Outside linebacker Marcus Washington has been selected to the NFC squad for the 2005 Pro Bowl. Washington is the Redskins' lone Pro Bowl representative.
Rather shocking is the absence of several members of the NFC's top-ranked defense, including defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin and cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Fred Smoot. All three were named Pro Bowl alternates and will go to the All-Star game only if another player at their position sustains an injury.
The Redskins' list of alternates is as follows:
First Alternate Clinton Portis, RB Sean Taylor, S
Second Alternate Antonio Pierce, MLB Fred Smoot, CB Tom Tupa, P
Third Alternate Shawn Springs, CB
Fourth Alternate Cornelius Griffin, DT
The Pro Bowl will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Feb. 13, 2005. As in years past, fans, players and coaches selected the AFC and NFC All-Stars. Each group's collective vote count one-third towards determining conference rosters.
The 6-3, 247-pound Washington has been an impact player for the Redskins since coming over from the Indianapolis Colts in the 2004 offseason. He has started every game at linebacker for the Redskins and has totaled 110 tackled and 3.5 sacks.
Washington's verve and enthusiasm has been infectious on the defense all season. The Redskins' defense is ranked first in the NFC and second in the NFL behind only Pittsburgh.
"Marcus is quickly setting an example of what it is to be the kind of Redskin we want," assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams said earlier this season. "He plays with a very up-tempo, physical attitude and nature."
Griffin being named a fourth alternate at defensive tackle is particularly surprising. He has been a dominating presence and is a big reason why the Redskins' defense is ranked third overall against the run. Griffin has 85 tackles (58 solo), 13 tackles for a loss and a team-high five sacks this season.
Smoot and Springs have joined forces to become a pair of shutdown corners. Springs is tied for the team lead with four interceptions and also has three sacks in Williams' aggressive defense. Smoot has three interceptions, a team-high 12 passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
Add in to the secondary mix Taylor, who has come on in recent weeks to be a formidable presence. He has 77 tackles (54 solo), one sack and four interceptions on the season.
At middle linebacker, Pierce made a strong push for a Pro Bowl berth in recent weeks. Forced into the starting lineup when Mike Barrow was sidelined with a knee injury early in the season, Pierce has responded with a team-high 136 tackles (92 solo), one sack and two interceptions. In last Saturday's 26-16 win over the San Francisco 49ers, Pierce returned an interception 78 yards for a touchdown.
On offense, Clinton Portis is ranked third in the NFC with 1,283 rushing yards on 333 carries. He also has five touchdowns. If he eclipses 1,500 yards, he would become the first running back to accomplish that feat three years in a row.
Wide receiver Laveranues Coles has had a quiet, but productive season, recording 80 catches (third-best in the NFC) for 860 yards. With Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury, Coles' chances of earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl berth may have increased.
On special teams, punter Tom Tupa is a solid candidate for the NFC squad. He is second in the conference (behind Carolina's Todd Sauerbrun) with a 44.4 yards-per-punt average on a conference-high 94 punts. He also has nailed 29 punts inside the 20-yard line, second-best in the NFC.
It's our first year of being a "great" defense... and our team has a losing record... we're going to be over-looked
as the years move foward, if we start winning ball games and our defense keeps up as one of the best... then we'll have more pro bowlers going to hawaii in the future....
**SPECIAL EDITION**
CurveBall - "It might be YOUR biggest game of the year but it really doesn't seem to be as big a deal for Dallas fans anymore."
If the Redskins were sitting on a 9-5 record instead of a 5-9 record, there would be little doubt that the alternates would have been named as starters, or at least have moved up higher on the list. That is a by-product of the season that we've had. But look on the bright side, Brunell ain't going under ANY circumstance!
R.I.P. Andrew McDonough 9/3/92 - 7/14/07. Love & miss you, #20.
Sure it stinks that some of out guys got overlooked... but if Griffin a household name? I hardly think so.
I am very impressed that Washington got his comeuppance though. He's what? 25, 26 and a stud outside linebacker?
Does anyone know how much we're paying him? I hope he's in burgandy and gold for a long time!
"Guess [Ryan Kerrigan] really does have a good motor. And is relentless. And never quits on a play. And just keeps coming. And probably eats Wheaties and drinks Apple Pie smoothies and shaves with Valvoline." -Dan Steinberg DC Sports Bog
JSPB22 wrote:Please! Who in the NFC has had a better year at MLB than Pierce? I wish the Pro-Bowl wasn't such a popularity contest.
Deadskin.. couldnt agree with you more... but they named TROTTER starting MLB. what a joke. that guy may be the dumbeest player in the league. he didnt even start until week 9. this is outrageous. they fans who voted these guys in are just morons.
I can't believe Trotter made it over Pierce. That is a complete joke. Trotter has started what like 6 games?? Pierce has started every game at MLB for the top defense in the NFC. Pierce put up way better numbers than Trotter too. That's ridiculous.
And obviously if anyone was paying attention to the NFC this year they wouldve put Cornelius Griffin in the Pro Bowl. The guy has been an unbelievable force for us this year. 4th alternate? give me a break!!
I think Lito is the most overrated player Philly has by the way. He's made 2 pick sixes this year, both times when the games were out of reach.That's why hes going to the Pro Bowl. He's not as good a cover guy as Smootie or Springs.
I guess the NFC just wanted to make sure that Andy Reid and his staff had a lot of their own players to coach up at this year's Pro Bowl. I wonder if they reserve a suite at the hotel in Hawaii for Andy and his family at the beginning every season.
R.I.P. Christopher Wallace (May 21, 1972 - March 9, 1997)
R.I.P. Sean Taylor (April 1, 1983 - November 27, 2007)
um, I can't believe Trotter made it over anyone. Sure, his tackle count is high every year, which prompts his voting, but man, shouldn't someone realize that the tackles are from behind after he is caught out of position most of the time.
RIP 21
"Nah, I trust the laws of nature to stay constant. I don't pray that the sun will rise tomorrow, and I don't need to pray that someone will beat the Cowboys in the playoffs." - Irn-Bru
Sean Taylor is not only already the best safety in the league, he is the most talented player in the NFL. he's not the best player in general yet, but he probably will be in the next couple years. it's an outrage for him to not be in the pro-bowl.
but not as big an outrage as JEREMIAH TROTTER over pierce at MLB! JansenFan, you said it! i credit trotter alone for costing us at least 4 or 5 games last year due to always being out of position. plus, his numbers are hardly even HALF of pierces. this is simply a travesty.
i'm too pissed to even go on about the other positions. what a SHAM.
The other stat that's overlooked is that our offense has kept our defense on the field quite a bit this season. Just think how good our defensive stats would be had P. Ramsey started the season at QB. Our defense would be #1 by a wide margin. Coupled with no Lavar, Bowen, P. Daniels and A. Lott.
I hope our D takes out their frustration on Dallas and Minnesota and maybe keeps a chip on their shoulder next year. They definitely didn't get the respect the #2 D deserves.
