NFC Pro Bowl Roster 2012: Top RBs Deserving of Trip to Paradise

There are a few running backs this season that deserve to make the 2012 NFC Pro Bowl roster, but not enough spots to accommodate them.

Choosing who makes the trip to Hawaii is always tough every year because there will undoubtedly be at least one player who deserves to make the Pro Bowl, but can't be included due to roster limitations.

That's why choosing the Pro Bowl rosters must be done with utmost care.

Here are my choices for 2012's Pro Bowl running backs.

Starter: LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

As dismal as the Eagles' season has been, LeSean McCoy has been one of the few bright spots.

McCoy leads the NFC in rushing yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He also has rushed for 17 touchdowns this season on top of catching 45 balls for 315 yards and three touchdowns. He's only fumbled once all season.

In his third season in the NFL, McCoy deserves the top spot and his first Pro Bowl selection.

Reserve: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson will miss the rest of the season with a torn MCL and ACL sustained in Week 16's loss to the Washington Redskins.

But despite playing in only 12 games, Peterson deserves a spot in the Pro Bowl because he showed once again he's the best running back in football.

Despite playing with a broken-down veteran quarterback in Donovan McNabb and a struggling rookie in Christian Ponder, Peterson still rushed for 970 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, while not losing one fumble. He did this with defenses stacking the box against him and virtually no offensive help surrounding him.

Reserve: Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

Despite the improvements in the passing game this season for the 49ers, Frank Gore continues to be this team's best offensive player.

He's one of the true workhorse running backs in the NFL today and he proves it every season.

This season, Gore has rushed for 1,202 yards (second in the NFC) and eight touchdowns, helping the 49ers to a 12-3 record.

Alternate: Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

Because of Peterson's injury, the NFC is going to need an alternate for the Pro Bowl.

Enter Marshawn Lynch.

Lynch has carried his performance against the New Orleans Saints last postseason over to this season, rushing for 1,118 yards and 12 touchdowns while recording 207 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Although the Seahawks are now out of playoff contention, Lynch was the primary reason they had a chance in the first place. In Week 16, he became the first player to rush for over 100 yards and score a rushing touchdown against the 49ers all season.

Plus, I hear Skittles grow at the end of the rainbow in Hawaii.