One man's Pro Bowl team -- NFC

Quarterback
Starter: Kurt Warner, Cardinals
Reserves: Drew Brees, Saints; Tony Romo, Cowboys
Apologies to: Aaron Rodgers, Packers

A tough call for the starting spot, but Warner gets the edge over Brees for his consistency and because the Cardinals have been the more successful team. Romo still ranks among the NFC leaders in many categories despite missing three games, and his value to the offense was underlined when he was out.

Running Back
Starter: Adrian Peterson, Vikings
Reserves: Clinton Portis, Redskins; Matt Forte, Bears
Apologies to: Michael Turner, Falcons; DeAngelo Willliams, Panthers; Brandon Jacobs, Giants

Peterson was the only easy choice here. Portis was a dominant player when healthy earlier in the year and is well-deserving, while Forte just makes the cut in a deep pool due to the rookie's talents as a receiver.

Fullback
Starter: Mike Sellers, Redskins
Apologies to: Madison Hedgecock, Giants; Brad Hoover, Panthers

One of the few choices that the Redskins faithful and I agree on. Sellers is a punishing lead blocker with a tad more versatility than the other candidates.

Wide Receiver
Starters: Anquan Boldin, Cardinals; Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
Reserves: Roddy White, Falcons; Steve Smith, Panthers
Apologies to: Greg Jennings, Packers

It's hard to leave Jennings off the list here, but how can you dispute the top four choices? Smith doesn't have quite the overall numbers as the rest of this group, but remember that he missed the first two games.

Tight End
Starter: Jason Witten, Cowboys
Reserve: Chris Cooley, Redskins

T.O.'s going to be even more jealous when Witten receives his fifth straight trip to Honolulu.

Offensive Tackle
Starters: Jordan Gross, Panthers; Jammal Brown, Saints
Reserve: Tyson Clabo, Falcons
Apologies to: Kareem McKenzie, Giants; Walter Jones, Seahawks

Gross has flawlessly handled a shift from the right to left side in the Panthers' rebound year, while Brown's protection skills are a big reason why Brees throws for 320 yards every week. The Falcons deserve at least one player from a line that's been sensational, and Clabo's been a mauler at right tackle who's held his own as a protector. Jones' streak of Pro Bowl trips may end due to an injury-plagued year and Seattle's horrendous team.

Guard
Starters: Steve Hutchinson, Vikings; Chris Snee, Giants
Reserve: Leonard Davis, Cowboys
Apologies to: Harvey Dahl, Falcons

With Shawn Andrews out of the picture, Snee should finally get a long-overdue selection. Hutchinson had another standout year paving the way for Peterson, while Davis was one of the few bright spots on an underachieving Dallas front wall.

Center
Starter: Matt Birk, Vikings
Reserve: Shaun O'Hara, Giants
Apologies to: Eric Heitmann, 49ers; Olin Kreutz, Bears

Birk continues to play at a high level and is worthy of a seventh career nod. O'Hara, the anchor of a Giants' line some consider the best in football, deserves to go too.

Defensive End
Starters: Justin Tuck, Giants; Julius Peppers, Panthers
Reserve: Jared Allen, Vikings
Apologies to: John Abraham, Falcons

Both Tuck and Peppers have been relentless for the NFC's two best teams. It's really hard to leave out Abraham, who's been sensational for the surprising Falcons, but Allen's been equally as good in his first year in Minnesota.

Defensive Tackle
Starters: Kevin Williams, Vikings; Jay Ratliff, Cowboys
Reserve: Pat Williams, Vikings
Apologies to: Fred Robbins, Giants; Tommie Harris, Bears

No team is harder to run up the middle against than the Vikings because of the two Williamses, and Kevin has excelled as a pass-rusher as well. So has Ratliff, one of the few Cowboys who can be considered overlooked.

Outside Linebacker
Starters: DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys; Lance Briggs, Bears
Reserve: Chad Greenway, Vikings
Apologies to: Karlos Dansby, Cardinals

Ware, who has a sack in all but one game this year, is a lock, while Briggs has been more of a factor than his more-heralded teammate Brian Urlacher. Flip a coin between Greenway and Dansby, both of whom have been real playmakers for their teams.

Inside Linebacker
Starter: Patrick Willis, 49ers
Reserve: Jon Beason, Panthers
Apologies to: Barrett Ruud, Buccaneers; Bradie James, Cowboys; London Fletcher, Redskins

One of the deepest spots in the conference, as Ruud, James and Fletcher have all made strong cases. I went with the two second-year studs that could be dominating this position for a long time.

Cornerback
Starter: Charles Woodson, Packers; Asante Samuel, Eagles
Reserve: Carlos Rogers, Redskins
Apologies to: Corey Webster, Giants; Antoine Winfield, Vikings

Woodson has been terrific despite playing through a turf-toe problem since September, while Samuel has lived up to the huge free-agent deal he signed with the Eagles in March. Both Rogers and Webster have had breakthrough campaigns as stoppers on excellent defenses.

Safety
Starters: Adrian Wilson, Cardinals; Nick Collins, Packers
Reserve: Quintin Mikell, Eagles
Apologies to: LaRon Landry, Redskins; Jermaine Phillips, Buccaneers; O.J. Atogwe, Rams

Collins goes as the most productive free safety in the league this season, although Atogwe has made a lot of plays on a horrible St. Louis defense. Mikell has supplanted the aging Brian Dawkins as Philadelphia's impact safety.

Kicker: Jason Hanson, Lions
Punter: Brad Maynard, Bears
Kick Returner: Clifton Smith, Buccaneers
Special Teamer: Chase Blackburn, Giants
Apologies to: Ryan Longwell, Vikings (K); Josh Brown, Rams (K); Donnie Jones, Rams (P); Allen Rossum, 49ers (KR)

The Lions actually have a deserving player in Hanson, who has nailed 19-of-20 three-pointers and is an awesome 7-of-7 from beyond 50 yards. Smith started the year on the practice squad but has scored two return touchdowns in just six games. Maynard has been a wizard at pinning opponents deep.

Most Selections: Vikings (7)
Shut Out: Seahawks, Rams