Pro Bowl Snubs: 11 NFL Players Who Got Robbed of a 2012 Pro Bowl Roster Spot

The 2012 NFL Pro Bowl rosters have been announced, and as usual, there have been some major surprises. San Francisco and New England lead each conference with eight selections apiece, which isn't a huge surprise.

That said, where are Tramon Williams and Jordy Nelson of the NFL-leading Green Bay Packers? What happened to Victor Cruz? What about NaVorro Bowman?

As usual, the Pro Bowl is nothing more than a popularity contest put together by individuals who focus on previous success rather than performance in a single season. How else can you explain Dwight Freeney being named to the AFC roster?

Here are 11 players who should be extremely upset they were not selected to the Pro Bowl.

11. George Wilson, S (Buffalo Bills)

2011 Statistics: 94 tackles, four INTs, six passes defended

I understand the Bills defense has struggled a great deal over the course of the last half of the 2011 season, but George Wilson is not to blame for that. He has come up big-time when it has counted the most and proven himself Pro Bowl-worthy.

Wilson's tackle numbers alone don't tell the entire story. He has been tremendous in run support and has helped a Bills defense that continues to struggle along the front seven.

There is absolutely no way Troy Polamalu should have made it over Wilson—once again signifying that the Pro Bowl is merely a popularity contest.

10. Jason Witten, TE (Dallas Cowboys)

2011 Statistics: 72 receptions, 873 yards and five TDs

While it is hard to argue with the selection of Jimmy Graham to the Pro Bowl, I have no idea how Tony Gonzalez made it over Jason Witten.

The Dallas Cowboys tight end has meant much more to the success of his team than Gonzalez. The statistics are pretty much the same, but that isn't my point. Witten has done an amazing job blocking for the Cowboys and picking up for injured wide receivers throughout the duration of the season.

This doesn't mean that Gonzalez doesn't deserve the nod—it just means that Witten deserves a lot more respect for what he has done in 2011.

9. Jordy Nelson, WR (Green Bay Packers)

2011 Statistics: 59 receptions, 1,101 yards and 12 TDs

The fact that Jordy Nelson didn't make the Pro Bowl is a crying shame.

The fact that his teammate, Greg Jennings, made it over him is even worse.

I have no idea what the voters were thinking in regards to this. First, Nelson has been Aaron Rodgers' go-to guy when it has counted the most. Second, Jennings has dealt with injuries this season and hasn't been nearly as effective.

This makes absolutely no sense to me.

8. Andy Dalton, QB (Cincinnati Bengals)

2011 Statistics: 3,116 passing yards, 20 TDs and 13 INTs

Once again the voters have looked at previous success rather than single-season performance.

There is absolutely no reason why Philip Rivers, who has more turnovers than touchdowns, was selected over Andy Dalton or even Tim Tebow.

To make matters worse, the Chargers sit out of playoff contention, while the Bengals look like they have a solid shot to make the postseason.

Give me a break.

7. Darren Sproles, RB (New Orleans Saints)

2011 Statistics: 2,528 all-purpose yards, 81 receptions, 681 receiving yards, 563 rushing yards and nine TDs

Look at those statistics and tell me Darren Sproles doesn't belong in the Pro Bowl.

They could have easily found a spot for him on special teams, if not running back. The dude has more than 2,500 all-purpose yards and has combined for more than 1,200 yards from scrimmage.

This is just a travesty, if you ask me.

6. Cam Newton, QB (Carolina Panthers)

2011 Statistics: 3,893 passing yards, 674 rushing yards, 34 total TDs and 16 INTs

I understand Cam Newton has had his fair share of turnovers this season, but what he has done as a rookie is nothing short of spectacular.

You are looking at a player who broke Peyton Manning's rookie passing record and has broken the single-season rushing touchdowns mark for a quarterback.

More than that, Newton has transformed a Carolina Panthers team that was bordering on irrelevant at this time last season.

Eli Manning? Really?

5. NaVorro Bowman, LB (San Francisco 49ers)

2011 Statistics: 128 tackles, one sack, seven passes defended and three fumble recoveries

Besides being in the top 10 in tackles his first season as a starter, Bowman has been one of the most productive all-around defensive players in the entire league in 2011.

Bowman sits near the top of linebacker rankings in terms of tackles for losses, passes defended and third-down stops. He has been a major reason why the San Francisco 49ers have the No. 1 scoring and red-zone defense in the entire NFL.

Brian Urlacher is one heck of a football player, but the Bears have dropped off dramatically in both rush and scoring defense. He simply isn't the same player he used to be and is a perfect representation of this being nothing more than a popularity contest.

4. Tramon Williams, CB (Green Bay Packers)

2011 Statistics: 56 tackles, four INTs, 17 passes defended and one TD

I have no problem with Charles Woodson and Carlos Rogers being named starters in the NFC; both deserve that acknowledgement.

I just don't get the selection of Charles Tillman over Tramon Williams. It makes absolutely no sense to me.

Williams has more interceptions, passes defended and tackles. He has continually covered elite receivers and makes plays with the best of them.

On the other hand, the Bears rank 28th in pass defense, and Tillman struggles a great deal in coverage.

3. J. J. Watt, DE (Houston Texans)

2011 Statistics: 55 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four passes defended and two fumble recoveries

Not only has J.J. Watt been extremely good in wreaking havoc in the offensive backfield, but he has also been solid in rush defense. He continually makes plays on the edge and has helped turn around the Texans defense as a rookie.

Dwight Freeney being named a starter over Watt is a travesty of the greatest form. The Colts' defensive end has had a down season for a two-win team with a struggling defense.

The name alone got Freeney this selection, as voters continue to be hesitant about the changing of the guard in the NFL.

Give me a break.

2. Matthew Stafford, QB (Detroit Lions)

2011 Statistics: 4,518 passing yards, 36 TDs and 14 INTs

If Cam Newton wasn't going to make it over Eli Manning, Matthew Stafford should have.

This dude has helped turn around a Detroit Lions franchise that has not seen the playoffs in nearly 20 years. Stafford has more than 4,500 yards passing and may hit 40 touchdowns by the time the regular season comes to a conclusion, depending on the Lions' final game against Green Bay.

Meanwhile, the New York Giants continue to struggle down the stretch and need a win in their finale to guarantee a playoff spot.

If the Pro Bowl is about single-season performance, then there is no reason why Manning should have made it over Stafford. I guess voters wanted one player from that gene pool in Hawaii.

1. Victor Cruz, WR (New York Giants)

2011 Statistics: 76 receptions, 1,358 yards and eight TDs 

How the hell does Greg Jennings make it before Victor Cruz?

Seriously, this makes absolutely no sense.

Jennings literally has 400 less receiving yards than Cruz and isn't even the Green Bay Packers' No. 1 receiver; that role has been taken over by the aforementioned Jordy Nelson.

Hey voters: You went wrong big-time with this snub.