Bears have it covered

After leading the NFL in interceptions this season, Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings could have a shot at a few more on Sunday.

With the Pro Bowl typically featuring big passing numbers, defensive backs are on the run for much of the afternoon.

"Everybody’s like, ‘It’s going to be 7-on-7,’" Jennings said. "There’s going to be a whole lot of passing."

Jennings was selected to his first Pro Bowl in his seventh season. He intercepted nine passes and returned one for a touchdown this season. He joins fellow Bears cornerback Charles Tillman — making his second Pro Bowl appearance — as starters in the NFC secondary.

"We represented Chicago well, so we’re going to go out there and try to make some things happen," Jennings said.

"He lets me know what’s going to happen and things to look out for and things to be ready for. It’s a good experience."

Jennings didn’t have much of a chance to play with Kamehameha graduate Brandon Hardin this season. Hardin, the Bears’ third-round draft pick, suffered a neck injury in a preseason game and was placed on injured reserve.

"So it’s been a slow start for him, but we’ll look for some things out of him in the upcoming years," Jennings said. "He has a lot of potential, so we’re looking for him to get back healthy and contribute as much as he can."

Brees happy to be back

With none of the quarterbacks originally selected to the NFC roster in town, New Orleans’ Drew Brees takes the distinction as the team’s starter into Sunday’s game.

By appearing in his seventh Pro Bowl, Brees ranks among the NFC’s most experienced members. He’ll be backed up by New York’s Eli Manning and Seattle rookie Russell Wilson.

"There’s new guys who come out every year. I think there’s 30 new players this year, so there’s going to be a lot of new faces, young talented faces, and I think it’ll be a great game for the people to watch," said Brees, who threw a league-high 43 touchdown passes.

Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, Atlanta’s Matt Ryan and Washington’s Robert Griffin III were named to the original NFC roster, but pulled out due to a variety of injuries.

A new dance for Cruz?

New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz is a proven master at salsa dancing.

But does he dabble in hula?

"I wanted to break one down when I scored in my last game, but I completely forgot," he said. "We’ll see how it goes."

Cruz was named to his first Pro Bowl in his third year after signing with the Giants as an undrafted free agent from UMass.

Cruz topped the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in as many seasons, catching 86 balls for 1,092 yards and 10 touchdowns.

He holds the franchise record for receiving yards in a season with 1,536, set in 2011.

Johnson keeps coming

Only Denver’s Peyton Manning and Champ Bailey have been to more Pro Bowl’s on the AFC roster than Houston’s Andre Johnson.

So why does the six-time Pro Bowler make it a point to come back every year?

"It’s a great vacation, man," Johnson said. "You get to be around the top guys in the league and pick their brain a little bit and then just hang out and have fun."

Johnson has six 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his 10 years in the league.

This past year, he set a career high with 1,598 yards, moving him up to 27th on the NFL’s all-time list.