Tuesday evening the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl rosters were announced. Some of the players selections were not surprising. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees and Andre Johnson are all part of the expected group of players who will have a trip to Hawaii. Michael Vick starts at quarterback for the NFC after a terrific season in Philadelphia. For the Arizona Cardinals, their lone representative is strong safety Adrian Wilson, while free safety Kerry Rhodes, who has been Arizona's biggest playmaker all season, was left off the Pro Bowl roster, not even as an alternate.
This season has been bittersweet for Wilson, as he himslef has said that he has not played well. He has been out of position many times, getting exposed in coverage, especially by tight ends. Even still, he has notched a career-high (still with one game left to play) 115 tackles (94 solo). He has had two interceptions, two sacks and a blocked field goal. All in all, that is a really good stat line.
It just goes to show the respect he has around the league. He was third in the NFC in fan voting for strong safeties, so he was solid in that aspect. The other votes come from the players and the coaches, a testament to how Wilson is viewed by his peers.
On the disappointing side of things, Rhodes was not even recognized as an alternate Pro Bowl player. He has had a superb season replacing Antrel Rolle, who interestingly enough, is a Pro Bowler for the NFC. He has intercepted four passes, recovered four fumbles, blocked a field goal and scored two touchdowns (and should have scored a third).
Other Cardinal players named as Pro Bowl alternates were defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, offensive lineman Alan Faneca, kicker Jay Feely, receiver Larry Fitzgerald and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.