NFL Prediction League

[Onyxmeth]

Sqrl said:

brawl4life said:

Sanchez slide training worke dout pretty good last night eh? You guys see the pro bowl voting? The NFC like 11 viking players ...Manning leading votes, Brees 2nd, and Favre third so far.

http://www.nfl.com/probowl/story?id=09000d5d81448298&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Last time 11 Vikings went to the Pro bowl was 1998 iirc.

Interestingly though last I heard 23 Vikings were in the top 5 of voting at their position.  To a certain extent the Vikings do have an extremely talented roster worthy of recognition..but not 23 pro-bowl players.  I think it obviously has a lot to do with Favre and the hype at the beginning of the season as people were wanting to see how he would play and now people wanting to see if he can sustain a phenomenal season.

Legit pro bowl Vikings are imo (not all necessarily absolutely should go, but guys who have a fair case to be made):

• Jared Allen
• Kevin Williams
• Pat Williams
• Percy Harvin
• Sidney Rice
• Visanthe Shiancoe
• Brett Favre
• Adrian Peterson
• Steve Hutchinson
• Bryant McKinnie
• Ryan Longwell

Other guys with a lot tougher argument, but could get in either as a last spot or alternate:

• Chestor Taylor
• Benny Sapp
• Bernard Berrian - (Would need to sustain his recent good work for the rest of the season)
• Ray Edwards
• Phil Loadholt
• John Sullivan

 

Most of the main offensive talent is sitting in the AFC at the moment. This is what's allowing guys like Rice to have any consideration. It's a shame too that so many will be left out just because of the conference they sit in. The wealth of top talent in both RB and WR are in the AFC. Especially RBs. Most of the top talent in the AFC RBs are improving from their previous year's numbers, while most of the NFC's top talent is falling behind on their numbers from last year. Consider Adrian Peterson. If he was fighting for an AFC spot in the Pro Bowl, I don't think he'd make the cut. He's got way less yards than Chris Johnson, about the same as MJD but with one less TD, and he's got 5 lost fumbles for the season. The only other premiere RB that did that got benched.

Realistically, this is who I see should represent from the Vikings in the Pro Bowl is the season ended today(only acknowledging top two at any position requiring one, top four if two are required, top six if three are required):

Brett Favre (QB1)
Adrian Peterson (RB1)
Sidney Rice (WR4)
Percy Harvin(P/K Returner)
Jared Allen (DE 1)
Kevin Williams (DT 3) 

I don't believe in splitting up the O-line. I think the best performing O-line should make the Pro Bowl, because I feel it's the only unit on the field that is a true group effort with no standouts. So in that case I won't judge at all, since I can't watch 16 games a week and see for myself, and there aren't good stats on O-linemen. Based on sacks, the ability to assist the run and the strength of the QB they're protecting, I'd go with Dallas' O-line at the moment. 5.3 yards per carry and 25 sacks for the year. That's not too bad.