Pro Bowl Rosters

2009 Pro Bowl rosters


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

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

 

First one of them that actually hits another one gets a prize.

 

At first glance, a few thoughts:

The QB position has a definite Deep South/N'awlins flavor with the Mannings having Mississippi River Delta roots and Crescent City upbringings.
Favre hails from the same area, just east of there along the Mississippi coast.
Brees, while reared elsewhere, currently resides in the Big Easy.

Cutler was even a southern collegiate star at Vandy in Nashville, though he was born in the hamlet of Santa Claus, Indiana.

Another note:
Lance Moore, receiver for the Saints, should have gotten more of a look for a roster spot.
His season has been sensational.

 

All of you who thought in August that the AFC running backs would be Thomas Jones, Chris Johnson and Ronnie Brown, raise your left paw.

 

I know the AFC running back pickings are pretty slim, but I don't get the Ronnie Brown selection at all.

 

While I don't want to openly knock the NFC selections, I do want to say something on behalf of DeAngelo Williams.

Jordan Gross, Julius Peppers and Jon Beason got in - all worthy candidates. So did Kris Jenkins with the Jets, which is no surprise given his obvious ability.

 

Probably even slimmer than you're realizing.

The big guns, Tomlinson, Addai and Larry Johnson, have done zilch.

Marshawn Lynch and Steve Slaton are probably 4 and 5.

 

Agreed. It's better than Brett Favre, though.

 

If LaDainian Tomlinson hadn't had to hobble around all year, Ronnie Brown wouldn't be anywhere near this discussion.

Little doubt Chris Johnson and Thomas Jones earned their stripes. The selection of Brown pretty much shows a serious lack of depth in the spot in the AFC this year. And unfortunately, DeAngelo Williams stays home because of the relatively crowded house in the NFC.

 

Frankly, Sam, I don't know if LT will ever be what he was. I think this might be a particularly glaring example of the short shelf life for running backs.

 

I'm worried that you might be right. Some of us had been scratching our heads for years, wondering how a guy Tomlinson's size continuously did what he did without injury - or even slowing down much. Guys like Walter Payton are the exception, not the rule.

I really thought Tomlinson was the best back in the league since Marshall Faulk, who was the best since Payton. I dunno if I can say that now.

 

Does anyone really watch the Pro Bowl?