It's the holiday season and I am in a giving mood. Currently, the NFL is conducting Pro Bowl balloting via the Internet. Fan balloting (which counts as one-third toward the overall vote among players and coaches) ends on Dec. 8.
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| Raiders QB Rich Gannon may have a Pro Bowl and an MVP to add to his resumé
after this year. |
So if you are somewhat unbiased and, upon popular request, I am offering -- free of charge -- a guide to this year's Pro Bowl teams. It's not perfect, but it's relatively close.
I have spent the past week surveying a number of head coaches, assistants, players, front office personnel and media members to come up with a credible recommended ballot.
It's only a popularity contest in small part -- fans deserve to name players they would pay money to watch. Ultimately, you also have to reward players who have earned their trip to Hawaii.
Prior to the Dec. 8 deadline, I will offer amended picks. Can't wait to hear your complaints.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
NFC: Daunte Culpepper (Vikings), Jeff Garcia (49ers) and Kurt Warner (Rams). Apologies to: Brett Favre (Packers) and Donovan McNabb (Eagles).
AFC: Rich Gannon (Raiders), Brian Griese (Broncos) and Peyton Manning (Colts). Apologies to: Steve McNair (Titans), Mark Brunell (Jaguars) and Elvis Grbac (Chiefs).
RUNNING BACKS (3)
NFC: Robert Smith (Vikings), Marshall Faulk (Rams) and Stephen Davis (Redskins). Apologies to: Charlie Garner (49ers) and Ricky Williams (Saints).
AFC: Edgerrin James (Colts), Corey Dillon (Bengals) and Eddie George (Titans). Apologies to: Jamal Lewis (Ravens), Jerome Bettis (Steelers), Fred Taylor (Jaguars), Lamar Smith (Dolphins) and Curtis Martin (Jets).
FULLBACK (1)
NFC: Cory Schlesinger (Lions). Apologies to: Fred Beasley (49ers), Terrelle Smith (Saints) and Jim Kleinsasser (Vikings).
AFC: Richie Anderson (Jets). Apologies to: Lorenzo Neal (Titans).
WIDE RECEIVERS (4)
NFC: Randy Moss (Vikings), Isaac Bruce (Rams), Cris Carter (Vikings) and Terrell Owens (49ers). Apologies to: Torry Holt (Rams), Joe Horn (Saints) and Muhsin Muhammad (Panthers).
AFC: Marvin Harrison (Colts), Rod Smith (Broncos), Eric Moulds (Bills) and Tim Brown (Raiders). Apologies to: Derrick Alexander (Chiefs), Ed McCaffrey (Broncos), Keenan McCardell (Jaguars) and Jimmy Smith (Jaguars).
TIGHT ENDS (2)
NFC: David Sloan (Lions) and Stephen Alexander (Redskins). Apologies to: Chad Lewis (Eagles) and Dave Moore (Bucs).
AFC: Tony Gonzalez (Chiefs) and Shannon Sharpe (Ravens). Apologies to: Kyle Brady (Jaguars) Jay Riemersma (Bills), Freddie Jones (Chargers), Ken Dilger (Colts), Frank Wycheck (Titans) and Tony McGee (Bengals).
GUARDS (3)
NFC: Larry Allen (Cowboys), Ray Brown (49ers) and Ron Stone (Giants). Apologies to: Wally Williams (Saints) and Jeff Hartings (Lions).
AFC: Mark Dixon (Dolphins), Alan Faneca (Steelers) and Bruce Matthews (Titans). Apologies to: Pete Kendall (Seahawks), Randy Thomas (Jets), Ruben Brown (Bills) and Will Shields (Chiefs).
TACKLES (3)
NFC: Kyle Turley (Saints), William Roaf (Saints) and Orlando Pace (Rams). Apologies to: Tra Thomas (Eagles), Chris Samuels (Redskins), Jon Jansen (Redskins), Jon Runyan (Eagles), Blake Brockermeyer (Bears), Bob Whitfield (Falcons), Korey Stringer and Todd Steussie (both Vikings).
AFC: Brad Hopkins (Titans), Jonathan Ogden (Ravens) and Tony Boselli (Jaguars). Apologies to: Walter Jones (Seahawks), Wayne Gandy (Steelers), John Tait (Chiefs) and Tarik Glenn (Colts).
CENTER (2)
NFC: Mark Stepnoski (Cowboys) and Matt Birk (Vikings). Apologies to: Frank Winters (Packers), Jerry Fontenot (Saints) and Jeff Christy (Bucs).
AFC: Kevin Mawae (Jets) and Tim Ruddy (Dolphins). Apologies to: Tom Nalen (Broncos) and Barret Robbins (Raiders).
DEFENSIVE ENDS (3)
NFC: Hugh Douglas (Eagles), Joe Johnson (Saints) and Bruce Smith (Redskins). Apologies to: Michael Strahan (Giants), Marcus Jones (Bucs), Marco Coleman (Redskins), Darren Howard (Saints) and Grant Wistrom (Rams).
AFC: Rob Burnett (Ravens), Jason Taylor (Dolphins) and Jevon Kearse (Titans). Apologies to: Kenny Holmes (Titans), Michael McCrary (Ravens) and Tony Brackens (Jaguars).
DEFENSIVE TACKLES (3)
NFC: La'Roi Glover (Saints), Warren Sapp (Bucs) and Keith Hamilton (Giants). Apologies to: Bryant Young (49ers), Corey Simon (Eagles), Luther Elliss (Lions), John Randle (Vikings) and Travis Hall (Falcons).
AFC: John Parrella (Chargers), Sam Adams (Ravens) and Tim Bowens (Dolphins). Apologies to: Ted Washington (Bills), Jason Ferguson (Jets), Chad Eaton (Patriots) and Tony Siragusa (Ravens).
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (3)
NFC: Derrick Brooks (Bucs), Keith Mitchell (Saints) and Jessie Armstead (Giants). Apologies to: Dwayne Rudd (Vikings) and Dexter Coakley (Cowboys).
AFC: Junior Seau (Chargers), Mo Lewis (Jets) and Jason Gildon (Steelers). Apologies to: Mike Peterson (Colts), Takeo Spikes (Bengals), Chad Brown (Seahawks), Donnie Edwards (Chiefs) and Joey Porter (Steelers).
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (2)
NFC: Brian Urlacher (Bears) and Jeremiah Trotter (Eagles). Apologies to: Stephen Boyd (Lions), London Fletcher (Rams), Ronald McKinnon (Cardinals) and Kailee Wong (Vikings).
AFC: Ray Lewis (Ravens) and Sam Cowart (Bills). Apologies to: Zach Thomas (Dolphins), Marvin Jones (Jets), Randall Godfrey (Titans), Levon Kirkland (Steelers) and Greg Biekert (Raiders).
CORNERBACKS (3)
NFC: Champ Bailey (Redskins), Bryant Westbrook (Lions) and Aeneas Williams (Cardinals). Apologies to: Troy Vincent (Eagles), Ronde Barber (Bucs), Ray Buchanan (Falcons), Deion Sanders (Redskins), Bobby Taylor (Eagles) and Ashley Ambrose (Falcons).
AFC: Sam Madison (Dolphins), Samari Rolle (Titans) and Charles Woodson (Raiders). Apologies to: Shawn Springs (Seahawks), Antoine Winfield (Bills), James Hasty (Chiefs), Marcus Coleman (Jets) and Chris McAlister (Ravens).
STRONG SAFETY (1)
NFC: John Lynch (Bucs). Apologies to: Robert Griffith (Vikings) and Darren Woodson (Cowboys).
AFC: Blaine Bishop (Titans). Apologies to: Lawyer Milloy (Patriots) and Rodney Harrison (Chargers).
FREE SAFETY (1)
NFC: Darren Sharper (Packers). Apologies to: Shaun Williams (Giants), Kurt Schulz (Lions), Brian Dawkins (Eagles) and Damien Robinson (Bucs).
AFC: Brock Marion (Dolphins). Apologies to: Rod Woodson (Ravens).
KICK RETURNER (1)
NFC: MarTay Jenkins (Cardinals -- not on ballot). Apologies to: Allen Rossum (Packers), Tony Horne (Rams) and Desmond Howard (Lions).
AFC: Derrick Mason (Titans). Apologies to: Troy Brown (Patriots).
SPECIAL TEAMS (1)
NFC: Michael Bates (Panthers).
AFC: Trent Gamble (Dolphins -- not on ballot).
KICKER (1)
NFC: Joe Nedney (Panthers). Apologies to: Martin Gramatica (Bucs).
AFC: Matt Stover (Ravens). Apologies to: Steve Christie (Bills).
PUNTER (1)
NFC: John Jett (Lions). Apologies to: Scott Player (Cardinals) and Sean Landeta (Eagles).
AFC: Darren Bennett (Chargers). Apologies to: Shane Lechler (Raiders), Tom Tupa (Jets), Chris Gardocki (Browns), Hunter Smith (Colts) and Kyle Richardson (Ravens).
WILD CARD (1)
NFC: Darrell Green (Redskins).
AFC: Trace Armstrong (Dolphins).
WRITE-IN (1)
NFC: Charlie Garner (49ers).
AFC: Rod Woodson (Ravens).
