Pro Bowl Roster 2012: Replacement Players Who Will Embrace Opportunity

The Pro Bowl is supposed to gather the absolute best of the best in the National Football League. But every year, some of the best of the best just can't or don't want to participate.

Hey, it's a problem that afflicts every all-star game. You don't like it, I don't like it, but it is what it is.

On the bright side, some of the replacement players participating in this year's Pro Bowl actually deserve to be there. We know for a fact that some of them are going to just take it easy and try not to get hurt in Honolulu. You and I would do the same thing if we were in their shoes.

However, some are actually going to put forth an effort. If I had to guess, you can count on the five guys listed below to give it their all at the Pro Bowl.

5. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Dalton had a very good rookie season, so my guess is that he's going to appear in a few more Pro Bowls before his career is finished.

But since he doesn't know that for sure, Dalton will make the most of the one appearance he knows he's going to make. He may as well go out there and give the crowd something to remember him by.

Besides which, this is Dalton's chance to show up Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers, two of the better quarterbacks in the AFC. Showing them up will prove nothing in the grand scheme of things, but it will be a feather in his cap that he can show off.

4. Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers

Ryan Mathews was a bust in his rookie season, but he was a stud in his sophomore campaign. He had his first 1,000-yard rushing season, and he added 50 receptions for 455 yards.

Going to the Pro Bowl is Mathews' chance to show the pigskin-loving public that he could be the next great running back in the AFC, which is home to quite a few good ones. Running backs like Maurice Jones-Drew, Arian Foster and Ray Rice own the AFC, but Mathews could be better than any of them if he continues to get better.

All he really needs now is greater exposure. Say what you will about the Pro Bowl, but people do tend to watch the blasted thing. Mathews will give them a show.

3. Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals

By numbers alone, Jermaine Gresham did not have a great season. He pulled in 56 receptions for 596 yards and six touchdowns, figures that look pretty modest when you compare them to those compiled by Rob Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham.

Because of that, Gresham has to figure he's just plain lucky to be headed to Honolulu. And since he has to share the AFC with some pretty great tight ends, he doesn't know if he'll ever get another opportunity to go back.

So just like his quarterback, Gresham may as well make the most of the one appearance he knows he's going to make. Dalton, Rivers and Big Ben won't have Gronkowski to throw to, but Gresham won't let them down.

2. Chad Greenway, Minnesota Vikings

This probably shouldn't be Chad Greenway's first Pro Bowl, and in fact, it's borderline insulting that he's only getting in because the NFC roster needed a replacement for Lance Briggs.

But whatever. Those who aren't familiar with Greenway are going to get to watch one of the more underrated players in the NFC, not to mention one of the better outside linebackers in the NFL.

It's up to Greenway to give people a show to remember him by. Since somebody has to rack up tackles for the NFC, it may as well be him. Luckily, tackling is Greenway's specialty.

1. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

I was pulling for Cam Newton to be voted into the Pro Bowl, but it was pretty hard to make the cut in the NFC this year. Newton was great and everything, but he wasn't quite as great as Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or Eli Manning.

But since Manning is going to be busy preparing for a much more important game, Newton will be in Hawaii this weekend. That's a good thing for the brave souls who are actually going to venture to watch the Pro Bowl.

You don't need me to tell you that Newton is a fun player to watch. He can make all the throws and he's a better runner than any quarterback in the league. Better yet, he always looks like he's having the time of his life.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that's not going to change at the Pro Bowl.