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2011 NFL Pro Bowl: What to Look For

WHAT TO LOOK FOR - 2011 PRO BOWL

HIGH SCORE: It has been a banner year for offenses across the National Football League, thanks in part to high-flying passing attacks led by some of the game's best quarterbacks. The 2011 AFC Pro Bowl roster will feature the top two passing yardage leaders - San Diego's PHILIP RIVERS (4,710), who will start for the AFC, and Indianapolis' PEYTON MANNING(4,700).

The NFC will counter with Philadelphia's MICHAEL VICK, who became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for at least 600 yards (676) and post a passer rating of 100.0 or better (100.2), as the starter, with New Orleans' DREW BREES, the NFL's third-leading passer with 4,620 yards, also in the fold. Other quarterbacks taking part in the game include MATT CASSEL of Kansas City (AFC) and MATT RYAN of Atlanta (NFC).

High scores have been a recent trend at the Pro Bowl. In fact, the seven highest combined scores in Pro Bowl history have all occurred since 2000, including 75 points last year, the third-highest in Pro Bowl history.

The highest combined scores in Pro Bowl history:

YEAR

WINNER (PTS.)

LOSER (PTS.)

TOTAL POINTS

2004

NFC (55)

AFC (52)

107

2000

NFC (51)

AFC (31)

82

2010

AFC (41)

NFC (34)

75

2008

NFC (42)

AFC (30)

72

2002

AFC (38)

NFC (30)

68

2003

AFC (45)

NFC (20)

65

2005

AFC (38)

NFC (27)

65

PRO BOWL TD SCORERS: Several of the most prolific touchdown scorers in Pro Bowl history will look to add to their career totals on Sunday, including NFC All-Star tight end TONY GONZALEZ of Atlanta, who is tied for the all-time record with five.

With a touchdown on Sunday, Gonzalez would surpass JIMMY SMITH and MARVIN HARRISON, who also scored five career Pro Bowl TDs, for sole possession of first place.


Two other 2011 Pro Bowl participants - running back ADRIAN PETERSON of Minnesota and wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD of Arizona - have three career Pro Bowl TDs and can move up the chart this weekend.


The players with the most Pro Bowl touchdowns:

PLAYER

TEAM(S)

PRO BOWL SEASONS

TOUCHDOWNS

WR Jimmy Smith

Jacksonville

1998-2001

5

WR Marvin Harrison

Indianapolis

2000-06

5

TE Tony Gonzalez

Kansas City

2000-01, 2003-09

5*

RB Mike Alstott

Tampa Bay

1998-2003

4

WR Hines Ward

Pittsburgh

2002-05

4

WR Terrell Owens

San Francisco, Dallas

2001-04 (SF), 2008 (Dal.)

4

RB Adrian Peterson

Minnesota

2008-10

3*

WR Larry Fitzgerald

Arizona

2006, 2008-09

3*

* 2011 Pro Bowl players

Peterson is also on the cusp of setting a Pro Bowl record for career rushing touchdowns. Peterson is currently tied for first all-time with three:

PLAYER

TEAM(S)

PRO BOWL SEASONS

RUSHING TDs

Earl Campbell

Houston

1979-1982, 1984

3

Chuck Muncie

New Orleans, San Diego

1980 (NO),1982-83 (SD)

3

Mike Alstott

Tampa Bay

1998-2003

3

Adrian Peterson

Minnesota

2008-10

3*

* 2011 Pro Bowl player

ELDER STATESMEN: There will be no shortage of leadership on the field for both conferences during Sunday's Pro Bowl, with three 11-time selections - Indianapolis quarterbackPEYTON MANNING, Atlanta tight end TONY GONZALEZ and Baltimore linebacker RAY LEWIS.

Manning not only owns several career and single-game Pro Bowl records, he's significantly ahead in many of those categories. Manning owns the following Pro Bowl records (next closest player in parentheses):

  • Attempts, Career: 179 (Dan Fouts, 120)
  • Completions, Career: 107 (Dan Fouts, 63)
  • Completions, Game: 22 (Joe Theismann, 21)
  • Passing Yards, Career: 1,496 (Dan Fouts, 890)
  • Passing Yards, Game: 342 (Dan Fouts, 274)
  • Highest Average Gain, Career: 8.36 yards per attempt (Rich Gannon, 8.19)
  • Passing Touchdowns, Career: 14 (Rich Gannon, 7)

ALL HAIL THE "U": Ten players named to the 2011 Pro Bowl roster played collegiately at the University of Miami, more than any other college program.

Below is a breakdown of schools with at least three players named to the 2011 Pro Bowl squads:

COLLEGE

2011 PRO BOWL PLAYERS

NO.

Miami

S Ed Reed, S Brandon Meriweather, LB Ray Lewis, DT Vince Wilfork, WR Andre Johnson, WR Reggie Wayne, KR Devin Hester, LB Jonathan Vilma, S Antrel Rolle, LB Jon Beason

10

Tennessee

QB Peyton Manning, RB Arian Foster, LB Jerod Mayo, TE Jason Witten, T Chad Clifton, S Eric Berry

6

USC

S Troy Polamalu, C Ryan Kalil, LB Clay Matthews, QB Matt Cassel

4

Michigan

QB Tom Brady, T Jake Long, CB Charles Woodson

3