AFC Offensive Pro Bowl Snubs

The 2008 Pro Bowl rosters have been selected. However there are a significant number of players that should have been given more consideration, and possibly even a spot on their respective league's roster for their contributions to the game this season.

Let's take a look at a couple of the AFC offensive skill-position players who should have been given a second look:

David Garrard, QB - Jacksonville Jaguars

Can David Garrard get any love from the NFL? Please?

Garrard is one of the AFC's most efficient passers, with a current quarterback rating of 101.6. His rating is higher than that of pro-bowlers Ben Roethlisberger and Peyton Manning.

Garrard is a huge reason why Jacksonville continues to find success in their passing game. His ability to consistently move the football puts their running game in a good position as well.

I was somewhat surprised to see Roethlisberger as the third AFC quarterback, as I fully expected Garrard to take that third spot and run with it.
 

Jamal Lewis, RB - Cleveland Browns

There's no doubt in my mind that LaDainian Tomlinson and Joseph Addai deserved to make the Pro Bowl, as their teams would not nearly be of the quality that they are without them—but I do have a problem with Willie Parker, despite him leading the AFC in rushing yardage.

In this situation, I feel that you have to give Jamal Lewis some credit and send him off as the third running back for the AFC.

Ever since Jamal Lewis had that monster season in 2003, it seems like people around the league forgot about his accomplishments and the fact that he is a running back of the highest caliber. This season, Lewis has been a key cog in the resurgent Cleveland Browns offense. He averages 83 rushing yards a game (good enough for 6th in the AFC), and has nine scores on the season.


Kellen Winslow, TE - Cleveland Browns

Where's the love for all of the Browns? No Derek Anderson, Jamal Lewis, and now Kellen Winslow?

Winslow put up a solid season for Cleveland, accumulating 71 catches for 971 yards and five touchdowns. Consequently, backup TE Tony Gonzalez has the exact same statistical line, with 11 more catches.

Winslow's average yards per reception give him the slight edge. Let's take a step back though and consider this fact: Winslow has overcome numerous character issues and has matured significantly over the past few years.

After such a successful year, why not give him the Pro Bowl nod?

Each of these three players have made significant contributions to their AFC teams, and should have been allowed onto the Pro Bowl roster. As it stands though, there is only a certain number of players that can be taken each year, and so you could consider these players the "honorable mentions", if there ever was such a thing. The wide receivers were picked very well, and as a whole, the AFC offensive skill position lineup looks very good.