Clif is a Pro Bowlin' rookie

Gotta love Clifton Smith being named to the Pro Bowl as an NFL rookie undrafted free agent. It's still just short of mind boggling how he went undrafted -- you'd think some team out there would want a surefire return specialist at least on Day 2 of the draft...?

Clif said on KSEE 24 tonight when he got a call of congratulations he thought he was being Punk'd at first and was waiting for Ashton Kutcher to jump out of the bushes. He's one of the truly special players in Fresno State history -- the type of guy who probably would have been in the stands yelling and cheering with us if he wasn't on the team.

Sadly, a few other 'Dogs were snubbed from the Pro Bowl, namely Logan Mankins, Bernard Berrian and Lorenzo Neal.

Not to rain on the Clif parade, but Berrian has as many TDs as Roddy White on about half the number of catches and also averages about 4 yards more per reception. Oh, and Berrian is the sole bright spot of the Vikings' passing game. Not to mention he's one of the NFL's top return men.

Then you have Mankins, who should be a shoe-in for the next 12 years or so. Last year talk was Mankins was the best guard in the NFL. He still is -- but why the snub?

And the AFC's starting fullback? Leron McClain? Excuse me, but if I'm not mistaking McClain is on the Baltimore Ravens. He's their leading rusher at tailback. The fullback...that would be Lorenzo Neal, the greatest in NFL history.

My brain might implode

If there weren't former Fresno State players in the NFL, well, there'd be no reason to watch (and we'd be more like San Jose State). But this year, the AFC championship game is mind-boggling. Who do I root for?

Pro-Bowler Lorenzo Neal, who miraculously came back from a broken leg in about a month, starts at fullback for the Chargers and is one of my all-time favorite 'Dogs. He's a legitimate good guy of the sporting world and I even got to grapple with him when he was the No. 1-ranked heavyweight wrestler in the country -- and I was a curious elementary school fan.

Billy Volek is the "best backup QB in the NFL" and should be heading into the game for the Chargers at ANY minute ('cause Rivers stinks). He led the Chargers to a win over the Colts last week when Rivers went out, and if he leads SD to a win over the Pats, the publicity he gets will be unmatched by any other player in the next two weeks (good for Fresno State).

But don't rule out rooting for the Patriots yet -- they've got THREE 'Dogs!

Pro-Bowler Logan Mankins, arguably the best guard in the NFL and best lineman in Fresno State history, leads the charge for New England up front. He's got a mean streak on the field that is the antithesis of his humbleness off of it. And anyone who was in his group in biology lab has to have a soft spot for the big guy...

Couple that with starting safety James Sanders, the ultimate team player at Fresno State, and reserve tight end Stephen Spach, one of the all-time great walk-on to MPC Computers Bowl-game-winning-touchdown-catch hero stories, both also on the field for New England and it's just too close for comfort.

Who do I root for!? I'm so confused...