Tim Tebow and the 10 Biggest Pro Bowl Snubs

The 2012 Pro Bowl rosters were announced, and one of the first things everyone does after analyzing the rosters is figuring out who the biggest snubs were. This happens with virtually every All-Star game for every major sport.

This season is no different as many players, who were having spectacular seasons, were left off the Pro Bowl rosters. Sometimes, players may be left off due to not having as popular of a reputation as some other players, but it is important to fill these spots with players who were the most individually successful this season.

Even though some players are left off of the roster, they can still make the team as an alternate, but it is a shame that they weren't chosen for the original roster spots.

Over the next few weeks, the debate over who should and shouldn't be on the team will rage on. So why not take part in it?

Here are the 10 biggest snubs of the 2012 Pro Bowl.

RB Marshawn Lynch

Stats: 266 carries, 1,118 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns

Why he should be included: The Seattle Seahawks have had many ups and downs throughout 2011, but one player who has remained at a consistently high level of performance is Marshawn Lynch. His 12 touchdowns this season ranks him second among all running backs, and he is seventh in total rushing yards with 1,118. For the last half of the season, Lynch has arguably been the best running back in the NFL. 

Why he wasn't included: Lynch's absence off of the Pro Bowl roster can be attributed to his slow start this season. It took Lynch seven weeks to reach 100 yards in a game, but since then Lynch has rushed for at least 100 yards in six of his last eight games. 

Who he should replace: Matt Forte. He had a good start to the season, but an injury on Dec. 4 against the Chiefs ended his season early. I understand the respect of the excellent season Forte was having before the injury, but giving him a Pro Bowl spot was a little too overboard.

QB Cam Newton

Stats: 295 completions, 3,893 passing yards, 674 rushing yards, 34 total touchdowns

Why he should be included: Cam Newton proved his critics wrong and had an outstanding rookie season with more than 4,000 yards of total offense and 34 total touchdowns. Although his surrounding talent isn't the best, Newton still led the Panthers to a respectable 6-9 record and a top-15 passing offense and top-five rushing offense.

Newton also broke rookie records for passing yards in NFL debut (422 yards) and passing yards in rookie season (3,893 yards).

Why he wasn't included: I think Newton's rookie status is what hurt him the most here. With Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers in your conference, every other NFC quarterback is virtually fighting for that final quarterback slot on the NFC roster. I believe Eli Manning got the nod since his team is still in playoff contention and he is also having a career year with more than 4,500 passing yards and 26 touchdowns.

Who he should replace: Eli Manning. Obviously, Newton will not take a spot from either Brees or Rodgers, so that leaves Manning. You could argue that with the talent around him and as a rookie, Newton's year has been more impressive than Manning's so far.

LB Aldon Smith

Stats: 35 tackles, 14 sacks, two forced fumbles

Why he should be included: Aldon Smith was one of the best players on the league's fourth-ranked defense. Smith set a rookie record with 14 sacks in a season and lived up to the billing as the team's first-round draft pick. With the San Francisco 49ers receiving eight Pro Bowl spots, it's tough to imagine that Smith was left out.

Why he wasn't included: Smith got off to a slow start in the season, not recording a tackle until his fourth game. If he could have recorded a few more sacks, Smith very well could be a starter on the defensive line for the NFC. With players like Jared Allen, Jason Babin and Jason Pierre-Paul having career years as well with slightly better statistics, it's tough to keep them off the roster as well.

Who he should replace: No one. It's tough to argue with the stats of Babin, Allen and Pierre-Paul, but it's more of a case where Smith deserves a spot on the Pro Bowl roster just as much as those guys. There was just not enough spots.

K Matt Prater

Stats: 18-of-24 on field goals with a long of 59

Why he should be included: All though Matt Prater's stats aren't as great as Sebastian Janikowski, who was selected as the AFC kicker, you cannot deny the impact Prater has had on the Broncos this season. Countless times, Prater has kept the Broncos in the game with a late field goal to either extend the game or to win it. I feel that Prater has been the most clutch kicker this season and should be given a Pro Bowl invite.

Why he wasn't included: Janikowski's stats were just better than Prater's this season. He had made 81.7 percent of his field goals with a long of 63 yards. Plus, Janikowski has long been recognized as one of the best kickers in football. It is actually surprising that this is only his first Pro Bowl selection in his career.

Who he should replace: Sebastian Janikowski. Although his stats are better than Prater's, the numerous clutch kicks that Prater has made this season have been crucial to the Broncos' success.

TE Aaron Hernandez

Stats: 72 receptions, 772 yards, six touchdowns

Why he should be included: Aaron Hernandez was the second part of the two-headed monster in New England. Both Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski had the best season of their shorts careers and Gronkowski was rewarded with a starting Pro Bowl spot.

Hernandez had the second highest receiving yards total in the AFC and has been consistent all season. The Pro Bowl should not be afraid of voting two tight ends from the same team to the roster.

Why he wasn't included: Antonio Gates got the other tight end spot on the AFC roster. Gates' selection had to be because of his reputation and performances over the past few seasons. Gates only had 59 receptions for 672 yards and six touchdowns. Even though his stats and team record wasn't as good as Hernandez, it must have been Gates' reputation that gave him the advantage.

Who he should replace: Antonio Gates. Hernandez had the better numbers this season and was much more consistent throughout the season. Gates has been slowed by injuries for two straight years now, while Hernandez is quickly becoming one of the top tight ends in the NFL.

QB Matthew Stafford

Stats: 385 completions, 4,518 yards, 36 touchdowns

Why he should be included: Matthew Stafford was perhaps the biggest reason why the Lions had a huge bounce back season. He had a career year and lived in the end zone with 36 touchdowns. Stafford led the Lions to their first playoff appearance since 1999.

Stafford has the better numbers in both passing yards and touchdowns than Eli Manning. Plus, bringing the Lions back to the playoffs should give Stafford an advantage over someone like Manning.

Why he wasn't included: Honestly, I don't know. Stafford is better statistically and has led his team to a better record. Manning, who has the pedigree of his father and brother and a previous Pro Bowl selection, could have gotten the nod due to his reputation. But if you look at the numbers, Stafford is more deserving.

Who he should replace: Eli Manning. Manning just doesn't match up to Stafford's performance throughout the entire season. 

QB Andy Dalton

Stats: 278 completions, 3,166 passing yards, 20 touchdowns

Why he should be included: Andy Dalton has been the top rookie quarterback in the AFC this season. He has turned a Bengals team that finished with a 4-12 record in 2010 and now has them one win away from a possible playoff berth. His wide receiver A.J. Green was given a Pro Bowl selection, but Dalton has had just as much an impact on the Bengals' success this season as Green has. 

Why he wasn't included: Typically, Pro Bowl rosters do not include rookie quarterbacks. The spots tend to be given to more proven quarterbacks with a history of success. It is also hard to argue with the selections Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger since they both have had very impressive seasons thus far.

Who he should replace: Phillip Rivers. Like with Tebow, Rivers has better stats than Dalton, but the success of Dalton this season in just his rookie season should have given him the advantage over Rivers.

LB London Fletcher

Stats: 163 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions

Why he should be included: For much of his career, London Fletcher has been the class of the linebacker position in the NFL. In 2011, Fletcher has achieved a career high in tackles with 163, which leads the NFL by a margin of 18 tackles. He has just been one of the most consistent players over the last decade, and he seems to just keep improving with age. 

Why he shouldn't be: Patrick Willis and Brian Urlacher were selected to the Pro Bowl at the linebacker position. With Willis, it is hard to argue not having him on the team. He is considered the best player on one of the best defenses in the league. Although he had only 93 tackles, Willis impacts the game in several other areas like pass deflections, interceptions and forcing fumbles. 

Who he should replace: Brian Urlacher. When you compare Urlacher's stats to those of Fletcher's, it is clear who the better selection would be. The only area that Urlacher had better numbers than Fletcher in was interceptions as he had three while Fletcher only had two. Fletcher had 71 more tackles than Urlacher as well two more sacks than him. 

WR Victor Cruz

Stats: 76 receptions, 1,358 receiving yards, eight touchdowns

Why he should be included: It's an absolute travesty that Victor Cruz was not chosen to the Pro Bowl. He is third in the league with 1,358 receiving yards, which is only behind Calvin Johnson and Wes Welker. Cruz has elevated himself from a no-name wide receiver to a star in the NFL in just one season. He should be rewarded for how much he has improved and the impact he has had on the Giants this season.

Why he wasn't included: Honestly, there is no legitimate reason why Cruz was left off of the roster. Maybe the fans, coaches and players forgot about him? The other wide receivers besides Johnson were Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Smith and Greg Jennings. These three players are all great wide receivers, but none are having close to the season that Cruz is having.

Who he should replace: Greg Jennings. He had a great season with Rodgers, but has inferior stats. However, with Jennings hurt right now, he may opt to skip the Pro Bowl and hopefully Cruz will be asked to be his replacement.

QB Tim Tebow

Stats: 120 completions, 1,669 passing yards, 12 touchdowns

Why he should be included: Tim Tebow has been arguably the biggest story in the NFL this season. While his numbers might not be as impressive as other quarterbacks, he has proven his critics wrong each week, bringing the Broncos back from seemingly impossible deficits and leading them to a victory.

Tebow is 7-3 as a starter and is one win away from taking a Broncos team that was 1-4 when he became the starter to the playoffs. His impact on the team seems to have improved both the offense and defense since being named the starter. He is a true competitor.

Why he wasn't included: Naysayers of Tebow criticize him for his unorthodox style of playing quarterback. He doesn't have the accuracy nor the numbers of a true passing NFL quarterback. Many people still wonder if he can even sustain success in the NFL.

Who he should replace: Phillip Rivers. Rivers was included as the third quarterback on the AFC roster, but he should have been left off. Rivers has much better stats than Tebow, but Rivers has not given the Chargers much success this season. In many eyes, Rivers is having a very underwhelming season.