2009 NFL Pro Bowl snubs Notables

Now, the game can be quite meaningless, and is probably one of the most boring games in the sport, but NFL Pro Bowl is an honor for players will be selected. The Pro Bowl official lists were released on Tuesday, and there is a fair share of snubs to cases for, and a number of notables to be congratulated.

AFC Notables

Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans

Despite the inconsistency at the quarterback position this season due to injury, Andre Johnson has come back as two years ago. He has been the focal point of the offense Texans, and just left a huge game against the Tennessee Titans in which he caught 11 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown. He currently leads the league with 1.408 yards receiving.

Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans

This explosive rookie running back entered the league considered a reach in the NFL draft. Thinking However, the Titans are considered genius for drafting him when they did. He is in the top ten in the league in total yards rushing and yards per carry, despite burden-sharing with fellow back LenDale White. No one can argue about his speed, Johnson has quickly become one of the biggest offensive threats League.

Mario Williams, DE, Houston Texans

Formally known as the guy who has drafted over Reggie Bush in the 2006 NFL Draft, Mario Williams is now considered one of the tops of defense in the league. After recording only 4.5 sacks in his rookie season, Williams was beginning to be considered mammoth project as another bust. However, he recovered in his second season and recorded 14 sacks, but failed to make the Pro Bowl. He was finally selected in his first Pro Bowl this season, winning the recognition of their 11 sacks, 46 tackles and 4 forced fumbles. Note that Williams is only 23 years old, he is just beginning.

James Harrison, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Harrison has become one of the most dominant linebackers in the league, and deservedly has been selected for his second consecutive Pro Bowl. Now leads the team with 15 sacks, which ties the franchise record, and has a chance to break two games this season. Harrison road to the NFL was unique because he was undrafted and made the team through practice squad. He and his team have a great game in front of them against the Tennessee Titans this week, a game that decides who has home-field advantage throughout the playoffs in the AFC. Do not be surprised If Harrison comes out of that game with the franchise sack record. James Harrison is one of the great stories of the NFL, and is more than worthy of his second consecutive Pro Bowl.

Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland Raiders

Asomugha could have made a case to be in the Pro Bowl last season after recording a career high-8 interceptions but he has done this season with only one interception in the year. Now, just one interception may sound like a Pro Bowl years, but nobody throws the ball to his way. Asomugha has been recognized as a premier corner in the league, and is undoubtedly the most feared, and was released only a handful of times. It is a long curve, physical cover man to man has been seeking a long term contract with the Raiders the last two seasons. Now that Asomugha is gaining the kind of recognition that he has, the Raiders will most likely compete with several other teams that want long-term contract in the offseason.

Other notable selections: Jay Cutler (first selection), Brett Favre (selection 10), Joey Porter, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, Leon Washington (kick returner)

NFC Notables

Anquan Boldin, WR, Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona Cardinals

First the Cardinals win their division for the first time in 33 years, then this. The Cardinals have made more history by becoming the first team to have a quarterback and two receivers same computer at the Pro Bowl. Receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, along with quarterback Kurt Warner, have become some of the most efficient players in the league on the offensive and receive this two-headed tandem has clearly been the most dominant in the league. They have also been a problem for opposing defenses to game plan and give your number was almost identical. Fitzgerald and Boldin has 88 catches and 89 of the season, respectively, with Fitzgerald have more than 1,200 meters, and Boldin more touchdowns with 11. Warner has had a great year, recording 26 touchdowns, more than 4,200 yards and a passer rating of 97.5 (which is the third in the league). It has also been in conversation for league MVP this year. All three of these guys follow to boost your stats, make history, win games, and now, to make Pro Bowls together. (Also to increase your fantasy football rating.)

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints

Speaking of MVP debates, Drew Brees has been faultless this season and is almost worthy of the Pro Bowl. Brees has thrown for now one step away from the league-high 4332 passing and 28 touchdowns. Despite his team has been performing at a mediocre, Brees has performed at a level that has led him to the top of the quarterback class. Your team has been through many injuries on the offensive side of the ball throughout the season, but Brees has not stopped competing in a Pro Bowl level, and has made a great case for MVP of the NFL this season.

Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Michael Turner, along with the rest of the team of the Atlanta Falcons, has been one of the pleasant surprises of the season. Now out of the shadow of ladani Tomlinson, Turner has been a key factor in the transformation of this team of around Atlanta. He is currently second in the league with 1.421 yards rushing and leads the league with 15 rushing touchdowns. Turner has made a name for himself and his team has thus become legitimate contenders of the NFC playoffs. This is Turner's first season of 1,000 yards, and this is the first time that has been selected to the Pro Bowl.

Other notables: Roddy White (first selection), Steve Smith, Eli Manning (first selection), Adrian Peterson, Julius Peppers, DeMarcus Ware

AFC / NFC slights

To start this out as positive as possible, there are many players worthy of a Pro Bowl selection, but it is difficult to place them above the players actually selected.

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers have been playing better than any other back in the NFL in recent weeks, and is in the top 5 in both touchdowns and rushing yards this season, but it is hard to push him in the lineup with Peterson, Portis, and Turner and in. This is not a huge snub, but I felt I had to shoot there because of how well he has done this season, and how big of a fan I am of yours. Only had a lot of competition.

Calvin Johnson is in the same boat. He is 5th in the league with 1.165 yards receiving and has 10 touchdowns on the year. Despite having a dismal season (to say the least) with Detroit Lions, Johnson has lived up to its hype coming out of college. He is a recipient of the league for years to come, but will have to wait in the Pro Bowl. Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Smith got in ahead of Johnson. Again, too much competition.

Matt Ryan is also in the same situation, but he should be fine. His numbers were slightly better than Eli Manning, but it's hard to say he had a better overall campaign. He has been great to say the least, and has been the most important component in making Atlanta a remarkable team in the NFC South. Matt Ryan has led to new Atlanta Georgia Dome, and he will have plenty of stations for your chance to go to Honolulu.

The last player in this situation is John Abraham of the Atlanta Falcons, who is third in the NFL in catches and just left a 3-sack game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Abraham has been a major contributor in the transformation of this defense around Atlanta, not to mention the entire team. But it is very hard to argue with Julius Peppers, Justin Tuck, and Jared Allen to the Pro Bowl lineup. The NFC is full of talent at the position defensive end, and in this case, John Abraham is the odd man out.

Three of the five best players also covered not make the Pro Bowl this season. (D'Qwell Jackson of the Cleveland Browns, Kirk Morrison, Oakland Raiders, and London Fletcher of the Washington Redskins.)

Now, to complete the slights.

First, the AFC quarterback lineup looks very weak, (with the exception of Peyton Manning) and there are few quarterbacks in the AFC that can make great cases and should have been selected. Chad Pennington, Kerry Collins, Matt Cassel and all teams would be better then those who got in: Brett Favre and Jay Cutler.

Cutler is the quarterback for the most inconsistent team in the league, and it is itself inconsistent, and Favre's performance was almost the same. Both had a great start the season, which has to be the only reason why we selected yet.

Pennington could easily be in this game, as he has led his team one of the most radical changes in the history of the NFL, and ranks among the top five in total rating this season. Phillip Rivers has been what you would call consistent, leading the NFL with a total rating of 101.4. Matt Cassel has also been stellar this season, taking the reins in New England, Tom Brady, after of season-ending injury. And a quarterback that nobody has mentioned is Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback who is a Superbowl caliber team and also in conversation for the MVP of the league. No one can deny any of these actions by marshals' this year, and I think they all snubbed, considering that the Pro Bowl ahead of them this year.

Ryan Clady was also snubbed by the Pro Bowl this year. He had a great rookie season and allowed only half sack all year on the offensive line of the Denver Broncos, and was well deserving of a selection.

In Indianapolis, Dallas Clark was totally snubbed. There is no reason why he should not have been selected, and why Antonio Gates should have. Clark is currently 5th in receiving yards of all tight ends and has 5 touchdowns on the year. Antonio Gates did not have this kind of numbers, and plays for most disappointing team in the NFL. This is just another example of a popularity contest when it comes to Pro Bowl voting.

The Pro Bowl is a unique honor for NFL players and teams can raise several players to the most prestigious League. There were many players who deserve this year, and as always, there were a fair share of snubs. But for the fans, who cares? Does anyone even see this game anyway?

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