TAMPA – Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and cornerback Darrelle Revis, cornerstones of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that made significant strides in 2013, were selected to the Pro Bowl on Friday.
Revis and McCoy will represent the Bucs at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu on Jan. 26, but Lavonte David ? nearing the end of a historic season ? was not one of six outside linebackers selected in voting by fans, players and coaches.
In a break from Pro Bowl tradition, team captains Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders will select the squads without regard to conference affiliation. The two Hall of Famers will draft their rosters Jan. 22 during a live NFL Network broadcast.
Tampa Bay?s defense has vaulted from 29th to No. 13 this season, and McCoy and Revis each played a pivotal role. Revis, acquired from the Jets in an April trade, earned his fifth Pro Bowl berth, despite ongoing recuperation from knee surgery throughout the season.
McCoy, the third overall pick in the 2010 draft, was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl after seeing his first two NFL seasons undermined by biceps injuries. The 25-year-old former Oklahoma standout leads all players at his position with 15 tackles for loss, and he needs one sack in Sunday?s season finale at New Orleans to become the first Buccaneer with double-digit sacks since Simeon Rice in 2005.
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