Not long ago, six Browns were identified as deserving of selection for the NFL post-season all-star game, commonly known as the Pro Bowl. All six were chosen either as starters (KR Josh Cribbs and WR Braylon Edwards) or first alternates (OLT Joe Thomas, OLG Eric Steinbach, QB Derek Anderson and TE Kellen Winslow, Jr.).

Congratulations to all.

Additionally, FB Lawrence Vickers and PK Phil Dawson are second alternates. Vickers might get to go, since starter Lorenzo Neal of SD is injured; but Lawrence won't be the first invited to replace him.

Perhaps as testimony to the imbalance that exists in the NFC, Dallas had an unconscionable 11 selected, with another an alternate.

The process is oft-referred to as a popularity contest, and this year's crop is probably no exception. Baltimore OLT Jonathan Ogden, for example, was chosen as a backup, though there is no question he is no longer the force of former campaigns. Perhaps it is nonetheless true that he is one of the top three at his position in the AFC. But it is hard to believe he was more deserving than Cleveland's Thomas.

Interestingly, one of the tackles chosen to start ahead of both Ogden and Thomas is Buffalo's Jason Peters, the former Arkansas TE who Butch Davis could've/should've stolen from the Bills' practice squad years ago. Thomas' role model, Walter Jones of Seattle, will start for the NFC, by the way.

Honolulu will see a reunion between Dallas center Andre Gurode and Tennessee DT Albert Haynesworth. The relevance of this is the latter stomped the unhelmeted face of the former last season, drawing a deserved suspension.

A real surprise appears in the AFC's LB corp, where Houston's DeMeco Ryans starts inside (over Ray Lewis) and Pitts' James Harrison (of Akron) outside. Harrison, with Cribbs, Chargers' TE Antonio Gates (all from Kent State) and Miami's Jason Taylor (Akron), give NE Ohio's two MAC schools uncommon representation.

The Chargers and Pats each had eight representatives, with Minnesota sporting seven, including both its DT's, Pat and Kevin Williams. 

It might have been nice to have had more Browns recognized, but possibly of greater importance to the longterm viability of this assemblage would be to have Head Coach Romeo Crennel's coaching staff in charge of one of next month's Senior Bowl squads. Especially without a number-one pick. Those particular insights gleaned from working closely with the prospects always provide a tremendous advantage to the professional organizations assigned.