Only about a half hour notice here, but the Pro Bowl rosters are being announced today at 4pm, and with the Eagles sitting at 11-4, you have to imagine there will be several players in the running. Who do you think should make it? Here is who I think should be locks, and who should at least get consideration…
Locks
DeSean Jackson, WR – 4th in the NFC in Rec. Yards, T-2nd in total TD, 1st in Yards per Catch and arguably the biggest breakout star in the entire NFL this season.
Trent Cole, DE – 3rd in the NFC with 12.5 sacks and is 1st in the NFL in tackles among DE.
Leonard Weaver, FB – Assuming they take fullbacks, that is… Weaver is 1st in the NFC in rushing yards for a FB and 2nd in receiving yards. He leads all NFC fullbacks with 4 TD’s.
David Akers, K – 32 for 36 on the year, led the NFL with 32 FGs, and 5th in FG%. Made more 40+ yd FGs (11) than anyone.
Deserve Consideration
Asante Samuel, CB – Should probably be a lock based on reputation, which much of the Pro Bowl is. Tied for the NFC lead with 9 picks. But might just be the worst tackler in all of football, as evidenced by his 39 tackles on the year, tied for 37th in football among CB’s.
Brent Celek, TE – 5th in the NFC in receptions for a TE, 3rd in TD’s and 3rd in yards. Lots of company here though with Jason Witten, Tony Gonzalez, Vernon Davis and Kellen Winslow.
Jason Peters, OT – Has had a couple injuries and mishaps, but 85% of the time (rough calculation) he’s been absolutely dominant.
Sheldon Brown, CB – Has been just as reliable as Samuel. He’s a better tackler, but got beat deep a couple times and only has 5 picks (but 2 touchdowns) on the year. 3rd in the NFC in passes defended (17), Samuel was 4th (15).
Quintin Mikell, S – 4th among NFC safeties in passes defended and 9th in solo tackles.
Donovan McNabb, QB – McNabb is the reason Celek, Jackson and even Weaver are on this list, and why Celek and Jackson are on it at such a young age. McNabb is 5th in the NFC in passer rating, 7th in Yds/G, 2nd in Yds/Att. and 8th in TD. Too many great QB seasons this year though with Brees, Favre and Rodgers the likely choices.
I think of the guys under consideration, Samuel and Peters get in by reputation, giving us 6 players.
What do you guys think? Is there anyone I missed?
Loading ...
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
BTW, the 1/3 weighting to internet voting is stupid. Did you see the internet results? Almost every Viking was top 2, even the FB, who I’ve never heard of (maybe he’s a great blocker.)
I guess it’s not until 7pm.
And yes, internet voting is idiotic – especially in a sport like this. Who on earth is going to know who the best Guards are?
But what can you do? It’s not like the players vote honestly or the sports media who are very biased. Maybe we should go to a BCS type system with computers. ; )
that’s the way you predict the pro bowl! 6 for 6!
good job Pete. Hopefully none of them play due to playing the following weekend
The only thing worse than internet voting… letting a blogger pick the players
Good call Pete.
I’m quite disappointed Sheldon Brown didn’t make it, but this setup obviously lends toward a great motivational tool to play a more meaningful game a week later.
I would guess that as many as 15 roster spots might change between burnout and injuries from the playoffs, let alone some 5-8 players from Super Bowl teams per conference bowing out.
Perhaps 1-2 guys might find Florida a lot less enticing than Hawaii.
There isn’t an all star game around anymore that holds appeal ike the MLB game used to, maybe the NBA game back then too, but this one is far from the top of the list under any circumstance. Still, would like to have seen Sheldon named to the original roster. Oh well.
Couple of side notes since we don’t have places to talk about these 2 things (which is not a complaint). Happy and proud of the Temple Owls for their stellar football year. Crusher blowing a 21-10 lead, but at least they showed some ability to compete with a major NCAA program, albeit in a down year. Also, once in a while, I’m in a frame of mind to think warm and fuzzy thoughts about hockey, and that peaks annually when its time for the NHL’s outdoor winter classic. Outdoor hockey at Fenway Pahk to kick off 2010 oughta be good stuff.