2009 NFL Pro Bowl: How Many of the NFL's Best Could Be Snubbed by Voters?

The NFL's annual Pro Bowl has become a tradition among fans. As sure as the game is to take place in Hawaii, there will be an abundance of disappointed fans when their favorite players are snubbed and disregarded by voters.

It's not always a vicious injustice, or some form of foul-play. Sometimes players end up drawing the short end of the stick during great seasons. Circumstances come into play that prevent them from securing a spot among the best of the NFL.

Maybe they're the best player on a very bad team. Or maybe they have the misfortune of playing a crowded position that's fully-loaded with indisputable game-changers across the conference.

And in absolute worst-case scenarios, they might have to wait for the retirement of a perennial selection that gets in on name-recognition alone.

Whatever the case may be, most of us already know who the favorites are to be picked for the Pro Bowl and start the game.

But we must have legitimate worries for the guys who deserve it, but won't make it.

OFFENSE

AFC QB

If Chad Pennington isn't selected as one of the AFC representatives this February, it will only serve as further proof of the flaws with the concept of voting.

Pennington is with a new team and having the best season of a long-career filled with second-guesses, criticism, and lost faith. With over 3,000 yards behind his "noodle-arm", Pennington has 2007's worst team in a three-way tie for first place in their division—an accomplishment that wouldn't have been achieved without him.

The obstacles: Name recognition and reputations could be the problems for Pennington. Brett Favre and Peyton Manning will likely receive a majority of the votes because of their names alone.

And since only three quarterbacks are typically given roster spots, great seasons from men like Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler could keep Pennington far away from the Pacific—no matter how much he deserves it. 

NFC QB

The Atlanta Falcons struck gold when they selected Matt Ryan. The rookie quarterback has helped Roddy White emerge as the NFL's leading receiver, and he's returned respectability to his organization.

His team holds third-place in the NFL's toughest division, and his 2,940 yards is a huge reason why.

The obstacles: Unfortunately for the young guy, he's in a conference with two quarterbacks making the strongest cases for league-MVP honors. With both Kurt Warner and Drew Brees racing to break Dan Marino's record, Ryan can only be considered for a third spot. 

In the end, he could be edged out by America's love affair with Tony Romo. Eli Manning is just as deserving of the recognition, and a strong case could be made for Aaron Rodgers.

It might be too much for the talented rookie to overcome.

AFC RB

Call me crazy, but am I the only one that believes Thomas Jones could be snubbed for the Pro Bowl? It seems odd, doesn't it? How could the AFC's leading rusher be denied a trip to Hawaii?

Pretty easily, actually.

Jones is quietly having the best year of his career. And his contributions aren't even appreciated by his own team! In the Jets' recent losses, the ball was left out of Jones hands despite averaging over five yards per carry.

If his own team snubs him every week, what are voters going to do?

The obstacles: LaDainian Tomlinson is in the way of every AFC running back this year, and every year. And even more than Tomlinson and his all-but-guaranteed designation, Jones has the misfortune of being on a team that began under-achieving at the worst time of the season.

LenDale White's AFC-leading touchdown total, and the fact that he plays for the NFL's 2008 Cinderella team could also phase Jones out of Hawaii.

NFC RB

Brandon Jacobs could end up watching the Pro Bowl from home.

The Earth portion of the NFL's league-leading rushing attack has dominated defenses and word down his opponents, but this writer fears he could be neglected. Everyone knows how good the Giants are, and everyone should know that he's a big reason why.

The Giants' offensive line is phenomenal, but it's Jacobs that makes that rush attack work. He's the one defenses fear, because when he takes over a game he makes a 100-yard game look easy.

The obstacles: It's a question I've heard asked a few times, and the answers have been quite troubling—is Brandon Jacobs the best running back on his own team? Doubts like that from Giants' fans could prevent the big man from going to Hawaii.

Couple that with the talent crowding the NFC backfield, and Jacobs is another man that could be snubbed.

It's not to say that guys like Adrian Peterson, Clinton Portis, and DeAngelo Williams don't deserve the nod—it's that Jacobs might not be strong enough in people's hearts to lower his shoulder all the way to Hawaii.

AFC WR

Dwayne Bowe has the misfortune of playing for the Kansas City Chiefs. Tyler Thigpen has done the best he could, but a guy with Bowe's skills is criminally underutilized in Kansas City.

He's done everything possible to keep the Chiefs in contention, and would be a league-leader in yardage on any other team that was remotely functional.

The obstacles: Herman Edwards is the biggest obstacle for every member of the Kansas City Chiefs. The most inept coach the NFL has seen in a long time, Edwards has systematically driven the Chiefs into the ground and forced a team with great talent to look terrible.

Aside from that, Bowe is in a conference with some of the NFL's biggest names at receiver. Wes Welker, Andre Johnson, and Eddie Royal will all end up receiving more votes than Bowe—even if they have received less touchdowns.

NFC WR

Calvin Johnson is stuck on the Detroit Lions. That's not his fault. But that's the reason he'll probably be watching the Pro Bowl from home.

His situation is an unfortunate one.

Much like Bowe, he'd be an absolute phenom on any other team. Unfortunately, Johnson can't play the game alone, so his 1,000-yard, nine-touchdown season will fly under the radar.

The obstacles: The Detroit Lions are his biggest obstacle. Aside from the team with no courage, Johnson still has to deal with incredible talents like Roddy White, Anquan Boldin, and Larry Fitzgerald. Terrell Owens will likely make it on name-recognition alone, and Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers could end up with more votes.

AFC TE

Dustin Keller has emerged as Brett Favre's go-to target on the New York Jets. He's quietly having one of the best seasons a rookie tight-end has ever had in the NFL. He's on pace to pass totals put up by Ozzie Newsome, Shannon Sharpe, and Jackie Smith in their rookie years.

That's not to say he'll be better than all of them, but it's a testament to his skill, and how much Favre trusts him as a receiver.

The obstacles: Tony Gonzalez, Dallas Clark, and Antonio Gates all stand prominently in Keller's way. Of those three, Gonzalez is most deserving of the nod. But it's no secret that those three will lead in Pro Bowl voting by familiarity alone.

The tight-end position is a forgotten one as is—it's too bad for Keller that he's going to be overlooked in favor of familiar faces.

NFC TE

Seattle Seahawks' John Carlson doesn't stand a chance. It seems to be a theme on this list—exceptional production gone to waste on bad teams.

Carlson is one of the only good things to come out of Mike Holmgren's final season with the Seahawks, and no one's really noticing him for it.

The obstacles: Carlson is going to be denied a spot, but it won't be because of foul-play. Chris Cooley and Jason Witten are having phenomenal seasons, so if Carlson isn't invited, it'll be because of the process of elimination.

But if Jeremy Shockey somehow receives more votes than Carlson, then Roger Goodell needs to do some fining and investigating quickly!

AFC OL

Nick Mangold of the New York Jets has been a Pro Bowl-caliber center since his rookie season.

Starting every game since entering the NFL, he's opening up holes for the AFC's leading rusher, calling out the signals at the line of scrimmage, and protecting his quarterback.

The obstacle: The man he replaced continues to stand in his way. Kevin Mawae should be going to the Hall of Fame after he decides to hang it up, but as of right now, Nick Mangold is playing better football.

At no time this season has Mangold been dominated the way Kris Jenkins handled Mawae.

NFC OL

Joe Staley of the San Francisco 49ers is the only bright spot on one of the league's worst offensive lines. San Francisco ranks towards the top in sacks allowed, but that's through no fault of his.

The obstacle: The New York Giants offensive line stands in Staley's way. In fact, they stand in the entire NFC's way. They block for the league's best rush attack, and they do a great job at protecting Eli Manning.

Face it—they are the Pro Bowl offensive line.

DEFENSE

AFC LB

Calvin Pace of the New York Jets popped up all over the radar when he was awarded a monster contract out of nowhere during the offseason.

In 2008, he's been doing it all. He's stout against the run, and he applies consistent pressure to the quarterback. While he's only recorded five sacks this season, it's his ability to play all over the field that makes him stand out.  

Not only can he tackle, but he plays extremely well in coverage.

The obstacles: Through no fault of his own, Pace is an outside linebacker in a season where Miami's Joey Porter decided he wanted to rush the passer like a madman again.

Aside from that Pittsburgh Steelers' James Harrison is making a case to be the first defensive MVP since Lawrence Taylor, and LaMarr Woodley makes rushing the passer look easy.

NFC LB

Jonathan Vilma hasn't fully returned to form yet, but he's easily the best defensive player on the New Orleans Saints. And when he is on top of his game, he's got to be considered in the top five in his position in the NFL.

The obstacles: Much like Pace, Vilma has the misfortune of being surrounded by elite talent. Dallas' DeMarcus Ware will likely lead Pro Bowl voting. On top of that, he will fall behind guys like San Fran's Patrick Willis and Carolina's Jon Beason.

AFC DB

The New York Jets rank 31st in the NFL against the pass with no significant injuries, and considerable talent across the roster. So how could one of their cornerbacks possibly be snubbed?

It's because Darrelle Revis can't do it alone. The Jets don't have four of him on the roster. The chunks of yardage quarterbacks put up against New York don't come from Revis' side of the field.

He's neutralized primary receivers when they come to his side of the field, and has provided air-tight coverage, recording four interceptions and nineteen passes defensed.

The obstacles: Being the best player on a 31st-ranked pass defense doesn't help his case. There are players having better years—like Cortland Finnegan of the Titans and Jacques Reeves of the Texans—but how many votes can one man command when his team gives up so many yards through the air?

NFC DB

Erik Coleman of the Atlanta Falcons is quietly establishing a reputation as a ball-hawk. Having his best season since his rookie campaign with the New York Jets, Coleman has been roaming the defensive backfield for the Falcons and swooping down on passes floating his way.

And it's coming after having quiet success in New York until he fell in Eric Mangini's doghouse. With a new home and a new team, Coleman should be sent to Hawaii.

The obstacles: "Erik who?" is what most fans would ask when his name is mentioned. Nick Collins of the Packers is having the best year of any defensive back this season, but Coleman will fall behind a familiar name like Philadelphia's Brian Dawkins.

AFC DL

Haloti Ngata of the Baltimore Ravens should see some love in Hawaii. He's the big man up front that makes the Ravens' defense work so well. He's recording interceptions, pressuring the quarterback and stuffing runs.

The obstacles: Unfortunately, there's too much talent on the interior. Albert Haynesworth of the Tennessee Titans likely ran away with the votes, and Kris Jenkins of the New York Jets should be ahead of Ngata, too.

NFC DL

I have this terrible feeling that Mathias Kiwanuka is going to be overlooked when it comes to Pro Bowl voting. And it'll be the biggest shame if that's the case, because I honestly believe he's one of the best defensive players in the NFL.

The obstacles: The problem is Kiwanuka isn't even the best defensive player on his team. That honor goes to Justin Tuck. But that doesn't mean there shouldn't be love for Kiwanuka in Hawaii.

He can rotate among the best just like he's done since he's been with the Giants.

Angel Navedo covers the New York Jets for Examiner.com. His work can also be found on NYJetsFan.com where he is the Head Writer, and on MyGridironSpace.com—a premier social networking site built exclusively for NFL fans.

He is also a Senior Writer at the Bleacher Report, where he is one of the New York Jets Community Leaders.