Pro Bowl 2012: Cam Newton and Replacements Gauranteed to Entertain in Hawaii

The NFL Pro Bowl provides football fans with a reminder that the Super Bowl is just one week away. That being the case, there are a handful of exciting talents that will be suiting up in replacement roles for those championship-bound players headed to Indianapolis.

There will be MVP, POY and ROY candidates all over the field in Hawaii this Sunday, but we are focusing strictly on replacements.

Here are some fill-ins that will go above and beyond the job requirement:

Cam Newton (NFC)

The Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate will be suiting up for the NFC in place of Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who is busy at the moment preparing for Super Bowl XLVI.

Newton passed for over 4,000 yards and 21 touchdowns his rookie season with the Carolina Panthers. He also ran for 14 impressive touchdowns, setting a new record for rushing TDs by a quarterback.

Newton surpassed 420 yards passing in his first two NFL outings and led the Panthers to a respectable 6-10 mark in his first year under center. His dual-threat potential and knack for entertaining will go hand in hand with the 2012 Pro Bowl this weekend. 

Jermaine Gresham (AFC)

The second-year tight end out of Oklahoma built on his rookie season with another impressive campaign in 2011. Gresham was a huge reason why fellow teammate Andy Dalton made the Pro Bowl as a replacement quarterback. 

Gresham caught 56 balls for 596 yards and six touchdowns this past season. He is playing in place of Patriots' tight end Rob Gronkowski, who is recovering from an ankle injury heading into Super Bowl XLVI.

The 23-year-old Gresham caught at least two passes in each of the 15 games he played in this season, so expect him to shine in Hawaii on Sunday.

Julius Peppers (NFC)

The 10-year NFL veteran is as deserving as any to visit Hawaii this winter for the Pro Bowl. Peppers will replace Giants defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul ,who is game-planning to slow Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLVI. 

Peppers has not missed a regular season game since 2007, and he has racked up 100 sacks during his remarkable career. The 6'7", 287-pound wrecking ball will do a number alongside Jared Allen and Jason Babin on the NFC's defensive line.

Watch for Peppers to play hard and fast and perhaps force a turnover or two. After all, he does have 36 forced fumbles and eight interceptions for his career.