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Broncos center Wiegmann is headed to Pro Bowl

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 13, 2009 at 1:57 p.m.
Updated January 13, 2009 at 2:23 p.m.

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Broncos center Casey Wiegmann has been rewarded for his play in relief of Tom Nalen with a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Photo by Joe Mahoney © The Rocky

Broncos center Casey Wiegmann has been rewarded for his play in relief of Tom Nalen with a trip to the Pro Bowl.

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There are no excuses for Casey Wiegmann when it comes to botched snaps next month in the Pro Bowl, since he’ll likely be making those exchanges with Broncos teammate Jay Cutler.

“That’s exactly right,” Wiegmann said with a laugh Tuesday after learning he’d made the NFL's all-star game in Honolulu for the first time in his 13-year career. “I just texted Jay a little bit ago, and he said, ‘Congrats.’ I can’t wait to see him over there and stuff like that. It’s going to be fun over there.”

Wiegmann last month was chosen a first alternate to the Feb. 8 Pro Bowl. But he just learned he’ll be playing in the game, now that Tennessee Titans center Kevin Mawae is out four months after surgery to repair a triceps tendon tear.

Wiegmann previously had been selected an alternate three other times while with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he ended up watching as linemates Brian Waters, Willie Roaf and Will Shields participated.

And, until now, he never benefited from someone opting not to play.

“Being my 13th year it means a lot more. Usually that’s when people start hitting their downside or are out of the league,” Wiegmann told the Rocky Mountain News. “Being in the Pro Bowl and having people respect the way I’ve been playing is definitely exciting for me. But it was tough playing in Kansas City with two Hall of Famers and possibly three, and it was luck of the draw. But I loved playing with those guys and learned a lot.”

One of the first people Wiegmann texted shortly after learning the news was Shields. Wiegmann also will get to renew acquaintances with former Chiefs Waters and Tony Gonzalez in Hawaii while also rubbing elbows with Cutler and Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall, among others.

Nick Mangold of the New York Jets now will start in Mawae’s place.

Wiegmann, 35, was a revelation in his first year in Denver replacing injured Tom Nalen. He brought veteran stability to a young line and played at a high level for a unit that allowed only 13 sacks.

After the season, Wiegmann talked about the possibility of retiring.

He told the Rocky the situation remains up in the air.

“I’ll have to go in and talk to the new head coach now and of course, the front-office people and see what’s going on. There’s a lot to be done yet,” he said. “You just never know how I’ll feel once I get done playing over there, too. Right now, my body feels pretty good. So it’s hard to tell where I’m leaning. But I love playing football, though, I’ll say that.”

And even though the beaches of Hawaii might seem like a perfect landscape to end a distinguished career, Wiegmann isn’t looking at it that way.

“Yeah, you like to go to the Pro Bowl and be recognized by your peers but the ultimate goal is the Super Bowl. And I haven’t even won a playoff game yet. That’s kind of my thinking there. I definitely want to win a playoff game and get to the Super Bowl.”

Comments

  • January 13, 2009

    3:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    johnniemayes writes:

    I like the Mike Nolan hiring. He was with the Redskins, as a defensive coordinator, in 1997-1999, which means he worked with Champ Bailey in his rookie year. As well as Deion Sanders and Darrell Green.

  • January 13, 2009

    4:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    Good for Wiegmann. Somebody from our line deserves to go. I hope he comes back next year. Even though we'll always miss Nalen, his absence was barely noticable this year with Wiegmann's play.

  • January 13, 2009

    9:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BroncofaninDuckland writes:

    Congrats Wiegmann. You were a shining star along with the rest of the o-line this year. I hope they take care of you ($$) and sign you to a contract for 3-4 years and you will stick around so that you can keep teaching the youngsters and perhaps by that time, if not sooner, we can be legitimate SB contenders.

  • January 14, 2009

    12:14 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    I'm happy for you Casey. You did a "stand up job" and we, as Broncos fans, hope to see you again, on the front line. You're a class act.