By Dave Goldberg
The Associated Press

The Tennessee Titans are using the snub by Pro Bowl voters to motivate them for a run at the Super Bowl. For what it's worth, here's some disincentive: Steve McNair is the MVP.

Anyone can make a case for Rich Gannon, Michael Vick, Ricky Williams, Brett Favre, Priest Holmes and several others. But McNair has been the main reason the Titans have won nine of their last 10.

"That's our Superman and our Pro Bowler right there," says safety Lance Schulters, who might have made the Pro Bowl himself.

Forget stats. McNair's passer rating of 85.1 is tied with Kerry Collins, just below Jeff Garcia and Brian Griese.

But the rating doesn't measure value. Two weeks ago, in a 24-7 win over New England, McNair was just 11-for-24 for 136 yards but ran six times for 49 yards and two TDs and basically won the game for Tennessee.

His passer rating for that game was a dismal 46.5.

Who needs passer ratings?

McNair is the MVP.

Other winners:

Coach of the Year: Andy Reid, Philadelphia. No contest, given how the Eagles reacted when Donovan McNabb went down.

Offensive Player: Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis. Again, no contest. His receptions total is mind-boggling.

Defensive Player: Jason Taylor, Miami, over Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay, and Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia. Very close, but Taylor's pass-rushing presence gives him the nod.

Offensive Rookie: Clinton Portis, Denver, over Jeremy Shockey, Giants. Close, but when a rookie runs for more than 1,000 yards, he has more impact.

Defensive Rookie: It should be Julius Peppers of Carolina. But getting suspended knocks him out. So make it Roy Williams, Dallas, followed by Ed Reed, Baltimore, both safeties.

Comeback Player: Tommy Maddox, Pittsburgh. Two-time comeback, once from nowhere (insurance business and the XFL), the second time from a frightening concussion and neck injury. Honorable mention: Drew Bledsoe, Buffalo. Special mention: Robert Edwards, Miami, who overcame an almost totally wrecked knee.

All-Pro

WR: Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis; Terrell Owens, San Francisco. Special mention for a guy who has been ignored, Amani Toomer of the Giants. He's third in the league in yards receiving.

TE: Jeremy Shockey, Giants. Todd Heap of Baltimore is coming on. Lots of good young TEs on the way

T: Tra Thomas, Philadelphia; Lincoln Kennedy, Oakland. Kennedy was a disappointment early in his career (weight problems) but is now a stud.

G: Alan Faneca, Pittsburgh; Will Shields, Kansas City.

C: Casey Wiegmann, Kansas City.

QB: Steve McNair, Tennessee.

RB: Ricky Williams, Miami; Priest Holmes, Kansas City. No-brainer.

FB: Fred Beasley, San Francisco. How Mike Alstott, who's not a fullback, annually makes the Pro Bowl at this position defies logic.

K: Adam Vinatieri, New England (right-footed), and David Akers, Philadelphia (left-footed). Depending on which way the wind is blowing.

KR: Michael Lewis, New Orleans, and Dante Hall, Kansas City. Depending on which side of the field the ball is kicked.

DE: Jason Taylor, Miami; Simeon Rice, Tampa Bay. They're 1-2 in the league in sacks. That shouldn't be the criterion, but it usually is, and they deserve it anyway.

DT: Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay; Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh. Hampton will never make an official team because he's a 3-4 nose tackle without stats. Sapp talks, but he also plays. Special mention: Darwin Walker, Philadelphia, a journeyman having a career year.

OLB: Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay; Peter Boulware, Baltimore. Boulware's the only star left in the Ravens' defense.

MLB: Brian Urlacher, Chicago. For those who want two, add Zach Thomas, Miami.

CB: Pat Surtain, Miami; Troy Vincent, Philadelphia.

S: Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia, and Rod Woodson, Oakland, who may be having his best season in a decade at age 37.

P: Todd Sauerbrun, Carolina. One of the few punters who's not only good but has the ego and mouth of a regular player. The venerable Sean Landeta was a candidate, but he's hurt now. Chris Gardocki of Cleveland is a left-footer, but he's not having a good enough year for two punters.

Dirty dozen

The top six and bottom six teams based on current level of play.

1. Philadelphia (12-4). If the Eagles get home-field advantage, they're going to San Diego.

2. Tennessee (10-5). Playing like the AFC Super Bowl team.

3. Oakland (11-5). If the Titans aren't headed to the big game, the Raiders are.

4. Green Bay (12-3). No one wants to play at Lambeau in January.

5. Pittsburgh (9-5-1). Maddox is back in form.

6. New York Giants (10-6). The offense hasn't been this good in 35 years.

27. Houston (4-11). Nice start for Dom Capers.

28. Chicago (4-13). Does Dick Jauron get another shot because of all the injuries?

29. Detroit (3-12). Dennis Green will have a lot of rebuilding to do.

30. Dallas (5-10). Tuna will have a lot of rebuilding to do.

31. Cincinnati (2-13). In typical Bungles fashion, will blow first pick in draft.

32. New Orleans (9-6). Can't lose to Cincy. Whatever the official line, Aaron Brooks is hurting.

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