There's not much magic to the Pro Bowl anymore, despite the presence of the best players from the NFC and AFC facing off against each other ... well, the best players that felt like playing an extra, meaningless exhibition after the season ended. Still, Sunday's rosters host an impressive list of talent. But not every NFL player enjoyed the success that those in Hawaii did. For every Peyton Manning, there was a Dan Orlovsky. For every Adrian Peterson, there was a Chris Perry. So which players suffered through the most miserable 2008 seasons? Find out after the jump, as FanHouse reveals its Anti-Pro Bowl starters and backups.
Worst of the Worst
Quarterback: Marc Bulger, St. Louis: Started 15 games in the Rams' 2-14 season. He turned the ball over 17 times, finished No. 30 on the QB passer rating list and had just one game with multiple touchdown passes.
Reserves: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Cincinnati; Derek Anderson, Cleveland
Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images
Running back: Julius Jones, Seattle: Rushed for just two touchdowns and 698 yards while playing in 15 games.
Reserves: Joseph Addai, Indianapolis; Ryan Grant, Green Bay; Justin Fargas, Oakland
ohn Froschauer, AP
Wide receiver: Braylon Edwards, Cleveland: The Browns faithful turned on Edwards, as he caught just three TD passes and dropped plenty of balls.
-- Bryant Johnson, San Francisco: With 546 receiving yards, Johnson's once-promising career took another tumble.
Reserves: Shaun McDonald, Detroit; Justin McCareins, Tennessee
Rex Brown, Getty Images
Tight End: Alex Smith, Tampa Bay: Once considered a rising star, Smith continued to slump in 2009, making just two catches in the final six weeks and getting 298 receiving yards total.
Reserves: Desmond Clark, Chicago; Reggie Kelly, Cincinnati; Justin Peelle, Atlanta
Jamie Squire, Getty Images
Offensive tackle: Stacy Andrews, Cincinnati: The team's expensive franchise player, allowed 9.5 sacks in 15 starts.
-- Jeff Backus, Detroit: Made 16 starts for the winless Lions, but allowed 9.25 sacks and got flagged for numerous penalties
Reserves: Adam Snyder, San Francisco; John St. Clair, Chicago
Doug Pensinger, Getty Images
Offensive guards: Richie Incognito, St. Louis: He allowed 6.5 sacks in 15 starts and nearly cost the Rams a win at Washington with a penalty.
-- Derrick Dockery, Buffalo: Dockery coughed up more sacks than any other left guard, allowing 8.25 in 16 games.
Reserves: Anthony Herrera, Minnesota; Dennis Norman, Jacksonville
G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images
Center: Dominic Raiola, Detroit: Earned a spot on the Anti-Pro Bowl roster when he gave some disgruntled Lions fans the finger, then invited any detractors to come to his house and fight him.
Reserves: Casey Rabach, Washington; Justin Hartwig, Pittsburgh
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
Defensive tackle: John Henderson, Jacksonville: For the second straight year, the Jags' beefy defensive lineman turned in just two sacks.
-- Adam Carriker, St. Louis: In nine starts and 15 games, Carriker recorded no sacks.
Reserve: Jamal Anderson, Atlanta
Stephan Savoia, AP
Defensive end: Turk McBride, Kansas City: The Chiefs second-year man started nine games, but never managed a sack.
-- Shaun Smith, Cleveland: The trash-talking lineman also had no sacks, and reportedly punched teammate Brady Quinn.
Reserves: Aubrayo Franklin, San Francisco; Anthony Weaver, Houston
G. Newman Lowrance, Getty Images
Linebacker: Willie McGinest, Cleveland: Teams constantly exploited the aging McGinest, and he had just 56 tackles in 14 starts.
-- Paris Lenon, Detroit: Lenon had 121 tackles and still managed to look lost in Detroit's horrid defense.
-- Morlon Greenwood, Houston: He made only 45 tackles in 10 starts.
Tony Dejak, AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-08-2009 @ 4:05PM
P J said...
Since the Pro-Bowl will not be played in Hawaii after this year, even more of the players will not want to make the trip.
Reply
2-08-2009 @ 8:53PM
gtxtra84 said...
Pro bowl will be back in Hawaii after one year away. It makes no sense for it to be gone and stick it before the Superbowl. It stops all the Superbowl bound players from playing in it and thats usually 1/3 of your voted in players. This is also the marquee matchup all star game played in Hawaii and has become a long time tradition. Other cities like Miami have been whining about it when they get College and Pro games all the time and they make a killing and they are trying to take away the pro bowl. It is going back to Hawaii where it rightfully belongs. Not only for the tradition, but because the players love the laid back atmosphere; the chance to take friends and family and even coaching staff or team mates that were largely responsible for their success, or in some cases, some guys have simply finally made it as part of that long honeymoon with the young bride. Hawaii is truely something special and the Pro Bowl should return to stay forever!
2-08-2009 @ 5:56PM
Adam said...
Suisham is horrible, and I hope he goes. D-Hall didn't play too bad when he came to the Skins, and there are guys more deserving of being here than him.
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2-08-2009 @ 7:45PM
junior said...
How many more years in this economy does pro football think the fans are going to deal with the excessive salaries. Pro bowl $22,500 for less than 15 minutes of playing time for the losers.
Reply
2-08-2009 @ 11:13PM
David said...
It was boring, Half the seats empty, Looked like a flag football game, Game was played at half speed.
Bag it! 7 months to go and,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Are you ready for some football!!!!!
Go Eagles!!! You suck Dallas!!!
Reply
2-09-2009 @ 2:02AM
xxgnomecopxx said...
Leigh Bodden? c'mon, he's about all detroit had going for them. Sure he had one INT all year, but I watched him break up plenty of passes that would have resulted in a TD this season. This is the same guy who made it onto Ocho Cincos "list of players who can cover me" a few seasons back. I am a Vikings fan, and I for one hope we give him a look during free agencey. I'll take him over Cedric Griffin, he dosn't impress me. Keep Antoine Winfield, hes the better of the two.
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2-09-2009 @ 10:08AM
chuckie said...
This might be a better idea. Send the forty or so worst players for a week in Hawaii then turn them loose. The big names can easily afford to go any time they want and don't need a free vacation week to play in a game that no one really gives a crap about.
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