Here is the NFC Pro Bowl roster. Starters are listed in bold.

OFFENSE

QB: Kurt Warner, Cardinals; Drew Brees, Saints; Eli Manning, Giants
RB: Adrian Peterson, Vikings; Michael Turner, Falcons; Clinton Portis, Redskins
FB: Mike Sellers, Redskins
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals; Anquan Boldin, Cardinals; Steve Smith, Panthers; Roddy White, Falcons,
TE: Jason Witten, Cowboys; Chris Cooley, Redskins
T: Jordan Gross, Panthers; Walter Jones, Seahawks; Chris Samuels, Redskins
G: Chris Snee, Giants; Steve Hutchinson, Vikings; Leonard Davis, Cowboys
C: Andre Gurode, Cowboys; Shaun O’Hara, Giants

DEFENSE

DE: Justin Tuck, Giants; Julius Peppers, Panthers; Jared Allen, Vikings
DT: Kevin Williams, Vikings; Jay Ratliff, Cowboys; Pat Williams, Vikings
OLB: DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys; Lance Briggs, Bears; Derrick Brooks, Buccaneers
MLB: Patrick Willis, 49ers; Jon Beason, Panthers
CB: Charles Woodson, Packers; Antoine Winfield, Vikings; Asante Samuel, Eagles
S: Nick Collins, Packers; Adrian Wilson, Cardinals; Brian Dawkins, Eagles

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: John Carney, Giants
P: Jeff Feagles, Giants
KR: Clifton Smith, Buccaneers
ST: Sean Morey, Cardinals

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2009 NFC Pro Bowl Roster

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees received 951,246 votes to lead all NFL All-Stars in fan balloting for the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl. N.Y. Jets quarterback Brett Favre (880,833 votes) ranks second overall, while N.Y. Giants quarterback Eli Manning (821,852 votes), Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis (767,817 votes) and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner (673,710 votes) round out the top-five. Here is the list of Top-Ten vote-getters for the 2009 National Football League Pro Bowl:

1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
2. Brett Favre, N.Y. Jets
3. Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants
4. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
5. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
6. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
7. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
8. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
9. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
10. Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins

The Top-Five rookie vote-getters were Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans), Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), Matt Forté (Chicago Bears), Chris Horton (Washington Redskins), and Steve Slaton (Houston Texans).

The teams will be announced at 4 p.m. (ET) Tuesday, December 16 on a special NFL Total Access 2009 NFL Pro Bowl Selection Show on NFL Network. The 2009 NFL Pro Bowl presented by State Farm will be played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on Sunday, February 8 and televised by NBC.

Source: NFL Media, Photo: Newscom

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NFL All-Stars Top-Ten Vote-Getters

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

A year after Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor’s death, NFL players are still living scared. And with good reason. There’s an interesting article in the 11.24 Dec 01 2008 ESPN Magazine that features seven current NFL players discussing their own concerns and experiences with crime and the issue of safety in their own lives — Clinton Portis, Ben Roethlisberger, Dunta Robinson, Kevin Mawae, Derrick Brooks, Branden Albert and Fred Taylor. In the “special report,” ESPN senior writer David Fleming writes:

“When asked about their fears, players cite the same frightening flashpoints: New Year’s Day 2007, when Broncos defensive back Darrent Williams was shot and killed outside a Denver nightclub while riding in his limo; November 2007, when Taylor was murdered; June 2008, when Oakland receiver Javon Walker was robbed and beaten unconscious near the Vegas strip; and September 2008, when Jaguars lineman Richard Collier was paralyzed and had to have his leg amputated above the knee after he was shot 14 times in what police say was a retaliatory shooting.”

Two things really stood out to me in this report and both were related to the issue of vulnerability. Denver Broncos security chief Dave Abrams said he fears for players’ families, as in kidnapping for ransom. And Fred Taylor pointed out that would-be criminals know athletes can’t have guns with them at the team facility — not even in the parking lot. So players are even more of a target between where they work and where they live.

NFL players are targets. They’re in the public eye so they’re easy to find. And it’s well known they have money. Lots of money. So, it’s not uncommon for an NFL player to live in a gated community with an elaborate security system. Or to own a gun. Or to hire a bodyguard. At just about every NFL event I’ve been to, players are accompanied by one or more guys who look like bodyguards. It’s all about protection and safety. And sadly, there seems to be less and less of it. Sure, NFL players (and people in general) need to be smart about where and when they are. But even at home — as was the case with Sean Taylor — the issue of safety is a major concern now more than ever.

Source: ESPNtheMag.com

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NFL Players Are Still Living Scared

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The Washington Redskins have been watching and waiting, hoping that running back Clinton Portis would be recovered enough from a two-week-old sprained knee to play in Sunday night’s important NFC East battle with the Dallas Cowboys. But it isn’t looking good. Clinton’s been listed as questionable all week and head coach Jim Zorn is no longer optimistic. Ladell Betts would take Clinton’s place in the starting lineup, but he’s coming off his own sprained knee and after a three week layoff, it’s hard to say how effective he’ll be. That opens the door for Shaun Alexander, who finally feels ready to play a more important role in the Redskins offense:

“I’m pretty comfortable in this offense. I was always comfortable with the passing game, but the run game was just a little bit different. I had to get used to certain angles and where they want to attack (defenses).”

Shaun only has 10 carries for 23 yards in three games for the Skins this season, but his limited playing time has been due to that lack of familiarity with the offense. Coach Zorn has noticed improvement each week, though, so we might get to see what Shaun has left in his proverbial tank soon.

Source: Redskins.com, Photo: Newscom

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Shaun Alexander Ready for More Reps

Former National Football League MVP and three-time Pro Bowler Shaun Alexander signed a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins today. Shaun will backup starter Clinton Portis, a role that had been filled by RB Ladell Betts until he sprained his knee this past weekend in a loss to the St. Louis Rams. Redskins head coach Jim Zorn used to work with Shaun in Seattle, so he knows firsthand what type of player he’s getting:

“As soon as (Shaun) got to Redskins Park, we got him in shorts and took him out and worked him out. He looks fit. He has a lot of want-to in his attitude.”

Shaun had been waiting for a running back injury to open a door for his employment. He comes to Washington with an impressive resume. In eight NFL seasons, all with the Seahawks, Shaun has compiled 9,429 yards, a 4.3 yards-per-carry average, and 100 touchdowns. He has also caught 214 passes for 1,511 yards and 12 touchdowns. His career rushing total ranks him 25th in NFL history. Shaun’s played in coach Zorn’s version of the West Coast offense in Seattle, so he should be able to pick up the scheme and contribute quickly.

Source: Redskins.com

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Redskins Sign Shaun Alexander

Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor is in critical condition after he was shot during what police are investigating as a possible armed robbery at his home in suburban Miami, Florida earlier this morning. Sean had been inactive for the past two Redskins games with a sprained right knee and was at home recuperating. According to his former lawyer (and family friend) Richard Sharpstein, Sean is in the intensive care unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital following nearly six hours of surgery and “is clinging to life and we’re all praying he makes it.” He lost a significant amount of blood because the bullet damaged his femoral artery and doctors are worried about blood flow to his brain.

Sean is, without question, one of the best (and hardest-hitting safeties in the NFL). In a recent ESPN Magazine article, fellow-Redskin Clinton Portis said teammates ask Sean if he has anyone to give him a hug because he plays like he’s mad at the world. Sean has had on- and off-the-field issues in the past. Two years ago he was accused of brandishing a gun. He has been fined at least seven times during his professional career for late hits and other infractions, including a $17,000 penalty for spitting in the face of Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman during a playoff game in January 2006. He also was fined $25,000 for skipping a mandatory rookie symposium shortly after he was drafted.

In Sean’s case, with all the potential and all the talent comes a lot of volatility. The Redskins knew this when they made him part of their team. And it was a risk they were willing to take. I don’t know what kind of crowd Sean hangs with or anything about his personal life, but I’m sure he understands the risks of associating with the wrong people. And please understand, I’m not saying this incident was provoked, but with Sean’s troubled past, it has to be considered. This shooting came eight days after another invasion was reported at Sean’s home. According to police records, someone pried open a front window, rifled through his drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed.

Bottom line, I hope Sean makes a full recovery and gets back on the field for the Redskins. And as much of a force as he is on the football field, I hope he can achieve some kind of peace off it. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

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Washington Redskins Safety Sean Taylor in Critical Condition After Shooting in Florida