago and Atlanta led the NFC with six selections each, and the New York Giants and Seattle had five apiece in the selections for the Feb. 12 game in Honolulu. The Bears’ contingent was the largest they have sent to Hawaii in 15 years, and New York defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora were the first pair from the same team at that position since Miami’s Jason Taylor and Trace Armstrong in 2001.

Another noteworthy selection: Minnesota’s Koren Robinson, chosen as the NFC’s kick returner. Robinson, the ninth overall pick in the 2001 draft by Seattle, has had a series of off-field problems that included a guilty plea to drunk driving and a suspension last season. He was cut by the Seahawks before the season.

The Colts’ selections include Manning, running back Edgerrin James, receiver Marvin Harrison, center Jeff Saturday, defensive end Dwight Freeney, linebacker Cato June and safety Bob Sanders.

An eighth, offensive tackle Tarik Glenn, was originally told he made the team. Then the NFL said there was a computer error and he was fourth in the voting behind Cincinnati’s Willie Anderson, Kansas City’s William Roaf and Baltimore’s Jonathan Ogden.

“I’m happy with the guys who made it,” Colt Coach Tony Dungy said. “And I’m a league guy, but this is a bad, bad situation.... The less I say the better. You’ll have to ask the league.”

* PRO BOWL ROSTERS, D7

Quarterback Joey Harrington is getting at least one more chance with the Detroit Lions.

He will start over Jeff Garcia this week against the New Orleans Saints, interim Coach Dick Jauron said Wednesday.

Harrington, the third overall pick in the 2002 draft, began the year as the starter, then lost his job as soon as Garcia recovered from injuries in late October. After two games as a backup, Harrington was a starter again until Jauron replaced fired coach Steve Mariucci.