Four Eagles named Pro Bowl starters

Michael Vick's improbable season produced another unforeseen honor when he was named the NFC's starting quarterback for the Pro Bowl on Tuesday.

Vick was one of four Eagles players to be named starters. He was joined by cornerback Asante Samuel, tackle Jason Peters, and kicker David Akers. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson made the team as a reserve.

The NFL announced the rosters before the Eagles faced the Vikings in Tuesday night's snow-delayed game. Voting was made up from three separate components: coaches, players, and fans. Vick finished second only to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in online fan voting.

Several Eagles fell just short of making the team but will have a shot to play in the Jan. 30 game in Hawaii as alternates. Running back LeSean McCoy, defensive end Trent Cole, and guard Todd Herremans were named first alternates. Safety Quintin Mikell and fullback Owen Schmitt were second alternates.

Vick's Pro Bowl selection is the fourth of his career and the first since 2005. He also went in 2002 and 2003, but this is the first time he'll go as the starter.

Of course, that assumes he even goes. If Vick and the Eagles reach the Super Bowl, they would forfeit their spots on the Pro Bowl team.

If Vick is available to play, however, it's a sure bet he'll make the trip.

It's been an amazing journey for the quarterback since he was released from prison in the summer of 2009.

Vick opened the season as the backup, but when Kevin Kolb suffered a concussion in the opener Vick was thrust back into the spotlight. He has yet to give it up. In the nine games in which Vick has started and finished - not including Tuesday night's game - the Eagles are 8-1.

His 103.6 passer rating going into Tuesday's game was best in the NFC and third best overall in the league. He had already equaled career highs in touchdown passes with 20 and in touchdown runs with eight. He needed just 245 passing yards to become the first player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, 500 rushing yards, and eight rushing touchdowns.

Vick, of course, isn't the only Eagle to have a banner year for coach Andy Reid's 10-4 squad. Despite missing four games, Samuel still leads the NFL with seven interceptions. The Pro Bowl nod is the fourth straight of his career and is the longest current streak among NFL cornerbacks.