DeMeco Goes Pro Bowling, Mario Left Out

Al-Star games are a funny thing. Just like presidential elections, they're largely popularity contests based on name recognition and TV friendliness rather than real hard data. But that doesn't mean that good decisions aren't made from time to time; that the Texans' DeMeco Ryans will be the starting middle linebacker for the AFC in the 2008 Pro Bowl is one of those good decisions.

DeMeco has anchored the Texans defense all year, even in spite of nagging injuries and some weak defensive game plans. Along with the emergence of Mario Williams (more on him in a second), Ryans has helped drive the Texans to respectability and within reach of the playoffs in 2008. DeMeco has led the Texans in tackles seven times, and has been a force on both run and pass defense. Plus, he hurt his PCL last week and is going to finish out the season, not in the trainer's room, but on the field like the competitor he is; he's possibly the best professional athlete in Houston that no one knows about. (In other news, eleven (really) Cowboys made the NFC squad, but who cares.)

Now, about Mario: he's leading the AFC in sacks, he's a legit double-team threat on every play, he's a monster who can't be denied, he did a damn hula dance in a bid to win votes, buuuuuut he'll be staying home unless another defensive end is unable to play in the Pro Bowl. There is much wailing and gnashing of teeth at this hour in the blogosphere over the snub, but we have a sneaking suspicion that the AFC roster may have a Williams on it by the time the game rolls around on February 10th. The rest of the Texans season may be made up playing spoilers in the AFC playoff picture, but for Williams (and fellow AFC alternates Will Demps and Kris Brown) it'll be a showcase of why they deserve to get lei'ed.