Monday, January 25, 2010

NFL Pro Bowl: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb leads slew of replacements

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb has earned his sixth trip to the Pro Bowl and was among at least six replacements selected for players competing in the Super Bowl after the Colts and Saints clinched the AFC and NFC titles Sunday.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb leads slew of replacements

McNabb

McNabb replaces Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Nine Eagles players are slated to play in this year's game, including safety Quintin Mikell, who was also added Monday.

This year's Pro Bowl is being held Sunday, a week before the Super Bowl, rather than after the end of the season as in years past.

Jaguars quarterback David Garrard, Steelers tight end Heath Miller, Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and Redskins linebacker London Fletcher were also named as additions.

Mikell, who joined the Eagles as an undrafted free agent out of Boise State, replaces the Saints' Darren Sharper. It was Mikell's first Pro Bowl nod.

Garrard, who passed for 3,597 yards, with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 60.9 completion percentage in 2009, will replace Peyton Manning as a backup, The Florida Times-Union reported. Garrard joins Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew on the AFC's roster.


2010 NFL Pro Bowl

The Pro Bowl will be played before the Super Bowl for the first time Sunday at Miami's Sun Life Stadium, the home of Super Bowl XLIV. Coverage | Rosters

Vanden Bosch, who had three sacks and 44 tackles this season, was named to his third Pro Bowl, according to The Tennessean of Nashville, as Colts defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis won't be available.

Titans running back Chris Johnson, quarterback Vince Young and center Kevin Mawae have also been selected.

"It surprised me and it surprised a lot of people," Vanden Bosch said, according to the newspaper. "But it shows a lot of people -- offense and defense -- still respect the way I play and the way I bring it. The coaches and players got me in with their votes, so that is a great sign of respect."

Miller will replace Colts tight end Dallas Clark, and Fletcher will be added in place of Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

It will be the first Pro Bowl appearances for Miller and Fletcher.

Miller set career highs with 76 receptions and 789 yards for Pittsburgh this season. Fletcher had 95 tackles and two sacks.

Miller joins defensive tackle Casey Hampton and linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley as the four Steelers to make the Pro Bowl. Last week Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger also was selected as an alternate to replace the injured Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. But Roethlisberger turned down the invite after team doctors recommended he rest a shoulder injury that was suffered in Pittsburgh's regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins.

Fletcher joins Redskins rookie linebacker Brian Orakpo.



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