Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints / Image: Zuma Press

Balloting for the 2010 Pro Bowl will conclude on Monday, December 21 following the conclusion of Monday Night Football (New York Giants at Washington Redskins, ESPN, 8:30 PM ET). The teams will be announced at 4 PM (ET) Tuesday, December 29 on a special NFL Total Access 2010 Pro Bowl Selection Show on NFL Network. The 2010 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 31, 2010 and televised live on ESPN at 7:20 PM ET from Dolphin Stadium in South Florida, also the site of Super Bowl XLIV a week later on Sunday, February 7. Fans can buy tickets to the 2010 Pro Bowl at NFL.com/probowl and TICKETMASTER.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Listed below are the top 10 overall All-Star vote-getters:

1. Drew Brees, Saints (1,120,535)
2. Brett Favre, Vikings (1,120,174)
3. Peyton Manning, Colts (1,113,934)
4. Adrian Peterson, Vikings (1,079,993)
5. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals (684,698)
6. Tom Brady, Patriots (622,916)
7. Dallas Clark, Colts (603,492)
8. Cedric Benson, Bengals (565,763)
9. Chris Johnson, Titans (560,479)
10. Andre Johnson, Texans (546,693)

Source: NFL Media

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NFL Pro Bowl Top Ten, One Week Left to Vote

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts / Image: Zuma Press

Not surprisingly, quarterback Peyton Manning kept things in perspective:

“We certainly do not take it for granted. It’s obviously fun to win. It does build momentum, but we have taken it one week it at a time. We enjoy it when we’re allowed to enjoy it, but we have to work next week for the next opponent.”

Of course, by wrapping things up so quickly—as the Colts have done in the past—it brings about an interesting discussion on whether the team should rest its starters, thus avoiding any unnecessary injuries to key players. If the starters take too much time off (remember, they will also get a first round bye in the playoffs), they could lose the momentum they worked so hard to achieve. But if they play and a starter is injured in an otherwise meaningless game, the questioning of an unnecessary injury comes into play.

Sure, the Colts are fortunate to have put themselves in a position to make these types of decisions. But they are difficult decisions. I would treat the remaining games as preseason games, allowing the starters to play roughly two quarters and the reserves to get some valuable playing time against first-team opponents. That way you reduce the risk of injury to your best players but you also allow them to maintain the rhythm and tempo that enabled them to obtain an undefeated record in the first place. With that being said, over the course of the final few games, Colts head coach Jim Caldwell would gladly trade a couple meaningless losses en route to Miami and a Super Bowl XLIV victory.

Source: Colts.com

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Colts Tie NFL Record, Stay Unbeaten

Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings / Photo: Newscom

In his weekly postgame presser, Brett said the arm that was his question mark back in August, is fine:

“I’ve been pretty fortunate. God has blessed me in a lot of ways. And he’s given me a bad but good body, if that makes any sense. It’s not that I don’t wake up in the morning and have aches and pains because I do. And I’m sure when it’s all said and done, I’m going to be saying, ‘What in the hell did I do all this for?’ But my arm feels great. And that was where it started, even debating on playing again.”

Brett has to be a strong consideration for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award this season. Not only is he first in passer rating and touchdown passes. And second in completion percentage. But, I can’t think of another player who has meant more to his team than Brett. Some will argue that Peyton Manning or Drew Brees should be mentioned (and those are valid arguments), but Brett is this season’s ultimate difference maker.

Source: Vikings.com

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Brett Favre: ‘My Arm Feels Great’

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts / Photo: Newscom

If the Colts have a weakness, it’s their inability to run the football—and thus rely on the passing game. They’re next to last in rushing yards per game with a meager 87.6 average. But when you’re third overall in passing with quarterback Peyton Manning having an MVP-type season, it’s hard to argue with their strategy. They’re finding ways to win football games and that’s all that matters.

(Note: This was the Colts’ fifth straight 4th quarter comeback win, an NFL record.)

Source: NFL.com

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Colts First to Clinch Playoff Berth

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts / Photo: Newscom

The Pats couldn’t challenge the controversial decision because they wasted two timeouts on their final drive and had nothing left to possibly overturn that ruling. As I saw it, Kevin had the first down when he caught the ball. But because he briefly bobbled it, he was not awarded forward progress that would’ve essentially ended the game in New England’s favor.

I don’t really blame Pats head coach Bill Belichick for going for it. After all, his success rate on 4th down is over 70%. But when you’re on your own 28-yard line with the game on the line, this is a very puzzling decision. It’s having supreme confidence in your team’s ability to convert, but it’s certainly going against the percentages. And it cost the Patriots the game.

As far as the Colts are concerned, this is an amazing comeback. After Peyton Manning threw his second interception of the game with just over seven minutes to play, I felt the game was over. But with their resolve and New England’s questionable decision-making, the door was opened for their victory. And the Colts merely walked through that door.

Source: NFL.com

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Colts Stun Patriots to Remain Unbeaten

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts / Photo: Newscom

Speaking of decades, Peyton now only needs three touchdown passes to become the first player in NFL history to throw 300 TDs in a decade. Additionally, with today’s win, Peyton tied Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton for 4th place on the NFL’s career wins list for QBs with 125. Before all is said and done, I expect Peyton Manning to break just about every NFL passing record there is.

Source: NFL.com

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Peyton Manning’s 40,000 Yard Decade

There’s a rather disturbing story about Marvin Harrison in the new ESPN Magazine (01.26.09). I’ve always admired Marvin for his stellar play and the way he performed his job. Who hasn’t? He and Peyton Manning hold the record for most receptions between a quarterback and receiver with 956. All the while, Marvin has seemed like a good guy — quiet and unassuming. He’s a lunch pail kind of player. He comes to work, does his job (well, I might add) and goes home. In this era of overpaid, high maintenance, loud mouth, prima donna receivers, he’s been a breath of fresh air.

That was on the field. Off the field, I guess like most people, I didn’t know much about Marvin. And I still don’t. And I don’t need to. I respect the guy’s right to have his privacy. I know I wouldn’t want the media meddling in my life if I were in his position. The only thing I can remember about him (from a Monday Night Football interview many moons ago) is that he likes junk food — which seems strange for a professional athlete. Anyway, after last April’s shooting incident left three people wounded in Marvin’s hometown of Philadelphia (two witnesses are pointing at Marvin as the shooter), it brought to light an entirely different side of Peyton Manning’s favorite target — the great Marvin Harrison, a future Hall of Famer, was something of a thug. As it turns out, he showed a violent side before this shooting. Now in his late 30s with steadily declining numbers and these off the field problems, his National Football League playing days appear to be numbered.

Source: ESPN.com

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Who is the Real Marvin Harrison?

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year today. Drew was a great choice. All he did was re-write the Saints’ record books this season. He became just the second player in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards in a single season and he had a team-record and league-leading 34 touchdown passes. Naturally, he spoke of team first:

“I don’t come out from week to week and say I have to throw for 300 (yards). I don’t think about that. It’s really about what I can do to help this team win. Certainly in this offense, being the quarterback, you’re in the driver’s seat. You have the opportunity to control every play and have it in your hands. Every play is about me making good decisions and putting it in a guy’s hands who is open or our playmakers working to their strengths. That’s my job.”

This choice is a little odd considering Drew didn’t get one MVP vote, but he deserves the award. It seems like Drew gets a little better each season. His 5,069 yards passing this season came up just 15 yards short of the all-time record held by Dan Marino. Even if the Saints didn’t make the playoffs, that is called having one heck of a season, especially when you consider the number of injuries the Saints had on the offensive side of the ball (Marques Colston, Reggie Bush, Jerome Shockey). Drew finished with 22 votes. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had nine votes each. Philip Rivers had six votes.

Sources: NewOrleansSaints.com, NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Drew Brees Offensive Player of the Year

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was named the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player today. It was a landslide win as Peyton received 32 votes, well ahead of Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington and Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner, who received four votes each. It was Peyton’s third time to win the NFL’s highest individual honor. Only N.Y. Jets quarterback Brett Favre has won as many league MVP honors. As usual, Peyton had the right words to graciously capture the moment:

“I know it’s an individual award, but … truly, in my opinion, a team award. It’s been the most rewarding regular season that I’ve been a part of in my 11 years, and I have to believe a lot of the other players and even coaches might feel the same way.”

Rewarding is recovering from two operations on his left knee in the preseason. Remember how the Colts’ season and Peyton’s career were in supposed jeopardy? And rewarding is winning nine straight games to qualify for the playoffs after a shaky 3-4 start. The Colts didn’t even win the AFC South this year, something they have become accustomed to doing. That distinction went to the deserving Tennessee Titans, but even the Titans would have to admit no team wants to play the red hot Colts right now. And Peyton is predominantly the reason. During the nine game run, Peyton was 209-of-290 passing for 2,248 yards and 17 touchdowns. He threw only three interceptions and he extended his NFL record 9th 4,000-yard season, finishing with 27 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and a 95.0 passer rating. MVP worthy numbers? There was no doubt about it. No other player was even close in the voting and that was simply and honestly the reality of the situation.

Source: Colts.com, Photo: Newscom

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Peyton Manning NFL Most Valuable Player

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

OFFENSE

QB: Peyton Manning, Colts; Brett Favre, Jets; Jay Cutler, Broncos
RB: Thomas Jones, Jets; Chris Johnson, Titans; Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
FB: Le’Ron McClain, Ravens
WR: Andre Johnson, Texans; Brandon Marshall, Broncos; Reggie Wayne, Colts; Wes Welker, Patriots
TE: Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs; Antonio Gates, Chargers
T: Joe Thomas, Browns; Jason Peters, Bills; Michael Roos, Titans
G: Alan Faneca, Jets; Kris Dielman, Chargers; Brian Waters, Chiefs
C: Kevin Mawae, Titans; Nick Mangold, Jets

DEFENSE

DE: Mario Williams, Texans; Dwight Freeney, Colts; Robert Mathis, Colts
DT: Albert Haynesworth, Titans; Kris Jenkins, Jets; Shaun Rogers, Browns
OLB: James Harrison, Steelers; Joey Porter, Dolphins; Terrell Suggs, Ravens
MLB: Ray Lewis, Ravens; James Farrior, Steelers
CB: Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders; Cortland Finnegan, Titans; Darrelle Revis, Jets
S: Ed Reed, Ravens; Troy Polamalu, Steelers; Chris Hope, Titans

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: Stephan Gostkowski, Patriots
P: Shane Lechler, Raiders
KR: Leon Washington, Jets
ST: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Ravens

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2009 AFC Pro Bowl Roster