Who's going to Hawaii?

[bamf16]

My guesses:

Offense:

Ward - doesn't have the stats of some other guys (11th in receiving yards) but think he gets the respect of a silent majority in the NFL.  Lighting up Ravens appeals to most of the league.

Roethlisberger - think he should go, but his stats don't line up well with Manning, Rivers, and Cutler.  Comeback victories as of late may push him ahead of Cutler who is incredibly inconsistent. 

While both of them IMO deserve it, neither goes.  So I have no one from the offense.






Defense - (all mentioned I think go):

Hampton - run stuffer on league's #1 defense (we still #1 against the run?)

Aaron Smith - most underrated defensive player in the league.

Woodley - should start alongside Harrison, but don't see it happening.  Porter will get the nod.

Harrison - no question, he starts

Farrior - leader of #1 defense, doing everything asked of him thus far.

Polamalu - see Harrison



Special teams:

Reed - might the missed PAT in Washington weigh in too much?  The guy doesn't miss unless it's a monsoon or he's 65 yards out.  I'm going to say he gets the invite.

So that's 7.

[pensodyssey]

Kickers are like linemen.  Once you get in you stay in unless your leg falls off or you retire.  The AFC kicker will be Bironas (do they take 2?). 

No chance for Ben, barring the guys who make it deciding not to go.  Hell, I bet Cassel has a better shot.  Wouldn't surprise me to see Favre go either, though no way in hell does he deserve it.

Hampton won't go unless Haynesworth and Kris Jenkins can't. 

Keyaron Fox is my sleeper pick.

[Finnegans Wake]

I don't see anyone from the O side going.

D-side, I see Pola and Harrison. 

That's it.

Screw it.  I'll take Lombardis over Hawaii numbers.

[BleedGreen710]

I think Ike Taylor goes this year...At least, I think that he should.  He has really stepped it up this season.

[Merman1983]

Offense - Not a damn soul

Defense - Smith (will get his due this year), Silverback, Woodley, Troy. Maybe Farrior.

[ben2hines4six]

Who I think should go: Ben, Ward, Polamalu, Harrison, Woodley, Smith, Taylor.

Who I think will go: Polamalu, Harrison, Woodley, Smith.

[ben2hines4six]

Starters = Troy and James, Sub = Farrior.

Only three Steelers??? WOW Woodley got screwed...guess he's not a big enough "name".

[Finnegans Wake]

NFC
Offense
Pos. Starter(s) Reserves
Quarterback Kurt Warner, Arizona Drew Brees, New Orleans
Eli Manning, New York Giants
Running back Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Michael Turner, Atlanta
Clinton Portis, Washington
Fullback Mike Sellers, Washington  
Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
Anquan Boldin, Arizona Steve Smith, Carolina
Roddy White, Atlanta
Tight end Jason Witten, Dallas Chris Cooley, Washington
Tackle Jordan Gross, Carolina
Walter Jones, Seattle Chris Samuels, Washington
Guard Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota
Chris Snee, New York Giants Leonard Davis, Dallas
Center Andre Gurode, Dallas Shaun O'Hara, New York Giants
Defense
Pos. Starter(s) Reserves
Defensive end Julius Peppers, Carolina
Justin Tuck, New York Giants Jared Allen, Minnesota
Defensive tackle Kevin Williams, Minnesota
Jay Ratliff, Dallas Pat Williams, Minnesota
Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, Dallas
Lance Briggs, Chicago Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay
Inside linebacker Patrick Willis, San Francisco Jon Beason, Carolina
Cornerback Charles Woodson, Green Bay
Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Asante Samuel, Philadelphia
Free safety Nick Collins, Green Bay Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia
Strong safety Adrian Wilson, Arizona  
Special teams
Pos. Starter(s) Reserves
Punter Jeff Feagles, New York Giants  
Placekicker John Carney, New York Giants  
Kick returner Clifton Smith, Tampa Bay  
Special teamer Sean Morey, Arizona  
AFC
Offense
Pos. Starter(s) Reserves
Quarterback Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Brett Favre, New York Jets
Jay Cutler, Denver
Running back Thomas Jones, New York Jets Chris Johnson, Tennessee
Ronnie Brown, Miami
Fullback Le'Ron McClain, Baltimore  
Wide receiver Andre Johnson, Houston
Brandon Marshall, Denver Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
Wes Welker, New England
Tight end Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Antonio Gates, San Diego
  
Tackle Joe Thomas, Cleveland
Jason Peters, Buffalo Michael Roos, Tennessee
  
Guard Alan Faneca, New York Jets
Kris Dielman, San Diego Brian Waters, Kansas City
Center Kevin Mawae, Tennessee Nick Mangold, New York Jets
Defense
Pos. Starter(s) Reserves
Defensive end Mario Williams, Houston
Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis Robert Mathis, Indianapolis
Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee
Kris Jenkins, New York Jets Shaun Rogers, Cleveland
Outside linebacker James Harrison, Pittsburgh
Joey Porter, Miami Terrell Suggs, Baltimore
Inside linebacker Ray Lewis, Baltimore James Farrior, Pittsburgh
Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland
Cortland Finnegan, Tennessee Darrelle Revis, New York Jets
Free safety Ed Reed, Baltimore  
Strong safety Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Chris Hope, Tennessee
Special teams
Pos. Starter(s) Reserves
Punter Shane Lechler, Oakland  
Placekicker Stephen Gostkowski, New England  
Kick returner Leon Washington, New York Jets  
Special teamer Brendon Ayanbadejo, Baltimore  

Ahhh, missed Farrior.  

[Finnegans Wake]

Starters = Troy and James, Sub = Farrior.

Only three Steelers??? WOW Woodley got screwed...guess he's not a big enough "name".

Peazy's got the numbers... 17.5 sacks.  Now, Thuggs only has 7.5 to El Wood's 11.5, so that's BS.  Must be name recognition.  Just wait till folks see a bit more of the Woodman in the postseason...

[Merman1983]

Once again, Aaron Smith get screwed.

Wish people would realize if he played in a 4-3 he'd have comparable sack numbers to anyone on that team. And he's one of the best against the run.

[PghSteel-43]

Both Ike and Smith got screwed over in my opinion.

Shame.

[Finnegans Wake]

It's all a numbers game.  IMO, Harrison would lead the league in sacks if the zebras would call holding.  Smith gets overlooked because he plays the 3-4... And IMO he's one of the three best players on our D, with Pola and Harrison.  Ike's got 1 INT, which won't get noticed when people want gaudy INT numbers as their primary criterion for PB voting.  Never mind that his coverage has gotten better, and he consistently breaks up passes.

It's about what I expected from the voters.  I give two shits about the Pro Bowl, honestly. 

[Merman1983]

It's all a numbers game.  IMO, Harrison would lead the league in sacks if the zebras would call holding.  Smith gets overlooked because he plays the 3-4... And IMO he's one of the three best players on our D, with Pola and Harrison.  Ike's got 1 INT, which won't get noticed when people want gaudy INT numbers as their primary criterion for PB voting.  Never mind that his coverage has gotten better, and he consistently breaks up passes.

It's about what I expected from the voters.  I give two shits about the Pro Bowl, honestly. 

Yeah, sacks and ints will get you in. I may be wrong here, but I believe the Giants had zero Pro-Bowlers last year, and that seemed to work out pretty well for them.

Edit: Omenyiora made it as a reserve.

[jonzr]

http://www.nfl.com/probowl/story?id=09000d5d80d60467&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Polamalu and Harrison are starters and Potsie is a backup to, you guessed it, Ray Ray.

No players on offense.

[msdmnr2002]

Defensive criteria are sacks, INTs, and have you been there before.

Freeney is useless against the run, but he'll be in the Pro Bowl every year.

I think Woodley tailed off a little the last month or so, plus no name recognition, plus excuse likely that he gets his numbers because the D is focusing on Harrison.

Offense no surprise that we had no one make it - Ben tailed off significantly stat wise from last year, but could argue 3rd team vs. Cutler based on team success and comebacks.  Also, Favre had one good game (6 TDs), otherwise very ordinary.  At least Cassell didn't make it.

[DCSteelers]

When do they plan on eliminating this useless game?

[aj_law]

Didn't the Gints win the SB last year with like, zero Pro Bowl elections?

[The Emperor]

What about clark? He is pretty good.  He should go based on the Welker hit alone.

[give'emthaboot]

Pretty good praise of Tomlin regarding Pro Bowl players (or lack thereof) from PFT of all places!

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/12/16/pro-bowl-vote-proves-tomlins-value-to-steelers/

[leighclay]

Pretty good praise of Tomlin regarding Pro Bowl players (or lack thereof) from PFT of all places!

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/12/16/pro-bowl-vote-proves-tomlins-value-to-steelers/<

True dat.

I'd much rather our boys represent in Tampa than in Hawaii.  Coming home with Pro Bowl hardware means nothing.  Only the Lombardi counts.

Destination:  Tampa
 

[Preacherman0]

Screw the Pro Bowl.  It's about as meaningful as an 8th-grade beauty contest, and judged about as accurately.

We win because we are team, and we put team above any of this other crap.

Plus, all this will do is put us in a piss-poor mood for Sunday.

[JackSplat]

I wouldnt worry about it too much anyhoo...im sure by years end there might be a couple additions from the steelers after injuries, dudes who drop out, etc...

Woodsie and Smith just might go afterall

[PghSteel-43]

I think Ike Taylor goes this year...At least, I think that he should.  He has really stepped it up this season.

Unfortunately, shutting down the league's best week after week does not matter.

What a joke.

[vinman3]

WHAT?!?! Berger got shafted and wasn't selected to the Pro Bowl! Astonishing!

Congrats to Harrison, Polamalu, and Farrior.

An aside...Phillip Rivers and Chad Pennington out, Brett Favre in? That is a joke. Both easily have higher QB ratings, and together have as many INTs as Favre.

[Preacherman0]

I think Woodley tailed off a little the last month or so, plus no name recognition, plus excuse likely that he gets his numbers because the D is focusing on Harrison.

But, one could also argue that Harrison is having a monster year because offenses have to contend with Woodley now, instead of "Hung Up" Haggans.

I shouldn't say that, I actually liked Clark.  But Woodley is a definite upgrade.

[msdmnr2002]

Quote
I think Woodley tailed off a little the last month or so, plus no name recognition, plus excuse likely that he gets his numbers because the D is focusing on Harrison.


But, one could also argue that Harrison is having a monster year because offenses have to contend with Woodley now, instead of "Hung Up" Haggans.

I shouldn't say that, I actually liked Clark.  But Woodley is a definite upgrade.

I agree, Woodley earned his plays; just suggesting what someone who doesn't watch every week might think as an excuse to keep him out.  More likely that he hasn't been lighting it up as much lately - gotta have a monster game just about every week in order to break into that club for the first time.

[Big Virgil]

I think Ike Taylor goes this year...At least, I think that he should.  He has really stepped it up this season.

Unfortunately, shutting down the league's best week after week does not matter.

What a joke.

Ike does play against the big names pretty well, but I think he gtes recognition for dropping about 20 picks this year.

[Finnegans Wake]

I think Ike Taylor goes this year...At least, I think that he should.  He has really stepped it up this season.

Unfortunately, shutting down the league's best week after week does not matter.

What a joke.

Ike does play against the big names pretty well, but I think he gtes recognition for dropping about 20 picks this year.

Or possibly the assist to the Colts...?

[PghSteel-43]

I think Ike Taylor goes this year...At least, I think that he should.  He has really stepped it up this season.

Unfortunately, shutting down the league's best week after week does not matter.

What a joke.

Ike does play against the big names pretty well, but I think he gtes recognition for dropping about 20 picks this year.

No doubt, it's frustrating.  Eitherway, I'll take a guy who shuts down the best week in and week out and struggles with INT's.

[JackSplat]

An aside...Phillip Rivers and Chad Pennington out, Brett Favre in?

Im willing to wager that Rivers is probably not well liked amongst his peers.  I know this may come as a shock to some, but Rivers comes across as a douchebag sometimes.

If Woodley's production drop was a reason for the snub...well Favre's 6 td game happened in week 4 and since then he's played very very average football.

[Big Virgil]

What the hell was Rivers so excited about last week?  They beat the Chiefs fer chrissakes and now the Chargers have about 6 wins.  Nice job Phillip.  In his on the field comments after the game they way he was thanking everyone from JC to his kindergarten teacher, I thought maybe they parlayed that win into a SB victory.