Michael Vick, Tom Brady, 4 rookies make Pro Bowl

NEW YORK — Michael Vick's sensational comeback has been spiced by a Pro Bowl start.

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, who sat out two seasons while serving a federal sentence for dogfighting, will start for the NFC in the Jan. 30 Pro Bowl in Honolulu. The honor is yet another major step in Vick's resurgence.

Vick made three Pro Bowls with Atlanta before he was suspended by the league and served jail time for running a dogfighting ring. This season, he has gone from a seldom-used backup to the NFC's leading passer, the catalyst for Philadelphia's dynamic offense. The Eagles had five players selected.

Atlanta, which leads the NFC with a 12-3 record, had the most Pro Bowlers with seven, including quarterback Matt Ryan, receiver Roddy White and defensive end John Abraham.

New England (13-2), the AFC leader, had six Pro Bowlers, led by QB Tom Brady, the league's top passer who will make his sixth trip to the game — providing the Patriots don't make the Super Bowl. The game will be played the Sunday before the title game at Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

Baltimore, Green Bay and Dallas also had five players voted in by players, coaches and fans.

Four rookies were chosen, with DT Ndamukong Suh of Detroit a starter for the NFC. Cornerback Devin McCourty of New England, kick returner Marc Mariani of Tennessee and center Maurkice Pouncey of Pittsburgh made the AFC squad.

"It's a tremendous honor, obviously being a rookie and getting my feet wet in the NFL," Suh said. "I can't expect anything more ... it's only going to make me want to work harder to get back there again."

Altogether, there were seven first-timers on the NFC squad, 14 newcomers for the AFC.

The only teams not represented were Buffalo, Cincinnati, Seattle and Tampa Bay.

Also chosen from the Eagles were receiver DeSean Jackson, tackle Jason Peters, cornerback Asante Samuel and placekicker David Akers. Philadelphia was playing Minnesota on Tuesday night and Vick was not available before the game to comment.

The other Falcons were tight end Tony Gonzalez, fullback Ovie Mughelli, running back Michael Turner and special teamer Eric Weems.

Joining Brady in Honolulu from the Patriots will be McCourty; guard Logan Mankins, who missed a portion of the season in a contract dispute; linebacker Jerod Mayo; safety Brandon Merriweather; and nose tackle Vince Wilfork.

Starting for the NFC with Vick will be White and Detroit's Calvin Johnson at wide receiver, Dallas TE Jason Witten, Atlanta's Turner and Mughelli in the backfield, Peters and Carolina's Jordan Gross at tackle, the Giants' Chris Snee and Saints' Jahri Evans at guard, and Dallas center Andre Gurode.

On defense for the NFC will be ends Julius Peppers of Chicago and Abraham, tackles Suh and Jay Ratliff of Dallas, linebackers Clay Matthews of Green Bay, DeMarcus Ware of Dallas and Patrick Willis of San Francisco, cornerbacks Samuel and Charles Woodson of Green Bay, and safeties Nick Collins of Green Bay and Adrian Wilson of Arizona.

The NFC punter is Dallas' Mat McBriar, while Chicago's Devin Hester is the kick returner.

Backup quarterbacks for the NFC are Ryan and Drew Brees.

Joining Brady on the AFC's starting offense will be WRs Reggie Wayne of Indianapolis and Andre Johnson of Houston, TE Antonio Gates of San Diego, Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew and Houston fullback Vonta Leach, tackles Joe Thomas of Cleveland and Jake Long of Miami, guards Mankins and Kris Dielman of San Diego, and Jets center Nick Mangold.