Dallas Cowboys

But by Friday afternoon, just two days before Sunday's NFL Pro Bowl game at Aloha Stadium (6:30 p.m. CST kickoff) in Honolulu, the number of Cowboys participating in the all-star game has shrunk back to five.

That's because deep snapper Jeff Robinson, added two weeks ago as the NFC "need player" by head coach Jim Mora Jr., couldn't be contacted by the NFL in a timely manner since he was vacationing in New Zealand. The Cowboys' 12-year veteran, unable to get to Hawaii in time for the game, will be replaced by San Francisco deep snapper Brian Jennings.

The Cowboys' contingent had swelled to six just Thursday when offensive tackle Flozell Adams was named to replaced injured Philadelphia Eagles tackle Tra Thomas (back). The six Cowboys in the Pro Bowl would have matched their highest total since the 1998 season when they went 10-6 and won the NFC East.

But as it now stands, the Cowboys will be represented in Sunday's game by Adams, Roy Williams, La'Roi Glover, Jason Witten and Larry Allen.

Adams, who was a first alternate, became a two-time Pro Bowler, having started in the game a year ago. Adams didn't have the dominating season he did in 2003, struggling a bit this past season. But the seven-year veteran seemed to produce his best performances against top competition, still making him one of the more respected tackles in the eyes of opposing defensive ends.

He joins fellow lineman Allen, who will be starting at left guard for the NFC and making his ninth Pro Bowl appearance, tying him with Randy White for the third most in club history. Only Bob Lilly (11) and Mel Renfro (10) have more Pro Bowl appearances. And when it comes to NFL offensive linemen, only Randall McDaniel (12) and Bruce Matthews (10) have been selected to more Pro Bowls.

Witten will back up Atlanta's Alge Crumpler, who will be playing for his head coach, Jim Mora Jr., and the Falcons coaching staff.

Glover earned his fifth Pro Bowl selection - his third in three seasons with Dallas - and fifth consecutive by recording 30 tackles and five sacks as the anchor of the Cowboys' defensive line at defensive tackle.

"It's a little satisfaction knowing that guys really respect the way that you play regardless of the record and all of those things that aren't going well for our season," Glover said back in December. "It's a good feeling."

Williams will be making his second Pro Bowl appearance in three NFL seasons despite recording only two interceptions this season, and those two not coming until Games 13 and 14. Williams finished second on the team with 106 tackles but struggled at times in coverage with Darren Woodson (back) missing the entire season.

That Robinson was added to the NFC team was somewhat surprising since he was not included on the initial team decided on by a vote of fans, players and coaches. But Robinson was Mora's pick for a "need" player as both NFC and AFC head coaches chose to add deep snappers to the rosters. Robinson, who finished his third season with the Cowboys, has been an extremely consistent deep snapper and did finish with eight tackles. Robinson even played sparingly as a tight end on goal-line situations, catching two passes - both for touchdowns.

This would have been Robinson's first Pro Bowl appearance.

Skills Challenge

The NFL is introducing a Skills Challenge at Sunday's Pro Bowl, featuring several current and former superstars competing in various competitions.

Glover will be among five players competing in the Strongest Man competition, the winner to be determined by who can bench press 225 pounds the most times.

Former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin will also compete in the Legends Game, a flag-football game featuring several former NFL stars, including Dan Marino, Steve Young, Mike Singletary and Marcus Allen.

Other events in the Skills Challenge will include the Fastest Man, Mr. Accuracy (for quarterbacks), Best Hands and a kicking competition for the two kickers.