Six Giants head NFC Pro Bowl squad

Dec 16, 2008 - 11:24 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- A stellar season following a Super Bowl championship has paid dividends for the New York Giants.

The Giants, who share the league's best record, placed six players on the NFC Pro Bowl squad, which was announced Tuesday.

It was the most players sent to the Pro Bowl by the Giants since the 1990 Super Bowl team had seven selections. Last season, the reigning Super Bowl champs sent just one player - Osi Umenyiora - to Hawaii.

Defensive end Justin Tuck, guard Chris Snee, placekicker John Carney and punter Jeff Feagles were named starters for the Giants. Quarterback Eli Manning and center Shaun O'Hara were selected as reserves.

Carney's 14 years between selections marks the longest in NFL history, while Manning became part of the first brother combination to be named to the same Pro Bowl at the position. Peyton Manning was named the AFC's starting quarterback.

"You always want to be considered to be elite and play to the best of your abilities to be recognized across the league for what you are doing," Eli Manning said. "It is such an honor having great players that are out there to be chosen by the fans and by the players and coaches. It is really a tribute to our whole team and how we have played in our offense for protecting me and making plays."

The Minnesota Vikings also placed six players on the squad, including four starters in running back Adrian Peterson, the league's leading rusher, guard Steve Hutchinson, defensive tackle Kevin Williams and cornerback Antoine Winfield. Teammates joining them were defensive tackle Pat Williams and defensive end Jared Allen.

The Arizona Cardinals providing a dominating presence on the offensive side of the ball with quarterback Kurt Warner and wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin named to the starting squad. Cardinals strong safety Adrian Wilson and special-teams standout Sean Morey also were named starters.

"To be honored as one of the best at what you do, you can never downplay that," Boldin said. "At this point, I am more concerned about respect of players rather than Pro Bowls. Players and coaches watch film, they know exactly what is going on."

Tight end Jason Witten and NFL sacks leader DeMarcus Ware head a five-player contingent for the Dallas Cowboys - down from the team's record 13 selections a year ago. Center Andre Gurode and defensive tackle Jay Ratliff also earned berths on the starting squad while guard Leonard Davis was named as a reserve.

Fullback Mike Sellers was the only starter among four players for the Washington Redskins. He was joined by running back Clinton Portis, offensive tackle Chris Samuels and tight end Chris Cooley.

Veteran Walter Jones of the Seattle Seahawks earned his ninth Pro Bowl berth at offensive tackle along with Jordan Gross, a first-time selection and one of four Carolina Panthers to be honored.

Gross' teammate, defensive end Julius Peppers, was named a starter at defensive end - his fourth Pro Bowl berth. Teammate Jon Beason was a reserve at middle linebacker while Steve Smith was a backup at wide receiver.

"It's a huge honor to be recognized at the top of an elite group of players," Gross said. "It says a lot about our team this year that we had four guys selected; I'm just proud to be one of them."

Rounding out the offense was New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who is chasing Dan Marino's NFL record of 5,084 yards in a season, and two players from the Atlanta Falcons - running back Michael Turner and wideout Roddy White.

Lance Briggs of the Chicago Bears joins Ware as a starter at outside linebacker with Tampa Bay's Derrick Brooks as a reserve. It was the 11th selection for Brooks, second all-time to Junior Seau for linebackers.

Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers is the starter at middle linebacker, his second selection in as many years.

"I'm still thrilled to get the news," Willis said. "I really didn't think I was going to make it back over there this year."

Charles Woodson and Nick Collins of the Green Bay Packers were named starters at cornerback and free safety, respectively. They were backed up by Philadelphia's Asante Samuel and Brian Dawkins.

Tampa Bay rookie Clifton Smith was selected as the kick return specialist.