With the rosters for this year's Pro Bowl to be announced on Tuesday, here's my take on who should be in and out. I would expect my teams to vary from the once released by the NFL, thanks to the tireless work of thousands of Washington Redskins fans.
It's nice to see Jason Taylor being rewarded for his sack back in Week 2, and Shaun Suisham being recognized for his league-leading nine missed field goals. But at least the Redskins are in first place in something, right?
Anyway, here goes the AFC version:
Quarterback
Starter: Philip Rivers, Chargers
Reserves: Chad Pennington, Dolphins; Peyton Manning, Colts
Apologies to: Jay Cutler, Broncos
Cutler's leading the conference in passing yards and is tough to leave off, but Pennington and Manning have been a little more consistent.
Running Back
Starter: Chris Johnson, Titans
Reserves: Steve Slaton, Texans; Thomas Jones, Jets
Apologies to: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
No controversy here, with Jones and the two rookie sensations the top three rushers in the AFC by a large margin.
Fullback
Starter: Ahmard Hall, Titans
Apologies to: Le'Ron McClain, Ravens
McClain is having a great year but has spent most of his time as a lead back. Hall deserves recognition for his blocking, receiving ability and tremendous leadership.
Wide Receiver
Starters: Andre Johnson, Texans; Wes Welker, Patriots
Reserves: Brandon Marshall, Broncos; Reggie Wayne, Colts
Apologies to: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals
Johnson has been the best WR in football this year, while Welker may be the Patriots' MVP.
Tight End
Starter: Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs
Reserve: Antonio Gates, Chargers
Apologies to: Owen Daniels, Texans
Gonzalez is a no-brainer. Daniels' numbers are superior to those of Gates, but the latter's a better all-around player.
Offensive Tackle
Starters: Michael Roos, Titans; David Stewart, Titans
Reserve: Ryan Clady, Broncos
Apologies to: Joe Thomas, Browns; Ryan Harris, Broncos
The two Titan tackles have been rock-solid performers on the AFC's best offensive line. The rookie Clady should make the first of many trips to Hawaii.
Guard
Starters: Logan Mankins, Patriots; Alan Faneca, Jets
Reserve: Robert Gallery, Raiders
Apologies to: Jake Scott, Titans
Faneca has been as good as hoped for the Jets since signing a huge free-agent deal in March. Gallery, a colossal bust as a left tackle, has found his niche inside and quietly put forth a strong season.
Center
Starter: Kevin Mawae, Titans
Reserve: Nick Mangold, Jets
Apologies to: Jason Brown, Ravens; Samson Satele, Dolphins
The 37-year-old Mawae has been instrumental to the Titans' great success running the ball. Mangold has been a stalwart since entering the league three years ago and gets an overdue nod.
Defensive End
Starters: Mario Williams, Texans; Richard Seymour, Patriots
Reserve: Dwight Freeney, Colts
Apologies to: Aaron Smith, Steelers; Shaun Ellis, Jets
Seymour's been another savior for the Pats with possibly the best season of his decorated career, while Freeney is back to terrorizing quarterbacks after a couple of down years. Williams should have made it last year.
Defensive Tackle
Starters: Albert Haynesworth, Titans; Kris Jenkins, Jets
Reserve: Haloti Ngata, Ravens
Apologies to: Shaun Rogers, Browns; Jamal Williams, Chargers; Vince Wilfork, Patriots
The most important newcomer to the Jets this year wears #77, not #4. Ngata, an essential element to Baltimore's run-stopping prowess, gets a slight edge over Rogers, one of the few Cleveland players that hasn't underachieved.
Outside Linebacker
Starters: James Harrison, Steelers; Joey Porter, Dolphins
Reserve: Terrell Suggs, Ravens
Apologies to: LaMarr Woodley, Steelers; Keith Bulluck, Titans; Calvin Pace, Jets
Harrison has gone from key special-teamer to a possible Defensive Player of the Year in just two years since replacing the ex-Steeler Porter, who's played even bigger than his mouth.
Inside Linebacker
Starter: Ray Lewis, Ravens
Reserve: James Farrior, Steelers
Apologies to: D'Qwell Jackson, Browns
Lewis got to Honolulu the past couple of years on reputation, but the perennial participant has earned it this time around. Farrior's steady consistency sometimes gets overlooked on the league's best defense.
Cornerback
Starter: Nmandi Asomugha, Raiders; Cortland Finnegan, Titans
Reserve: Darrelle Revis, Jets
Apologies to: Ike Taylor, Steelers
Asomugha has supplanted the injured Champ Bailey as the conference's premier shutdown corner. Although the rest of the Jets' secondary can't cover anyone, Revis has blanketed receivers all year long.
Safety
Starters: Troy Polamalu, Steelers; Ed Reed, Ravens
Reserve: Yeremiah Bell, Dolphins
Apologies to: Chris Hope, Titans; Michael Griffin, Titans
The top two NFL icons are as easy a choice as you'll find. Bell gets the nod as one of the difference-makers of a Miami defense that's been terrific this year.
Kicker: Rob Bironas, Titans
Punter: Shane Lechler, Raiders
Kick Returner: Leon Washington, Jets
Special Teamer: Anthony Madison, Steelers
Apologies to: Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots (K); Mike Scifres, Chargers (P); Leodis McKelvin, Bills (KR); Josh Cribbs, Browns (KR)
Bironas is an excellent 14-of-17 from beyond 40 yards and has been strong on kickoffs, while Lechler is averaging nearly 50 yards per punt. Washington's excellence on both kickoffs and punts gives him a slight edge over a strong field of returners. The Steelers have the AFC's best coverage units, and Madison was the team's designated player on the ballot.
Most Selections: Titans (8)
Shut Out: Bills, Bengals, Browns, Jaguars
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment