The Pro Bowl rosters were announced and two Chiefs get first time invites to Hawaii. Inside linebacker Derrick Johnson and outside linebacker Tamba Hali.
Johnson has had a breakthrough season, already establishing a team single-season tackle record (172 tackles) with one game left to play. Hali was a late injury addition to the Pro Bowl last season after he led the conference with 14.5 sacks, but he declined the invitation for personal reasons. This season he is just one sack off the AFC lead heading into the game with Denver.
Last year the Chiefs sent five players to the Pro Bowl and three of them…Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles and Matt Cassel were lost to season ending injuries.
Jefferson City native and former Missouri Tiger Justin Smith is one of eight San Francisco 49ers who were selected to the Pro Bowl. The 11 year vet is having a solid year with 6.5 sacks this year.
No Rams were voted on by the fans, players or coaches, but one of the three NFC running backs, Matt Forte of Chicago is out with an injury. It’s possible that Steven Jackson could be added to the roster.
The Rams player that needs to be there is defensive end Chris Long. He has 13 sacks, but with former Chief Jared Allen from Minnesota and Jason Babin of Philly who leads the NFC in sacks ahead of him, it was a tough hill to climb.