On Wednesday evening, the NFL announced the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl rosters for the 2012 season.

Pro Bowl voting is made up of three equal parts — a fan vote, a collective players’ vote and a coaches’ vote.

The NFL is the only sports league that combines voting by fans, coaches and players to determine its all-star teams, and members of the media — to the great delight of many — have no votes or real say in the process. YES, UNLIKE THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME, WE DON’T MATTER.

This year’s Pro Bowl teams are awfully tricky. There are several positions — NFC wide receiver, AFC quarterback, NFC linebacker — that are just loaded with talent.

The Pro Bowl rosters have bee announced, but here are my two squads — with some deserving guys I had to leave off, included.

Disagree? Let Peter Schrager hear it over email or on Twitter. That’s what this stuff is all about:

The Tough Decision: Manning and Brady are no-brainers, but the third quarterback spot could have gone to a host of deserving signal callers. I went with Luck, the do-it-all rookie who overcame incredible odds to turn a 2-14 Colts team into a playoff contender in 2012. Luck’s thrown for more yards than any rookie in NFL history, has four fourth quarter comebacks, and seven game-winning drives. Matt Schaub’s been steady for Houston, Andy Dalton’s had an even better sophomore year than expected, and Ben Roethlisberger has played valiantly through injury. Even Joe Flacco, who’s sputtered down the stretch, has a case.

The Tough Decision: BenJarvus Green-Ellis has been an absolute workhorse for the playoff-bound Bengals, Chris Johnson's over 1,000 yards, and C.J. Spiller's had a career year in Buffalo. But if I'm taking three backs, it's Foster, Charles and Rice. If it weren’t for Adrian Peterson’s heroics, Jamaal Charles would be the biggest injury comeback story at running back this season.

The Tough Decision: Where’s Wes Welker?! Another 100-reception season, Tom Brady’s top target for the zillionth year in a row, and a 10 yard-per-reception average that goes beyond his usual numbers. Yes, Welker can easily be inserted into this group. But who do you replace for him in that group? Andre Johson’s had a bounce-back season after an injury-plagued 2011, Wayne’s been Andrew Luck’s go-to guy in Indianapolis, Green’s had a monster sophomore season, and Thomas has made the leap in Year 3. Welker’s been great, but he’s not in my top four. Not this year, at least.

The Tough Decision: Gresham and Miller likely weren’t taken in your fantasy football drafts back in August, but both players have had wonderful 2012 seasons for playoff-contending teams. Oakland’s Brandon Myers has more receptions than both of them and Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski were each more dangerous when they were healthy, but Gresham and Miller are my picks for the entire 2012 season.

The Tough Decision: This one will anger those in Baltimore, but I’ve got Reese in over Vonta Leach this season. Leach is the better blocking fullback, but Reese did more for his team. When Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson both went down with injuries, it was Reese — a fullback — who carried the offensive workload for the Raiders. You can’t go wrong with Leach, and I know it’s odd to not see him on my list, but I’m going with Reese this season.

The Tough Decision: Joe Thomas had another strong season in Cleveland, but I’m rewarding both of Cincinnati’s starting offensive tackles this year. Andre Smith was viewed as a bust his first couple years in the league, but had a magnificent 2012 campaign. Whitworth, after years of being overlooked, deserves the nod this season. The Cincinnati line is among the best in the league and its two bookends deserve credit where credit is due. Brown’s probably the best offensive tackle in the NFL. Ryan Clady and Patriots tackle Sebastian Vollmer are worthy of consideration, too.

The Tough Decision: Brandon Moore was the subject of plenty of jokes for the “Butt Fumble” play on Thanksgiving, but he’ll have the last laugh with a Pro Bowl nod this season. He’s been fantastic in the middle for the Jets. Yanda’s going to be a Pro Bowler for as long as he wants to be, and this year’s surprise pick is Wade Smith down in Houston. Logan Mankins could sneak in here — when healthy, he was fantastic — and Bengals rookie Kevin Zeitler had a great campaign.

The Tough Decision: Chris Myers has had another strong season in Houston, but both Pouncey brothers have been the glue to their offensive lines. Myers may get the nod, but I think both Duane Brown and Wade Smith had the better seasons in Houston. The Pouncey brothers both started every game for their respective teams this season and had arguably their best seasons yet.

The Tough Decision: Watt and Dumervil were no-brainers, but the third DE spot is a toss-up. I went with Wilkerson over both Cameron Wake and Mario Williams. Williams may, indeed, get the nod, but I feel better rewarding a lesser known defensive end whose play really came on strong this season. In just his second year, Wilkerson became the Jets’ most feared defensive front-seven player, and established himself as an elite defensive end.

The Tough Decision: Atkins and Wilfork are both shoe-ins and if it weren’t for J.J. Watt’s breakout season in Houston, they’d both be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. I went with Ngata, who had a strong year despite minimal talent around him in Baltimore. Kyle Williams in Buffalo, Jurrell Casey in Tennessee, Domata Peko in Cincinnati, and Billy Winn in Cleveland all deserve consideration. In the end, I went with Ngata, who was the one constant in an ever-changing Ravens defense this season.

The Tough Decision: Houston had a big second season on an otherwise forgettable Chiefs team, overshadowing his more famous teammate, Tamba Hali, with outstanding play each week. Miller’s a no-brainer in Denver, and I went with Mathis — the Colts veteran who made the move from 4-3 DE to 3-4 outside linebacker — over worthy contenders Kevin Burnett (Miami) and Vontaze Burfict (Cincinnati).

The Tough Decision: Mayo leads the AFC in tackles and Timmons has been the best linebacker in Pittsburgh this year. He’s very quietly emerging as one of the league’s best inside linebackers. This was tough, though. Derrick Johnson had another strong season in Kansas City, D’Qwell Jackson was great in Cleveland, and it’s hard to ignore the tackles that undrafted free agent Jerrell Freeman’s racked up in Indianapolis.

The Tough Decision: Though often overlooked by their teammates Darrelle Revis and Johnathan Joseph, Cromartie and Jackson both had career years with their team’s No. 1 corners injured in 2012. Cromartie could end up being an All-Pro. McCourty was the third corner on my list, but we need to mention the big years had in Cincinnati by both Adam Jones and Terence Newman, as well as Alterraun Verner in Tennessee.

The Tough Decision: This used to be the Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed category. For a decade or so, they were the two safeties who dominated the AFC Pro Bowl ballot. Both were effective, but not nearly as good as Clark or Weddle this season. Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd is actually the third safety on my ballot this season.

The Tough Decision: Another season, another year in which Janikowski is the Raiders’ best player. He is a perect 25 for 25 on field goals of less than 50 yards leads the AFC in field goals made. Phil Dawson and Stephen Gostkowski each had career years.

The Tough Decision: The Chiefs didn’t have a great season this year, but Colquitt sure did. He led the league in punts inside the 20, averaged a 40.3 Net, and booted only four touchbacks. Mike Scifres and Shane Lechler were excellent, as always. Something about the AFC West and punting.

Specialist: Corey Graham: In addition to stepping up and starting at cornerback, Graham was a terror on special teams this season for the Ravens.
 

The Tough Decision: A year after a crucial fumble against the Ravens in Houston’s first road playoff game in franchise history, Jones joined the Ravens and excelled. In addition to being the team’s third receiver, he returned both kicks and punts, scoring three touchdowns on the year. Darius Reynaud and Trindon Holliday — a guy who played for two different AFC teams this year — had big seasons, too.

The Tough Decision: Where do we start? This was as loaded a year for the position than ever before. It’s tough enough leaving Eli Manning and Robert Griffin III off this list, but when you consider the years Cam Newton, Josh Freeman, Russell Wilson, and even Jay Cutler had — it’s even more difficult making this decision. Both Colin Kaepernick and Alex Smith, and Drew Brees had big seasons, too. This was brutal, but I’m going with Ryan, Rodgers, and Romo — the three R’s. I’ll get clobbered for going with Romo over RG3 and the rest (I have a “man-crush” on Romo, remember?), but he’s the sole reason Dallas is where they are today.

The Tough Decision: It’s incredibly tough choosing Gore over both Doug Martin and Alfred Morris, but those rookies will get their shots eventually. Gore was a beast in a fluctuating 49ers offense. His game didn’t suffer when they made the move to Colin Kaepernick and he was healthy throughout. Behind that offensive line, Gore punished opposing defensive lines.

The Tough Decision: Miller was the lead blocker and a trusted receiver for the 49ers offense. You could make an argument for Lawrence Vickers in Dallas, too.

The Tough Decision: This is the hardest position to pick this year. You’ve got to think Johnson, Marshall, and Bryant are shoe-ins. That third spot — between Victor Cruz, Randall Cobb, Julio Jones, Roddy White, Vincent Jackson, and Marques Colston — could easily go to any of those guys. I went with Cruz, based on the numbers he put up despite Hakeem Nicks being injured and Mario Manningham playing in San Francisco this season. Cruz has as many touchdowns as he had in 2011, and broke 1,000 yards for the second straight year. You can put any one of those other names in there, though, and I couldn’t argue.

The Tough Decision: Oldies but goodies, Gonzalez and Witten make my NFC Pro Bowl team this year. Martellus Bennett, Jimmy Graham and Greg Olsen all had strong seasons and both San Francisco tight ends helped push the 49ers offense over the top, but I’m going with the two vets.

The Tough Decision: Loadholt gets very little press, but he’s a road paver on the right side for Adrian Peterson. I went with both San Francisco tackles, but Tyson Clabo in Atlanta certainly deserves recognition, too.

The Tough Decision: With Todd Herremans and Carl Nicks out for most of the year with injuries, this category opened up a bit. Iupati and Boone are the best guard tandem in the league, while Evans had another strong season in New Orleans. Ben Grubbs and Josh Sitton are worthy of mention, too.

The Tough Decision: Sullivan’s the man who anchors the Minnesota offensive line blocking for a 2,000-yard rusher, while McClure — in his 14th NFL season — deserves this bid. He’s one of the more underrated linemen (and that’s saying a lot) in the NFL. I wouldn’t argue Will Montgomery from the Redskins getting the nod, here, either.

The Tough Decision: Another hard one. How interesting that in a year where the NFC’s defensive end spots are wide open, I can’t even make the argument for Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, or Jason Pierre-Paul from the Giants. Robert Quinn’s having a better year than his teammate Chris Long, but both are worthy of consideration. Julius Peppers, Jared Allen, and Charles Johnson — three veterans — can always find their way on this team, too. Want to put Greg Hardy from the Panthers or Calais Campbell from the Cardinals in here? I couldn’t fight you on either.

The Tough Decision: Smith’s in a class of his own, but Fairley and McCoy had big, breakout seasons this year. Though his teammate Ndamukong Suh gets most of the media attention, Fairley had the much better year and is the more feared defensive player. Other DTs worthy of consideration this season are Jason Hatcher in Dallas, Isaac Sopoaga in San Francisco, big Dan Williams in Arizona, and both Fletcher Cox and Cullen Jenkins in Philadelphia.

The Tough Decision: It’s very difficult leaving guys like Clay Matthews, Chad Greenway, and Lavonte David off this list, but I’m going with both Cowboys outside linebackers over them. Quietly, Spencer’s emerged as an elite outside linebacker this season, racking up 80 tackles with 9 sacks. Ahmad Brooks in San Francisco is worthy of mention, too.

The Tough Decision: Oh boy, this was a tough one. I hear you all screaming from here. How could NaVorro Bowman — arguably the best player on the top defense in the league — not make my Pro Bowl roster? Well, because I’m going with Washington, instead. In his third year, the former TCU star was an elite talent for the Cardinals this season. Other inside linebackers worthy of mention — DeMeco Ryans in Philadelphia, London Fletcher in Washington, rookie Bobby Wagner in Seattle, and rookie Luke Kuechly in Carolina.

The Tough Decision: This one was incredibly difficult. Charles “Peanut” Tillman and Tim Jennings had big years for the Bears, rookie Casey Hayward was a turnover machine for the Packers, and Brandon Browner could get the nod in the NFC. Brandon Carr was great in his first season in Dallas, Patrick Peterson had some very nice moments in Arizona, Cortland Finnegan was his usual self in St. Louis, while his rookie teammate rookie Janoris Jenkins returned four interceptions for touchdowns. But, these are my three picks out of the NFC this season. Winfield’s had a career year when some wanted to write his best days off, Sherman’s been fantastic, and no one covers the slot like Carlos Rogers.

The Tough Decision: Kerry Rhodes had a big year in 2012, Quintin Mikell’s been excellent in St. Louis, and both Thomas DeCoud and William Moore were fantastic for the Falcons. Thomas and Goldson are the centerfielders and heavy hitters for two of the most feared defenses in the league.

The Tough Decision: Matt Bryant, Blair Walsh, Greg Zuerlein, and Connor Barth could all be the pick, but Bailey’s steady accuracy and clutch moments give him the nod for me.

The Tough Decision: Thomas Morstead, Chris Kluwe, Steve Weatherford and Jon Ryan all had strong seasons, but Lee’s my choice.

Specialist: Eric Weems

The Bears went out and signed Weems this offseason and he paid immediate dividends. Colt Anderson had a strong year in Philadelphia, too.

The Tough Decision: Patrick Peterson, excellent in punt returns for a second straight year, could get the nod. You can’t go wrong with Devin Hester, Randall Cobb, or Giants rookie David Wilson, either.