And then there were six.
The Ravens, who had five players selected last month to play in this year's Pro Bowl, learned yesterday that a sixth player, outside linebacker Peter Boulware, will be joining his Baltimore teammates in Honolulu.
Boulware, a second-year player out of Florida State who joined the Ravens as a top draft pick in 1997 and earned honors as a first alternate to the Feb. 7 Pro Bowl, was named a "need player" by AFC coach Bill Parcells.
The "need player" is selected from the first alternates at defensive end, inside linebacker or outside linebacker.
"I'm kind of shocked. I had really given up on the Pro Bowl," Boulware said. "I was just focusing on the off-season, working out, getting ready for next season. I had put the Pro Bowl out of my mind. I take this as a blessing. I take this humbly. I'm just thankful to go."
Boulware, the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1997, finished the 1998 season ranked second on the team with 8 1/2 sacks and fifth with 82 tackles.
The other Ravens voted to play in the Feb. 7 game are middle linebacker Ray Lewis, defensive end Michael McCrary, offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, punt returner Jermaine Lewis and special teams player Bennie Thompson. Ray Lewis, McCrary and Ogden will start.
Pub Date: 1/22/99