I know every one of you were anxiously awaiting 3:00 p.m. central Dec. 18 for the much anticipated release of 2008 Pro Bowl rosters. I personally think the unveiling of the rosters is kind of intriguing. Players are selected by the fans, coaches and fellow players. Each party accounts for one-third of the vote. For the most part, they seem to get things right, but no system is flawless (unless of course, it is designed by me). I have a few issues with this year's selections, so let's break it down by conference and position.
Let's start with the NFC...
Quarterbacks:
Starter: Brett Favre (Green Bay)
Reserves: Matt Hasselbeck (Seattle), Tony Romo (Dallas)
Breakdown: You can't really argue with these selections considering how bad the QB position in the NFL is, but I can definitely argue with the starter selection. I know Favre is one of the greatest to ever take a snap and he's breaking career records every week, but the only reason he's the starter is his legacy. Statistically, he's the second best NFC QB in 2007. Tony Romo has nine more touchdowns and a better passer rating. Plus, Romo is on the better team. The Cowboys control their own destiny to have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and they beat the Packers on Nov. 29.
Running backs:
Starter: Adrian Peterson (Minnesota)
Reserves: Marion Barber (Dallas), Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia)
Breakdown: Adrian Peterson is a no brainer as the starter. He's leading the NFC in rushing yards despite missing two games with a knee injury. So far this year, he has set the NFL single game record for rushing yards in a game (296) and he has three games in which he averaged more than nine yards per carry. He also leads the league in yards per carry with 5.9 (minimum 100 carries). As for the reserves, Westbrook is the most underrated player in the NFL and is one of the best running backs, no questions asked. He can do it all...run, catch, block, return kicks. On top of averaging 91.6 rushing yards per game, he is also averaging 50.4 receiving yards per game. You name it, he can do it. Marion Barber's stats will not wow you, but he is definitely one of the hardest runners in the league. He never avoids a hit, he seeks out the hit. There's not another running back in the league I'd rather have on third and one. With that said, you could also make a case for Clinton Portis or maybe Edgerrin James, but overall the NFC sucks in the backfield.
Fullback:
Starter: Tony Richardson (Minnesota)
Breakdown: Fullback is one of the most anonymous positions in football. These guys can have a huge impact on any given play. Richardson is the lead blocker for the most prolific rushing attack in the league today. The Vikings are averaging a league best 169.6 rushing yards per game behind Richardson. No arguments here.
Wide Receivers:
Starters: Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona), Terrell Owens (Dallas)
Reserves: Donald Driver (Green Bay), Torry Holt (St. Louis)
Breakdown: Terrell Owens is an obvious selection. He leads the NFC in yards and touchdowns and is the best receiver on the best team in the NFC. Larry Fitzgerald is second in the NFC in yards and has eight touchdowns thus far. Very respectable selection. As for the backups, I have some issues. While Donald Driver and Torry Holt are very good players, how do you leave out Marques Colston? He's third in the NFC in yards, has nine touchdowns and 87 catches. I would definitely put him in over Holt and keep Driver as a reserve.
Tight ends:
Starter: Jason Witten (Dallas)
Reserve: Chris Cooley (Washington)
Breakdown: These selections are perfect. Witten leads the league in receiving yards for tight ends and is on the best team in the NFC. He is quickly becoming the best tight end in the NFL. Chris Cooley has emerged as a great pass catching tight end. He was Jason Campbell's favorite target until Campbell's season was cut short by a knee injury. In a conference lacking in quality tight ends, Witten and Cooley are great selections.
Offensive line:
Starting tackles: Flozell Adams (Dallas), Walter Jones (Seattle)
Reserve tackle: Chris Samuels (Washington)
Starting guards: Leonard Davis (Dallas), Steve Hutchinson (Minnesota)
Reserve guard: Shawn Andrews (Philadelphia)
Starting center: Andre Gurode (Dallas)
Reserve center: Matt Birk (Minnesota)
Breakdown: I'm not an expert on offensive lineman, but I've seen these guys play a lot and they all seem pretty dominant. I've watched every game the three Cowboys have played and they're much improved from last season (just check the record). Jones and Samuels are both proven veterans and highly thought of throughout the league. Birk and Hutchinson lead the way for league's most prolific rushing attack and Andrews, a former first-round pick, is quickly becoming a star. These selections seem to be right on.
Defensive ends:
Starters: Patrick Kerney (Seattle), Aaron Kampman (Green Bay)
Reserve: Osi Umenyiora (New York Giants)
Breakdown: Kerney leads the league in sacks (13.5) and is having a career year. The Seahawks have had a streaky season, but already have the NFC West wrapped up and could be a sleeper entering the playoffs. Kampman is third in the NFC in sacks (12.0) and has played a big role in the improvement of Green Bay's defense. Umenyiora has posted 12 sacks this season (six of which came in one game against the Eagles). The only selection that I have a problem with is Umenyiora. I would have chosen Trent Cole of the Eagles. Cole has more sacks and more tackles. I realize Cole is on the worse team, but I think his individual performance this season is worthy of a selection.
Defensive tackles:
Starters: Kevin Williams (Minnesota), Pat Williams (Minnesota)
Reserve: Tommie Harris (Chicago)
Breakdown: This is easy. Kevin and Pat Williams are by far the most dominant defensive tackle tandem in the league, just check the stats. Run up the middle at your own risk. Harris is the best player on Bears, expect for maybe Devin Hester. Worthy selection. There's one thing I don't quite understand. Why isn't there a spot for a true 3-4 nose tackle? I understand that the base defense in the Pro Bowl is a standard 4-3, but you would think they could accommodate some 3-4 sets. Just a thought.
Outside linebackers:
Starters: Julian Peterson (Seattle), DeMarcus Ware (Dallas)
Reserve: Lance Briggs (Chicago)
Breakdown: Peterson has collected nine sacks and 68 tackles (58 solo). He is having a phenomenal year and deserves this selection. Ware is arguably the best defensive player in the league. Not only does he have 11.0 sacks, he also has 75 tackles, 54 of which are solo. He is really flourishing in the Phillips' 3-4. Great selection. I'm not a fan of the Briggs pick. I know he has 95 tackles, but he hasn't impressed me. The Bears defense is a fraud. I'd give the spot to Greg Ellis and his 11.5 sacks.
Inside linebackers:
Starter: Lofa Tatupu (Seattle)
Reserve: Patrick Willis (San Francisco)
Breakdown: Tatupu and the aforementioned Peterson are huge contributors to Seattle and its defense's success. Tatupu has racked up 101 tackles (78 solo), three forced fumbles, four picks and a sack. Much deserved. Willis is going to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. This kid has unlimited potential. He already has 142 tackles (111 solo), a sack, a forced fumble and three pass deflections. These selections are perfect.
Cornerbacks:
Starters: Al Harris (Green Bay), Marcus Trufant (Seattle)
Reserve: Terence Newman (Dallas)
Breakdown: Harris is one of the most physical corners in the league. He and Charles Woodson make up one of the best duos of cornerbacks in the league. With four picks, nine pass deflections and a touchdown, Harris is deserving of this spot. Trufant is also having a great year. He is second in the league with seven picks, one of which he took to paydirt. These two definitely deserve the honor. As for the reserve spot, it's kind of a crapshoot. No one really stands out as a no-brainer pick. Newman is a somewhat logical pick. He's a good corner on a great team, might as well pick him.
Free safety:
Starter: Sean Taylor (R.I.P.)
Reserve: Ken Hamlin (Dallas)
Breakdown: Fitting tribute to vote in Taylor who tragically left us much too early. Hamlin will get the start in Taylor's place. Hamlin has five picks, 58 tackles (38 solo) and 13 pass deflections. I think Oshiomogho Atogwe (let's call him OA) of the Rams should be invited as the reserve. OA is having a spectacular year. He's racked up 70 tackles (62 solo), seven picks and nine pass deflections. OA should get the call.
Strong safety:
Starter: Darren Sharper (Minnesota)
Breakdown: Nice honor for a classy guy. He's got 51 tackles (40 solo), four picks, a forced fumble and six pass deflections. Well deserved.
Punter: Andy Lee (San Francisco)
Placekicker: Nick Folk (Dallas)
Kick returner: Devin Hester
Special teamer: Brendon Ayanbadejo (Chicago)
Breakdown: Lee is averaging 48.3 yards per punt and has 35 punts downed inside the 20. Nice pick I guess.
It came down to Folk and Green Bay's Mason Crosby (both rookies). Folk has a better make percentage, but Crosby has more makes. Folk wears a CZ ear stud, let's go with him.
Hester is the easiest selection out there. The only question is, will Belicheck kick to him? Ya that's right, I said Belicheck. The Pats will lose in the AFC Championship game.
Kudos to Brendon Ayanbadejo.
That wraps up the NFC Edition. Stay tuned for the AFC Edition.
Happy Holidays from 3rd and Long.
-CRS
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