Romo wasn't the best quarterback in the NFC in 2006, but he was the most popular - America's Team, America's quarterback. Since players, coaches and fans each comprise a third of the vote, popularity can often take a player where talent cannot. Romo picked up that trip to Hawaii despite starting only eight games that season.

Romo was both the best and most popular quarterback in the NFC in 2007, though, passing for a franchise-record 4,211 yards and 36 touchdowns.

But his run of Pro Bowls is in jeopardy in 2008. Three NFC quarterbacks have entered into the discussion for NFL MVP honors - and Romo isn't one of them. Two of them have played better and a third is more popular.

The two quarterbacks who have outperformed Romo - and all other NFL quarterbacks this season, for that matter - are Drew Brees of New Orleans and Kurt Warner of Arizona. The third quarterback whose profile has skyrocketed since last February is Eli Manning of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants .

It's hard to argue that Romo belongs ahead of any of the three.

Brees is on a pace to shatter the NFL season passing record held by Dan Marino, who threw for 5,084 yards in 1994. Through 11 games, Brees had passed for an NFL-leading 3,574 yards, and Warner was next with 3,506. Brees projects to throw for 5,198 yards; Warner, after struggling Thursday in a loss to the Eagles, is on pace for 4,988.

If a quarterback passes for 5,000 yards, it would be difficult to keep him out of the Pro Bowl. Like Romo, Warner and Brees are quarterbacking playoff contenders. Warner has thrown an NFL-leading 24 touchdown passes for the NFC West-leading Cardinals. Brees has 22 for the 6-5 Saints.

As the reigning Super Bowl MVP, Manning's stock has staged a mercurial rise. He shot to No. 3 in NFL jersey sales last off-season, passing Tom Brady and older brother Peyton along the way. Only the Brett Favre Jets jersey and Romo's 9 outsold Manning's 10.

The fall sales figures aren't in yet, but Manning's star continues to ascend with New York's 10-1 start this season, which again makes the Giants the team to beat in the NFL.

Manning ranks only seventh in the NFL in touchdown passes, eighth in passing efficiency and 14th in yards but gets the Troy Aikman pass to Hawaii. His presence means more to his team than his stats.

Romo statistically was slowed this season by a three-game injury absence caused by a broken finger. But he has still thrown 21 TD passes for an 8-4 team in wild-card contention.

Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay and rookie Matt Ryan of Atlanta could further cloud Romo's chances. Both are having superb seasons for teams in playoff contention. A division title could make one or the other a factor in the Pro Bowl voting.

rgosselin@dallasnews.com

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