Recognition is elusive for 6-8 teams.
When the AFC Pro Bowl roster was released Tuesday, no one from the Dove Valley headquarters was honored unless he went by “Champ.”
For the eighth consecutive season, cornerback Champ Bailey made the Pro Bowl team. Only three active players have more selections: Baltimore tackle Jonathan Ogden (11), Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez (nine) and Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre (nine). Joining Bailey as eight-time selections were Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, Baltimore middle linebacker Ray Lewis and Seattle left tackle Walter Jones.
That the Broncos (6-8) were limited to Bailey was a reflection of a team already eliminated from the postseason. The Pro Bowl game between the AFC and NFC will be played Feb. 10 in Hawaii.
“It’s a little bittersweet because we haven’t met our team expectations for the season, but it’s an honor to be respected around the league and by fans,” Bailey said in a statement.
After combining for 19 interceptions and 401 return yards, including the playoffs, the past two seasons, Bailey has just three picks for 3 return yards this season as he spreads himself thin trying to help a porous run defense.
There had been discussion among the Broncos that defensive end Elvis Dumervil and receiver Brandon Marshall were Pro Bowl worthy. The AFC’s three Pro Bowl defensive ends were Kansas City’s Jared Allen, Miami’s Jason Taylor and Tennessee’s Kyle Vanden Bosch. Dumervil and his 11 sacks figures to be lined up behind Houston’s Mario Williams, who has 13, as a top alternate.
The top four AFC receivers were New England’s Randy Moss, Indianapolis’ Reggie Wayne, Cleveland’s Braylon Edwards and Cincinnati’s T.J. Houshmandzadeh. If one of those can’t make the trip, Marshall may have to wait behind Cincinnati’s Chad Johnson and New England’s Wes Welker.
At middle linebacker, Houston’s DeMeco Ryans, selected in the second round of the 2006 draft, was named the starter and Lewis the backup. Omitted was the Broncos’ D.J. Williams, who is tied for third in the NFL with 121 tackles.
The most historical, and poignant, selection was Washington safety Sean Taylor. Killed three weeks ago at his home by a burglar, Taylor had five interceptions this year.
The 14-0 Patriots anchored the AFC Pro Bowl team with quarterback Tom Brady and Moss, but it was perhaps a reflection of their team-before-self identity that they only tied for second with eight overall selections.
The Dallas Cowboys have 11 Pro Bowlers, and the San Diego Chargers have eight.
The Broncos’ final two opponents, the Chargers on Monday and Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 30, combined for 15 Pro Bowl selections. Or 14 more than the Broncos.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
PRO BOWL ROSTERS
Game is Feb. 10 in Honolulu (s-starter)
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
Offense
Wide receivers — s-Randy Moss, New England; s-Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis; Braylon Edwards, Cleveland; T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati.
Tackles — s-Matt Light, New England; s-Jason Peters, Buffalo; Jonathan Ogden, Baltimore.
Guards — s-Alan Faneca, Pittsburgh; s-Logan Mankins, New England; Kris Dielman, San Diego.
Centers — s-Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis; Dan Koppen, New England.
Tight ends — s-Antonio Gates, San Diego; Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City.
Quarterbacks — s-Tom Brady, New England; Peyton Manning, Indianapolis; Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh.
Running backs — s-LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego; Willie Parker, Pittsburgh; Joseph Addai, Indianapolis.
Fullback — s-Lorenzo Neal, San Diego.
Defense
Ends — s-Jared Allen, Kansas City; s-Kyle Vanden Bosch, Tennessee; Jason Taylor, Miami.
Interior linemen — s-Albert Haynesworth, s-Tennessee; s-Vince Wilfork, New England; Jamal Williams, San Diego.
Outside linebackers — s-Mike Vrabel, New England; s-James Harrison, Pittsburgh; Shawne Merriman, San Diego.
Inside linebackers — s-DeMeco Ryans, Houston; Ray Lewis, Baltimore.
Cornerbacks — s-Asante Samuel, New England; s-Champ Bailey, Denver; Antonio Cromartie, San Diego.
Free safety — s-Ed Reed, Baltimore.
Strong safeties — s-Bob Sanders, Indianapolis; Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh.
Specialists
Punter — Shane Lechler, Oakland.
Place-kicker — Rob Bironas, Tennessee.
Kick return specialist — Josh Cribbs, Cleveland.
Special-teamer — Kassim Osgood, San Diego.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
Offense
Wide receivers — s-Terrell Owens, Dallas; s-Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona; Torry Holt, St. Louis; Donald Driver, Green Bay.
Tackles — s-Walter Jones, Seattle; s-Flozell Adams, Dallas; Chris Samuels, Washington.
Guards — s-Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota; s-Leonard Davis, Dallas; Shawn Andrews, Philadelphia.
Centers — s-Andre Gurode, Dallas; Matt Birk, Minnesota.
Tight ends — s-Jason Witten, Dallas; Chris Cooley, Washington.
Quarterbacks — s-Brett Favre, Green Bay; Tony Romo, Dallas; Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle.
Running backs — s-Adrian Peterson, Minnesota; Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia; Marion Barber, Dallas.
Fullback — s-Tony Richardson, Minnesota.
Defense
Ends — s-Aaron Kampman, Green Bay; s-Patrick Kerney, Seattle; Osi Umenyiora, N.Y Giants.
Interior linemen — s-Kevin Williams, Minnesota; s-Pat Williams, Minnesota; Tommie Harris, Chicago.
Outside linebackers — s-DeMarcus Ware, Dallas; s-Julian Peterson, Seattle; Lance Briggs, Chicago.
Inside linebackers — s-Lofa Tatupu, Seattle; Patrick Willis, San Francisco.
Cornerbacks — s-Al Harris, Green Bay; s-Marcus Trufant, Seattle; Terence Newman, Dallas.
Free safeties — s-Sean Taylor, Washington; Ken Hamlin, Dallas.
Strong safety — s-Darren Sharper, Minnesota.
Specialists
Punter — Andy Lee, San Francisco.
Place-kicker — Nick Folk, Dallas.
Kick return specialist — Devin Hester, Chicago.
Special-teamer — Brendan Ayanbadejo, Chicago.
PRO BOWL SNUBS
Some glaring omissions from the Pro Bowl rosters:
AFC
WR Chad Johnson, Bengals: Third in AFC with 1,265 receiving yards.
RB Fred Taylor, Jaguars: Only 10,000-yard runner who has never played in a Pro Bowl.
DE Mario Williams, Texans: AFC sack leader, but votes were in before his big game against Broncos.
QB Derek Anderson, Browns: Has 26 TD passes and 3,384 passing yards.
NFC
WR Marques Colston, Saints: Had a much better year than Rams’ Torry Holt.
WR Greg Jennings, Packers: Considered more dangerous than teammate Donald Driver.
CB Charles Woodson, Packers: Arguably the NFC’s best corner.
Mike Klis
