Friday, December 21, 2007
Pro Bowl 2008: The Chosen and Snubbed
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Pro Bowl selections were released on Tuesday and, for the most part, there were no gigantic surprises. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Ben Roethlisberger versus Brett Favre, Matt Hasselbeck, and Tony Romo were the selections. I don't think anybody was too shocked to see those six guys, nor disagrees all that much with the picks, but there are a few picks that make perfect sense and are quite deserving, and a few subs that are rather ridiculous. Enjoy.
Picked, and With Good Reason
Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Who indeed deserves it more? The rookie phenom has been amazing averaging almost 6 yards a carry and over 100 yards per game. Let's hope this is just the first of many trips to Hawaii for Peterson.
Tony Richardson, FB, Minnesota Vikings
Finally, the days of selecting Mike Alstott, the pseudo-fullback, are over. Fullbacks are supposed to create holes and destroy linebackers and it is quite evident Richardson has done that, seeing as the Vikings have over 2,000 yards rushing already.
Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
Well, obviously.
Randy Moss, WR, New England Patriots
Again, obviously.
Devin Hester, KR, Chicago Bears
This was perhaps the biggest no-brainer selection on the entire roster. Hester has the ability to create commotion like no other player in the NFL. He is a big-time player and anybody from the Chicago area can only hope that in 2008, the Bears will find an offensive coordinator who can actually use him on a regular basis.
Jason Taylor, DE, Miami Dolphins
Despite Miami's woes, Taylor has performed well with 10 sacks and 4 forced fumbles.
Antonio Cromartie, CB, San Diego Chargers
Cromartie gives me flashes of Deion Sanders every once in a while. But he is by no means as good a cornerback. Sanders could absolutely shut down a receiver like very few others have been able to, but Cromartie plays with flare and has a nose for the ball. Oh, and that 109-yard missed field goal return doesn't hurt, either.
Lorenzo Neal, FB, San Diego Chargers
Neal fits right alongside Tony Richardson of the Vikings. Neal, the 15-year veteran, has the pleasure of blocking for the best running back in recent memory (LaDainian Tomlinson) and takes pride in blowing people up that get in his way.
Rob Bironas, K, Tennessee Titans
I think that 8-8 game ensured his selection.
Sean Taylor, FS, Washington Redskins
Nobody in the history of the NFL has been more deserving for a Pro Bowl selection than the late Sean Taylor. Even with only nine games played in the season before Taylor was so tragically murdered, he amassed numbers that spoke for themselves. He will be sorely missed and I hope the NFC remembers their fallen teammate in the same way the Redskins did.
Snubbed, and Who Knows Why
Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
Colston outperformed every receiver in the NFC, with the exception of Terrell Owens and perhaps Larry Fitzgerald. His absence from the Pro Bowl is ridiculous.
Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots
Perhaps Welker was overlooked due to the amazing season of Randy Moss, but he is having a great year in his own right. I guess he was snubbed because of the guys who made it ahead of him (Moss, Reggie Wayne, Braylon Edwards, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh). I don't think I would have missed T.J. all that much.
Mario Williams, DE, Houston Texans
This snub was quite surprising. Williams is leading the AFC in sacks and is quite outperforming Kyle Vanden Bosch of the Titans. It just doesn't make sense to me.
Trent Cole, DE, Philadelphia Eagles
The three defensive ends that made the Pro Bowl for the NFC are no slouches, it's just disappointing Cole didn't get a shot.
Sean Jones, SS, Cleveland Browns
With 84 tackles (61 solo) and 5 interceptions, I think the AFC could have made room for Mr. Jones.
Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers
Please refer to the Al Harris listing under "Picked and Who Knows Why."
Oshiomogho Atogwe, CB, St. Louis Rams
Atogwe isn't the best, but with 7 interceptions, and Al Harris making the starting lineup, you've got to shake your head at least a little bit.
Kellen Winslow, TE, Cleveland Browns
I know Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez are great players, but Winslow is having one hell of a season. Maybe the AFC can just leave Houshmandzadeh home and split Winslow out to the slot.
Picked, and Who Knows Why
Al Harris, CB, Green Bay Packers
What in the world are people thinking? Al Harris isn't even the best cornerback on his team. People go after him constantly because Woodson is on the other side. Woodson has 4 interceptions, Harris has 2, Woodson has 57 tackles, Harris has 35, and they both have nine passes defensed. This was by far the worst Pro Bowl pick. Harris isn't even a good cornerback; he's mediocre most of the time.
Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis Rams
Let's see, Holt has fewer receptions than Marques Colston, has fewer yards, fewer touchdowns, and he's on a significantly worse team — oh yeah, a grand pick indeed.
Marion Barber, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Did I miss something? Marion Barber doesn't even start for his own team. He more than likely won't reach 1,000 yards rushing, what's going on? I would have gone with Earnest Graham of Tampa Bay. He has more touchdowns and he's been a catalyst in Tampa Bay's turnaround season. If Dallas ever gets any brains and starts giving Barber the ball 25 times a game, then yes, I'd like to see Barber in Hawaii.
Lance Briggs, OLB, Chicago Bears
Briggs has 95 tackles and not much else to talk about. There are plenty of other deserving candidates at linebacker; I'd suggest London Fletcher to take his place.
Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE, Tennessee Titans
Please refer to the Mario Williams listing above entitled "Snubbed and Who Knows Why."
Troy Polamalu, SS, Pittsburgh Steelers
Unimpressive numbers out of Polamalu this year and he missed four games. Sean Jones would have been a much better choice.
Snubbed, and With Good Reason
Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Though Chad Johnson is third in the AFC in receiving yards, he has a measly 6 touchdowns and the fact that the Bengals can't get anything together with two of the game's best receivers and a very capable quarterback makes me think he deserves to watch the game on TV this year.
Clinton Portis, RB, Washington Redskins
Despite over 1,000 yards rushing and 8 touchdowns, Portis's 3.9 yards per carry is despicable.
Edgerrin James, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Similar to Portis, only James has 1,000 yards rushing with 6 touchdowns and an even worse 3.8 yards per carry.
Fred Taylor, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
I know, Taylor has never made a Pro Bowl and he was snubbed again, but let's be serious, would you really take Taylor over Tomlinson, Joseph Addai, or Willie Parker? No, you wouldn't and you shouldn't.
Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
I just threw Eli on here for bashing sake. People keep expecting these great things from Eli Manning, but let's face it, they are not coming. He is ranked number 12 in the NFC in quarterback rating. That's below Joey Harrington and Brian Griese. If those guys are getting benched because they're simply not good enough, why is Eli still playing for a playoff-caliber team?
How about Nick Barnett as an NFC snub? And I think Barber is the starter; he gets most of the carries on the NFC's best team. I agree Woodson is better than Harris, but Harris isn't THAT bad. Also, it's Marques, not Marcus, Colston, which I corrected for you. You lose all credibility if you misspell a player's name.