NFL: 2011 PRO BOWL-WHAT TO LOOK FOR
NFL MEDIA
January 26, 2011
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
— 2011 Pro Bowl —
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
— 2011 Pro Bowl —
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 quarterback PEYTON 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
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