With just over four weeks remaining before the voting deadline, Packers linebacker Nick Barnett (56,360) and running back Ahman Green (146,790) lead the NFC all-stars for their respective positions in balloting for the 2004 Pro Bowl, the NFL announced Wednesday.
Barnett -- the only rookie leading his position in either conference -- leads the Packers with 90 tackles (66 solo), two sacks and two interceptions through nine games, while Green -- in the top ten of all NFL vote-getters overall -- is second in the NFL in rushing with 1063 yards on 201 carries.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair leads all NFL All-Stars in balloting with 193,070 votes.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (183,420 votes), the NFL's leader in passing yards with 2,475, ranks second overall while Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes (181,471), Indianapolis wide receiver Marvin Harrison (172,056) and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss (167,972) round out the top five.
The balloting continues on NFL.com through December 12. The squads will be announced December 18 on the 2004 Pro Bowl Selection Show on ESPN.
This year's Pro Bowl, played in Honolulu, Hawaii, will be televised live on ESPN at 7:30 PM ET (2:30 PM HT) on February 8.
Sponsored by Motorola and AT&T Wireless, fans may vote on the NFL's website, NFL.com, and can also cast their ballots through November 30 at more than 1,000 AT&T Wireless stores nationwide. For those on the go, Motorola and AT&T Wireless also offer "TEXTdown" wireless balloting. The option gives fans the chance to vote on their Motorola handsets via AT&T Wireless service for their favorite players in the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, defensive end, outside linebacker and cornerback positions.
All fans voting through "TEXTdown" and at participating AT&T Wireless stores will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of four trips for two to the Pro Bowl in Motorola's "Hawaiian Vacation" sweepstakes. The winners will be announced December 18 on the 2004 Pro Bowl Selection Show on ESPN.
The consensus ballots of NFL fans, players and coaches each count one-third towards determining the 43-man rosters that will represent the American and National conferences at Aloha Stadium. Players and coaches will vote on December 15-16.
The NFL is the only professional sports league that combines voting by fans, players and coaches in determining its all-star teams. The NFL became the first professional sports league to offer online voting in 1995.
Listed below are the top 10 overall All-Star vote-getters and the players with the most votes at each position through November 9:
NFL ALL-STAR TOP-TEN VOTE-GETTERS
QB Steve McNair, Titans, 193,070
QB Peyton Manning, Colts, 183,420
RB Priest Holmes, Chiefs, 181,471
WR Marvin Harrison, Colts, 172,056
WR Randy Moss, Vikings, 167,972
TE Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs, 159,454
RB Ahman Green, Packers, 146,790
RB Stephen Davis, Panthers, 143,899
RB Jamal Lewis, Ravens, 136,128
TE Jeremy Shockey, Giants, 135,562
AFC LEADING VOTE-GETTERS
QB Steve McNair, Titans, 193,070
DE Jevon Kearse, Titans, 69,269
RB Priest Holmes, Chiefs, 181,471
IL Jason Ferguson, Jets, 45,680
FB Mike Anderson, Broncos, 98,843
OLB Sam Cowart, Jets, 29,669
WR Marvin Harrison, Colts, 172,056
ILB Ray Lewis, Ravens, 63,709
TE Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs, 159,454
CB Patrick Surtain, Dolphins, 54,802
T Willie Roaf, Chiefs, 43,380
SS Ed Reed, Ravens, 18,689
G Will Shields, Chiefs, 42,626
FS Brock Marion, Dolphins, 24,698
C Kevin Mawae, Jets, 26,879
P Shane Lechler, Raiders, 91,708
K Mike Vanderjagt, Colts, 78,430
ST Gary Stills, Chiefs, 14,191
KR Dante Hall, Chiefs, 113,231
NFC LEADING VOTE-GETTERS
QB Daunte Culpepper, Vikings, 134,952
DE Simeon Rice, Buccaneers, 68,814
RB Ahman Green, Packers, 146,790
IL Warren Sapp, Buccaneers, 47,882
FB Richie Anderson, Cowboys, 63,250
OLB LaVar Arrington, Redskins, 29,659
WR Randy Moss, Vikings, 167,972
ILB Nick Barnett, Packers, 56,360
TE Jeremy Shockey, Giants, 135,562
CB Drè Bly, Lions, 57,853
T Orlando Pace, Rams, 34,582
SS Corey Chavous, Vikings, 41,287
G Larry Allen, Cowboys, 50,086
FS Brian Russell, Vikings, 40,739
C Matt Birk, Vikings, 30,905
P Mitch Berger, Saints, 45,780
K Billy Cundiff, Cowboys, 41,281
ST James Whalen, Cowboys, 13,430
KR Eddie Drummond, Lions, 22,515
