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With the MLB All-Star game tonight, I decided to take a swing at who will be representing the Burgundy and Gold in this year's Pro-Bowl. Who gets in is decided by an equal third vote between the coaches, players, and fans. Seems hard to believe given what seems to be a popularity contest each year, but the big names have delivered the past few seasons. The Pro-Bowl returns to Hawaii the next two years (scheduled), so that means the Super Bowl players will compete. London is going to have to win it the hard way if he wants to return.
On offense, I don't think the Redskins send anyone and on Defense we send 3.
Let's start with McNabb. He has an uphill battle to climb to get those numbers, which he can do with Cooley and Davis, but I think he's behind the 8-ball with Favre, Romo, Drew Brees, and Aaron Rodgers already ahead of him.
Running Backs: The RB by committee will kill any chances for CP, LJ, and WP assuming they are all healthy. There are too many star RBs in the NFC anyway that will take these honors.
WRs: Santana Moss will have a great year, but I don't think his numbers will be there with Cooley and Fred Davis on the field all the time.
TEs: Cooley easily could make the Pro-Bowl...I have no qualms picking him here, I just think Fred Davis steals some of his numbers.
OL: Rookie LT's never make the Pro-Bowl, but go ahead and ink my 2012 Pro-Bowl nod for Trent Williams. Jammal is a stud, but RT's just don't get the attention LTs do, and Jammal will be adjusting to that side.
DEFENSE____________________
OLBs: Orakpo, Orakpo, Orakpo. This is the year DeMarcus Ware is dethroned as the best pass-rusher in the NFC East. Ware and Orakpo are your starting Pro-Bowlers like last year. I'll probably get crucified for that statement, but the Kool-Aid tastes mighty fine today, and that injury Ware suffered last year has me a little nervous.
MLBs: London Fletcher. He gets the (legit) votes this year. He got some needed nation-wide publicity when he was announced as an alternate. So, now that he has some buzz and the NFC is lacking super-star MLBs, I think he makes it. He's the ultimate player...it's really amazing he doesn't win ALL the player and coaches voting.
DL: In a 3-4, with all aging guys....nada.
CBs: DeAngelo Hall. The guy can still play and I'm predicting opening week he picks off Romo, much like he did in his first game as a Redskin. His INT numbers this season will be up. What's great is that he'll replace Terence Newman's spot on the Pro-Bowl roster.
Safeties: None. LaRon Landry is a fantastic Strong Safety, but his tackling and covering skills still have me doubting. Kareem Moore is still too far off the map for people to vote for even if he plays well.
KICKING____________________
Kicker: None. I really believe Graham Gano will be kicking in DC for many years. He had great workouts in BAL before signing with WAS, and he has kicked in very pressure-intense situations (his years at FSU and in the UFL championship game in OT). Ink him in the 2012 squad.
Punting: None. Bidwell was out of the league last year. Ken has a better chance of getting his Hannah Montana posters personally autographed by Miley Cyrus then Bidwell making it to Hawaii.
Holding: None. If Ethan Albright has only been to 1 Pro-Bowl (2007) his entire stellar career, not much luck for Nick Sundberg.
OK, so what are your predictions?
2010 Pro Bowl Roster
| Offense | |
| Position | Player(s) |
|---|---|
| Quarterback | * Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Tony Romo, Dallas |
| Running back | * Adrian Peterson, Minnesota DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Frank Gore, San Francisco |
| Fullback | * Leonard Weaver, Philadelphia |
| Wide receiver | * DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia * Miles Austin, Dallas Steve Smith, N.Y. Giants Roddy White, Atlanta |
| Tight end | * Vernon Davis, San Francisco Jason Witten, Dallas |
| Tackle | * Jason Peters, Philadelphia * David Diehl, N.Y. Giants |
| Guard | * Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota * Leonard Davis, Dallas Chris Snee, N.Y. Giants |
| Center | * Shaun O'Hara, N.Y. Giants Ryan Kalil, Carolina |
| Defense | |
| Position | Player(s) |
| Defensive end | * Jared Allen, Minnesota * Julius Peppers, Carolina Trent Cole, Philadelphia |
| Interior linemen | * Darnell Dockett, Arizona * Jay Ratliff, Dallas Justin Smith, San Francisco |
| Outside linebacker | * DeMarcus Ware, Dallas * Brian Orakpo, Washington Clay Matthews, Green Bay |
| Inside/middle linebacker | * London Fletcher, Washington Jon Beason, Carolina |
| Cornerback | * Asante Samuel, Philadelphia * Terence Newman, Dallas Mike Jenkins, Dallas |
| Free safety | * Nick Collins, Green Bay Antrel Rolle, Arizona |
| Strong safety | * Adrian Wilson, Arizona Quintin Mikell, Philadelphia |
| Special teams | |
| Position | Player(s) |
| Punter | Andy Lee, San Francisco |
| Placekicker | David Akers, Philadelphia |
| Kick returner | Johnny Knox, Chicago |
| Special teamer | Heath Farwell, Minnesota |
| Long snapper |
Jon Dorenbos, Philadelphia |
NFC Players out:
Due to unexcused absences from practice: Bryant McKinnie, Vikings.
Due to injury: Vikings; Steven Jackson, Rams; Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals; Sidney Rice, Vikings; Andre Gurode, Cowboys; Kevin Williams, Vikings; Lance Briggs, Bears; Charles Woodson, Packers; Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cardinals; Patrick Willis, 49ers.
Due to Super Bowl: Saints; Jonathan Stinchcomb, Saints; Jahri Evans, Saints; Jonathan Goodwin, Saints; Jonathan Vilma, Saints; Darren Sharper, Saints; Roman Harper, Saints.