Pro Bowl Discussion and Players Who Got Snubbed

The Pro Bowl invites were decided on Wednesday December 20 and for the most part there was a general consensus of the players who made it and some who were snubbed and not invited to the big game. The Pro Bowl is a game of personal award and individual accomplishment and several people did feel disrespected by not getting invited to the game. Here are the breakdown of positions by conference.

Quarterbacks: Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer, Tony Romo, Marc Bulger

The real surprise here is Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo who has only played in 8 games this season. He did go 6-2 in those 8 games including a memorable game against Peyton Manning and the Colts that Romo threw 4 touchdowns and outplayed Peyton Manning. The question I ask is this: In the weak NFC where the quarterback position is very shallow with talent, who would you put instead of Romo? Brett Favre? Eli Manning? Rex Grossman? There aren't that many deserving quarterbacks in the NFC and if the Cowboys played in the AFC I would be outraged but since they don't I don't have a problem with Tony Romo in the Pro Bowl. Philip Rivers is having an amazing season in his first full season at quarterback. Brees is also doing well and leading the Saints to the playoffs. Bulger is quietly having a great season. Tom Brady might have gotten snubbed here but the only player he could be ahead of is Rivers and Rivers is having a brilliant season.

Running backs: Tiki Barber, LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, Willie Parker, Frank Gore and Steven Jackson

As for the running backs position, in the NFC there are two surprises with Jackson and Gore. Both are having great seasons but Alexander on the Seahawks has been injured and no other running backs are having fabulous years. Tiki Barber's stats are also down from last year.

Full Backs: Lorenzo Neal and Mack Strong

Obvious choice here with Lorenzo Neal helping LT in San Diego lead the league in rushing yards and smashing touchdown records by a running back.

Wide Receivers: Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Chad Johnson, Andre Johnson, Anguan Boldin, Donald Driver, Steve Smith and Torry Holt.

Harrison and Wayne are having great seasons without a real running back. Steve Smith is one of the best receivers in the game. Some people are upset that Terrel Owens didn't make it despite leading the league in touchdown receptions. However, he recently spit in the face of another player and drops the ball frequently.

Offensive Linemen: Will Shields, Jonathan Ogden, Alan Faneca, Brian Waters, Nick Hardwick, Jeff Saturday, Jammal Brown, Walter Jones, Chris Samuels, Shawn Andrews, Steve Hutchinson, Larry Allen, Matt Birk and Olin Kreutz.

Steady group of men here. Shields, Jones and Hutchinson have been to multiple Pro Bowl games and are the best at their positions.

Tight Ends: Jeremy Shockey, Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Alge Crumpler

This group has been the same for the past couple of years. Shockey has been inconsistent but gets the nod here over Ben Watson.

Defensive Limemen: Derrick Burgess, Aaron Schobel, Jason Taylor, Casey Hampton, Richard Seymour, Jamal Williams, Aaron Kampman, Julius Peppers, Will Smith, Tommie Harris, Kevin Williams

Taylor is having an incredible season. Peppers is gobbling up sacks. Schobel is tied for league lead in sacks. No real surprises here.

Linebackers: Shawne Merriman, Terrel Suggs, Adalius Thomas, Zach Thomas, Al Wilson, Lance Briggs, Julian Peterson, DeMarcus Ware, Lofa Tatupu, Brian Urlacher

Briggs is one of the best young linebackers in the league as is Urlacher who plays next to him. Merriman is also incredible and has amazing talent. He cannot be blocked by only one offensive player. There was also much discussion about leaving middle linebacker Ray Lewis off of the Pro Bowl team and I really tihnk that of all the people who got left offo f the team, he really was the only one who deserved to be on it.

Cornerbacks: Champ Bailey, Rashean Mathis, Chris McAlister, Ronde Barber, DeAngelo Hall, Lito Sheppard

Champ Bailey is a force to be reckoned with; quarterbacks hate throwing the ball to his side of the field. Barber and McAlister are also Pro Bowl type corners.

Safeties: Troy Polamalu, John Lynch, Ed Reed, Roy Williams, Adrian Wilson, Brian Dawkins

Solid group of players here with the hard hitting John Lynch and Ed Reed with the great hands making interceptions. Dawkins has also been to a few Pro Bowls as well.

Special Teams: Brian Moorman, Nate Kaeding, Justin Miller, Kassim Osgood, Devin Hester, Matt McBrair, Robbie Gould, Brendon Ayanbadejo

Devin Hester has been a monster. I watched the Giants-Bears game in horror as he returned a missed Field Goal for a touchdown. His speed is electrifying and no one can catch him in the open field. No opposing team likes to kick him the ball of special teams. The Bears have the best special teams units in the league, period. That is how they keep on winning games, through defense and special teams. Jets' Justin Miller is leading league is yards per kickoff return.