DJ Eberle, who writes an NFL For Rugby Heads on Sundays for RugbyWrapUp.com, is a lineman, along with his brother, at Western New England University. He’s big enough to take a hit, and took one last night at 8pm for the MTM Team when Cam James and Lori Levine phoned in after too much eggnog. Follow DJ on Twitter @Ebstide52.
HONOLULU, HI – Last night, the 2013 NFL Pro Bowl rosters were announced on NFL Network. And like most years, there were plenty of snubs to go around. While they didn’t get every position wrong, there were many wholes this year in both the AFC and NFC rosters. But exhale… I am here not just to keep the MTM Thursday Ship from sinking, but to also tell you who really deserves to be in the Pro Bowl… from the players who were kicked to the curb.
Alex Smith: Really?! No A-Smith?! Oh wait, he got benched a few weeks ago because he had a concussion. The last time Smith stepped on to a football field was his Monday Night 18 of 19 completions performance against the Arizona Cardinals. In all seriousness, Smith does deserve a Pro Bowl nod because he is in the top three in both QB Rating and Completion Percentage. If the San Francisco 49ers don’t make it back to the NFC Championship again this year, Coach Harbaugh is going to look like one stupid man.
CJ Spillaaaa: Really now? The guy leads the league in yards per rush for running backs and is no where to be found on the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Just for arguments sake, Spiller has almost half the carries Adrian Peterson does and is only 700 yards behind him. I’m sorry but if Spiller had 315 carries like A.D. than Spiller would already have 2,000 yards on the year and would be the front-runner in the MVP race. Did I mention he’s on my Bills?
Roddy White: Wow! Really?! He’s the top target for the Number 1 seed is putting up a MONSTER years! White has shown that he is the true #1 wideout in Hotlanta and is better than the Atlanta receiver who did make it, Julio Jones. Take out Wes Welker, for crying out loud. He’s the most overrated receiver in the NFL. He’s third in the league in receptions and is sixth in drops, yet he’s 10th in yards. If you’re third in receptions shouldn’t you be better than 10th in yards? Welker is just a receiver who has a good system. Throw him out there in Arizona and see what he does with Ryan Lindley.
Logan Mankins: How many games did New England’s Mankins play in again? Oh, that’s right, 9. Seriously? This is why the Pro Bowl is a joke. Mankins made the Pro Bowl purely on reputation. It’s a shame when you have guys like Buffalo’s Andy Levitre who don’t receive any credit when credit is most certainly due. The same also goes for Green Bay Packers center Jeff Saturday… The guy doesn’t start anymore! C’Mon Man!
Muhammad Wilkerson: No, it’s not Sanchez or Tebow. Wilkerson is one New York Jet that certainly deserves the Pro Bowl nod. Wilkerson is the glue of the Jets defense and one of the few bright spots of the season for the Jets. As a defensive lineman, Wilkerson has more tackles than both Pro Bowl linebackers Von Miller of the Denver Broncos and Aldon Smith of the 49ers.
London Fletcher: Give Old Man Fletcher a nod for Pete’s sake! London Fletcher is putting up career numbers this season and should be playing in Honolulu in late January. Fletcher leads all linebackers in interceptions and put up good tackle stats as well. It would have been nice to see Fletcher in the Pro Bowl because who knows how many years he has left. The Washington Redskins linebacker will be turning 38 before the beginning of next season.
Luke Kuechly: Do you know who leads the NFL in tackles? That would be Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly. Kuechly is making a strong case for defensive rookie of the year this season. It’s absolutely ludicrous not to reward the guy who leads the league in tackles with a nod to the Pro Bowl.
Jairus Byrd: Have you not heard? It was my understanding that everyone had heard: The BYRD’s the word… Jairus Byrd that is! Jairus Byrd is the biggest snub on this list. Byrd is becoming the best free safety in the NFL. Since his entrance into the league in 2009 Byrd is near the top with interceptions. Byrd also leads the AFC in interceptions this year. Sorry Ed Reed, but it’s time to pass on the torch.
Leodis McKelvin: Another Bill! Look, I’m trying to be objective here, but I challenge anyone who wants to tell me that Leodis McKelvin should not be in the Pro Bowl. He leads the NFL in yards per punt return for players who have over 10 this season and was the only player to record multiple punt return touchdowns. McKelvin’s yards per kick return average is towards the top too, second best by anyone who has more than ten attempts without a touchdown.
That’s it for me… What are your thoughts?
Cookie’s Corner, tomorrow.
