These numbers don't add up for Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor: 10 years in the league, 10,715 career yards and only one Pro Bowl.

But he's finally made it to Hawai'i and he's very grateful.

"To finally be here is definitely an honor and a privilege," said Taylor, who made Sunday's game as an injury replacement for the Pittsburgh Steelers' Willie Parker. "I play a game where you compete, you go out there and compete against the same guys you're practicing against here."

Practice was held yesterday at Kapolei High School.

Taylor and New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel, an 11-year veteran, are the longest-tenured AFC players in their first Pro Bowl.

"It was a great honor after 11 years being recognized as one of the top linebackers in the league, so that felt good," Vrabel said. "Losing the Super Bowl aside, it wasn't how we wanted to end the year, but being out here with friends and other

great players it kind of helps a little bit."

Taylor, the lone Jaguar in the Pro Bowl, has quietly gone about becoming one of only 21 players to surpass 10,000 career rushing yards in the NFL. He had been the only player among the top 48 career rushers to never make a Pro Bowl.

"It's been a long time," he said. "That's old news now, but it has been."

Getting to this point wasn't easy for Taylor, who had to overcome injuries early in his career. From 1999 to 2001, he played in only 25 games.

Since then he's proved durable, averaging 14.5 games during the regular season.

"I was considered fragile early in my career, but I've never felt that way," Taylor said. "And I think I'm proving to people that I'm not."

He has 2,285 carries for an average of 4.7 yards and 61 rushing touchdowns in 127 games. This season, Taylor had 223 attempts for 1,202 yards and five TDs.

Since he's been in the league for 10 years, Taylor has started giving advice to younger players.

"I get to share that and right now speaking through my experience I get to share that with young guys like my teammate Maurice Jones-Drew (second year) and (Minnesota rookie) Adrian Peterson," Taylor said. "Telling them you really have to take care of your body and it'll take care of you."

Vrabel has become a big fan of Taylor's. They last met on the field Jan. 12, a 31-20 playoff victory for the Patriots.

"I've always admired what he's been able to do on the football field, his running style and his ability," Vrabel said of Taylor. "We've seen plenty of him."

The NFL is the only sports league that combines voting by fans, coaches and players to determine its all-star teams.

Vrabel has voted for Taylor many times.

"I always vote for him," Vrabel said. "I was just happy to see him make it and I consider myself to be in that category."

This season, Vrabel had 77 total tackles, 12.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. In his career, he has 600 tackles and 51 sacks.

At Jacksonville, Taylor has run behind former University of Hawai'i offensive linemen Vince Manuwai (currently with Jaguars) and Wayne Hunter (2006 season).

"Those guys are great, wonderful people and they definitely won't let anything happen to me, before, after the plays," Taylor said.

For now, Taylor will continue to rack up carries and yards. When he'll stop, nobody knows.

"Till the wheels fall off," he said on how much longer he'll play. "Till God calls me or takes that fire away."

HAWAI'I MAY HAVE TO SHARE GAME IN FUTURE

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell held an impromptu press conference yesterday at Kapolei High School, saying what was widely known: the Pro Bowl will be here through next season.

He also mentioned rotating the game site from year to year in the future.

"We're under contract to play here this year and next year," Goodell said.

"We've had a lot of discussions," he added. "We have great friends and partners here in the state. We want to continue to have a presence here in Hawai'i. We kind of want to end that peacefully."

As for the rotation plan, he said: "I think it's viable. Again we're looking at that alternative also. Do you rotate the game in some fashion? Hawai'i is important to us; it's been great to us."

He didn't mention which cities would be in the rotation.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.