The AFC Pro Bowl roster was announced today, and the Baltimore Ravens were delighted to find that five of their players were named worthy of the elite NFL honor. Even more exciting was the fact that four of the five players were also named starters for the AFC squad, proving that the Ravens still have some highly touted talent on the team despite the disappointing 2009 record.

The biggest, most surprising name (to those outside of Baltimore, of course) is Ray Rice, who was named to his first Pro Bowl in only his second year in the league. Rice has ran for almost 1,300 yards this season, averaging just under 87 yards a game. With his emergence as a true number one back, not only is the Ravens’ backfield solidified for several years to come, but Ozzie Newsome’s ability to draft immediate-impact talent outside of the first round is proven yet again. Newsome, who has been the brains behind drafting play makers in later rounds (Lardarius Webb, Le’Ron McClain, Will Demps, Priest Holmes), as well as recognizing talent worth trading up positions in the draft (Michael Oher, Joe Flacco, Haloti Ngata), can still claim to be at the top of the elite GM’s around the league.

While Rice is not starting for the AFC at running back, his lead blocker, Le’Ron McClain will get the nod as the first man on the field. McClain, who was named a pro bowler last season as well, is quickly developing as an annual face on the AFC squad due to his ability to open up the run game, even if your grandmother was the halfback. Not only can McClain block, he is a truck when the ball is put in his hands. Le’Ron has accepted his limited role in the hands-on offensive game plan, and has done so with a sense of respect and sportsmanship. McClain saw 232 plays during which his name was called as the ball carrier, and he took full advantage, racking up 902 yards and a spot on the AFC roster. This season, however, Le’Ron has not only changed his role completely, but has fully mastered the opposite spectrum, making the all-star game based on his ability to run block and provide a surprise threat out of the backfield for short yardage gains.

Le'Ron McClain has become one of the best fullbacks in the AFC in a very short time.

The biggest impact McClain has made thus far is the fact that he has not made a fuss, even while his “spotlight involvement” with the offense has diminished. While he does the dirty work to allow players like Ray Rice and Willis McGahee get the yards needed to make the big impact on the offense, McClain understands that his role is just as vital, despite often being overlooked. He was there last year, running the ball on a consistent and destructive basis, averaging almost 4 yards per carry, and has continued to do the same in his limited role this season. But, it’s the fact that he has provided the rough-and-tough blocking role this season that has been part of the reason why Rice has earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl as well.

As well as the two backfield stars for Baltimore, it wouldn’t be a real Pro Bowl if the defense wasn’t represented in some way. Along with Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, who have grown accustom to joining the AFC in their fight against their conference rivals, Haloti Ngata will also join his fellow Ravens. Ngata, who has actually had a down season, will see his first action as a Pro Bowler. His presence will be felt from the first play from scrimmage, along with Lewis’ and Reed’s, because all three are starters. The three Ravens’ defensive gurus will solidify a very intimidating AFC defense, and provide Rice and McClain with some breathing room.

Congrats to the Ravens’ Pro Bowlers for the 2009-2010 season. It seems as if, despite the success or disappointment of the team each year, as well as the negative reputation that happens to follow the Ravens around among the fans of other franchises, the Ravens put out a good number of Pro Bowl players each season. The 2010 roster has not ended that streak, and we can only hope that the future seasons hold a lot more in store for us.