Posted by ESPN.com's Mike McAllister
HONOLULU -- Super Bowl MVP means everything. Pro Bowl MVP means you probably tried a little harder than the 85 other players who spent the week basking under the Hawaiian sun and ordering one too many Mai Tais.
But despite the contrasting degrees of importance in the two awards, we're still talking about the NFL's only two bowl MVPs each season. So that got us to thinking: What year has seen the best set of bowl MVPs? And what year has seen the worst?
We went back to 1973, when the Pro Bowl began awarding one MVP award instead of separate ones (for back and linemen, then for offense and defense). A couple of years stand out as the best: 1977, with Fred Biletnikoff (Super Bowl and Mel Blount (Pro Bowl), two Hall of Famers; and 1978, with Randy White (co-MVP with Harvey Martin) and Walter Payton (Pro Bowl), another pair of Hall of Famers.
And the worst? Well, we might have to go with 2003, when Bucs safety Dexter Jackson won the Super Bowl MVP (thanks to fan voting) and Dolphins RB Ricky Williams followed a week later with the Pro Bowl award.
So who will join Giants QB Eli Manning as a bowl MVP this year? Here are our five best guesses:
1. QB Peyton Manning (AFC) ... You just know he doesn't like to be upstaged by his little brother.
2. QB Tony Romo (NFC) ... He's determined to overcome the Jessica Jinx.
3. ST Devin Hester (NFC) ... Expect him to break a couple of long returns in a game in which kick coverage units are suspect.
5. CB Antonio Cromartie (AFC) ... The NFL's interception leader (10) makes big things happen after the pick. And you can bet there will be a few errant passes.
4. RB Marion Barber (NFC) ... Only knows one way to play -- full-blast.
Who's your choice to be the MVP on Sunday? Or has your interest in pro football gone into hibernation until the draft?
