San Diego Chargers: Predicting the Chargers' 2011 Pro Bowlers

The San Diego Chargers have proved to be one of the most talented teams in the past few years, putting up 36 Pro Bowl selections since 2004. That's an average of six Pro Bowlers per year through the 2010 season. 

Last year, the Chargers fell off last year from a 13-3 record in 2009 to a 9-7 record and no playoff berth to their name. Despite that, four players made the Pro Bowl in 2010.

With much of the team intact, the Chargers are poised to make a playoff run to make Bolt-nation forget about their futile season last year.

With players in position to step up, there are sure to be at least a few Pro Bowlers from the Chargers' current squad.

Here are the players most likely to get into a Pro Bowl.

Carlos Sandoval is co-host of weekly NFL podcast and blog, the Pigeon Toe. Follow the bro on Twitter: @CarloshSandoval 

Philip Rivers

Philip Rivers is the easiest selection. Not only is he a three-time Pro Bowl selection, but he's also constantly in annual MVP discussions and has solidified himself as possibly the greatest Chargers' quarterback in franchise history. 

Rivers is arguably the third best QB in the league, and if it weren't for him, the Chargers might not have won three games last year, let alone nine. He may not have been playing on defense, but he has put the team in position to win every game. 

This one is, seriously, a no-brainer.

Vincent Jackson

Had Vincent Jackson played a full season in 2010, he might have been a Pro Bowler then. 

However, he didn't, and his stock has fallen quite a bit. (So much so, that Madden 2012 has him ranked 87! 87!!)

Vincent Jackson has been Rivers' number one target since he came into the league. He's proven to be one of the most gifted receivers in the game -- at 6'6'', he's horrifyingly explosive and has the leaps and speed to back it up. In 2009, he had a breakout year and caught 68 balls from Rivers to go along with nine touchdowns and an average of 17 yards per haul. 

Jackson was disgruntled and missed 11 games last year, but now that he's back in San Diego (albeit, via a Franchise Tag), he'll be in full swing with his Pro Bowl QB.

Antoine Cason

Antoine Cason has showed tremendous growth since 2008. In 2010, he was given the starter's nod (it looks like this) and did the most he could with it. 

Cason finished the season with four picks and 17 pass deflections to go along with 57 solo tackles. He helped Quentin Jammer and Eric Weddle anchor the secondary and the Chargers finished first in passing yards allowed. 

Cason should have a similar -- if not better -- season. He's only 25 and he doesn't have a lot of miles in him. He's getting closer to his prime (scary that this isn't his prime, huh?) and that should be reason enough to get him a Pro Bowl nod.

Kris Dielman, Nick Hardwick

Kril Dielman and Nick Hardwick belong together because of their chemistry together -- both have created a harmonious relationship to protect their quarterback and help the run game, and Hardwick talks about such chemistry in-depth.

Both Hardwick and Dielman are perennial Pro Bowl selections. Their ability to protect their quarterback and create holes for the run game has paved the way for guys like LaDainian Tomlinson to have record-breaking seasons. 

Malcom Floyd

Saying Malcom Floyd will be a Pro Bowler in 2011 is a bit of a stretch -- he's already 29, so it's not as if he'll grow exponentially. 

Floyd did, however, had his best season as a pro in 2010, hauling in 37 passes and nine touchdowns. He averaged damn near 20 yards per catch, too, so he's explosive enough to be a deep threat. With all the attention likely to be on Vincent Jackson, it's highly likely that Floyd gets open quite a bit. With his height (6'5''), Rivers can easily float it to Floyd and Floyd will come down with it.

There's no reason to think both V-J and Floyd can combine for almost 200 receptions a piece.