San Diego ? Since Barret Robbins was one of the Oakland Raiders’ five Pro Bowl selections, his name was flashed on the scoreboard and shouted over the sound system during several timeouts at the Super Bowl.

But Robbins wasn’t in uniform Sunday — and the All-Pro center’s curious absence helped expose several other holes in the NFL’s best offense at the worst possible time.

From the overmatched line’s terrible performance to their nonexistent running game to Rich Gannon’s dismal day, the Raiders were humbled by the Buccaneers’ league-best defense in Tampa Bay’s 48-21 victory.

Robbins, the gritty veteran heart of the Raiders’ line, spent Sunday in a local hospital after mysteriously leaving his teammates on their final day of preparation for the Super Bowl.

“Offensively, we didn’t get it done, and it starts up front,” left tackle Barry Sims said. “It doesn’t help to have a Pro Bowler missing. We need all our guys, especially at the pinnacle of the sport in the biggest game of our lives.”

The Raiders wouldn’t say where Robbins went Saturday or why, but the first-time Pro Bowl selection wasn’t around to battle the Buccaneers’ punishing defense at the culmination of his most successful season.

Many of the Raiders apparently didn’t know the reason for Robbins’ absence from their Saturday activities.

Several other players declined comment, while coach Bill Callahan wouldn’t discuss specifics.

“If somebody chooses to do something wrong, nobody can tell them what to do,” guard Frank Middleton said. “We have to go with the guys who want to be here. … My concern is not B-Robb. He’s safe, and he paid the price for what he did. I haven’t talked to him, and I don’t know if I’m going to talk to him.”

The Raiders were out of sorts from their first possession, and Robbins’ predicament undoubtedly was a factor in their mental preparation.

Robbins’ teammates had known he wouldn’t play since Saturday afternoon, shortly before he missed their final team meeting.

“There was no distraction, because I eliminated it,” Callahan insisted. “Where he’s at, and what’s transpired since (Saturday), I can’t say.”

“Obviously it didn’t help our cause,” Gannon said of Robbins’ absence, “but I don’t know if it would have made any difference.”