By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Lorenzo Neal has been named AFC Pro Bowl fullback. (AP file photo) | ZOOM |

Lorenzo Neal's first Pro Bowl berth is the balm to soothe two frustrating years in Cincinnati. But Neal himself doesn't know if the honor, announced Thursday, will be enough to heal the wound and keep the fullback with the Bengals after his contract expires on March 3.

"I've got two more games," said Neal, who signed a two-year contract with the Bengals on May 7, 2001. "I want to go out and put my name on my performances the next two weeks. Hopefully, it makes you more marketable. I don't put too much weight on the Pro Bowl. I felt there were some years I deserved to go. Right now, I'm going to play hard.

"When the Pro Bowl comes, it comes. When free agency comes, it comes."

Neal was the only Bengals player voted to the AFC team for the Feb. 3 Pro Bowl in Honolulu. Right tackle Willie Anderson is a first alternate, and linebacker Takeo Spikes and running back Corey Dillon are third alternates.

"There are a lot of deserving players, but Lorenzo is one whom you feel particularly happy for," Bengals coach Dick LeBeau said. "He has been one of the best fullbacks in the league for a long time, and this recognition is, frankly, overdue."

Neal, a 10th-year pro from Fresno State, is in his second season with the Bengals. He blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher, Dillon, for the sixth consecutive season.

Considered the finest blocking fullback in the league, Neal previously blocked for 1,000-yard rushers Adrian Murrell of the New York Jets (1997), Warrick Dunn of Tampa Bay (1998), Eddie George of Tennessee (1999-2000) and Dillon (2001).

Neal also has posted a productive season as a receiver and blocker on the Bengals' kickoff-return team.

Neal has been part of the wedge-blocking for Brandon Bennett, who is second in the AFC with a 25.9-yard kickoff-return average.

As a receiver on the offense, Neal has 20 catches for 133 yards - on pace for career highs - and one touchdown.

"It's been a long time, 10 years, been alternate for a couple of years," Neal said. "I'm just very, very appreciative that the players and coaches voted me in. It came at the right time."

The Bengals are 1-13 this season and play their final home game Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The Bengals were 6-10 in 2001. Neal is part of Bengals teams that have lost 20 of their last 23 games.

"I'm just happy, grateful and thankful to make it," he said. "It couldn't happen at a better time, with the way we've been in the little tailspin."

As alternates, Dillon, Spikes and Anderson could be called to play in the game if elected players at their positions are unable to participate. The three AFC tackles are Oakland's Lincoln Kennedy, Kansas City's Willie Roaf and Baltimore's Jonathan Ogden.

"There's a chance something may happen, but I don't sit around holding my breath about it," said Anderson, also a first alternate last season. "It's real good that Lorenzo got in. It's good to get recognized that high."

Dillon was the Bengals' only representative the past two seasons, and he and kickoff returner Tremain Mack were on the AFC squad after the 1999 season.

Dillon is eighth in the AFC with 1,132 rushing yards. The AFC tailbacks are Kansas City's Priest Holmes, Miami's Ricky Williams and San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Pro Bowl roster

Sunday, Feb. 2 At Honolulu

NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

Offense

Wide Receivers -Terrell Owens, San Francisco; Joe Horn, New Orleans; Randy Moss, Minnesota; Marty Booker, Chicago.

Tackles - Tra Thomas, Philadelphia; Walter Jones, Seattle; Orlando Pace, St. Louis.

Guards - Ron Stone, San Francisco; Jermane Mayberry, Philadelphia; Marco Rivera, Green Bay.

Centers - Olin Kreutz, Chicago; Jeremy Newberry, San Francisco.

Tight Ends - Bubba Franks, Green Bay; Jeremy Shockey, N.Y. Giants.

Quarterbacks - Brett Favre, Green Bay; Michael Vick, Atlanta; Jeff Garcia, San Francisco.

Running Backs - Deuce McAllister, New Orleans; Ahman Green, Green Bay; Marshall Faulk, St. Louis.

Fullback - Mike Alstott, Tampa Bay.

Defense

Ends - Simeon Rice, Tampa Bay; Michael Strahan, N.Y. Giants; Hugh Douglas, Philadelphia.

Interior Linemen - Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay; La'Roi Glover, Dallas; Bryant Young, San Francisco.

Outside Linebackers - Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay; LaVar Arrington, Washington; Julian Peterson, San Francisco.

Inside Linebackers - Brian Urlacher, Chicago; Keith Brooking, Atlanta.

Cornerbacks - Troy Vincent, Philadelphia; Champ Bailey, Washington; Bobby Taylor, Philadelphia.

Strong Safeties - John Lynch, Tampa Bay.

Free Safety - Darren Sharper, Green Bay; Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia.

Specialists

Punter - Todd Sauerbrun, Carolina.

Placekicker - David Akers, Philadelphia.

Kick-Return Specialist - Michael Lewis, New Orleans.

Special Teamer - Fred McAfee, New Orleans.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

Offense

Wide Receivers - Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis; Jerry Rice, Oakland; Hines Ward, Pittsburgh; Eric Moulds, Buffalo.

Tackles - Jonathan Ogden, Baltimore; Willie Roaf, Kansas City; Lincoln Kennedy, Oakland.

Guards - Will Shields, Kansas City; Alan Faneca, Pittsburgh; Ruben Brown, Buffalo.

Centers - Kevin Mawae, N.Y. Jets; Barrett Robbins, Oakland.

Tight Ends - Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City; Todd Heap, Baltimore.

Quarterbacks - Rich Gannon, Oakland; Drew Bledsoe, Buffalo; Peyton Manning, Indianapolis.

Running Backs - Priest Holmes, Kansas City; Ricky Williams, Miami; LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego.

Fullback - Lorenzo Neal, Cincinnati.

Defense

Ends - Jason Taylor, Miami; Trevor Pryce, Denver; John Abraham, N.Y. Jets.

Interior Linemen - Gary Walker, Houston; Richard Seymour, New England; Tim Bowens, Miami.

Outside Linebackers - Joey Porter, Pittsburgh; Junior Seau, San Diego; Peter Boulware, Baltimore.

Inside Linebackers - Zach Thomas, Miami; Al Wilson, Denver.

Cornerbacks - Aaron Glenn, Houston; Patrick Surtain, Miami; Ty Law, New England.

Strong Safeties - Lawyer Milloy, New England.

Free Safety - Rod Woodson, Oakland; Brock Marion, Miami.

Specialists

Punter - Chris Hanson, Jacksonville.

Placekicker - Adam Vinatieri, New England.

Kick-Return Specialist - Dante Hall, Kansas City.

Special Teamer - Larry Izzo, New England.

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