5 Bears named to Pro Bowl
Angelo now has selected eight Pro Bowl players in the last nine drafts.
Forte was one of five Bears players named to the NFC squad, joining linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, cornerback Charles Tillman and special teamer Corey Graham. Like Forte, Tillman and Graham are first-time selections.
Briggs made it known before the season he wants his contract re-worked and he now has made the NFC's Pro Bowl team seven consecutive seasons.
"I would hope (making the Pro Bowl raises my value)," Graham said. Forte is the first Bears running back to be named to the Pro Bowl since Neal Anderson in 1991. Graham is the eighth special teams player to be named to the Pro Bowl for the Bears since Dave Toub was hired as coordinator in 2004. Returner Devin Hester, who scored three touchdowns this season, lost in his bid for a fourth Pro Bowl as Cardinals rookie Patrick Peterson was chosen. Five Pro Bowlers is the most the Bears have had since eight in the 2006 Super Bowl season. First-time players like Tillman and Graham typically play in the game. Urlacher has not played in the Pro Bowl since 2004.
Pro Bowl Rosters 2012: 8 Patriots And 49ers Lead Pro Bowl Rosters
Linebacker Willis, DE Justin Smith, cornerback Carlos Rogers and tackle Joe Staley will start for the NFC from the 49ers (12-3), who had only Smith and Willis make the Pro Bowl last year.
Green Bay's Rodgers is the starting NFC quarterback, backed by record-setting Drew Brees of New Orleans (12-3).
Four of the NFL's biggest headline makers this season did not get voted in by players, coaches and fans: Lions DT Ndamukong Suh, Steelers LB James Harrison, Panthers rookie QB Cam Newton, and Denver QB Tim Tebow.
Fifteen first-time Pro Bowlers made the NFC squad, including Rogers, Staley and safety Dashon Goldson of the 49ers. Thirteen AFC players were first-time selections, including Gronkowski, Carter and Slater of New England. The kick return specialist is Pittsburgh WR Antonio Brown, and the special-teams player is Slater.
NFC starters will be Rodgers, Eagles RB LeSean McCoy, Packers FB John Kuhn, Graham, Panthers C Ryan Kalil, Saints guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks, Eagles tackle Jason Peters and Staley, Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald and Lions WR Calvin Johnson on offense.
AFC starters will be Brady, Ravens RB Ray Rice and FB Vonta Leach, Gronkowski, Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey, Mankins and Waters at guard, Browns tackles Joe Thomas and Dolphins tackle Jake Long, Welker and Steelers WR Mike Wallace.
On defense, it will be Broncos DE Elvis Dumervil replacing Carter, Colts DE Dwight Freeney, Wilfork and Ravens DT Haloti Ngata, Miller and Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs, Lewis, Jets CB Darrelle Revis and Broncos CB Champ Bailey, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and Ravens safety Ed Reed.
Players who make the Super Bowl will be replaced on the Pro Bowl rosters.
Angelo now has selected eight Pro Bowl players in the last nine drafts.
Forte was one of five Bears players named to the NFC squad, joining linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, cornerback Charles Tillman and special teamer Corey Graham. Like Forte, Tillman and Graham are first-time selections.
Briggs made it known before the season he wants his contract re-worked and he now has made the NFC's Pro Bowl team seven consecutive seasons.
"I would hope (making the Pro Bowl raises my value)," Graham said. Forte is the first Bears running back to be named to the Pro Bowl since Neal Anderson in 1991. Graham is the eighth special teams player to be named to the Pro Bowl for the Bears since Dave Toub was hired as coordinator in 2004. Returner Devin Hester, who scored three touchdowns this season, lost in his bid for a fourth Pro Bowl as Cardinals rookie Patrick Peterson was chosen. Five Pro Bowlers is the most the Bears have had since eight in the 2006 Super Bowl season. First-time players like Tillman and Graham typically play in the game. Urlacher has not played in the Pro Bowl since 2004.
Pro Bowl Rosters 2012: 8 Patriots And 49ers Lead Pro Bowl Rosters
Linebacker Willis, DE Justin Smith, cornerback Carlos Rogers and tackle Joe Staley will start for the NFC from the 49ers (12-3), who had only Smith and Willis make the Pro Bowl last year.
Green Bay's Rodgers is the starting NFC quarterback, backed by record-setting Drew Brees of New Orleans (12-3).
Four of the NFL's biggest headline makers this season did not get voted in by players, coaches and fans: Lions DT Ndamukong Suh, Steelers LB James Harrison, Panthers rookie QB Cam Newton, and Denver QB Tim Tebow.
Fifteen first-time Pro Bowlers made the NFC squad, including Rogers, Staley and safety Dashon Goldson of the 49ers. Thirteen AFC players were first-time selections, including Gronkowski, Carter and Slater of New England. The kick return specialist is Pittsburgh WR Antonio Brown, and the special-teams player is Slater.
NFC starters will be Rodgers, Eagles RB LeSean McCoy, Packers FB John Kuhn, Graham, Panthers C Ryan Kalil, Saints guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks, Eagles tackle Jason Peters and Staley, Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald and Lions WR Calvin Johnson on offense.
AFC starters will be Brady, Ravens RB Ray Rice and FB Vonta Leach, Gronkowski, Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey, Mankins and Waters at guard, Browns tackles Joe Thomas and Dolphins tackle Jake Long, Welker and Steelers WR Mike Wallace.
On defense, it will be Broncos DE Elvis Dumervil replacing Carter, Colts DE Dwight Freeney, Wilfork and Ravens DT Haloti Ngata, Miller and Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs, Lewis, Jets CB Darrelle Revis and Broncos CB Champ Bailey, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and Ravens safety Ed Reed.
Players who make the Super Bowl will be replaced on the Pro Bowl rosters.
