It's hard for rookies to earn Pro Bowl votes, and that's what Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers and Sean Taylor of the Redskins found out. Taylor and Roethlisberger ended up as first alternates. Roethlisberger faced tougher competition than Taylor. He was going against Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Brady. With Brady being slighted in the Pro Bowl voting so often, it's hard to complain about his selection. Taylor lost out to the Eagles, which is what happened to everyone in the NFC East. Michael Lewis and Brian Dawkins were among nine Eagles who made it. Roy Williams has been established as one of the NFC's most physical safeties. Taylor is just the new kid on the block. Watch for him next season.
Two offseason acquisitions turned into Pro Bowl defensive backs for the Broncos. John Lynch made it at safety, and Champ Bailey, despite having more passes thrown on him than many expected, made it as a cornerback. No surprise there.
As easy as it is to be bitter about ST not making it... it's gotta be better than looking at that list as a Steeler fan this morning.
No Big Ben? You know... that rookie who stepped in for pittsburgh, lit up the league and hasn't lost a game...
... if that doesn't epitomize the overall uselessness of the pro bowl balloting system, I don't know what does. I know Brees, Manning and Brady are all having excellent
years, but come on...
Big ben burns because they select Brady because they have omitted him (errantly) in the past. It's a 'make-up' pick.
Garbage selections as usual... not sure why anyone is too surprised.
I do find it interesting that Chris Samuels' name recognition was NOT enough to land him a spot this year.
Sean Taylor was one of a kind, may he rest in peace.
Washington running back Clinton Portis. So the Redskins are dreadful. Don't blame Portis. All he has done is account for 39 percent of the team's offense, producing 1,518 yards and scoring seven times. He has run for more yards than Ahman Green. He has more yards receiving than Ahman Green. Yet it's Green, not Portis, who's on this team. "The guy's had one of the quietest great years I can remember," said an NFC scout. He should break the team record for rushing and is threatening to become the first player in league history to run for 1,500 yards in each of his first three years. That should count for something, don't you think?
Washington defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin. Based on what I've seen of the two this year, I'd take this guy over the Cowboys' La' Roi Glover in a heartbeat. Griffin is having the best season of his career, with 4½ sacks and 13 tackles for losses. Washington is the league's second-ranked defense, yet the Redskins can't put more than one person on this club? I don't know, but I think that qualifies as a capital offense.
**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."
They should take Ray Brown too, as the oldest player in the NFL! He should get a bonus clause written into his contract. He could give pilate lessons on the beach! The selection criteria has just gone so out of whack lately, that it really is not that big a deal any more.
I watch just about anything to do with football but the past few years this "event" is just something I can do without.
That Trotter is in over Pierce is such a travesty!!!
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
although Roethlisberger has done exceptional this year taking over at QB for the Steelers... I think Brady deserved it more...
Up until late Monday night (when the pro bowl votes were probably already in) both Pittburgh and New England had only one loss... Brady led the Pats on a 21 game win streak... and for only playing in one more game than Ben... he has almost 1000 yards more passing and 9 more TD's... plus whether there making up for something or not... Brady has led his team to 2 Super Bowls in 3 years and might be back for another... to be "snubbed" again for a Pro Bowl spot would be ridiculous... If he was our QB with all those stats and SB, you know we'd be burning down the Commissioners house.....
I'm not taking anything away from Ben... but alot of his success has come with playing safe smart ball.... Bettis resilience this year... and one of the top defenses in the league....
To me... Brady deserves it more...
**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."
I'd have to agree with you BTP. While it is amazing for a rookie to come in and not look like a rookie, he is not the reason the Steelers are winning games. He has had a great rookie year, but the other three AFC nominees for QB had better football seasons.
Andre Carter wrote:Damn man, you know your football.
BossHog wrote:... if that doesn't epitomize the overall uselessness of the pro bowl balloting system, I don't know what does.
...and when they overhaul that process, let's have them throw in the HOF system, too. How about the BCS ?
There must be a way to improve upon these outdated selection processes. The media should not have majority say, in any case. It's too easy.
"Sit back and watch the Redskins.
SOMETHING MAGICAL IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!"
JPFair- A fan's fan. RIP, brother
It's true, but fans vote for their own guys, right ? I think that impacts smaller market teams.
Coaches probably are the best judges of talent for the game.
As far as players voting, I don't know what I think about that. It's too easy for grudges to factor in heavily.
"Sit back and watch the Redskins.
SOMETHING MAGICAL IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!"
JPFair- A fan's fan. RIP, brother
