New York – Three players from the Denver Broncos are headed for the Pro Bowl. Cornerback Champ Bailey, safety John Lynch and linebacker Al Wilson got the nod today.
It was the sixth time Bailey was named to the starting Pro Bowl team and the second time Wilson was named a starter.
The Chargers placed nine players on the AFC squad and the Bears had seven on the NFC team, which also includes a quarterback – Dallas’ Tony Romo – who wasn’t a starter when the season began.
San Diego’s contingent includes quarterback Philip Rivers, who sat on the bench for his first two seasons behind Drew Brees, who signed as a free agent with New Orleans in the offseason and will start for the NFC. Also representing the Chargers is linebacker Shawne Merriman, last year’s defensive rookie of the year, who made it despite missing four games for flunking a steroid test.
Chicago’s representatives demonstrate how the Bears won: with defense and special teams.
Three of the seven Bears, led by linebacker Brian Urlacher, are on defense and three are on special teams – kicker Robbie Gould, specialist Brendan Ayanbadejo and rookie return man Devin Hester, who has shattered records with six returns for touchdowns on three punts, two kickoffs and a missed field goal.
Center Olin Kreutz, a perennial at his position, is the only Bears Pro Bowler on offense.
The team also includes the Barber twins – running back Tiki of the New York Giants and Ronde of Tampa Bay. The first twins to make it together, they now become the second set of brothers to make the Pro Bowl for three straight seasons – Shannon and Sterling Sharpe from 1993-95 are the others.
The game will be played in Honolulu on Feb. 10.
