Warner2BruceTD
2011 Poster Of The Year
The Pro Bowl selections are consistantly retarded, mostly because fans are involved in the process. It's just a silly all star game, and the All Pro selections are considered more prestigeous, but that doesn't mean we still shouldnt get it right - especially when people compare players or talk about potential Hall Of Famers, Pro Bowl selections always come into the conversation.
Here are a few players, who based on past voting results, will likely be snubbed.
The Fitz has gunslinged his way to 19 TD's and over 2200 yards. Despite being punished by drops (see yesterday for exhibit A), an inconsistant running attack, and a defense that blows late leads, The Fitz has largely kept the talent depleted Bills competitive every week. With Peyton Manning & Tom Brady locking down two of the three AFC QB spots, Phillip Rivers having an MVP season, and Kyle Orton's pretty fantasy numbers, a Pro Bowl birth is highly unlikely.
Atogwe has been one of the top 5 safties in the NFL the last 5 years, yet many casual NFL fans have never heard of him, and he hasnt sniffed a Pro Bowl. That's what happens when you play for a team that wins 6 games over 3 seasons. The ball hawking Atogwe leads the NFL in turnovers (INT + FF) since 2006, and is a stout run defender. He has 50 tackles, 2 INT's, 2 FF's, and 1.0 sack on the season, and has been forced to play more coverage than usual due to James Butler's injuries. He will get snubbed again, while inferior Safties from 11 and 12 win teams get the nod.
I have ripped people over the years at MM & VSN for making All Pro/Pro Bowl/All American selections at the OL positions, because unless you are a scout or a coach breaking down film, I don't think fans pay close enough attention to the OL to understand who is really playing better than who. But as i've been preaching in the chatbox all year long, I end up watching a lot of Browns games, and Mack always stands out. The Browns run a very complex run scheme, very old school, with plenty of traps, pulls, etc. Mack, while undersized, rarely gets beat at the point of attack. He's also very agile, which allows the Browns to run all of those funky trap and pull plays that have helped spring Peyton Hillis to big gains. Take a look around the league, and you won't find many teams pulling their C. Even the C position has now largely transformed into a "find the biggest guy" position, but not in Cleveland, where Mack leads a very tough and aggressive OL. Hard to imagine anyone playing better.
Here are a few players, who based on past voting results, will likely be snubbed.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills QB
The Fitz has gunslinged his way to 19 TD's and over 2200 yards. Despite being punished by drops (see yesterday for exhibit A), an inconsistant running attack, and a defense that blows late leads, The Fitz has largely kept the talent depleted Bills competitive every week. With Peyton Manning & Tom Brady locking down two of the three AFC QB spots, Phillip Rivers having an MVP season, and Kyle Orton's pretty fantasy numbers, a Pro Bowl birth is highly unlikely.
OJ Atogwe, Rams S
Atogwe has been one of the top 5 safties in the NFL the last 5 years, yet many casual NFL fans have never heard of him, and he hasnt sniffed a Pro Bowl. That's what happens when you play for a team that wins 6 games over 3 seasons. The ball hawking Atogwe leads the NFL in turnovers (INT + FF) since 2006, and is a stout run defender. He has 50 tackles, 2 INT's, 2 FF's, and 1.0 sack on the season, and has been forced to play more coverage than usual due to James Butler's injuries. He will get snubbed again, while inferior Safties from 11 and 12 win teams get the nod.
Alex Mack, Browns C
I have ripped people over the years at MM & VSN for making All Pro/Pro Bowl/All American selections at the OL positions, because unless you are a scout or a coach breaking down film, I don't think fans pay close enough attention to the OL to understand who is really playing better than who. But as i've been preaching in the chatbox all year long, I end up watching a lot of Browns games, and Mack always stands out. The Browns run a very complex run scheme, very old school, with plenty of traps, pulls, etc. Mack, while undersized, rarely gets beat at the point of attack. He's also very agile, which allows the Browns to run all of those funky trap and pull plays that have helped spring Peyton Hillis to big gains. Take a look around the league, and you won't find many teams pulling their C. Even the C position has now largely transformed into a "find the biggest guy" position, but not in Cleveland, where Mack leads a very tough and aggressive OL. Hard to imagine anyone playing better.
