Manning boys at war in Pro Bowl

Peyton and Eli Manning have become the first quarterback brothers picked for the same Pro Bowl. Eli is one of six New York Giants to be called up to the NFC squad. Indianapolis Colts play-maker Peyton has been named on the AFC squad. The Giants, the Super Bowl champions will send the most players to the Pro Bowl since seven of the 1990 Super Bowl-winning team were selected.

Defensive end Justin Tuck, guard Chris Snee, place-kicker John Carney and punter Jeff Feagles were named as starters, while Manning and centre Shaun O'Hara are reserves. Carney's 14 years between selections marks the longest in NFL history. "You always want to be considered to be elite and play to the best of your abilities to be recognised across the league for what you are doing," Eli Manning said.

"It is such an honour having great players that are out there to be chosen by the fans and by the players and coaches. "It is really a tribute to our whole team and how we have played in our offence." The Minnesota Vikings also have six players on the squad, including four starters in running back Adrian Peterson, the league's leading rusher, guard Steve Hutchinson, defensive tackle Kevin Williams and cornerback Antoine Winfield.

Teammates joining them were defensive tackle Pat Williams and defensive end Jared Allen. The Arizona Cardinals provide a dominating presence on the offence with quarterback Kurt Warner and wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin named as starters. Cardinals strong safety Adrian Wilson and special-teams stand-out Sean Morey will also start. "To be honoured as one of the best at what you do, you can never down play that," Boldin said. "At this point, I am more concerned about the respect of players rather than Pro Bowls. Players and coaches watch film, they know what is going on."

Tightend Jason Witten and NFL sacks leader DeMarcus Ware head a five-player contingent for the Dallas Cowboys - down from the team's record 13 selections a year ago. Centre Andre Gurode and defensive tackle Jay Ratliff have been named as starters while guard Leonard Davis was named as a reserve. Despite throwing an NFL-high 17 interceptions this season, Brett Favre was one of seven members of the New York Jets named to the AFC roster.

The seven picks are the most in Jets' history and topped all NFL teams. Among AFC clubs, the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens were next with six and five selections, respectively. In his first season with the Jets, Favre, 38, was named to the Pro Bowl for the 10th time, tying Johnny Unitas' record for quarterbacks. The NFL's all-time leader in passing yards who also holds the NFL record for most wins by a quarterback, Favre's first nine Pro Bowl selections came as a member of the Green Bay Packers.

Other members of the Jets named to the team were running back Thomas Jones, guard Alan Faneca, inside lineman Kris Jenkins, centre Nick Mangold, corner back Darrelle Revis and kick returner Leon Washington. Jones, the AFC's leading rusher who has scored a franchise-record 15 touchdowns, will start at running back. He will be joined in the backfield by Miami's Ronnie Brown and Tennessee rookie Chris Johnson.

Starting at tight end will be Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez, who also earned his 10th Pro Bowl selection, the most in NFL history at that position. * Agencies