San Francisco 49ers: 6 Players Snubbed by Pro Bowl Voters

The announcements have been made, and the fans have spoken and picked their favorite players to go to Hawaii and play in the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl. Just as we suspected, there were many San Francisco 49ers that were snubbed by the voters.

Every year, there are players all over the league who are snubbed due to the popularity contest that is the Pro Bowl vote. 

Here are the top six 49ers players that the Pro-Bowl voters snubbed this year.

6. Bruce Miller

Bruce Miller has been a breath of fresh air for the 49ers and their fans in 2011. The 49ers rookie out of Central Florida has learned an entirely new position without the benefit of an offseason, and he has become one of the best fullbacks in the NFL.

Originally a defensive end, the 49ers and running backs coach Tom Rathman have converted Miller to perfection, and the 49ers boast one of the best rushing attacks in the league.

The biggest value Miller possesses besides his bone-crushing run blocking is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He has 10 catches for 81 yards and one touchdown in a limited role as a receiver.

Miller was snubbed because not many people know about him. Give him and the 49ers a couple more years of dominance, and my guess is, he'll turn into a perennial Pro Bowler.

5. Blake Costanzo

Blake Costanzo was snubbed by the Pro Bowl voters. The 49ers special teams ace leads the very best special teams unit in the NFL, and he was passed over by Chicago Bears Corey Graham for this year's roster spot.

This isn't one of the bigger names we'd normally associate with the Pro Bowl, but special teams has been one of the main reasons for a few of the 49ers wins this year, and Costanzo is the unquestioned leader of their coverage team, the best in the business.

4. Mike Iupati

Mike Iupati should be going to Hawaii in February, but the mammoth 49ers guard was snubbed in the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl voting process and will have to wait another year.

Iupati has been one of the players most responsible for the 49ers dominating running game. Between him and Bruce Miller, Frank Gore has had some gaping holes to run through on his way to another great season.

You can be sure that this will only motivate Iupati to get better this offseason, and he'll be a regular attendee at the Pro Bowl for years to come.

3. Alex Smith

Alex Smith isn't going to blow anyone away with his stats this year, but he does lead one of the best teams in the NFL, and that has to account for something.

Smith was the best quarterback in the NFL at taking care of the football in 2011, and his smart and efficient play is the main reason the 49ers lead the NFL in the turnover differential category, with a plus-26.

Everyone knows head coach Jim Harbaugh thinks Smith should be invited to Hawaii in February, and I think he's right. Still, the voters snubbed him in this vote and he'll miss out this year.

2. NaVorro Bowman

NaVorro Bowman has been the biggest surprise for the 49ers this year, and his strong play has reminded many of us of Patrick Willis, the man he plays next to every Sunday.

Bowman has held down the fort admirably since Willis' injury, thought the team wasn't able to hold their rushing defense records against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16's tough win on the road.

Bowman's stats for the season through 15 games are impressive: 133 tackles and one sack.

The Pro Bowl voters snubbed Bowman this year, but I expect him to be a regular for years to come.

1. Aldon Smith

The 49ers' first-round pick this season, Aldon Smith, is one of the most dynamic and exciting young defenders to have come out in the last five years. Smith has all the tools to become one of the dominant pass-rushers in the league for years to come.

His rookie campaign hasn't been disappointing, and he's in line to win the NFL defensive ROY award with another strong performance in Week 17 against the St. Louis Rams. 

Through 15 games, Smith has recorded 35 tackles and 14 sacks in a limited role for the 49ers. HIs amazing play is one of the key reasons the 49ers have been so dominant against opponents on third downs.

It is a travesty that he wasn't selected to the 2011 Pro Bowl by the voters.