Who Deserves To Be A Pro Bowler? Part VIII: Actual Players, AFC, Offense

Before you comment or bitch or anything, please read my introduction to this series here and the stats in which I am basing my opinions upon can be found here

Quarterback
Starter: Tom Brady (NE)
Bench: Philip Rivers (SD), Matt Cassel (KC)
Apologies to: Kyle Orton (DEN)

For some reason I thought Rivers has never been selected to a Pro Bowl and I was going to go off on a rant about that. But he's been selected to two before this year. The biggest travesty of the AFC is selecting Peyton Manning over Matt Cassel. Manning is guaranteed to go to the Hall of Fame, has four MVPs, and been to 10 Pro Bowls. When he has a bad year or a fringe year, god forbid we let someone deserving in instead of him.

Running Back
Starter: Arian Foster (HOU)
Bench: Jamaal Charles (KC), BenJarvis Green-Ellis (NE)
Apologies to: Darren McFadden (OAK), Peyton Hillis (CLE), Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX)

The third spot for the AFC running back position was so hard for me. Foster and Chalres were locks for me, but choosing one out of the three "apologies to" and The Law Firm was tough and all four deserve to go and I have no problems with any of them. But considering the numbers and touchdowns BJGE has put up with less games and carries than the others and how awesome he does according to Football Outsiders, I chose him.

Wide Receiver
Starter: Brandon Lloyd (DEN), Dwayne Bowe (KC)
Bench: Mike Wallace (PIT), Terrell Owens (CIN)
Apologies to: Reggie Wayne (IND), Andre Johnson (HOU)

Johnson and Wayne got in this year because their reputation put them over the edge. Lloyd and Bowe are the AFC reserves and the only reason they're not starting is because they haven't done it for the past few years. I think Bowe, Wallace, and Lloyd are clear cut Pro Bowlers (Wallace is 2nd in DYAR and 1st in DVOA) and I chose T.O. over Wayne and Andre mainly because of his QB.

Tight End
Starter: Antonio Gates (SD)
Bench: Todd Heap (BAL)
Apologies to: Mercedes Lewis (JAX), Rob Gronkowski (NE)

Gronk doesn't get on the field/ go out to catch all that often because of the Pats many "weapons" so he doesn't get many looks, but when he does he does awesome things with it. Again, another situation where the bench spot is close and I have no problem (especially because the NFL also selects guys to play in the game) to take Lewis over Heap.

Center
Starter: Chris Evans (HOU)
Bench: Dan Koppen (NE)
Apologies to: Nick Mangold (NYJ)

The Jets probably have the best offensive line in football so I have no problem selecting Mangold to start because he's the leader of the line, even though he was an "inferior" blocker than both Koppen and Evans this year. But I have no idea why Pittsburgh's center Maurkice Pouncey was chosen. Not only was he a pretty bad blocker this year (Pittsbugh's center is 22nd in blocking) but the Steelers have a horrible offensive line (according to both FO and Steelers fans. Seriously, watch ONE Steelers game and you can see how bad they are at blocking). So Pouncey's selection, especially over a well respected and former Pro Bowler and the leader of NFL's second best offensive line Dan Koppen seems odd to me.

Left Guard
Starter: Andy Levitre (BUF)
Bench: Wade Smith (HOU)

Left Tackle
Starter: Branden Albert (KC)
Bench: D'Brickashaw Ferguson (NYJ)

Right Guard
Starter: Marshal Yanda (BAL)
Bench: Brandon Moore (NYJ)

Right Tackle
Starter: Ryan O'Callaghan (KC)
Bench: Chris Chester (BAL)

Like in the NFC, it seems to me players get selected mainly upon their names and not upon talent. And seriously, if another team's running back of a safety or something is voting for offensive lineman, they should stop. I believe in both Presidential elections and for All-Star games, if you're not knowledgeable about what you're voting for, don't vote. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen.

Kicker
Starter: Rob Bironas (TEN)

Punter
Starter: Shane Lechler (OAK)

Kick Returner
Starter: Brad Smith (NYJ)
Apologies to: Marc Mariani (TEN)

It seems to be the NFL took the best punt returner in both leagues as they took Hester and Mariani but I choose the better kick off returner in Smith. Both good choices though.