The NFL released some initial voting numbers for the Pro Bowl. They are the fan votes. in a change from recent years, the Arizona Cardinals are getting some recognition by the fans around the country. Two players -- quarterback Carson Palmer and receiver Larry Fitzgerald -- are in the top 10 in the league among vote getters. Palmer is seventh overall in voting, while Fitz is 10th.
Looking at the position groups, Palmer is fifth among quarterbacks, behind only Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Andy Dalton and Cam Newton. Derek Carr and Philip Rivers are right behind Palmer in voting.
Fitz is third among receivers, behind only Julio Jones and Odell Beckham.
Running back Chris Johnson is not in the top 10 in overall votes, but he is sixth among running backs. Atlanta's Devonta Freeman leads the way and is the only running back in the top 10 in the league in votes. He leads running backs by nearly 30,000 votes.
No Cardinals tight end is in the top of voting, but guard Mike Iupati is second among guards, behind only Cowboys guard Zack Martin.
Calais Campbell, now considered a defensive tackle because of how the Cardinals now label their defense, is fifth at the position in fan votes. Bengals DT Geno Atkins leads the way in that group.
At cornerback, Patrick Peterson is fourth. Carolina's Josh Norman leads the way there, followed by Darrelle Revis and Aqib Talib.
Deone Bucannon, who has yet to play a down at safety this season, is fifth in the league in voting at strong safety. That is kind of fun.
There is one player who leads his respective position in voting. That is Tyrann Mathieu, who leads all free safeties in Pro Bowl votes. He has over 31,000 votes, while Seattle's Earl Thomas is second with nearly 26,000.
Rookie David Johnson comes in ninth in votes for returners. Former Cardinal Ted Ginn is seventh.
For the special teams spot, Arizona's Justin Bethel is not in the lead, but he is in third. Roughly 3000 votes eparates him from the lead.
The way the Cardinals are playing, they have a legitimate shot at having many players making the Pro Bowl, although we all hope they can't play in it because the Cardinals will be playing the Super Bowl the next week.