The fans, coaches and players have spoken. The 2010 NFL Pro Bowl team has been named. Many of the players headed to Miami are perennial Pro Bowlers, others are new. The following is a breakdown of starters by conference:
AFC
Offense
Peyton Manning Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
Chris Johnson Running back, Tennessee Titans
LeRon McClain Fullback, Baltimore Ravens
Andre Johnson Wide receiver, Houston Texans
Reggie Wayne Wide receiver, Indianapolis Colts
Dallas Clark Tight end, Indianapolis Colts
Jake Long Tackle, Miami Dolphins
Ryan Clady Tackle, Denver Broncos
Logan Mankins Guard, New England Patriots
Alan Faneca Guard, New York Jets
Nick Mangold Center, New York Jets
Defense
Dwight Freeney Defensive end, Indianapolis Colts
Robert Mathis Defensive end, Indianapolis Colts
Haloti Ngata Interior lineman, Baltimore Ravens
Vince Wilfork Interior lineman, New England Patriots
Elvis Dumervil Outside linebacker, Denver Broncos
James Harrison Outside linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ray Lewis Inside/middle linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Darrelle Revis Cornerback, New York Jets
Nnamdi Asomugha Cornerback, Oakland Raiders
Ed Reed Free safety, Baltimore Ravens
Brian Dawkins Strong safety, Denver Broncos
Special Teams
Shane Lechler Punter, Oakland Raiders
Nate Kaeding Placekicker, San Diego Chargers
Joshua Cribbs Kick returner, Cleveland Browns
Kassim Osgood Special teamer, San Diego Chargers
Rounding out the AFC roster are Philip Rivers, Tom Brady, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice, Brandon Marshall, Wes Welker, Antonio Gates, Joe Thomas, Kris Dielman, Jeff Saturday, Mario Williams, Casey Hampton, Brian Cushing, DeMeco Ryans, Champ Bailey and Ed Reed.
NFC
Offense
Drew Brees Quarterback, New Orleans Saints
Adrian Peterson Running back, Minnesota Vikings
Leonard Weaver Fullback, Philadelphia Eagles
Larry Fitzgerald Wide receiver, Arizona Cardinals
DeSean Jackson Wide receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
Vernon Davis Tight end, San Francisco 49ers
Jason Peters Tackle, Philadelphia Eagles
Bryant McKinnie Tackle, Minnesota Vikings
Steve Hutchinson Guard, Minnesota Vikings
Jahri Evans Guard, New Orleans Saints
Andre Gurode Center, Dallas Cowboys
Defense
Jared Allen Defensive end, Minnesota Vikings
Julius Peppers Defensive end, Carolina Panthers
Kevin Williams Interior linemen, Minnesota Vikings
Darnell Dockett Interior lineman, Arizona Cardinals
DeMarcus Ware Outside linebacker, Dallas Cowboys
Lance Briggs Outside linebacker, Chicago Bears
Patrick Willis Inside/middle linebacker, San Francisco 49ers
Charles Woodson Cornerback, Green Bay Packers
Asante Samuel Cornerback, Philadelphia Eagles
Darren Sharper Free safety, New Orleans Saints
Adrian Wilson Strong safety, Arizona Cardinals
Special Teams
Andy Lee Punter, San Francisco 49ers
David Akers Placekicker, Philadelphia Eagles
DeSean Jackson Kick returner, Philadelphia Eagles
Heath Farwell Special teamer, Minnesota Vikings
Rounding out the NFC roster are Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Steven Jackson, DeAngelo Williams, Miles Austin, Sidney Rice, Jason Witten, Jonathan Stinchcomb, Leonard Davis, Shaun OHara, Trent Cole, Jay Ratliff, Brian Orakpo, Jonathan Vilma, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nick Collins.
It will be interesting to see how the NFL's new format of playing the Pro Bowl one week prior to the Super Bowl, at the same location, turns out. In previous years, many of the starters opted out of playing in the Pro Bowl for various reasons. The NFL is encouraging selected players to actually participate in the game, which will give the game more meaning to the fans who helped vote players in. This year, any player selected whose team advances to the Super Bowl will more than likely pass on playing in the Pro Bowl. In any case, congratulations to all the 2010 Pro Bowl selectees!