Pro Bowl selections!

[white is right]

Peyton Hillis was left off the roster at tailback. If he was still considered a fullback he obviously would have been selected. I looked up the marvelous stats of Vonta Leach and he must have bribed fellow players at Houston's finest Adult clubs, because he layed a goose egg stats wise...

Here are the selections...Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcons highlight Pro Bowl selections
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Falcons wide receiver Roddy White leads the NFL in receptions with 109.
Enlarge image Enlarge By Elaine Thompson, AP
Falcons wide receiver Roddy White leads the NFL in receptions with 109.

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By Nate Davis, USA TODAY
Michael Vick marked another milestone during his NFL resurrection Tuesday.

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback earned his first Pro Bowl invite since returning to the league following a two-season absence while he served 18 months in federal prison for operating a dogfighting ring. Vick, who garnered more than 1.5 million all-star votes from fans, is having his best statistical season (2,755 yards and 20 TDs passing, 613 yards and eight TDs rushing) and was the NFC's top-rated passer (103.6) entering Tuesday night's game vs. the Minnesota Vikings.

"I'm just blessed to be here," he said last week. "I spent two Christmases in (prison), and that was by far the toughest thing I've had to do. Each and every year I reflect on that, and I think it will always make the holiday season more gratifying.

"Just thankful for a lot, thankful for the opportunity that I've been given, thankful for the blessings, and hopefully they'll continue to come."

Vick, a Pro Bowler three times during his first six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, will start opposite New England Patriots signal-caller Tom Brady, who is the league's top-rated passer (109.8), and the only player with more fan votes â€" and probably more MVP support (34 TD passes, record 319 consecutive passes without an INT) â€" than Vick.

THE HUDDLE: Tom Brady wins balloting among fans

The Falcons will send a league-high seven players to the Pro Bowl, which will be played in Honolulu on Jan. 30, a week prior to Super Bowl XLV. Roddy White, who has a league-best (and career-high) 109 receptions, will start at wideout for the NFC alongside the Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson. Atlanta's entire backfield â€" quarterback Matt Ryan, tailback Michael Turner and fullback Ovie Mughelliâ€" is Hawaii-bound. Tight end Tony Gonzalez, defensive end John Abraham and special teams ace Eric Weems also got the call.

Johnson is among 21 first-time all-stars and will be joined by teammate and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, the game's only rookie starter. Other rookies making the cut were Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty and Tennessee Titans return specialist Marc Mariani.

The AFC team will have six Patriots players with linebacker Jerod Mayo, nose tackle Vince Wilfork, safety Brandon Meriweather and guard Logan Mankins (who missed the first seven games amid a contract impasse) joining Brady and McCourty.

Four teams â€" the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneersâ€" will not be represented.

The rosters were determined with input from fans, players and coaches. Players who are Super Bowl-bound will be replaced. Long snappers will be added later.

AFC ROSTER (x-starter)

QB â€" x-Tom Brady (Patriots), Peyton Manning (Colts), Philip Rivers (Chargers)

RB â€" x-Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars), Jamaal Charles (Chiefs), Arian Foster (Texans)

FB â€" x-Vonta Leach (Texans)

WR â€" x-Andre Johnson (Texans), x-Reggie Wayne (Colts), Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs), Brandon Lloyd (Broncos)

TE â€" x-Antonio Gates (Chargers), Marcedes Lewis (Jaguars)

T â€" x-Jake Long (Dolphins), x-Joe Thomas (Browns), D'Brickashaw Ferguson (Jets)

G â€" x-Kris Dielman (Chargers), x-Logan Mankins (Patriots), Brian Waters (Chiefs)

C â€" x-Nick Mangold (Jets), Maurkice Pouncey (Steelers)

DE â€" x-Dwight Freeney (Colts), x-Robert Mathis (Colts), Jason Babin (Titans)

DT/NT â€" x-Haloti Ngata (Ravens), x-Vince Wilfork (Patriots), Richard Seymour (Raiders)

OLB â€" x-James Harrison (Steelers), x-Cameron Wake (Dolphins), Terrell Suggs (Ravens)

MLB/ILB â€" x-Ray Lewis (Ravens), Jerod Mayo (Patriots)

CB â€" x-Nnamdi Asomugha (Raiders), x-Darrelle Revis (Jets), Devin McCourty (Patriots)

SS â€" x-Troy Polamalu (Steelers)

FS â€" x-Ed Reed (Ravens), Brandon Meriweather (Patriots)

K â€"Billy Cundiff (Ravens)

P â€"Shane Lechler (Raiders)

KR/PR â€" Marc Mariani (Titans)

ST â€"Montell Owens (Jaguars)

NFC ROSTER (x-starter)

QB â€" x-Michael Vick (Eagles), Drew Brees (Saints), Matt Ryan (Falcons)

RB â€" x-Michael Turner (Falcons), Steven Jackson (Rams), Adrian Peterson (Vikings)

FB â€" x-Ovie Mughelli (Falcons)

WR â€" x-Calvin Johnson (Lions), x-Roddy White (Falcons), DeSean Jackson (Eagles), Greg Jennings (Packers)

TE â€" x-Jason Witten (Cowboys), Tony Gonzalez (Falcons)

T â€" x-Jordan Gross (Panthers), x-Jason Peters (Eagles), Chad Clifton (Packers)

G â€" x-Jahri Evans (Saints), x-Chris Snee (Giants), Carl Nicks (Saints)

C â€" x-Andre Gurode (Cowboys), Shaun O'Hara (Giants)

DE â€" x-John Abraham (Falcons), x-Julius Peppers (Bears), Justin Tuck (Giants)

DT/NT â€" x-Jay Ratliff (Cowboys), x-Ndamukong Suh (Lions), Justin Smith (49ers)

OLB â€" x-Clay Matthews III (Packers), x-DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys), Lance Briggs (Bears)

MLB/ILB â€" x-Patrick Willis (49ers), Brian Urlacher (Bears)

CB â€" x-Asante Samuel (Eagles), x-Charles Woodson (Packers), DeAngelo Hall (Redskins)

SS â€" x-Adrian Wilson (Cardinals)

FS â€" x-Nick Collins (Packers), Antrel Rolle (Giants)

K â€"David Akers (Eagles)

P â€"Mat McBriar (Cowboys)

KR/PR â€"Devin Hester (Bears)

ST â€" Eric Weems (Falcons)

 

[TwentyTwo]

It's a joke Brandon Meriweather was selected over Eric Weddle...NO WAY! Even a few writers are baffled on his snub!



Good to see Justin Smith back on the team again!

Congrats to rookie Marc Mariani at Kick Returner!!

Not a Cowboy fan..but Jason Witten is easily the best TE in the NFL!

Jason Babin...impressive!

3 of the 4 starters at Tackle are white..not bad for a position that had been in decline...Edited by: TwentyTwo

 

[Deadlift]

Andre Gurode..

POZ and Kyle Williams got snubbed. Dan Connolly, too.

Edited by: Deadlift

 

[Toby Hillis]

All white AFC Offensive line. Brandon Meriweather and Jason Peters are this year's Pro Bowl jokes! There was talk of benching Meriweather and as even the DWFs in the Philly area know, Jason Peters is one of the most inconsistent OT in recent memory.

 

[snow]

jahri evans played like crap this year

 

[Don Wassall]

Nice to see White o-linemen getting their due a little moreover the perennial over-rated sumos who dominated for so long.

Not a single White defensive player made the AFC team. And Meriweather actually was benched a few times this year. His stats suck for a safety -- just 48 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 0 sacks, 6 passes defensed and 3 interceptions.

P.S. White is right, you need to learn how to post articles cleanly, and also post links to them. With your sneaky speed I know you can do it.

Edited by: Don Wassall

 

[whiteathlete33]

WTF! No Jared Allen? I know his numbers are down this season but they are still pretty good. A black whose stats are down always gets voted in based solely on his name. Bullsh*t!

 

[Borussia]

Some of the typical names on the roster due more to reputation then actual production/play making this specific year. This seems to happen often.

Honestly, when on Earth did this Markice Pouncey ever become anything but a disappointing rookie? I recall Pouncey getting criticized earlier this year.
Also, Troy Palamalu...I have really no issue with him and can appreciate he has been overall a great player the last 5, 6 years. I actually like the guy, yet this year and last year, he has been living on his rep. more then anything. Maybe he has built up some credibility through the years so I can give him that much due.

Chad Greenway and Paul Poz are clear snubs. In fairness, the NFC LBs have some deserving players - . Matthews, Urlacher, Willis, Briggs all elite. Ware? hmm, not so much. I'd put in Greenway over Ware.

In addition, Health Miller should be a TE (at least backup) in the AFC imho.

Other then this, Reed and Meriweather are on just reputation alone.
One last thing: Colts Defense generally sucks, yet Mathis and Freeney are all pros.
Hmmm...interesting. I suppose they are great since media hacks and DWFs love them so. What is their actual production and ability to turn games around?

 

[Kaptain]

Chad Greenway and Poz are noticeably left off. Greenway was beat out by Lance Briggs and Demarcus Ware. You could combine both their numbers and you would get about what Greenway produced this year.

 

[jaxvid]

Pro Bowl spots are complete popularity contests. The results are not an indicator of ability or performance. Poor showing by white players should be expected as the norm in a majority black league.

 

[celticdb15]

Pro Bowl spots are complete popularity contests. The results are not an indicator of ability or performance. Poor showing by white players should be expected as the norm in a majority black league.

Agreed. Pro Bowls like most sports all star games, are flat out boring. Happy for our studs who got voted in, but to be fully honest,I probably won't watch a minute of the game. I was really happy to see Mariani voted in as a returner! Now imagine what he could do at WR if the Titans decide to grow a pair and draft a real QB in the upcoming draft..

 

[FootballDad]

Pro Bowl spots are complete popularity contests. The results are not an indicator of ability or performance. Poor showing by white players should be expected as the norm in a majority black league.

Exactly. That's why a player like Ed Reed is a starter. He's only played in 9 games this year, barely averages 3 tackles a game. But has 6 picks, since he just plays behind everyone and grabs overthrows. Vonte Leach at FB? Well, I wouldn't say it's all popularity with him, but if a FB is just an extension of the O-line, doesn't carry the ball and rarely catches it, just blocks, then okay, he's very good. A toss-up between him and Lawrence Vickers.

 

[Don Wassall]

Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and Brandon Merriweather as the three AFC safeties is high-level, unintended satire. The first two are constantly injured china dolls, the latter isn't good enough to be a full-time starter on his own team. Maybe Bob Sanders, the defensive"legend" who plays about one game per season,will be named an alternate.

 

[FootballDad]

Even the DWF's on the Patriots boards are scoffing at the inclusion of Merriweather!

 

[Colonel_Reb]

In a lot of cases, Pro-Bowl selections are more farcical than Heisman hype-jobs. About the only thing Pro-Bowl lists like these are good for is showing us what we are up against in the caste system. We still have a long way to go.

 

[Anak]

Pro Bowl selections are complete bulls**t nowadays and it always baffles me why people list being selected to the pro bowl as an accomplishment for a player as if it makes them somehow better.

 

[Deadlift]

I thought of an NFC O-lineman that got snubbed.. Todd Herremans of Philly!

As for Maurkice Pouncey, the truth is.. he's TINY! When the media was saying stuff like "he's bigger than Justin Hartwig" - I immediately said WTF?

How about guys like Dan Koppen or Matt Birk? Or Casey Wiegmann of the resurgent Chiefs? http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/4505/casey-wiegmann

 

[Freethinker]

Or Casey Wiegmann of the resurgent Chiefs? http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/4505/casey-wiegmann

The only guy who ever gets hype on the KC line is the bulbous headed negro Brian Waters. Here's a look at the rotund "supaman": http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/146550/brian-waters

 

[Thrashen]

Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and Brandon Merriweather as the three AFC safeties is high-level, unintended satire.  The first two are constantly injured china dolls, the latter isn't good enough to be a full-time starter on his own team.  Maybe Bob Sanders, the defensive "legend" who plays about one game per season, will be named an alternate.

Troy "The Polynesian Dingleberry"Â Polamalu may just be former Bears safety, Mike Brown, reincarnated.

The blueprint for achieving "legendary" status among JockSnifferNation is effortless"¦.be injured for numerous games, return mid-season and make 2-3 good plays, get injured again, make the pro-bowl, rinse, repeat.

Also, the "good plays"Â that Polamalu does happen to make are always "designed blitzes"Â or cherry picking interceptions (ala Ed Reed). Polamalu looked absolutely dreadful in the Steeler's loss to New England this season. Overrunning plays, getting burned in the passing game, missed tackles, etc.

During Tom Brady's goal line TD plunge, Saint Polamalu was seen violently "grinding"Â Brady's head into the endzone turf (well after the score). Alpha-male, Logan Mankins, tossed the "kindhearted"Â Polynesian Sweetheart like a chubby little rag doll whilst Brady viciously spiked the ball.

Merriweather is awesomely average...but so are most of the black "Popularity Contest" winners.

Devin McCourty and Jerod Mayo are the only players on the Patriots defense that are somewhat deserving. Mayo is leading the NFL in tackles (though he hasn't made many big plays) and McCourty has been pretty good, especially for a rookie.Edited by: Thrashen

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and Brandon Merriweather as the three AFC safeties is high-level, unintended satire. The first two are constantly injured china dolls, the latter isn't good enough to be a full-time starter on his own team. Maybe Bob Sanders, the defensive"legend" who plays about one game per season,will be named an alternate.

Troy "The Polynesian Dingleberry"Â￾ Polamalu may just be former Bears safety, Mike Brown, reincarnated.



The blueprint for achieving "legendary"Â￾ status among JockSnifferNation is effortless"¦.be injured for numerous games, return mid-season and make 2-3 good plays, get injured again, make the pro-bowl, rinse, repeat.



Also, the "good plays"Â￾ that Polamalu does happen to make are always "designed blitzes"Â￾ or cherry picking interceptions (ala Ed Reed). Polamalu looked absolutely dreadful in the Steeler's loss to New England this season. Overrunning plays, getting burned in the passing game, missed tackles, etc.



During Tom Brady's goal line TD plunge, Saint Polamalu was seen violently "grinding"Â￾ Brady's head into the endzone turf (well after the score). Alpha-male, Logan Mankins, tossed the "kindhearted"Â￾ Polynesian Sweetheart like a chubby little rag doll whilst Brady viciously spiked the ball.



Merriweather is awesomely average...but so are most of the black "Popularity Contest" winners.



Devin McCourty and Jerod Mayo are the only players on the Patriots defense that are somewhat deserving. Mayo is leading the NFL in tackles (though he hasn't made many big plays) and McCourty has been pretty good, especially for a rookie.

Great post, Thrashen!

 

[DixieDestroyer]

What crock of horse dung!

The DWF sheeple shouldn't be allowed to vote for Pro Bowl starters. The Pro Bowl should be based on merit not popularity or name recoginition. Hillis, Welker & Allen got royally shafted!

 

[snow]

Paul Poz was only 15 solo tackles behind Mayo. I still don't think they track assisted tackles correctly. I know Shanle for the Saints was listed by his own team by having well over 100 tackles the other year, the team that reviews game tape each week and keeps score of who does what, but espn had him at 57 solo and 12 assists.

 

[Don Wassall]

Paul Poz was only 15 solo tackles behind Mayo. I still don't think they track assisted tackles correctly. I know Shanle for the Saints was listed by his own team by having well over 100 tackles the other year, the team that reviews game tape each week and keeps score of who does what, but espn had him at 57 solo and 12 assists.

Posluszny missed two games and part of a third due to a kneeinjury or he might have led the league in tackles. Greenway has had a great season, being among the league-leading tacklers even as an OLB.

 

[foobar75]

I have a feeling that the Brown's poor showing, both overall and especially the last 3 games hurt Hillis' chances. If he led the league in yards or was at least in the top 5, despite the team's poor record, I think he would've gotten in. (See Arian Foster)

When you look at who made it ahead of him, it's hard to argue against those choices. Jones-Drew, Jamaal Charles and Arian Foster are all good running backs and are ahead of Peyton in rushing yards. The first 2 are on play-off contending teams (although JAX is most likely out), while Foster leads the league in rushing.

Chris Johnson is a first alternate and Hillis is a second alternate. So, it would appear that Peyton is regarded as a top-5 running back in the AFC, and top 10 in the NFL. His stats and value to the team more than support that, so I guess I'm OK with it. It would've been far worse if someone like Ray Rice or LT made it over him on name recognition alone.

As others have stated, the Pro Bowl selections tend to be popularity contests and you always have these dubious choices like Ed Reed and Brandon Meriweather, while a few deserving players get snubbed.

Greenway, Poz, Laurinaitis, Weddle, Hillis, Rodgers, Kyle Williams, and even Jaren Allen were all deserving choices who missed out.

Austin Collie probably would've made it had he not gotten injured. Edited by: foobar75

 

[Don Wassall]

Another ridiculous pick I just noticed is CB DeAngelo Hall. This guy is awful, can't cover worth a darn, but I'm sure all the Redskins DWFs who hate Reed Doughty with such a passion think it's a worthy honor.