Chargers, Bears Lead Pro Bowl Voting

The San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears lead the NFL in wins — and Pro Bowlers. The Chargers placed nine players on the AFC squad Tuesday and the Bears had seven on the NFC team, which also includes a quarterback — Dallas' Tony Romo — who wasn't a starter when the season began.

San Diego's contingent includes record-setting running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Philip Rivers, who sat on the bench for his first two seasons behind Drew Brees. The former Chargers quarterback signed as a free agent with New Orleans in the offseason and will start for the NFC.

Also among the players representing the Chargers is linebacker Shawne Merriman, last year's defensive rookie of the year, who made it despite missing four games for flunking a steroid test.

The game will be played in Honolulu on Feb. 10.

Chicago's representatives demonstrate how the Bears won: with defense and special teams.

Three of the seven Bears, led by linebacker Brian Urlacher, are on defense and three are on special teams — kicker Robbie Gould, specialist Brendan Ayanbadejo and rookie return man Devin Hester, who has shattered records with six returns for touchdowns on three punts, two kickoffs and a missed field goal.

Center Olin Kreutz, a perennial at his position, is the only Bears Pro Bowler on offense.

Buffalo linebacker Aaron Schobel and Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker are two of the nine first-time selections on the AFC squad, including Rivers and Wayne.

Arizona safety Adrian Wilson joined 12 others, including Romo, Hester, Gould, San Francisco running back Frank Gore and St. Louis running back Steven Jackson as first-timers on the NFC team.

Guard Will Shields of Kansas City will go for the 12th time, tying a mark held by former Viking Randall McDaniel, also a guard. Another guard, Pittsburgh's Alan Faneca, will represent the AFC for the sixth straight time.

2006 Pro Bowl Rosters

AFC:

Wide Receivers — s-Andre Johnson, Houston; s-Chad Johnson, Cincinnati; Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis; Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis.

Tackles — s-Willie Anderson, Cincinnati; s-Jonathan Ogden, Baltimore; Tarik Glenn, Indianapolis.

Guards — s-Alan Faneca, Pittsburgh; s-Will Shields, Kansas City; Brian Waters, Kansas City.

Centers — s-Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis; Nick Hardwick, San Diego.

Tight Ends — s-Antonio Gates, San Diego; Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City.

Quarterbacks — s-Peyton Manning, Indianapolis; Carson Palmer, Cincinnati; Philip Rivers, San Diego.

Running Backs — s-LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego; Larry Johnson, Kansas City; Willie Parker, Pittsburgh.

Fullback — s-Lorenzo Neal, San Diego.

Defense

Ends — s-Aaron Schobel, Buffalo; s-Jason Taylor, Miami; Derrick Burgess, Oakland.

Interior Linemen — s-Richard Seymour, New England; s-Jamal Williams, San Diego; Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh.

Outside Linebackers — s-Shawne Merriman, San Diego; s-Adalius Thomas, Baltimore; Terrell Suggs, Baltimore.

Inside Linebackers — s-Al Wilson, Denver; Zach Thomas, Miami.

Cornerbacks — s-Champ Bailey, Denver; s-Rashean Mathis, Jacksonville; Chris McAlister, Baltimore.

Strong Safety — s-Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh.

Free Safeties — s-Ed Reed, Baltimore; John Lynch, Denver.

Specialists

Punter — Brian Moorman, Buffalo.

Placekicker — Nate Kaeding, San Diego.

Kick Return Specialist — Justin Miller, New York.

Special Teamer — Kassim Osgood, San Diego.

NFC

Wide Receivers — s-Torry Holt, St. Louis; s-Steve Smith, Carolina; Anquan Boldin, Arizona; Donald Driver, Green Bay.

Tackles — s-Jammal Brown, New Orleans; s-Walter Jones, Seattle; Chris Samuels, Washington.

Guards — s-Shawn Andrews, Philadelphia; s-Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota; Larry Allen, San Francisco.

Centers — s-Olin Kreutz, Chicago; Matt Birk, Minnesota.

Tight Ends — s-Alge Crumpler, Atlanta; Jeremy Shockey, New York.

Quarterbacks — s-Drew Brees, New Orleans; Marc Bulger, St. Louis; Tony Romo, Dallas.

Running Backs — s-Frank Gore, San Francisco; Tiki Barber, New York; Steven Jackson, St. Louis.

Fullback — s-Mack Strong, Seattle.

Defense

Ends — s-Julius Peppers, Carolina; s-Will Smith, New Orleans; Aaron Kampman, Green Bay.

Interior Linemen — s-Tommie Harris, Chicago; s-Kevin Williams, Minnesota; Kris Jenkins, Carolina.

Outside Linebackers — s-Lance Briggs, Chicago; s-DeMarcus Ware, Dallas; Julian Peterson, Seattle.

Inside Linebackers — s-Brian Urlacher, Chicago; Lofa Tatupu, Seattle.

Cornerbacks — s-Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay; s-DeAngelo Hall, Atlanta; Lito Sheppard, Philadelphia.

Strong Safeties — s-Adrian Wilson, Arizona; Roy Williams, Dallas.

Free Safety — s-Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia.

Specialists

Punter — Mat McBriar, Dallas.

Placekicker — Robbie Gould, Chicago.

Kick Return Specialist — Devin Hester, Chicago.

Special Teamer — Brendan Ayanbadejo, Chicago.


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