Fletcher may be rooting for Saints again

London Fletcher, who perennially is on the list of Pro Bowl snubs, moved a step closer to making a trip to Hawaii in late January on Monday. Patrick Willis, who had surgery on his right hand near the end of the season, has withdrawn from the all-star game. First alternate Jonathan Vilma of the Saints will take Willis' spot on the Pro Bowl roster. According to the Redskins, Fletcher was a second alternate for the two inside linebacker spots. Vilma was the first alternate so that moves Fletcher to the position of being the next man up if another opening comes up. Last year, Fletcher was in a similar position. Vilma was on the Pro Bowl squad and Fletcher was the first alternate. Since the Pro Bowl was played on the weekend in between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl, players on the teams in the final game did not participate in the Pro Bowl and the first alternates went to Hawaii. When Vilma's Saints advanced to the Super Bowl, Fletcher got his ticket to the Pro Bowl punched. The Pro Bowl again is during the off week before the Super Bowl so the same thing would happen this year if the Saints can win some games on the road and advance to the game in Jerry World in Dallas. Fletcher also would play in the Pro Bowl if the Bears make it to the Super Bowl. Chicago's Brian Urlacher is the other inside linebacker on the NFC squad.