Five 49ers, Raiders selected for Pro Bowl

Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha missed two games with a badly sprained ankle and then played hurt, part time, in four others, but still was voted as a starter for the Pro Bowl on Tuesday.

He heads a list of three Raiders, also including defensive tackle Richard Seymour and punter Shane Lechler, on the AFC squad. Two 49ers, linebacker Patrick Willis and defensive lineman Justin Smith, were selected to play for the NFC in Honolulu on Jan. 30.

"It's been a tough year for me physically," said Asomugha, who will start for the AFC for a third straight year. "You fight through it, but to still play well and see my teammates also go in, there's not a better feeling,"

Lechler and Seymour were selected to their sixth Pro Bowls, and running back Darren McFadden, tight end Zach Miller, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly and kicker Sebastian Janikowski were named alternates.

Willis, 25, becomes the first 49ers player to make a Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons since Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott.

"Mr. Ronnie Lott is a guy who has done it for a long time," said Willis, who has 153 tackles and a career-high six sacks this year. "And when people mention my name in the same category as his, it's truly an honor. He's a guy whose been there and done it. I'm still a young player trying to learn as I go."

Willis will start for the NFC along with quarterback Michael Vick, who has enjoyed a big comeback season in Philadelphia. Vick sat out two seasons while serving a federal sentence for his involvement in dogfighting, but 20 passing touchdowns and eight rushing touchdowns later, he was selected in a leaguewide vote by NFL players, coaches and fans.

Besides Vick, four other Eagles were selected, including former Cal receiver DeSean Jackson.

Atlanta, which leads the NFC with a 12-3 record, has 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, has six Pro Bowlers, led by quarterback 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.

Four rookies were chosen, with defensive tackle 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.

Complete rosters. B6