Top 10 Pro Bowl snubs - Page 2

Mr. Laz · 12-20-2006, 01:43 PM

Pro Bowl voting process needs changing

Adam Schein / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 1 hour ago

Let me get this out of the way right now. I don't watch the Pro Bowl. I wouldn't watch the Pro Bowl if you paid me.

But it is an honor to be selected. And every year, (watch it happen again around Super Bowl time), media types and fans will reference Pro Bowl appearances when breaking down whether or not a player deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Thus, the process should have some teeth. And imagine this concept — the best players should get to go to Hawaii. As Tiki Barber might say, this isn't rocket science.

I would scrap the entire process. Fans shouldn't vote, as they often see things through team colored glasses. Players shouldn't vote. They often vote for guys they were teammates with in college, or share the division with or share an agent with. Or they just vote for players who went to the Pro Bowl last year (and this is from talking to players).

I'd like to see media types, analysts and writers, comprise a committee and vote. I don't care about the game, but the process should have some merit.

Now for the part you are really looking for: who got robbed in 2006. Plus, guys who made the team and didn't deserve it.

1. London Fletcher: What does he have to do to get recognized? He is third in the NFL in tackles, his eighth straight year of 100 or more tackles. Fletcher has dominated games for the Bills this season and is seemingly in the middle of every big play, just look at the enormous victory against the Jets. When pressed on the issue last week, Fletcher theorized that he gets overlooked because he went to school at John Carroll and the Bills play in a small market. It is a horrendous mistake that Fletcher isn't in the Pro Bowl

2. Kerry Rhodes: The Jets safety has been the king of the game-changing play for Eric Mangini's hard-charging defense. Rhodes has four picks, four sacks and has forced three fumbles. John Lynch is a great player and a great guy, but Rhodes deserves the no.

3. Asante Samuel: The Patriots cornerback has eight picks this season, good for second in the NFL. I thought he was more worthy than Chris McAlister.

4. Pat Williams: I have no idea how anyone could deem Kris Jenkins as an all-star this year. With the way Minnesota has stopped the run, Williams deserved to be headed to Hawaii with teammate Kevin Williams. "Big Pat" is the main reason you cannot move the ball north-south on the Vikings.

5. Bart Scott: I was thrilled to see Adalius Thomas get the honor. But his partner in crime has also had a great year and both deserved to go. And how exactly does Terrell Suggs make it as a linebacker when he is a defensive end? Scott has 93 tackles and 9.5 sacks. Thomas has 75 tackles and 10.5 sacks. I cannot believe Scott isn't a Pro Bowler.

6. John Henderson: The big guy up front has anchored the Jaguars defense all season. Richard Seymour in the Pro Bowl is a joke. I love Seymour, but his playing time has been severely reduced while he's been bit with the injury bug and been relatively ineffective. Plus, Seymour is an end, not a tackle.

7. Antonio Pierce: I had him on my ballot as opposed to Lofa Tatupu. Pierce has 117 tackles; Tatupu has 104.

8. Keith Bulluck: The unquestioned team leader for the 7-7 Titans is fourth in the NFL in tackles. And Bulluck has had his stamp on enormous wins this year -- the touchdown in Philadelphia, the goal-line tackle with minutes to go against the Colts, the pick of Peyton Manning and the clutch sack against the Jags last week.

9. Kellen Winslow: It's truly splitting hairs, but I said on my FOXSports.com video report last week that I thought the Browns tight end deserved it. Winslow has more catches than Tony Gonzalez and would've been my choice.

10. Roy Williams: When a receiver has five 100-yard receiving games, that's domination. Williams also has 1,127 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Williams was one of five NFC receivers clearly having better seasons than Terrell Owens.

Good stuff
With all that said, I was thrilled to see some selections develop. Adrian Wilson and Aaron Schobel are unsung stars and it was great to see their names on the list. I was glad San Diego center Nick Hardwick made it. Reggie Wayne is a first-timer and he deserved the honor. This won't be the last time Eagles guard Shaun Andrews goes to Hawaii. Packers Donald Driver and Aaron Kampman faced competition at their positions but were on my list and more than worthy. And I was glad the Saints defense got some love with Will Smith. It was also good to see Michael Vick not get in on name alone.

12-20-2006, 01:43 PM	Topic Starter
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Top 10 Pro Bowl snubs Pro Bowl voting process needs changing Adam Schein / Special to FOXSports.com Posted: 1 hour ago Let me get this out of the way right now. I don't watch the Pro Bowl. I wouldn't watch the Pro Bowl if you paid me. But it is an honor to be selected. And every year, (watch it happen again around Super Bowl time), media types and fans will reference Pro Bowl appearances when breaking down whether or not a player deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Thus, the process should have some teeth. And imagine this concept — the best players should get to go to Hawaii. As Tiki Barber might say, this isn't rocket science. I would scrap the entire process. Fans shouldn't vote, as they often see things through team colored glasses. Players shouldn't vote. They often vote for guys they were teammates with in college, or share the division with or share an agent with. Or they just vote for players who went to the Pro Bowl last year (and this is from talking to players). I'd like to see media types, analysts and writers, comprise a committee and vote. I don't care about the game, but the process should have some merit. Now for the part you are really looking for: who got robbed in 2006. Plus, guys who made the team and didn't deserve it. 1. London Fletcher: What does he have to do to get recognized? He is third in the NFL in tackles, his eighth straight year of 100 or more tackles. Fletcher has dominated games for the Bills this season and is seemingly in the middle of every big play, just look at the enormous victory against the Jets. When pressed on the issue last week, Fletcher theorized that he gets overlooked because he went to school at John Carroll and the Bills play in a small market. It is a horrendous mistake that Fletcher isn't in the Pro Bowl 2. Kerry Rhodes: The Jets safety has been the king of the game-changing play for Eric Mangini's hard-charging defense. Rhodes has four picks, four sacks and has forced three fumbles. John Lynch is a great player and a great guy, but Rhodes deserves the no. 3. Asante Samuel: The Patriots cornerback has eight picks this season, good for second in the NFL. I thought he was more worthy than Chris McAlister. 4. Pat Williams: I have no idea how anyone could deem Kris Jenkins as an all-star this year. With the way Minnesota has stopped the run, Williams deserved to be headed to Hawaii with teammate Kevin Williams. "Big Pat" is the main reason you cannot move the ball north-south on the Vikings. 5. Bart Scott: I was thrilled to see Adalius Thomas get the honor. But his partner in crime has also had a great year and both deserved to go. And how exactly does Terrell Suggs make it as a linebacker when he is a defensive end? Scott has 93 tackles and 9.5 sacks. Thomas has 75 tackles and 10.5 sacks. I cannot believe Scott isn't a Pro Bowler. 6. John Henderson: The big guy up front has anchored the Jaguars defense all season. Richard Seymour in the Pro Bowl is a joke. I love Seymour, but his playing time has been severely reduced while he's been bit with the injury bug and been relatively ineffective. Plus, Seymour is an end, not a tackle. 7. Antonio Pierce: I had him on my ballot as opposed to Lofa Tatupu. Pierce has 117 tackles; Tatupu has 104. 8. Keith Bulluck: The unquestioned team leader for the 7-7 Titans is fourth in the NFL in tackles. And Bulluck has had his stamp on enormous wins this year -- the touchdown in Philadelphia, the goal-line tackle with minutes to go against the Colts, the pick of Peyton Manning and the clutch sack against the Jags last week. 9. Kellen Winslow: It's truly splitting hairs, but I said on my FOXSports.com video report last week that I thought the Browns tight end deserved it. Winslow has more catches than Tony Gonzalez and would've been my choice. 10. Roy Williams: When a receiver has five 100-yard receiving games, that's domination. Williams also has 1,127 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Williams was one of five NFC receivers clearly having better seasons than Terrell Owens. Good stuff With all that said, I was thrilled to see some selections develop. Adrian Wilson and Aaron Schobel are unsung stars and it was great to see their names on the list. I was glad San Diego center Nick Hardwick made it. Reggie Wayne is a first-timer and he deserved the honor. This won't be the last time Eagles guard Shaun Andrews goes to Hawaii. Packers Donald Driver and Aaron Kampman faced competition at their positions but were on my list and more than worthy. And I was glad the Saints defense got some love with Will Smith. It was also good to see Michael Vick not get in on name alone.
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