Biggest NFC Pro Bowl Snubs

The 2008 Pro Bowl rosters have been selected, and we know the teams and players on their way to Honolulu. However, there are a significant number of players that should have been given more consideration, possibly even for a spot on the roster, for their contributions to the game of football this season. Let's take a look at a couple of the NFL offensive skill-position players who should have made it onto the roster. This is the second of two opinion pieces on Pro Bowl offensive players.

Drew Brees, Quarterback - New Orleans Saints

Everyone in the nation knows that Tony Romo and Brett Favre definitely deserved to be on the Pro Bowl Roster, but Matt Hasselbeck can be considered the weak link in that group (if there ever was one). Sure, Hasselbeck has had a stellar season, but his pass completion percentage and average passing yards per game were both significantly lower than those of Drew Brees, who should have been invited to the Pro Bowl.

Brees completed an incredibly high percentage of his passes (68.7%) compared to Hasselbeck (62.5). Brees also averaged 14 more passing yards per game than Hasselbeck, and his yards/game is right in line with Romo and Favre. Sure, New Orleans had somewhat of an off season, but I believe that Brees should have been included on the NFC roster.

Clinton Portis, Running Back - Washington Redskins

I am stunned that Clinton Portis did not make the NFC Pro Bowl Roster, and Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber did. Brian Westbrook and rookie sensation Adrian Peterson were locks, and I am happy to see that the two best running backs in the NFC will be in Hawaii, but Marion Barber? Really? Check out what Clinton Portis did this season: he leads the NFC in total carries, is third in total rush yardage (1,082 rushing yards), and scored a solid 8 rushing touchdowns. Sure, Marion Barber is a breakaway running threat, but he is hardly an all-pro running back, especially considering that he is in a time share situation with Julius Jones.

Marques Colston, Wide Receiver - New Orleans Saints

Man, talk about getting shafted: both the New Orleans Saints and the Cleveland Browns should have gotten their running back and top wide receiver into the Pro Bowl. Instead, these talented athletes will sit at home and watch the Pro Bowl on television. There is no way you can justify sending Donald Driver to the Pro Bowl in place of Colston, who is third in NFC receiving yardage and has scored nine receiving touchdowns on the season (compare to Driver's two!).

Like the AFC Pro Bowl skill-position players, the NFC also has a couple of players going to the game that really make you step back and scratch your head. All in all though, the best players from each position are going to the game, and both offenses should make for a great Pro Bowl game.