The best players in the NFL (minus some guys sitting out for sulking reasons) get together to put on a last-gasp football show for the fans. As always, the game will take place in Hawaii and while it most likely won’t be as meaningful as playoff football, it’s still football, and you better get your last taste before you’re relegated to draft magazines and fantasy football rankings.
Line: AFC (-3) @ NFC (+3) O/U 63
Time: 2/10/2008 4:30pm EST on FOX
Even with Tom Brady sitting this years’ game out, the AFC still has their share of talented quarterbacks. Peyton Manning will head the group off, but Ben Roethlisberger (32 TDs, 11 INTs) and Derek Anderson (29 TDs, 19 INTs) will also get their shot to show the Pro Bowl what they’re made of. Big Ben had the biggest offensive numbers of his young passing career, and Derek Anderson really burst onto the scene in his first real chance to hold the starting job in Cleveland.
As is always the case with the Pro Bowl, there are a few players missing because of injury (like Tom Brady), and at running back and wide receiver, the AFC will be missing their brightest stars. LaDainian Tomlinson, known by many as the best in the game, will be absent from Sunday’s action as will the new single season record holder for receiving touchdowns, Randy Moss. At running back, Tomlinson’s absence gives Fred Taylor his first chance to play in the league’s All-Star game. Taylor had one of his most productive seasons, despite sharing time with youngster Maurice Jones-Drew. Joseph Addai and Willis McGahee will both share time with Fred on Sunday.
Tony Gonzalez and Kellen Winslow will share the tight end spotlight, as Antonio Gates will be missing the game because of his bum wheel. The other pass-catchers will be Reggie Wayne, Braylon Edwards, and the Bengal-Duo; TJ Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson. Chad has been part of a lot of chatter about getting traded and possible leaving Cincinnati, but I imagine he’ll come to play in this game - he loves the camera!
On the offensive line, the AFC will see a lot of Patriots, which should make the Giants’ defensive Pro-Bowlers happy, or at least comfortable. The most interesting lineman on this list for me is rookie tackle Joe Thomas. The #2 overall pick helped transform the Browns into a 10 win team by paving the way for a rejuvenated Jamal Lewis.
Defensively, the AFC has more than a couple free agents that will be on their best behavior and most determined play in hopes of pulling home that huge contract. Jared Allen from Kansas City. Asante Samuel from New England, and Albert Haynesworth from Tennessee are three guys that come to mind. All three had huge seasons (especially the defensive linemen) and all three be doing their damnedest to sine huge paychecks this off-season. Lets see whom they’ll be going against.
At quarterback, the NFC will put up a trio of Tony Romo, Matt Hasselbeck, and Jeff Garcia. Tony and Matt both had the best passing totals of their careers. Romo compiled 36 touchdowns and 4,200 yards in 2007 while Hasselbeck put up 28 scores and 3,966 yards for the Seahawks. Jeff Garcia will take Brett Favre’s place. Garcia had 13 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions as he led the Buccaneers to the playoffs in his first season under center in Tampa.
I definitely give the NFC the nod at running back where they have three guys that can do everything. Adrian Peterson marched onto the scene in 2007 as a rookie, and managed to etch his name in the record books with the single game rushing record. His power and speed has rarely been seen in the NFL, and from the way he’s been talking, he’s really looking forward to making the most of his pro-bowl selection. Brian Westbrook, who probably had the most impressive season of any back in ‘07, will also get plenty of chances to shit. Westy does it all, and is one of the toughest offensive players in the NFL to match-up with. His ability to catch the ball and run all over the field really makes him special. The 3rd back will be Marion Barber, who is kind of a mix between Barber and Peterson. He doesn’t have the top-end speed, but nobody runs harder that Marion. He catches the ball well and only knows one speed. These three will make life tough for the AFC’s defense.
Larry Ftizgerald, Terrell Owens, Donald Driver, and Tory Holt form one heck of a receiving corps. Fitz had a very consistent year despite fighting through injuries for much of the season. In 13 of his 15 games, Larry had at least 72 yards receiving. That’s impressive. On the season, Larry had 100 catches for 1,409 yards and 10 TDs. TO had another awesome season, but what’s new? The high-profile receiver in Dallas grabbed 15 of Romo’s 36 touchdown passes. Driver led a great team-receiving unit in Green Bay, and despite only scoring 2 TDs, his hands played a huge roll in the Packers’ great season. Tory Holt is still always open. Despite quarterback issues and offensive line trouble, Holt still put up a great season.
Devin Hester also finds himself on this roster, and in the spirit of the game, I think the AFC will be kicking to him throughout the game, so get your TIVO ready.
Defensively, the NFC has just one Giant, defensive end, Osi Umenyiora. The speed rusher will do his best to make quick work of the opposing offensive line, just like he did all post-season long. The Vikings run-stuffing duo of Kevin and Pat Williams will try to do what they did all season long, destroy the AFC’s rushing attack. One of the best stories of the weekend is Sean Taylor’s place on this roster. He made the pro-bowl for the 2nd straight season, despite being murdered midway through the year. The young safety will be remembered throughout Hawaii’s Pro-Bowl Weekend.
