Let's start with the NFC side of things. Hard to argue with any of the quarterback selections, but if Romo hadn't missed games to injuries, he would probably be in instead of Manning. The running backs in the NFC were DEEP this year. All three selections were great with Peterson, Portis, and Michael Turner. DeAngelo Williams just picked the wrong year and wrong conference as did Matt Forte. 1 STAR SNUB for those two players.
At receiver, the biggest complaint is probably from Calvin Johnson who has over 1,100 yards and 10 TD's. However, who are you going to take off of that list? Fitz and Boldin? No. Roddy White? Don't think so. Steve Smith? Not a chance. Calvin, sorry your team is so terrible because you are having a great year. 2 STAR SNUB for you! Greg Jennings also receives a 1 STAR SNUB, but, like Calvin, few wins make a hard case. Chris Cooley and Jason Witten were easily the two best at tight end this year in the NFC...but with Romo not going to the Pro Bowl, who will Witten draw plays with in the sand?
It's difficult to say who the best lineman are because you don't get to see all of them play every week. The only thing I can say about the NFC is that I remember Walter Jones getting BURNED by DeMarcus Ware on Thanksgiving...
On the defensive side, Trent Cole would have the biggest argument from any of the end spots. But the three guys in front of him (Tuck, Allen, and Peppers) are having monster seasons. Still, Cole would be a 2 STAR SNUB, since he leads all linemen in tackles and has 8.5 sacks. John Abraham deserves a 1 STAR SNUB because of his stats...but if you have seen him play, you will know why his numbers are inflated. All three defensive tackles were great selections.
The inside linebackers were no brainers. Both Willis and Beason are having monster years. DeMarcus Ware is leading the NFL in sacks, so that is an obvious choice. Briggs is having an okay year and Derrick Brooks got in on reputation rather than stats. Chad Greenway should have had one of those spots and is a 5 STAR SNUB. Karlos Dansby is also having a very strong year and deserves to be in with a 4 STAR SNUB.
Antoine Winfield finally got his respect being elected a starter and Asante Samuel is also having a great year. I am neutral on Charles Woodson because of the fact the Packers give up so many big plays because the gamble too much (which inflates his states). Speaking of Gamble, Chris should be there instead and is a 4 STAR SNUB. Nothing wrong with any of the safeties, all are having great years.
I would probably take Donnie Jones over Jeff Feagles as a punter, making him a 4 STAR SNUB and with the year he has had off the field, I think Matt Bryant should have been on the roster as well (take away his 50 yard+ FGA), and I am making him a 5 STAR SNUB. When you return a punt and kickoff for a touchdown (especially for the Bucs), you definately get a spot like Clifton Smith did. Will Blackmon has had some great returns and deserves a 2 STAR SNUB.
On the AFC, we find a snub on the first position. There is absolutely no way that Brett Favre should be in the Pro Bowl this year. Unless you like quarterbacks who lead in the league in interceptions! Okay, if you say it is because of the way he turned his team around then you can make an argument...only if you argue for CHAD PENNINGTON before that! Philip Rivers easily should be in the Pro Bowl. He is leading the league rating and is tied with Brees for touchdown passes. 5 STAR SNUB! The running back selections were good choices. Thomas Jones leads the conference in rushing yards, Chris Johnson has helped the Titans get back on top and Ronnie Brown with the wildcat formation for the Dolphins. Steve Slaton has a legit argurment, but playing on the Texans doesn't help much, so he gets a 2 STAR SNUB!
Wes Welker and Andre Johnson both have over 100 catches on the season and were obvious choices along with Brandon Marshall. Reggie Wayne is not having the type of season we are used to seeing, but who else could you take? TJ Houshmanzadeh could have a case if he didn't play for the BUNGLES, so he gets a 1 STAR SNUB. Tony Gonzalez has by far the best season for a tight end this year in either conference. However, Antonio Gates is nowhere near his production from recent years. Dallas Clark probably should go before Gates, but the stats are very similar, leaving Clark with a 3 STAR SNUB!
As I said with the NFC, it is difficult for me to tell...from what I hear Peters and Thomas both are not having the years they did last year...but who would rather have instead?
The AFC defensive line has probably has a couple of the biggest snubs on it. Dwight Freeney doesn't deserve to be on the team this year. If all you do is rush the passer, then you should have more than 8.5 sacks. I know it is so hard to be recognized in a 3-4 defense, but take away Aaron Smith from the Steelers and they are not the same team. He is a 4 STAR SNUB without a question...Shaun Ellis also deserved a spot and he is strong 3 STAR SNUB. Haloti Ngata is listed as an end, and he definately deserves to be in as an end or a tackle as well. The same applies with him as Aaron Smith and he is another 5 STAR SNUB! Kris Jenkins has really helped out the Jets defense, but I don't know if it is strong enough to consider him a Pro Bowler, considering he is not like Rogers or Haynesworth.
Ray Lewis may have lost a step, but still warrants a spot on the Pro Bowl as does James Farrior. D'Qwell Jackson might be in if Cleveland was better and deserves a 3 STAR SNUB. LaMarr Woodley is a 5 STAR SNUB with the numbers he has put up. At the same time, it is hard to take Suggs off the roster because he is having a great year as well. Calvin Pace probably deserves a 2 STAR SNUB as well. But, there is no way you can take off James Harrison or Joey Porter.
Nnamdi Asomugha might not have the stats, but it is because nobody throws at him. Cortland Finnegan is also having a wonderful season. Darrelle Revis probably deserves an invite as well, but Brandon McDonald is having a great year and is a 4 STAR SNUB. Ike Taylor shuts down the opposing teams top player week to week and if had better hands, would be a Pro Bowl player. Still, Ike is a 2 STAR SNUB. Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu in the same secondary. That would be scary to face in real game! Chris Hope is also having a great year and Gibril Wilson could be higher than a 3 STAR SNUB if he didn't play for the Raiders. We also should mention Bernard Pollard and give him a 1 STAR SNUB for saving football this year. Thanks Bernard!
Shane Lechler is the best punter in the league and Gostkowski is having a great year. I think Bironas means more to the Titans than he does to the Patriots and I consider him a 4 STAR SNUB. Leon Washington is having a monster year returning kicks and deservs his spot. Leodis McKelvin has been explosive and at least deserves a 1 STAR SNUB.
With all of this being said, it doesn't matter that much anyways. 20-30% of these guys won't even play in this game and it is a glorified game of touch football. The biggest story to come from this is that Albert Haynesworth is now a free agent because of a clause in his contract. See you in Hawaii!
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