NFL Pro Bowl 2011: The Ten Most Deserving Players From Hawaii

Not all All-Stars are created equal. 

The NFL's Pro Bowl, a traditional postseason All-Star game, will be played tonight in Hawaii. 

Perennial All-Stars Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson, and Larry Fitzgerald will all be there, along with many others. 

While it's an easy selection for probable league MVP Tom Brady to be selected, the NFL is full of talented players, and choosing the top three or four at each position is very difficult.  

But the fans did a great job of choosing a mix of veterans and first-time selections.  Here are the ten most deserving Pro Bowl selections.

1. Calvin Johnson

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 19: Receiver Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions runs through the tackle of defensive back E.J. Biggers #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J

He is perhaps the most physically gifted receiver in the league and "Megatron" was rewarded this year with his first Pro Bowl selection. 

He certainly was deserving. Playing with three different QBs, Calvin still topped 1,000 yards receiving and had 12 touchdown catches.  

He also had a streak of 11 touchdown catches in nine games, putting the team on his back and helping the Lions finish 6-10, their best record since 2007.

2. Brandon Lloyd

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 28: A pass from Kyle Orton slips through the fingertips of wide receiver Brandon Lloyd #84 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at INVESCO Field at Mile High on November 28, 2010 in Denver, Colorado

Lloyd made a splash in the NFL several seasons ago with San Francisco, but has moved around since then and was never able to stay healthy. 

It seems Lloyd has found a home in Denver.  He was first in the league in receiving yards, and had nine catches of over 40 yards. 

Although he played for an awful team, Lloyd was the best receiver in the league this year.  The fans got it right selecting Lloyd to his first Pro Bowl.

3. Mike Vick

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs down field against Jarius Wynn #94 of the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylva

Obviously potential league MVP Mike Vick would not be left out of the Pro Bowl, but that does not make him any less deserving.  

His throwing accuracy and his pocket presence both improved greatly this past season, and any time he got into trouble, he could literally run away from it. 

Vick put up some impressive stats this year, and in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Eagles, he led them to the division title. 

4. Jason Witten

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Tight end Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys stands on the field during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the

Although Antonio Gates was the best TE in the league this year, Witten was not far behind. 

He really turned it on once QB Tony Romo went down, catching six touchdowns in the final five games and doing his part to lead the Cowboys to a 5-3 record over their final eight games. 

He was the only TE over 1,000 receiving yards, and Witten is an excellent blocker as well. 

It was a disappointing season for Cowboys fans, but you have to be impressed with Witten's play, especially how he never quit on a team that was supposed to be a Super Bowl contender.

5. Jamaal Charles

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Running back Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs down field in a game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

Charles is often compared to Titans RB Chris Johnson, and I certainly see the parallels.  In fact, Charles might be even better. 

Splitting carries with Thomas Jones, Charles still rushed for over 1,400 yards, and his 6.4 yards per carry lead the league. 

He is also a great receiving back, with almost 500 receiving yards and three touchdowns. 

With Charles in the backfield, the Chiefs have a very bright future ahead of them.  

6. Cameron Wake

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 4: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots is hit as he passes by Cameron Wake #91 of the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Field on October 4, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

A former CFL DPOY, Wake has transitioned nicely into the NFL.  He finished third in the NFL in sacks with 14, anchoring the defensive front for a very stout Dolphins D. 

Wake is one of those feel-good stories the NFL seems to have plenty of, but he is also very talented.   

Expect him to make several more Pro Bowls in his career.

7. Ed Reed

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 21: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Although he will miss the Pro Bowl due to injury, Reed is a very deserving selection. 

He further established himself as the best ball-hawking safety in the league, finishing with eight picks despite starting the season on the PUP list, leading the league. 

Reed is a Hall of Fame player, but this might just be his best season yet.

8. Vince Wilfork

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Chad Henne #7 of the Miami Dolphins pitches the ball as Vince Wilfork #75 of the New England Patriots closes in on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Sometimes stats don't tell the whole story. 

That's how it always is with Vilfork.  He has never been a sack artist, but this 325 lb. monster occupies so much space running at him is almost impossible. 

New England had a very young defense this season, and Vilfork was one of just three players to start every game.  

He is a prototypical 3-4 DT, and will continue to anchor New England's defensive line for years to come.

9. Desean Jackson

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs down field against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

Jackson is a very cocky player, but he also has the play to back it up. 

He is perhaps the best big play threat in the NFL, whether it be returning punts or as a receiver.  

Jackson made big plays all season for the Eagles, most of them at the most opportune times, like his punt return at the end of regulation against the Giants, winning the Eagles the NFC East crown. 

The chemistry he has with Vick should enable the two to be selected to many more Pro Bowls.

10. Vonta Leach

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Vonta Leach #44 of the Houston Texans runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

And finally, the last of the deserving Pro Bowl picks is... a FB? 

While not flashy, Leach certainly is just as deserving as the other players on this list.  He led the way blocking for the league's leading rusher, Arian Foster. 

As a Colts fan, I got to watch Leach up close twice this year, and he is a great blocker.  He took our linebackers out of the play, giving Foster giant holes to run through.  

Without Leach, Foster's job would be a lot more difficult.  Leach is a very deserving pick.