Asomugha pulls out of Pro Bowl, Bailey replaces

Jan. 27, 2011RAIDERS PAGERAIDERS VIDEO
Paul Gutierrez
CSN California HONOLULU, HawaiiNnamdi Asomughas sprained right ankle, suffered on a freak play on Halloween when he came down awkwardly on Seattle receiver Golden Tate's foot on the sidelines, cost the Raiders cornerback two games and numerous snaps.RELATED: Asomugha, Lechler named to All-Pro team
A re-aggravation of it, incurred in the AFCs opening Pro Bowl practice on Wednesday, is costing him a chance to play in the NFLs all-star game Sunday.Asomugha pulled out of the Pro Bowl to little fanfare following practiceThursday at Kapolei High School in West Oahu and will be replaced by Denvers Champ Bailey.
WATCH: 1-on-1 with Nnamdi Asomugha at the Pro Bowl
There had been no evidence of a medical issue with Asomugha in that he made it through the first two helmets-and-shorts practices, though he did exhibit a slight limp. Following todays practice, he spoke on the field at length with coach Bill Belichick and walked briskly off the field, answering a few questions from tailing reporters. Asomugha never let on he was going to pull out of the Pro Bowl. In fact, he jogged to the bus.The day before, Asomugha sat poolside at the players hotel for a revealing Q&A with csncalifornia.com and talked about his sprained ankle.It was on a fluke play, he said, one of those uncontrollable things, and then it left us in the place where were at. The injury also contributed to Asomugha missing some incentives, which voided his contact and made him a free agent.
RELATED: Asomugha's Raiders contract voids
Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis was asked if he had been recruiting Asomugha. Stop that, Lewis said with a laugh. I cant tell you that. Lets just say we had some good conversations. Asked how good Asomugha is, Lewis smiled again.
NEWS: NFL stat leaders
I think hes the best, Lewis said. When you see that kind of talent, playing that position, he reminds you of the old school. The Night Train Lanes, the Rod Woodsons, the Deion Sanders, all those guys. He just has those types of skills. Asomugha was just named All-Pro at cornerback for the second time in his career.