Pro Bowl 2012: Most Surprising Players Invited to Hawaii

When any sort of All-Star rosters are announced, we always focus on the players who should be there but aren't. On the day of the announcement, the snubs are always the hot topic.

The NFL is no different and much has already been made of players like Victor Cruz, Tony Romo, Cam Newton and Joe Haden not receiving recognition.

The players who made it over them, and others like them, are the question marks of the Pro Bowl.

Here are some of the most surprising invites.

 

Eli Manning, QB, GiantsYou can argue all you want about statistics, but Eli Manning is on the Pro Bowl roster because he's done the most with the least.

Big Blue is the league's worst rushing attack and Eli has carried this team on his back time and time again. Romo, Matt Stafford and Newton all have more impressive statistics in some form or other (Romo and Stafford traditionally; Newton as an all-around player), but Eli is the No. 3 quarterback.

 

D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Jets

Another Big Apple player, Ferguson turned in arguably his most inconsistent season. He, and the rest of his offensive line, are a large factor in why the Jets are the 27th-ranked offense this season.

They didn't effectively protect Mark Sanchez and their run game was nothing like years past.

Ferguson is still a very good player, but being named to the initial Pro Bowl roster has more to do with his name than anything else.

 

Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers

The San Diego signal-caller turned in his worst season since 2007. He's thrown a ton of interceptions, led his team out of the playoffs and has been more of a problem than a help.

Matt Moore, who has played in less games, has put up comparable-to-better numbers and rookie Andy Dalton has been better than both.

 

A.J. Green, WR, Bengals

The rookie wide receiver deserves to be in Hawaii, but it was a big surprise to see him get the initial nod.

Green has missed some time with injury and is 12th in the AFC in receptions, seventh in yards, eighth in touchdowns and fifth in plays over 20 yards. He does lead the league in plays of 35-plus yards or more, though.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1000723-pro-bowl-roster-2012-most-surprising-players-invited-to-hawaii

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