The time for speculation has officially come to an end. The NFL has announced the roster for the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl, and our New York Jets will be sending seven of their own to represent the AFC in Hawaii.

There were no surprises with some of the selections. Brett Favre and Alan Faneca have been staples in the Pro Bowl for the majority of their careers with the Packers and Steelers, respectively.

Jets’ fans knew what they were getting when Mike Tannenbaum made the offseason moves to add them to the roster. They were well-known and highly respected talents among fans, and around the league.

Monstrous nose tackle Kris Jenkins was also a lock for a spot in the Pro Bowl after emerging as the Jets’ most stout defender against the run. There weren’t many doubts as to whether or not he’d be selected as his name was mentioned often as a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.

But what should please Jets’ fans most are the four selections that will be enjoying their first Pro Bowls.

AFC-leading running back Thomas Jones will be going to his first Pro Bowl after nine seasons in the NFL, and was chosen as a starter. It’s a testament to the respect he’s generated amongst his NFL colleagues.

When fan voting closed last week, Jones was fourth in votes in the AFC. The other two-thirds catapulted him into the starting lineup.

The nomination comes on the heels of his record-setting performance against the Buffalo Bills. Jones broke Curtis Martin’s single-season records for rushing touchdowns, and total touchdowns with the New York Jets. It also marked his eighth consecutive game with a touchdown, breaking a record set by Santana Moss.

Three of the other Jets’ selections are a testament to the quality of the Jets’ scouting department when it comes to identifying football talent.

Leon Washington, Nick Mangold, and Darrelle Revis are also going to Hawaii. The three players were drafted and cultivated by this current regime, and have become cornerstones for this organization and its future.

The last player to represent the Jets that was actually drafted by the organization was Justin Miller, now with the Oakland Raiders.

Washington will be going as a kick returner, while Mangold and Revis will see time as reserves at center and cornerback, respectively.

LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson, FB Tony Richardson, DE Shaun Ellis, OLB Calvin Pace, and S Kerry Rhodes could all find themselves in Hawaii if other players fall out.

Three of those alternates—Ferguson, Ellis, and Rhodes—also fall under the category of players drafted by the New York Jets. However, Rhodes and Ellis were selected prior to the current regime.