Is the Probowl Selection Process Really Based on Numbers? Or on "Last Name?" Let's Analize

As I am writing this blog, I am coming fresh off of winning the Yahoo Fantasy Football SB for my league and owe a big thank you to no other than Cam Newton. He (As well as having Megatron, and Shady McCoy) was without a doubt one of the biggest reasons I won the whole thing. I watched him with great admiration and delight as he blossomed as a QB in a league where many of his critics thought he would be the biggest bust since Jamarcus Russell. I can't help but think of Kool Mo Dee's old joint "How you Like Me Now" bumpin through my head when I consider the ridiculous commnents made by the so called "draft analysts" who ironically seem to say the same things about every African American QB who comes out of college. Yet these same "experts" are the same ones who rode the coat tails of then rookie QBs such as Tim Couch, David Carr, Joey Harrington, Ryan Leaf, and a boat load of other "white QBs" who they all thought were going to be the best thing since sliced bread at the next level. We all know how those stories turned out. Which brings me to the subject of the probowl balloting process.

With the release of the NFC's selection, I have to say that I am thoroughly disgusted with the addition of one Eli Manning. I understand that this process is supposed to be based on the production of a player throughout the season as well as the voting of coaches, players, and fans alike, but can't help wondering how many fans voted for the addition of Manning over Newton? In my mind when I look at the season these two men had it's not even a close debate. Eli Manning will never be the QB Peyton is in my mind and as far as I'm concerned the only reason he's mentioned at all in any conversation is due to the fact he is riding off the coat tail of his more famous older brother. Eli is a "good" QB. He's not an "elite" QB. What Cam Newton accomplished this year is unprecedented for a player especially at his position. The man had no training camp whatsoever and took a mediocre offense to the brink of greatness...AS A ROOKIE. Why is this man not in the Probowl? This is just a classic example of how shaky the selection process is for this meaningless game. Newton's snub is not the 1st nor will it be the last, but if I could make a change to the way players are sent to Honolulu, I would add one more category for player consideration: "Excitability factor." I think we can all agree that the prowbowl will never be as big a stage as the SB, but if it had more of the game's exciting players it would be more enjoyable to watch. I have never been a big fan of the Probowl to begin with and most certainly have no desire to watch it now minus Newton.