Janikowski revels in first Pro-Bowl selection

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ALAMEDA -- Raiders placekicker Sebastian Janikowski spoke to the media Thursday for the first time since being named to his first Pro Bowl on Tuesday.The 2000 first-round draft choice admitted the honor was a long-time coming."It's very sweet," he said. "I'm excited about it. If you asked me that question 10 years ago I would (have said) I'd be there five times already. I'm excited. I can't wait."It's been a long time. But good things happen to people who wait...especially (since) Shane will be there. He'll show me the ropes, I guess, and show me the footsteps."Janikowski has converted 27 of 31 field-goal attempts this season, including the record-tying 63-yarder on opening night in Denver on Sept. 12. His four misses have been from 56 and 59 yards, and his two blocked attempts have been from 49 yards and 65 yards.
"The records," he said, "deep inside I was hoping it would help me. Obviously it did."What makes his first Pro Bowl nod all the more special is joining his longtime special teams teammate Shane Lechler, who was selected for his seventh NFL all-star game. Lechler is also Janikowski's holder.Both came to the Raiders in the same draft class. And both have shattered record held by the likes of George Blanda and Ray Guy."Those are top guys so it feels good," Janikowski said. "Hopefully we can break more."And the longevity they've experienced together?"It doesn't happen at any position, especially kicker and punter," Janikowski said. "Around this league, they move around a lot. It's a special thing."I don't know how many years left we have. We're getting old. Hopefully it will be full circle and we'll get back to it."Janikowski was talking about the Super Bowl, and how they are the only players on the Raiders' roster left from the 2002 AFC title team."Guys are excited," he said. "They see the changes and they think we can (go) all the way, hopefully to the Super Bowl."We're not shocked. We knew what we had in this locker room before the season even started. We should have clinched already if you look at a couple of other games that we gave away. Guys are excited and we'll move on."

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