Pro Bowl Roster 2012: Cam Newton Rightfully Snubbed from NFC Squad

People that complain about their favorite players being snubbed need to remember one thing: Each position only has so many people that they can take.

That's the problem that Cam Newton hit this year.

Between injuries, the Super Bowl, and an overall lack of interest from veteran players, the Pro Bowl rosters will change more times than the average human can count between now and game time. But Newton was kept off of the original roster. That's what should have happened.

Each league takes three quarterbacks. So, before telling me that Newton belongs on the original trio of NFC quarterbacks, tell me who doesn't. 

Player	Yards	TD	INT	CMP%	Passer Rating
Aaron Rodgers	4,643	45	6	68.3	122.5
Drew Brees	5,087	41	13	70.7	108.4
Eli Manning	4,587	26	16	60.3	90.3

Just as a point of reference.

Player	Yards	TD	INT	CMP%	Passer Rating
Cam Newton	3,893	20	16	60	85
Matthew Stafford	4,518	36	14	63.7	96.6
Tony Romo	3,895	29	9	65.4	102.2
Alex Smith	2,931	16	5	61	90.1
Matt Ryan	4,071	27	12	61.2	90.7

It needs to be said that Newton is the first alternate at quarterback. So, if Rodgers, Brees or Manning can't make the trip, Newton will go.

I will give you two arguments, you can choose one of them.

1) Cam Newton is underrated and belongs on the original NFC roster.

2) Cam Newton is overrated and should not be the first alternate.

Looking at the numbers and the records of all of those other quarterbacks, I will take argument No. 2.

Now, one thing is true. Much of Newton's value comes as a rusher.

But with the exception of Smith, every one of those quarterbacks has dramatically better numbers.

With the inclusion of Smith, every one of those quarterbacks has their team in the playoffs, or at least on the brink (Manning and Romo). 

But the three quarterbacks that were taken are the right three quarterbacks. How in the world can you go against any of those two?

Rodgers and Brees are having two of the best seasons in the history of the game. That's not an exaggeration.

It's likely that a spot will open up, as one of those two will probably start in the Super Bowl for the NFC. So, that opens up a position for Newton.

Ideally, the Pro Bowl is supposed to reward players for what they did in that season. It's not a lifetime achievement award, nor is it a preview of what we're going to see in the future.

I know that Newton has big numbers, but it's an offense-dominated league. Plenty of other quarterbacks have put up big numbers.

Yes, he'll be a fixture in Pro Bowls for years to come. Newton's certainly the Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

But the Offensive Rookie of the Year award does not mean that he's one of the top three quarterbacks in his conference. 

Newton's is a dynamic rookie, but he's not worthy a spot on the original Pro Bowl roster. Really, it's not close. 

Follow @mdixon1985