Now that the selection process for the 2013 Pro Bowl is complete, it’s time to go through the AFC and NFC rosters and see where the fans, players and coaches might have got it wrong.
Here are five players who were snubbed for the 2013 Pro Bowl.
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Luck has been the centerpiece of a Colts organization that was 2-14 last year, and now looks to make a run in the postseason occupying one of the two wild-card spots in the AFC. To say Luck was snubbed from the Pro Bowl is an understatement — he played inspired football with the weight of an ailing head coach on his shoulders, he replaced arguably the best quarterback to where shoulder pads in Peyton Manning, and changed the culture in Indianapolis and resurrected the career of Reggie Wayne (Wayne made the Pro Bowl). It’s hard to say Peyton Manning and Tom Brady don’t deserve spots on the AFC squad, but the third spot should go to Andrew Luck — not Matt Schaub.
Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks cornerback
Sherman has had an All-Pro season by any corners standards, but with a potential suspension looming over his head, maybe the fans, coaches and players took the allegations of his Adderall use into consideration. Sherman is part of a defense that has been the foundation of the team’s success, and has locked down receivers all year giving the linebackers and ends time to reach the quarterback. Patrick Peterson is a bright spot on an abysmal Arizona Cardinals team, but by no means had a better season than Sherman.
John Sullivan, Minnesota Vikings Center
It was a pretty much a guarantee that Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was destined for the Pro Bowl this season. What is shocking, however, is not one of his offensive linemen made the cut. John Sullivan, the anchor for the Vikings offensive line, created the holes Peterson ran through and improved his play from last season picking up free rushers on the blitz. Throw in the fact Sullivan was a sixth round pick, and it’s hard to believe he was passed over for Packers center Jeff Saturday for the starting center position for the NFC. Peterson is simply amazing, but he needed help, and the fact that not one of his offensive linemen made the Pro Bowl is the ultimate snub.
Torrey Smith, Ravens wide receiver
A.J. Green (Bengals), Wes Welker (Patriots), Reggie Wayne (Colts) and Andre Johnson (Texans) all had very productive seasons for their respective teams. None of them, however, had to manage the pain of loosing a brother while remaining one of the best wide-outs in the NFL — something Torrey Smith had to do all season long. Smith’s signature moment came just 24 hours after hearing the news his brother Tevin passed away in a motorcycle accident, catching two touchdown passes in a win against the New England Patriots. Smith has been Joe Flacco’s deep threat all season long — but the strength to overcome such devastating news while remaining one of the AFC’s top receivers, is something to be admired. Smith deserves a Pro Bowl nod.
Roddy White, wide receiver Atlanta Falcons
Other than Calvin Johnson (lions) and Brandon Marshall (Bears), no other NFC wide receiver has meant as much to his team as Roddy White. No disrespect to Victor Cruz (Giants), but White has been the catalyst for the Falcons this season, and one of the main reasons why Matt Ryan made the Pro Bowl this year and is in the running for the Most Valuable Player award. Julio Jones, Roddy White’s counterpart, got the Pro Bowl nod over White, but wasn’t the deep threat White was all season long. The Falcons are 13-2 and have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, and White deserves more credit for his team’s success.
