"Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey is the first alternate for a spot on the AFC's Pro Bowl team.

What does that mean? If one of three AFC cornerbacks, who were selected by a combination of votes from NFL coaches, players and fans, can't play in the Jan. 30 game at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Bailey will.

But it shouldn't have come to that.

Bailey should have been selected to the 10th Pro Bowl of his career, which would have set a record for a position that doesn't favor longevity. Bailey should have been at the front of the line, the first name on the dotted line.

The Raiders' Nnamdi Asomugha, the Jets' Darrelle Revis and Patriots rookie Devin McCourty are the AFC selections at cornerback. They have made a lot of plays this season, so they deserve consideration.

But here's the bottom line: Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was selected to the AFC's Pro Bowl team. Bailey, just days before many teams did their Pro Bowl voting, held Bowe without a catch in man-to-man coverage at Arrowhead Stadium. Bailey held the Ravens' Anquan Boldin to one reception for 8 yards. He held the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald and the Colts' Reggie Wayne without a touchdown.

Wayne, like Bowe, is going to Honolulu.

Toss in the way Bailey plays the run, and he's easily the most well-rounded cornerback of top-tier status at the position.

McCourty has six interceptions. But he plays on a defense that benefits from teaming with the highest-scoring offense in the NFL and a future Hall of Fame quarterback. The Patriots routinely play with a lead, so their opponents often are in desperation mode to catch up. On the last winning team Bailey played for - the Broncos' 9-7 team in 2006 - he intercepted 10 passes. That year, Bailey intercepted almost a third of the passes directed his way. I'm not sure I will ever see that again. So consider Bailey snubbed for defensive MVP that season too."