"They can't get around it. The Pro Bowl falls under the category "postseason honors," and for an NFL player, it remains the reward and symbol of individual excellence in the most team-centric of professional sports.

That the all-star game's now played before the Super Bowl only makes it more difficult for those whose teams don't make it to the playoffs, especially the ones who've become postseason regulars.

For the first time in five years, the Chargers won't be playing a game after their regular-season finale, but the Pro Bowl will be returning to Hawaii and so will some of them. While his nettlesome foot issues presumably might keep tight end Antonio Gates from running around Aloha Stadium on Jan. 30, he was chosen the AFC's starter for the seventh straight year. Offensive left guard Kris Dielman was selected for his fourth Pro Bowl, his second start.

Still in position to finish the season as the NFL's top passer statistically, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers made the roster for the fourth time as a reserve, sharing with Indianapolis' Peyton Manning the backup role behind New England's Tom Brady. This is the fourth time Rivers has been selected, but he has yet to play in the game due to injury (twice) and the birth of his son (last year).

Selections are made via equal vote of fans, coaches and players. Despite missing five games due to injury, Gates was the only Chargers player who led his position in fan voting.

Rivers, the only Chargers quarterback besides Dan Fouts to throw for more than 4,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, placed fourth in the NFL in fan voting with 1,039,618 votes, trailing only Brady (1.87 million), NFC starting quarterback Michael Vick (1.52 million) and Manning (1.13 million).

Named as Pro Bowl alternates were left tackle Marcus McNeill (second alternate), nose tackle Antonio Garay (third) and outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (third), the latter two being members of the NFL's No.?1 defense in terms of yardage allowed and sacks. The Chargers are second in the NFL in total offense and a scoring machine at 27.2 points per game."